100 Top Campsites: Country Retreats

Escape to the country to really chill out and enjoy camping as it's meant to be.

Whether you want somewhere your family can enjoy the local wildlife, introduce the kids to farm animals, base yourself for walks in the hills or simply enjoy the peace and quiet, you’ll find it in our green and pleasant land.

ROTHIEMURCHUS CAMP & CARAVAN PARK
SCOTTISH HIGHLANDS
Coylumbridge, by Aviemore PH22 1QU
01479 812800
rothiemurchus.net
Set amongst Caledonian pine trees in the Cairngorms National Park, this site offers camping in a wilderness setting. The campsite is a 20-minute walk from the Rothiemurchus Centre where over 50 outdoor activities are bookable, along with lots of cycling and walking - kids will be spoilt for things to do. There are three separate camping areas - one a high level area set in the pines, the second next to the Am Beanaidh burn flowing through the park and the third situated on an island where the burn splits.

FFOREST FIELDS
MID-WALES
Hundred House, Builth Wells, Powys, Wales LD1 5RT
01982 570406
fforestfields.co.uk
A beautiful site with top notch facilities and, judging by the emails and messages we receive on social media, a big favourite with Camping readers. Allowing up to two dogs free per pitch, this secluded campsite has direct access to a variety of farm and woodland walks. Just a few miles from the market town of Builth Wells, there are plenty of activities nearby. Fishing, golf, and riding are all within a short distance, or you could opt for the more energetic mountain biking and paragliding.

GREEN PASTURES FARM
HAMPSHIRE
Ower, Romsey, Hampshire SO51 6AJ
02380 814444
greenpasturesfarm.com
This is family run farm site just on the outskirts of the New Forest has plenty of space for children to play. The campsite welcomes dogs, with daytime kennels available. As well as the New Forest providing plenty of natural space to explore and many walking and cycling routes, Green Pastures is also close to Paultons Family Theme Park. Paultons has a host of rides for all ages, plus animals, a garden and a lake.

WING HALL ESTATE
RUTLAND
Wing Hall, Wing, Oakham, Rutland LE15 8RY
01572 737090
winghall.co.uk
Rutland is England’s smallest county and a true rural retreat. This campsite is set in spacious fields within the grounds of Wing Hall with views across the countryside. Wing Hall offers a real camping experience with a few added comforts. One mile away is magnificent Rutland Water - a man-made lake offering a range of watersports, plenty of walking and cycling, lots of open space, along with a climbing wall and bird watching centre. A little further afield (30 minutes’ drive) is the city of Leicester with its National Space Centre. While away the hours here learning about space with interactive discovery and themed galleries, with rockets, satellites and capsules.

LADY HEYES TOURING PARK
CHESHIRE
Kingsley Road, Frodsham, Cheshire WA6 6SU
01928 788557
ladyheyespark.com
With great views over the Cheshire countryside, Lady Heyes is part campsite, part craft and antiques centre. Lady Heyes’ very own retail complex is just a short walk from your pitch and in the former farm buildings here you’ll find a remarkably eclectic variety of products on sale. The shops sell everything from antiques to candles and spices to sweets. Frodsham is five minute drive away, and it is within easy reach of Chester, Delamere Forest, and Oulton Park motor racing circuit. The site also has superb facilities, an excellent diner and a combined bike wash and dog shower with warm water.

HIDDEN VALLEY PARK
NORTH DEVON
West Down, Near Ilfracombe, North Devon EX34 8NU
01271 813837
hiddenvalleypark.com
This is great natural site, with surrounding woodland and a five-acre field (used in high season for overflow camping). Dogs are allowed to play in the river which runs through the site and they are welcome in reception. The coffee shop has a patio and lawn area where and you’re not far from dog-friendly beaches. 

COCKINGFORD FARM CAMPSITE
DEVON
Widecombe In The Moor, Near Newton Abbot, Devon TQ13 7TG
01364 621258
A superb basic campsite set in a deep valley by a farm with a small river running beside the camping fields. The field is sloping near the top but flatter near the bottom and feels very remote.  Camping here is a delightful and you are right in the middle of Dartmoor. The site has toilets and showers. You would have to work very hard to get any mobile phone signal here and there is no Wi-Fi.

DEEPDALE CAMPING
NORFOLK
Burnham Deepdale, Norfolk PE31 8DD
01485 210256
deepdalebackpackers.co.uk
Deepdale Backpackers and Camping is a quiet, family-friendly campsite close to the lovely North Norfolk Coast and is a great base for exploring the local countryside. It’s a great site for lovers of peace and quiet and peaceful beach settings that seem to go on forever. The site is set on a series of nice flat and sheltered fields and has a modern toilet and shower block that is heated by solar panels. Also here is Dalegate Market – a series of independent shops and pop-ups, various eateries etc. Walk out onto the A147 coast road into Brancaster Staithe and within 400 metres you’ll be at the White Horse – a pub with restaurant and views across the salt marshes to Scolt Head. A further 600 metres and you’re at the Jolly Sailors – a traditional 18th-century Norfolk pub with large garden running down to the North Norfolk Coast Path. A short drive away is the upmarket village of Burnham Market – known as Chelsea-by-the-Sea – which has an array of posh shops, pubs and restaurants.

GWERN GOF UCHAF CAMPSITE AND BUNKHOUSE
NORTH WALES
Capel Curig, Betws-y-Coed, Snowdonia, North Wales LL24 0EU
01690 720294
tryfanwales.co.uk
A basic site near a farmhouse set amidst the awesome scenery of the Ogwen Valley in Snowdonia.  The 3,000ft mountain of Tryfan towers above the site which is quite high up and can be cold if the weather turns bad.  The camping fields are on rough grass and its worth coming here for the view alone.  The site has toilets and showers. There are great walking opportunities all around and no phone signals or Wi-Fi.

NATIONAL TRUST CAMPSITE WASDALE HEAD
CUMBRIA
Wasdale Head, Gosforth, Cumbria CA20 1EX
01946 726220
nationaltrust.org.uk
A stunningly located camping site deep in the heart of The Lake District set near Wasdale Head and at the head of Wastewater.  The site is directly under England’s highest mountain, Scafell Pike which can be climbed from the field.  The site is surrounded by towering mountains and is a great place to base yourself for a walking holiday.  There are toilets and showers and no mobile phone signals. 

BADGELLS WOOD CAMPING
KENT
Whitehorse Road, Harvel, Meopham, Kent DA13 0UF
07528 609324
badgellswoodcamping.co.uk
Release your inner Bear Grylls at this back-to-basics site, nestled in a corner of 250 acre Whitehorse Wood in the Kent countryside. The site’s layout means it feels more like wild camping than a proper site and with bushcraft lessons every Saturday you can learn art of survival. Amplified music is banned, but you’re encouraged bring acoustic instruments and join in with some campfire songs.

WOOLSBRIDGE MANOR FARM CARAVAN PARK
DORSET
Three Legged Cross, Winborne, Dorset BH21 6RA
01202 826369
woolsbridgemanorcaravanpark.co.uk
The campsite is part of a 100-acre working farm in the village of Three Legged Cross. Ringwood Forest and Moors Valley Country Park are accessible from the campsite, with miles of walking and cycling routes, a lake, play area, steam train, café, fishing and cycle hire.