Family camping trips can be a real highlight of the summer break and often create lasting memories for all ages. There is a wealth of campsites across the UK for families in a huge variety of locations, with some great facilities to help you enjoy nights under canvas and the beautiful outdoors. Camping is one of the best opportunities for kids to really unplug from all of their electronic gadgets and enjoy simple pleasures such as building dens, exploring woodland and beaches and tree climbing with new-found friends.
The Fire Pit Camp, Norfolk
This inspired campsite mixes beautiful Norfolk countryside with a large dose of family fun. The Fire Pit Camp looks like a magical wonderland, with a retro double-decker bus repurposed as a fun play area and a pop up cafe for coffees and snacks. There is a huge play meadow complete with climbing frame, a giant tractor-wheel slide and a mud kitchen, too. Since the camp is a car-free site, it’s the perfect place to allow kids more freedom to roam. Families can come together over the communal fire pit and a renovated old goat shed contains the loos, shower and sinks.
Nearby, there’s the beautiful Norfolk Broads for one of the UK’s most striking wetland areas and the north Norfolk coastline, for sandcastles by the sea and “blue flag” beaches, is an hour’s drive away. For a sense of Britain from yesteryear there’s also a steam train station at nearby Dereham and those with energy to burn can race around the ruins of Castle Acre Priory.
Sands Caravan and Camping Park, Gairloch, Scottish Highlands
With incredible views over to the Isle of Skye and the Outer Hebrides, Sands Caravan and Camping Park has a great deal to offer families who are looking for a real getaway with the wow factor. Sands is located on the gorgeous west coast of the Scottish Highlands, right by the sea. There’s a wonderful playground for kids as well as a games room, bikes and kayaks for hire and a shop selling essentials including bread, milk and, of course, kites. The campsite runs straight down to the beach, perfect for watching the sun set over the sea.
Nearby, there is horse riding through the picturesque Flowerdale Estate, whale watching trips around the Gairloch Bay (right on the North Coast 500 route) and gentle woodland trails through Beinn Eighe national nature reserve. Sands is the perfect location to breathe in that fresh Scottish air and feel your shoulders start to relax.
Caerfai Farm, St Davids, Wales
This Welsh camping site is a real delight. Overlooking St Brides Bay and with simply stunning views, Caerfai Farm sits in a unique spot. The campsite is the perfect location for kite flying and if you’re a family who loves to walk, or simply want a great camping spot that welcomes dogs, you will enjoy exploring the local countryside with the site opening directly on to the Pembrokeshire Coast Path. There is a small shop selling the farm’s own organic cheeses and the farmstead is set 300 metres above a beautiful sandy beach and a bay, which is perfect for kids to swim in.
The picturesque tiny city of St Davids is a short 10-minute walk from the site, where you will find lots to love including the Norman cathedral, galleries, restaurants and shops. Away from the city a trip to Ramsey Island, an RSPB reserve, will delight kids of all ages and you may even see dolphins, whales or puffins on the journey.
Grange Farm, Brighstone Bay, Isle of Wight
This campsite has a timeless quality. You could quite imagine a Famous Five adventure taking place at Grange Farm on the Isle of Wight. Sitting alongside Brighstone Bay, one of the most unspoilt parts of this island, the campsite has easy access to the sandy beach below. The Isle of Wight is perfect for fossil hunting and Brighstone Bay itself was the location for the discovery of a partial Sauropod skeleton.
On site, this working farm has its own collection of animals that children will love, including alpacas, pigs, horses and water buffalos among many others. With a small playground, rope bridge and stepping stones and plenty of opportunities for walking and cycling it will be hard to leave, but the Isle of Wight is packed full of family friendly activities and the beaches and coastline are simply beautiful.
Watertop Open Farm, County Antrim, Northern Ireland
Families will love Watertop Open Farm for its huge range of amenities as well as its delightful location. Situated in the Glens of Antrim, visitors can enjoy boating, pony trekking, assault courses and farm tours. There is also an onsite tea room and a play area, which includes a bouncy castle and climbing wall.
The site is located less than 20 miles from Northern Ireland’s only Unesco World Heritage site, The Giant’s Causeway, which is sure to capture kids imaginations. If your children are into outdoor fun, the nearby Ardclinis Outdoor Adventure centre has a wealth of activities, including climbing, canoeing and archery.
Wowo Campsite, Wapsbourne Manor Farm , Sheffield Park, East Sussex
Wapsbourne Manor Farm set in the beautiful Sussex countryside is only two hours’ drive from London, but it couldn’t be further away from city life. With a babbling brook running through the middle of the site and an atmosphere of community and simple pleasures it is somewhere kids of all ages can unplug and enjoy.
On site there’s a barn with games, a small shop and laundry facilities, but where Wapsbourne really comes into its own is with its communal activities including big campfires with sing-a-longs and pizza-making nights. Wapsbourne represents camping in the English countryside at its best, a chance to really enjoy the beautiful setting and come together as a family for simple fun.
Go to www.homeofamazing.com for further holiday inspiration
