Planning Your UK Camping Adventure
Right, you’ve got an idea of the kinda camping you want, you’ve got the gear, now let’s get you sorted with a proper plan! We’ll help you dodge the stress and avoid any booking disasters. So you’ll have just a brilliant camping trip that’ll have your mates asking how you became “the outdoor expert of the group”.
The secret isn’t having loads of experience; it’s knowing where to go, what to look for, what actually matters and having backup plans for when things go sideways. If you’re following this guide, good! By the end of this section, you’ll look like you’ve been booking campsites for years, even if this is your first rodeo.
Choosing Your Where To Go (The Smart Way)
Cornwall & Devon: The Family Favourite – This is proper “bucket and spade” territory with camping where you can actually access the beach. And with lots of campsites on clifftops along the South West Coast Path, means you can camp with a view along some of the best coastal walking paths in the UK. Premium prices of £25-45 per night but you’re paying for guaranteed facilities and that seaside camping vibe. Book Christmas/New Year for summer spots, seriously, they go that fast. Train connections are decent to major towns, then local buses are available to many sites. Perfect if you want camping with a safety net of shops, activities for kids and pubs nearby.
Lake District: The Classic Choice – Made famous by William Wordsworth in the 18th/19th century, it has long been a pilgrimage-like destination for all UK campers. Book campsites by February for summer weekends or you’ll be camping in a car park or somewhere else disappointing. Expect £20-35 per night for decent sites with proper facilities, yes, it’s pricey but you’re paying for location and guaranteed clean loos. Lake District camping is surprisingly accessible by train (plus bus), so makes it doable without a car from pretty much anywhere in the country. Great for first-timers who want that proper mountain experience without too much faff.
Peak District: The Weekender – The Peak District was the first designated national park in the UK way back in 1951, so has been setup for decades with great camping infrastructure. It also has more “proper pubs” in walking distance per campsite than anywhere else in the UK (which makes it our second favourite place to visit). Situated pretty much slap bang in the middle of the UK, it is perfect for spontaneous trips. Loads of sites to choose from, reasonable prices at around £10-20 per night and easily reached from major cities by train. More sites means less advance booking needed than other hotspots, making it ideal for last-minute plans. Weather can be proper moody though, so pack layers and don’t trust those sunny morning forecasts. The Peak District is our choice of destination for beginner campers to test your camping legs before tackling the bigger adventures.
Scotland : The Wild Card – Our personal favourite place to visit in the UK! Scotland’s for those ready to step up their game. Wild camping is legal and free but you’ll need proper waterproofs and know-how, so it’s not for first timers. Campsites on the other hand need to be booked well ahead for summer, especially around Edinburgh and the Highlands during high season. Budget around £15-25 per night for decent sites, but factor in higher transport costs if you’re coming from down south. Perfect for building serious outdoor cred, if you’re the type of person who likes to dive straight into the wild. Just don’t forget to bring the Smidge!
Wales: The Hidden Gem – Welsh campsites are some of the best in the UK and offer some great bases to explore the likes of Pembrokeshire and Snowdonia. But book early, it’s not as secret as it used to be! Budget £12-25 per night and be prepared to pack some serious rain gear because “Wales” actually means “Waterproof” in Welsh (don’t quote us on that). Public transport is trickier here, so car-sharing with mates is your best bet. Wales is brilliant for beginners to have those “how did you find this place?” moments that’ll boost your outdoorsy reputation.
Booking Your Site (And Actually Getting a Spot)
Here’s the thing nobody tells you: the best UK campsites get booked up faster than festival tickets. Seriously, summer weekends are gone by February and some places are booked by Christmas the year before! But don’t panic, we’ll help you avoid disappointment. The key is to start thinking strategically and consider what kind of experience you want: are you looking for a back-to-basics pitch with stunning views or something with all the bells and whistles, like hot showers and an on-site pub? Make a list of your must haves and once you have a clear idea, use online booking platforms and campsite directories to search by location and facilities. Don’t be afraid to check out lesser-known spots or consider a mid-week trip to find a hidden gem.
Choosing the Right Site for Your Group:
For Families with Kids: Look for sites with proper playgrounds, not just a rusty swing in a field. Check reviews for mentions of “family-friendly” policies, as some places are brilliant with kids and others treat them like unwelcome noise machines. On-site shops are essential when you inevitably run out of milk or forget the kids’ favourite snacks. And pitches with electric hook-ups are your friend for charging tablets during rainy afternoons (no judgment here). Many family sites also have laundry facilities, trust us, you’ll need them.
For Couples: Prioritize sites with a romantic vibe. Look for mentions of “peaceful”, “secluded pitches” or “stunning views” in reviews. Many couples prefer smaller, boutique-style sites over massive holiday park affairs. Check if they offer glamping options alongside tent pitches in case you want to upgrade mid-trip. Sites with on-site restaurants or nearby gastropubs are perfect for those “let’s not cook tonight” moments. Privacy between pitches matters more when it’s just the two of you, as nobody wants to hear other people’s relationship discussions over a morning cuppa.
For Groups of Mates: Filter for sites that allow group bookings and check their noise policies, some places are fine with campfire singalongs, others have strict quiet hours from 8pm. Look for sites near decent pubs or with on-site bars because you’ll want somewhere to go when the weather turns. Multiple shower blocks mean less queuing and fewer arguments about who takes longest. Check if they allow you to pitch tents close together, as some sites have strict spacing rules that split up your group.
What Everyone Needs To Check:
Red Flags to Avoid
Sites with consistently recent bad reviews about cleanliness or rude owners. Definitely avoid.
Places that don’t respond to enquiries quickly (suggests poor management). Give these a miss.
Sites with no clear cancellation policy. If the weather looks to be a force 9 gale that weekend, you’ll need flexibility to cancel.
Finally, avoid anywhere that sounds too good to be true at peak times, there’s usually a catch and it’s usually in the form of the pitch just behind the loos…
Your Booking Toolkit:
Don’t worry, you don’t need a secret password or a camping guru on speed dial to find these spots. There are a few key websites and tricks that will make the whole process feel less like a wild goose chase and more like a simple holiday search. Here’s your booking toolkit:
- Pitchup.com – Think of it as the Booking.com for camping. Everything’s there, the reviews are honest and you can filter by what actually matters to you.
- Hipcamp – These guys find the quirky, Instagram-worthy spots you’ll want to tell everyone about. They also have this cool roadtrip feature, so if you want to travel between two destinations, it’ll map out the campsites between them. Pretty nifty eh?
- Club Sites – Join the Camping and Caravanning Club for access to members-only sites. They often have the cleanest loos and best facilities (and they’ve been around for ages, so they know what they’re doing!).
You’re Ready to Book
Planning a camping trip doesn’t need to be stressful or complicated. Yeah, the best sites book up fast and there are a few things to watch out for, but now you know what actually matters. You know when to book, what to look for and how to avoid those nightmare campsite scenarios that become legendary for all the wrong reasons.
The difference between a camping trip that’s brilliant and one that’s a disaster? Usually just ten minutes of smart planning and knowing which questions to ask. You’ve got the toolkit now: the websites that actually work, the red flags to avoid and insider knowledge like calling sites directly when online bookings say they’re full.
Now pick your spot and book early (seriously, do it now). Those summer weekends aren’t getting any less busy.
Campsite Booked? Sort Your Tent Next
You’ve got the planning knowledge and secured your pitch. Keep that momentum going – hire a tent now and you’re completely ready. No shopping trips, no storage, just book a tent and worry-less.