Top family UK campsites: coastal and country

Top spots for camping

Dispel all those myths about muddy groundsheets and tents being blown away (while you\'re still snuggled up in your sleeping bag inside), here are  the very finest of UK campsites, in the country and by the sea. Now all we need is some good weather...

Here\'s all you need to know about camping, carvanning and motorhoming

Ayr Holiday Park, St Ives, Cornwall

A short walk from the beaches, harbour, galleries and lively town centre of St Ives, Ayr Holiday Park has a terraced campsite with sea views and immaculate contemporary facilities. There\'s a playground and games room for kids, and direct access to the South West coastal path.

For more information: 01736 795855, www.ayrholidaypark.co.uk

South Penquite Farm, Bodmin, Cornwall

At South Penquite Farm you can bring your own tent or, alternatively, opt to stay in a traditional Mongolian yurt – a domed wooden-frame tent decked out with a wood burner, gas stove, futons, rugs and cushions. The plush shower block has big family-sized wash rooms and all the water is heated by solar panels.

For more information: 01208 850491, www.southpenquite.co.uk

Little Meadow, near Ilfracombe, North Devon

There are just 50 pitches at this beautiful North Devon campsite, which means you\'ll definitely need to book in advance to secure one of the much-coveted spaces. The campsite sits high on a plateau in Watermouth with views across the Bristol Channel, where seals, porpoises and basking sharks are often spotted.

For more information: 01271 866862, www.littlemeadow.co.uk

Leela Fields, Gillingham, Dorset

Leela Fields, in Gillingham, is surrounded by gorgeous Dorset countryside. If you don\'t feel like bringing the tent, then book into one of the spacious chalets. Younger kids can roam free in the Fields of Play nature and conservation park, where there is an orchard and a maze, while adults and teenagers can relax at the adjacent Leela Holistic Centre.

For more information: 01747 821221, www.leelafields.co.uk

Grange Farm, Brighstone Bay, Isle of Wight

Grange Farm is less than 100 metres from the seashore of Brighstone Bay. On the campsite, young children can climb aboard an old klinker lifeboat or meet the animals on the farm – as well as donkeys, chickens and cows, there are llamas, water buffalo and goats. Restless teens can escape by bus to the nearby towns of Freshwater and Newport.

For more information: 01983 741233, www.brighstonebay.fsnet.co.uk

Bracelands, Forest of Dean

This Forestry Commission campsite is popular with families who want to ditch the car once they\'ve arrived and spend the rest of their holiday on foot or bike. The Forest of Dean is criss-crossed with marked family cycle trails and unmarked mountain bike trails, while other activities include a walk along the sculpture trail and rock climbing at Symond\'s Yat.

For more information: 0845 130 8224, or click here

Tom\'s Field Campsite, Isle of Purbeck, Dorset

Tom\'s Field is set in rambling meadows, where the no-frills ethos means that it\'s tents and campervans only (no caravans) and that recycling and use of public transport in the local area is encouraged. A path through the campsite leads down to the sea, while a longer walk across the Purbeck Hills takes you to Corfe Castle and Swanage.

For more information: 01929 427110, www.tomsfieldcamping.co.uk

Troytown Farm, St Agnes, Isles of Scilly, Cornwall

Getting to Troytown Farm is an adventure in itself. A boat ride from St Mary\'s, one of the two main Scilly islands, takes you to the remote southwesterly island of St Agnes. The Troytown tractor meets guests as they clamber ashore before carrying their baggage to the campsite at the former Scillonian flower farm.

For more information: 01720 422360, www.troytown.co.uk

Clippesby Hall, Clippesby, Norfolk

Clippesby Hall has nine different areas for camping, some rowdier and some more secluded than others. South Park has a large sunny central area for lively families and is close to the shower facilities, while shady Rabbits Grove is better suited to quieter families. There is swimming, tennis and mini-golf on site. Great Yarmouth, the Norfolk Broads and Norwich are nearby.

For more information: 01493 367800, www.clippesby.com 

Pinewoods Holiday Park, near Wells-next-the-Sea, Norfolk

To the east of Pinewoods is the harbour at Wells-next-the-Sea; to the west stretches the unspoilt white sands of Holkham Beach and Nature Reserve. There\'s plenty to keep kids occupied on site, including a playing field, boating lake and trampolines. But, if you\'re planning to spend most of your time on the beach, then hire out one of the park\'s colourful beach huts.

For more information: 01328 710439, www.pinewoods.co.uk

Wasdale, Lake District

This National Trust campsite nestles next to Wastwater lake and is backdropped by the Scafell mountain range. From the campsite, families who like a challenge can follow the path up to Scafell Pike, the highest mountain in England. A short drive away you\'ll find Muncaster Castle and Owl Centre, Eskdale Railway and the sandy beaches at Drigg and Silecroft.

For more information: 0161 928 0075, or click here

Pencarnan Farm, St David\'s, Pembrokeshire

This family-run, family-friendly campsite near St David\'s overlooks RSPB-owned Ramsey Island and Whitesands Bay, and sits above the sandy cove of Porthselau beach. A short walk around the headland on the coastal path takes you to Whitesands beach, which is popular with surfers and kite flyers.

For more information: 01437 720324, www.pembrokeshire-camping.co.uk

Fforest Fields, Builth Wells, Powys

Families can go wild at this environmentally friendly campsite in mid-Wales, where the outdoors ethos means that kids of all ages will never be short of something to do. There are three mountain bike trails on site and longer trails within striking distance. Other activities include walking, canyoning, ballooning, horse riding and canoeing.

For more information: 01982 570406, www.fforestfields.co.uk

Trossachs Holiday Park, Aberfoyle, Stirlingshire

This 40-acre holiday park encompasses every style of camping from luxury lodges to tents. There are two woodlands within the grounds, sheltered camping pitches overlooking Ben Lomond and the Campsie Hills, a children\'s play area and a games room. Mountain bike and cycle hire is available, with routes for all abilities from the park.

For more information: 01877 382614, www.trossachsholidays.co.uk

Sands Caravan & Camping Park, Gairloch, Highlands

At Sands you can pitch your tent among the sand dunes or bag a spot with a sea view out to the Hebrides and the Isle of Skye, but whatever you do you\'ll be within a short stroll of the beach. For an even cooler camping experience, book into one of the wooden heated wigwams.

For more information: 01445 712152, www.sandsholidaycentre.co.uk

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