Too early to plan your next family camping holiday! We don’t think so…
Regardless of how much you may like a crisp winter, it can feel like an eternity since … and until … your camping holiday. Yes, curling up in front of the fire gives a fuzzy feeling of satisfaction with one’s lot, but it can’t compare with the sound of unzipping a tent and venturing out to beat your chest at all that nature has to offer.
So, what shall we do until Spring arrives in all its glory? Well, we could learn to knit, or we could book ourselves on a salsa class that we’ll never turn up to…or, we could get ourselves ridiculously excited about our next camping holiday (perhaps even make a booking to really feel smug).
At BCH Camping we’d always vote for the camping holiday, so we’ve put together a list of 10 suggested campsites for families. They’re not in any order, and there are plenty of other good sites out there. We just want to give you some ideas to keep you away from those knitting needles!
Welsummer Camping, Kent
Named after a resident chicken (you’re right, we couldn’t make this up), Welsummer is a family-run tent-only campsite located in the heart of the beautiful Kent landscape, providing meadow and woodland pitches.
You can either bring your own tent, or rent one of the site’s own canvas tents; camping and glamping in one place! Pitches are comfortably spread out and come with a fire pit. The tents supplied by the site also have a picnic table on their pitch.
Based in beautiful countryside and close to the bustling towns of Maidstone and Canterbury, there is always plenty to do to occupy the whole family.
Post code for satnavs ME17 1NQ
Glenmore Campsite, Aviemore
At Glenmore you’re spoilt for choice with access to landscapes, forests, mountains and the beaches of Loch Morlich. There are 206 pitches available for tents, caravans and motorhomes.
Located in the Cairngorms National Park, this site proudly boasts everything that the Scottish Highlands have to offer. There is an abundance of wildlife to keep young and old entertained. Nearby there are many outdoor activities available such as water sports on Loch Morlich, the Cairngorm Mountain, The Highland Wildlife Park and the Highland Wildlife Safari. Inverness and the Strathspey Railway provide plenty to see and do on rainy days.
For satnavs, enter Aviemore and follow the website’s directions.
Beck’s Bay, Pembrokeshire
They say the best things come in small packages. Located on a working farm, just 100m from the famous coastal path of the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, Becks Bay Camping is a small site. There are 10 grass pitches and 4 pre-pitched bell tents.
If you’re the kind of family for which less is more, this could be the site for you. There is no electricity, playground or wifi. Children play in rolling fields, and the site has a very rustic feel, with the comforting sound of campfires in the evenings.
There are many footpaths and trails to the many sandy beaches the Manorbier peninsular has to offer. The main surf beach, Precipe and Swan Lake Bay are particular local favourites. Also situated nearby is Manorbier Castle.
Post code for satnav is SA70 7RX
Henry’s Campsite, The Lizard, Cornwall
The most southerly site in Britain, Henry’s Campsite is to be found at the top of Caerthillian Valley, in a rural location. Guests are treated to sea views with spectacular sunsets, and several coastal paths.
There are many pitches all with hook-ups, each with their own unique character due to the wild and cultivated plants, and partial walls. There are showers, washing machines, hairdryers and recycling facilities.
Lizard Village is surrounded by coastal walks, and is close to Cadgwith cove, a working fishing village, where you can buy fresh fish. There is a small traditional local pub which has folk night on Tuesdays and Cornish songs on Fridays! Don’t be shy now…
Post code for satnav TR12 7NX
Ace Hideaways, Moray, North Scotland
As the name suggests, Ace Hideaways is a family destination that surpasses archetypal expectations of a campsite. There is a variety and intensity of adventure activities on offer against a serene woodland backdrop.
There are tent pitches, three large bell tents and a shepherd's hut for two, all with their own clearing in the woods. There are compost toilets and gas-heated showers and a communal area for cooking, with campfire pits, utensils and washing up sinks.
The activities on offer include family white water rafting, a Highland Fling Bungee Jump, Woodland Paintball, cliff jumping, canyoning and inflatable canoes and kayaks. Alternatively, the remoteness of Morayshire can offer a peaceful holiday, away from the crowds.
Post code for satnav IV36 2QL
Thistledown Farm, Stroud, Gloucestershire
Thistledown is a family run farm, located in the Cotswold Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. There is an alternative approach to camping here that will appeal to the eco warriors amongst you. Green values are emphasised, and campfires are encouraged. There are no allotted pitches, and the lower fields are car-free.
The camping fields are very large, and numbers are restricted so there is a strong sense of space at the site. There are many footpaths within the 70 acres of meadow and woodland, and there is a farm shop with local art and crafts, streams, woodland ponds, Roman troughs, animal paddocks, picnic spots and land art.
Post code for satnav GL10 3UH
Harry’s Field, New Forest
The team at Harry’s Field proudly declare that their site is “run by campers for campers”. Located in Frogham, at the heart of the New Forest, the surrounding woodland provides many opportunities for spotting wildlife such as deer and New Forest ponies. Minnow catching is popular, as is the local fine dining pub, The Foresters Arms!
The pitches are of ample size, and there are showers, toilets and sinks for washing up. Barbecues are welcomed, and there are fire baskets available. The site accommodates up to 60 pitches and two pre-pitched bell tents. There are no electric hook-ups.
Big groups are not permitted because the focus is on the family environment. As such there is a relaxed, sociable feel to the site.
Post code for satnav SP6 2JA
Swattesfield Campsite, East Anglia, Suffolk
Located in North Suffolk, Swattesfield has so much to offer the camper looking for something different. This 7 acre site has two Pixie Huts, three boutique bell tents and a converted Suffolk hay cart, alongside 15 unmarked pitches for tents or small campervans. There are no hook-ups.
Campfires are allowed in the pits provided and there is a homemade pizza oven for use. There is a toilet block with 2 showers. A small shop sells camping equipment and food, and board games can be borrowed from the library. There is a large, outside double sink unit for pot washing, and Gislingham village shop is a 15-minute walk away.
Thornham Lakes is 1.5 miles away for fresh water fishing, and the 12 miles of Thornham Walks takes you through woodland, flowers and fields.
Post code for satnav IP23 8HH
The Quiet Site, Ullswater, Lake District National Park
Despite its name, The Quiet Site is no quieter than other campsites, but the name seems to deter big groups from staying there, making it an ideal site for families. There are several walkways close by. It is a fantastic base from which to explore the stunning Lake District.
The all-weather tent pitches are flat terraces with a pea gravel centre and a grassy surround, which means there is hardly any mud, even in heavy rain. All the pitches have views down towards Ullswater.
There’s an on-site pub, free hot showers, washing-up area and small shop. The Quiet Site is committed to sustainable tourism and all hot water and heating in the bar, shop, office, cottages and service block is sourced from renewables.
Post code for satnavs CA11 0LS
Cosy Under Canvas, Kington, Powys
This is glamping in all its glory! Cosy Under Canvas has 7 geodomes, all with a private fire pit and wood burning stove. The geodomes are furnished, and the beds have memory foam toppers. With a close eye on environmental impact, the site has compost toilets and washrooms in the woods. The eco showers are wood fired and have a canopy view. There is a new washroom and biomass boiler heated power showers if preferred!
The market town of Hay on Wye is only four miles away as is the Brecon Beacons National Park. The outdoor activities available nearby include hiking, walking, horse riding, trekking, canoeing, cycling, climbing, gliding and caving.
Post code for satnavs HR5 3QQ
Whatever your choice of campsite may be, BCH Camping would be delighted to help you with your clothing, equipment, tents and accessories. Just get in touch!
So, what shall we do until Spring arrives in all its glory? Well, we could learn to knit, or we could book ourselves on a salsa class that we’ll never turn up to…or, we could get ourselves ridiculously excited about our next camping holiday (perhaps even make a booking to really feel smug).
At BCH Camping we’d always vote for the camping holiday, so we’ve put together a list of 10 suggested campsites for families. They’re not in any order, and there are plenty of other good sites out there. We just want to give you some ideas to keep you away from those knitting needles!
Welsummer Camping, Kent
You can either bring your own tent, or rent one of the site’s own canvas tents; camping and glamping in one place! Pitches are comfortably spread out and come with a fire pit. The tents supplied by the site also have a picnic table on their pitch.
Based in beautiful countryside and close to the bustling towns of Maidstone and Canterbury, there is always plenty to do to occupy the whole family.
Post code for satnavs ME17 1NQ
Glenmore Campsite, Aviemore
Located in the Cairngorms National Park, this site proudly boasts everything that the Scottish Highlands have to offer. There is an abundance of wildlife to keep young and old entertained. Nearby there are many outdoor activities available such as water sports on Loch Morlich, the Cairngorm Mountain, The Highland Wildlife Park and the Highland Wildlife Safari. Inverness and the Strathspey Railway provide plenty to see and do on rainy days.
For satnavs, enter Aviemore and follow the website’s directions.
Beck’s Bay, Pembrokeshire
If you’re the kind of family for which less is more, this could be the site for you. There is no electricity, playground or wifi. Children play in rolling fields, and the site has a very rustic feel, with the comforting sound of campfires in the evenings.
There are many footpaths and trails to the many sandy beaches the Manorbier peninsular has to offer. The main surf beach, Precipe and Swan Lake Bay are particular local favourites. Also situated nearby is Manorbier Castle.
Post code for satnav is SA70 7RX
Henry’s Campsite, The Lizard, Cornwall
There are many pitches all with hook-ups, each with their own unique character due to the wild and cultivated plants, and partial walls. There are showers, washing machines, hairdryers and recycling facilities.
Lizard Village is surrounded by coastal walks, and is close to Cadgwith cove, a working fishing village, where you can buy fresh fish. There is a small traditional local pub which has folk night on Tuesdays and Cornish songs on Fridays! Don’t be shy now…
Post code for satnav TR12 7NX
Ace Hideaways, Moray, North Scotland
There are tent pitches, three large bell tents and a shepherd's hut for two, all with their own clearing in the woods. There are compost toilets and gas-heated showers and a communal area for cooking, with campfire pits, utensils and washing up sinks.
The activities on offer include family white water rafting, a Highland Fling Bungee Jump, Woodland Paintball, cliff jumping, canyoning and inflatable canoes and kayaks. Alternatively, the remoteness of Morayshire can offer a peaceful holiday, away from the crowds.
Post code for satnav IV36 2QL
Thistledown Farm, Stroud, Gloucestershire
The camping fields are very large, and numbers are restricted so there is a strong sense of space at the site. There are many footpaths within the 70 acres of meadow and woodland, and there is a farm shop with local art and crafts, streams, woodland ponds, Roman troughs, animal paddocks, picnic spots and land art.
Post code for satnav GL10 3UH
Harry’s Field, New Forest
The pitches are of ample size, and there are showers, toilets and sinks for washing up. Barbecues are welcomed, and there are fire baskets available. The site accommodates up to 60 pitches and two pre-pitched bell tents. There are no electric hook-ups.
Big groups are not permitted because the focus is on the family environment. As such there is a relaxed, sociable feel to the site.
Post code for satnav SP6 2JA
Swattesfield Campsite, East Anglia, Suffolk
Campfires are allowed in the pits provided and there is a homemade pizza oven for use. There is a toilet block with 2 showers. A small shop sells camping equipment and food, and board games can be borrowed from the library. There is a large, outside double sink unit for pot washing, and Gislingham village shop is a 15-minute walk away.
Thornham Lakes is 1.5 miles away for fresh water fishing, and the 12 miles of Thornham Walks takes you through woodland, flowers and fields.
Post code for satnav IP23 8HH
The Quiet Site, Ullswater, Lake District National Park
The all-weather tent pitches are flat terraces with a pea gravel centre and a grassy surround, which means there is hardly any mud, even in heavy rain. All the pitches have views down towards Ullswater.
There’s an on-site pub, free hot showers, washing-up area and small shop. The Quiet Site is committed to sustainable tourism and all hot water and heating in the bar, shop, office, cottages and service block is sourced from renewables.
Post code for satnavs CA11 0LS
Cosy Under Canvas, Kington, Powys
The market town of Hay on Wye is only four miles away as is the Brecon Beacons National Park. The outdoor activities available nearby include hiking, walking, horse riding, trekking, canoeing, cycling, climbing, gliding and caving.
Post code for satnavs HR5 3QQ
Whatever your choice of campsite may be, BCH Camping would be delighted to help you with your clothing, equipment, tents and accessories. Just get in touch!
