Editor's pick - The best relaxing campsites

Introduction - Editor's picks for relaxing sites

These rural retreats are perfect for families who prefer a more relaxing getaway, with lots of open space, without the more action-packed pace of a big holiday park.

Relaxing sites are also ideal for couples looking to spend quality time away together but don’t necessarily want an adults-only campsite.

  Rutland Caravan & Camping, Rutland

(Photo courtesy of Rutland Caravan & Camping)

A rural campsite, open all year, with adults-only and family-friendly areas along with an indoor swimming pool.

Situated on the edge of the pretty little village of Greetham, the campsite comprises two large separate areas, both with spacious hardstanding and grass pitches, and heated toilet blocks. There's also an indoor pool, a large dog walk area and an indoor dog shower.

The amenities are well maintained and a small shop sells all the basics you will need during your stay. Greetham itself is only a five-minute walk away and boasts a shop, post office and three pubs - all of which offer extensive menus.

The 3,000 acre Rutland Water has all the watersports you could possibly want - from cycling and walking to sailing, windsurfing and fly fishing. Also close by is Oakham, Rutland's county town, and over the border in Lincolnshire is Stamford, with its stone architecture impressive enough to rival that of Bath or Oxford. Burghley House and Belvoir Castle are also both within 30 minutes of the park.

Find out more: Rutland Caravan & Camping 

  Hop Farm Camping & Touring Park, Kent

(Photo courtesy of Hop Farm)

Discover this nature’s paradise in the heart of the Kent countryside. With 500 acres of private fields, woodland and meandering streams and rivers, it’s an idyllic destination for your holiday or weekend break. Take advantage of outstanding features including newly refurbished, ultra-modern washroom facilities, an onsite pub/restaurant and shop. Both hardstanding and grass only electric hook ups available, or simply pick a spot at the farthest end of a field for total tranquillity. Nature lovers will enjoy the many bird species that live in the woods, as well as the huge unspoilt skies at night with stars and planets abound to see.

Find out more: Hop Farm 

  Parbola Holiday Park, Cornwall

(Photo courtesy of Lovat Parks)

Nestled in 16 acres of mature grounds with a heated outdoor swimming pool, Parbola Holiday Park is the perfect spot to unwind. And when the mood takes you, venture out and discover the gems that make West Cornwall a truly unique part of the world. From wild landscapes to little hideaways, welcome to pure Poldark country.

Pitch up at Parbola on grass and hardstanding pitches with or without electric hook-ups. Suitable for tents, tourers, motorhomes and campervans. The campsite is dog friendly, too, so you can bring all the family!

Find out more: Parbola Holiday Park  

  Flaxton Meadows, North Yorkshire

(Photo courtesy of Flaxton Meadows)

Flaxton Meadows eco-campsite is located in North Yorkshire’s beautiful countryside renowned for its wildlife and scenery. Bordered by rolling farmland and the internationally important heathland and wildlife site, Strensall Common SSSI, Flaxton Meadows provides a peaceful retreat for those wishing to enjoy nature, yet within easy reach of a wide range of amenities.

Guests at Flaxton Meadows have a range of accommodation to choose from including: handcrafted luxury log cabins, touring and motorhome pitches (hardstanding and grass) with natural screening and electric; and back to nature camping pitches.

All guests can enjoy use of the state-of-the-art washroom and toilets with thermostatically controlled hot water and underfloor heating utilising natural resources generated on the campsite. The aim and policy of Flaxton Meadows eco campsite is to provide a low-carbon-footprint environment for eco-conscious guests to stay and enjoy. Every component of the design has considered the impact on the environment both short and long term.

Find out more: Flaxton Meadows 

  Riverside Caravan Park, Devon

(Photo courtesy of Riverside Caravan Park)

Located close to Plymouth, this is an open all year, secluded campsite, with lots of local wildlife, bordered by the River Plym and ancient woodland. There are wildlife-rich walks along the river and in the local area.

The campsite offers level pitches with electric hook-up and premier pitches with individual electric, water and grey waste facilities. Other amenities on the campsite include toilets and showers, a launderette, shop, games room and outdoor play area. There is a seasonal bar, restaurant and takeaway on the campsite, along with an outdoor heated pool (open end of May to mid Sept).

The local park and ride service is just a 15-minute walk, giving easy access into Plymouth. Here you can enjoy boating, the architecture, and the many amenities of this busy port city.

Find out more: Riverside Caravan Park 

  Wareham Forest Tourist Park, Dorset

(Photo courtesy of Claire Tupholme)

A warm, friendly welcome awaits you at this five-star 40-acre woodland campsite, centrally located for exploring the beautiful Jurassic Coast and Purbeck Hills.

A quiet, quality family campsite nestling amid forest scenery, with visiting foxes and the occasional sika deer, this must be one of Britain’s perfect campsites. But, for all its wonderful natural forest appeal, don’t imagine Wareham Forest Tourist Park to be in any way primitive. This is a well-groomed, state-of-the-art site with everything from WiFi to an extremely sophisticated security-code system.

There's an outdoor swimming pool surrounded by palm-tree-fringed sunbathing areas – and the campsite is surrounded by nature trails, tracks and walking opportunities.

Find out more: Wareham Forest Tourist Park 

  Rhyd Y Galen Caravan & Camping Park, Gwynedd

(Photo courtesy of Rhyd Y Galen Caravan & Camping Park)

Rhyd y Galen is set in 20 acres of farmland and offers visitors a tranquil getaway, whilst being easily accessible and close to the many local attractions. The Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon) Path is just six miles away and the campsite is only just over a mile from the Wales Coast Path. Zip World and Ynys Môn (Anglesey) are a short drive away.

The campsite has very spacious pitches, with a choice of standard grass non-electric, or grass with electric, plus grass or all-weather super pitches with water, drainage and electric hook-up. All the electric pitches are 16A. Seasonal pitches are also available on the campsite.

Find out more: Rhyd Y Galen Caravan & Camping Park 

  Harrogate Caravan Park, North Yorkshire

(Photo courtesy of Harrogate Caravan Park)

Located on the south side of Harrogate, just two miles from the town centre and with a bus stop five minutes’ walk away, this campsite is in an ideal location for exploring the pretty spa town, which has a shopping centre, scenic gardens and a theatre. A trip to Bettys Tea Rooms is also a must! For a day in the outdoors, the National Trust’s Brimham Rocks is 14 miles away. Here you’ll find giant rock formations and heather moorlands.

Harrogate Caravan Park has 67 pitches, a mixture of grass and hardstanding, with electric hook-up and free WiFi. Facilities include toilets and showers, a laundry room, plus an award-winning farm shop and café.

Find out more: Harrogate Caravan Park  

  Mill Park Caravan & Camping Site, Devon

(Photo courtesy of Mill Park)

Mill Park Caravan and Camping Park has a well-stocked 1.5 acre private fishing lake on site, and is only a mile or so from the north Devon surf spots of Ilfracombe and Croyde. Both sand and pebble beaches are also within a short walk – and there's a bar on site, too, which overlooks the Mill Park stream.

Mill Park is a sheltered site suited to families and couples, set in a wooded valley on the north Devon coast and surrounded by woodland for woody walks (yep, dogs are welcome too). On its doorstep is the Exmoor National Park as well as the beautiful north Devon coast and it is just a five-minute walk to the nearest village.

Find out more: Mill Park Caravan & Camping Site  

  Old Hall Caravan Park, Lancashire

(Photo courtesy of Old Hall Caravan Park)

Old Hall Caravan Park is one of the most peaceful caravan sites in the northwest of England. Not only is the campsite only minutes away from the M6, but it's just two miles to Over Kellet and three miles from Carnforth. The campsite is also ideal for exploring the Lake District and the Yorkshire Dales, as well as local towns such as Kirkby Lonsdale and Ambleside, making Old Hall the perfect base for exploring everything that the region has to offer.

Find out more: Old Hall Caravan Park