100 Top Campsites: Dog-Friendly

Camping is for the whole family – including the four-legged members.

These sites are perfect for curious noses and muddy paws

LONG MEADOW CAMPSITE
HAMPSHIRE
New Park, Brockenhurst, Hampshire SO42 7QH
01590 622489
longmeadowcaravans.co.uk
The New Forest is a wonderful place to choose to go on holiday with your dog. With numerous tracks and trails to explore there’s no chance of boredom and plenty of opportunity to wear them out. There is much fun to be had here across the beautiful heathland, dense woodland and expansive coastlines that make up the New Forest National Park. As well as being welcome on-site, there are also plenty of dog-friendly pubs and attractions within the National Park including the grounds of Beaulieu National Motor Museum and Exbury Gardens so you don’t have to worry about being restricted to where you can go. Long Meadow Campsite is the ideal location for exploring the New Forest. From the rear of the campsite there’s direct access to the forest and the shops, restaurants and pubs of Brockenhurst are within walking distance. The campsite offers 100 spacious pitches set in a 19-acre meadow with modern facilities that include toilets, showers, a washing up area and electric hook-ups.

HERDING HILL FARM
NORTHUMBERLAND
Shield Hill, Haltwhistle, Northumberland NE49 9NW
01434 320175
herdinghillfarm.co.uk
As AA Campsite of the Year North East Winner 2017/18, Herding Hill Farm is just 15 minutes’ walk from Hadrian’s Wall and three miles from Vindolanda – a Roman fort and settlement. Hadrian’s Wall is an impressive structure with many remains of forts and temples still being visible. Dogs will love the expansive countryside around the wall and will surely be tired and content after a day’s walking. Herding Hill Farm is surrounded by open space and rolling hills form the backdrop to the site. At night you can enjoy big skies and fabulous stargazing. Due to the rural location the site is peaceful and tranquil with plenty of wildlife to be seen. There’s no sacrifice on facilities though either – there’s a family bathroom, drying room, cycle storage, licensed shop and an eight-person sauna that can be hired for exclusive use. Breakfasts are available and home-made pizzas can be delivered to your pitch most Friday and Saturday evenings.

MEADOW LAKES HOLIDAY PARK
CORNWALL
Hewas Water, St Austell, Cornwall PL26 7JG
01726 882540
meadow-lakes.co.uk
Dogs are very welcome at Meadow Lakes, an award-winning site with beautiful lakes and woodlands to explore. Pets are welcome to be walked on a lead anywhere on the park except for in the farm animal area and there’s a large dog exercise field where dogs can be let off the lead. The coast and many top attractions are only a short distance away. There are four dedicated toilet and shower buildings with separate cubicles and also a private bathroom with bath, shower and toilet. On site there’s a pair of two-acre fishing lakes and two one-acre lakes, all free to fish during your stay. The lakes are surrounded by wildlife and flowers and make so a great place to take an evening walk. Meadow Lakes’ other facilities include an outdoor heated pool with paddling pool, bookable hot tub and pets corner with donkeys, goats, guinea pigs, ducks and chickens. Overlooking the pool you’ll find the Cosy Café serving food, snacks and drinks. There’s an outdoor seating area too for sunny days.

HEDLEY WOOD CARAVAN PARK
DEVON
Bridgerule, Holsworthy, Devon EX22 7ED
01288 381404
hedleywood.co.uk
Set in 17 acres of woodland and surrounded by rolling countryside, Hedley Wood Caravan Park is a doggy paradise near Bude on the Devon/Cornwall border. Dogs are very welcome here, they stay for free, and each dog even receives a free welcome pack on arrival – now that’s definitely pet-friendly treatment! Around the park is plenty of countryside for walking or you can spend the day exploring Dartmoor, the South West Coastal Path or Hartland Heritage Coast. Many of the beaches at nearby Bude are dog-friendly including Summerleaze, Northcott Mouth and Blackrock at the southern end of Widemouth Bay. Many local attractions, pubs and cafés also welcome dogs, but there are dog day kennels nearby if needed. On site is a dedicated dog walking area and also dog showers for hosing off muddy paws after a day’s exploring.

CASTLERIGG HALL CARAVAN & CAMPING PARK
CUMBRIA
Keswick, Cumbria CA12 4TE
01768 774499
castlerigg.co.uk
Castlerigg Hall occupies a fantastic position overlooking Derwentwater, with excellent walks from the site, and a direct path into Keswick (1½ miles away). There is also a dedicated dog-walking area on site too.

GLENMORE CAMPSITE
SCOTTISH HIGHLANDS
Aviemore, Inverness-shire PH22 1QU
01479 861271
campingintheforest.co.uk
Set within the Cairngorms National Park, the Camping in the Forest Glenmore Campsite is perfect for lovers of the great outdoors. The surrounding area is a combination of landscapes and mountain views surrounded by the woodland of Glenmore Forest Park. From the site is direct access to the beaches and shores of Loch Morlich – ideal for canines to run about and go for a doggy paddle. The area is also full of wildlife and the National Park has over 280 kilometres of footpaths and trails so there is plenty of exploration to be had. Pitches on site are dotted throughout the trees or set in more open areas. There are 215 pitches in total with hardstanding and electric hook-up available. On-site facilities include toilets, showers and a laundry. Glenmore is in a rural location with the closest town, Aviemore being seven miles away. In the town are several pubs, shops and a supermarket.

RUTLAND CARAVAN AND CAMPING
RUTLAND
Greetham, Oakham, Rutland LE15 7FN
01572 813520
rutlandcaravanandcamping.co.uk
Rutland Caravan and Camping is set in a rural village location with both adults-only and family-friendly pitching areas. The site provides a dog shower and a woodland walk that pets will enjoy. There’s also an indoor pool and small shop on site, with a short walk taking you to Greetham village with its post office and selection of pubs. Rutland may be England’s smallest county but there’s plenty for you and your pet to explore here. Rutland Water is not far away which offers walking, water sports and wildlife galore situated around a reservoir with the pretty Normanton church at its centre. Also nearby are Barnsdale Gardens, the Rutland Falconry and Owl Centre, and the stately homes of Burghley House and Belvoir Castle. Dogs on leads are welcome in the parkland of Burghley and in the gardens and grounds of Belvoir.

APPULDURCOMBE GARDENS HOLIDAY PARK
ISLE OF WIGHT
Wroxall, Ventnor, Isle of Wight PO38 3EP
01983 852597
appuldurcombegardens.co.uk
For a great holiday adventure why not take your pet and your motorhome across the Solent to the Isle of Wight? Dogs travel free on all the ferry routes and the majority of beaches on the island are dog-friendly all year round, with just restrictions in high season on the main resort beaches. The trains and buses on the island are happy to accept well-behaved pets too! There’s more the 500 miles of footpaths winding their way across the island – woodland trails, clifftop hikes and scenic walks over the Downs. Along these routes you’ll also stumble across many pubs and cafés that are more than happy to accept dogs while you rest and refresh. Appuldurcombe Gardens Holiday Park is situated near Ventnor in 14 acres of grounds that were once part of the grounds of the nearby historic house. The old walled orchard now contains holiday homes and the touring and camping area is set within sheltered grassland. Hardstanding pitches are located in a meadow area with a stream adjacent and fully serviced pitches are also available. Facilities include toilets and showers, an outdoor pool, bar, shop, seasonal café and takeaway.

FOREST PARK
NORFOLK
Northrepps Road, Cromer, Norfolk NR27 0JR
01263 513290
forest-park.co.uk
Curious noses and muddy paws will love sniffing out adventure among Forest Park’s 100 acres of Norfolk woodland and rolling countryside. This campsite is just one mile from Cromer and sandy beaches are a short walk away.