Editor's pick - The best campsites in the countryside

(Photo courtesy of Waterrow Touring Park)

Exclusively for adults, Waterrow Touring Park is set in the wooded valley of the River Tone on the edge of Hurstone Local Nature Reserve. Guests have access to the woods, with walks leading to the river and picnic benches to relax on and enjoy the natural environment.

Pitches are divided by plant and shrub screening to provide privacy, but allowing views of the surrounding hills. There are 40 all-weather, fully serviced pitches and two extra-large pitches for RVs. Facilities include toilets, showers, an accessible wet room, dog walk area and motorhome service point.

If you decide to leave this natural oasis to explore, there is a pub a quarter-of-a-mile away and also a bus stop. Exmoor National Park is only a 30-minute drive, too.

Find out more: Waterrow Touring Park 

(Photo courtesy of Ian Howard/stock.adobe.com)

Nestled in the peaceful Suffolk countryside, just one mile from the fourteenth century remains of Leiston Abbey, Cakes and Ale Holiday Park is set in 45 acres of grounds. The campsite is situated on what was once Leiston Airfield and all pitches here are fully serviced, with hardstanding and grass area, water, 10A electric, grey water connection and free WiFi. There’s also a quieter area of the site for adults only. Facilities include wet rooms, showers and a shop.

For leisure time, visitors can enjoy the golf practice range, tennis courts, boules rink and there’s also a playground for any little ones. At weekends you can enjoy a drink at the on-site Yoxford Boys bar, so-called in dedication to the 357th fighter group of the US Army Air Force who were once stationed at this location. The coast is only six miles away, at Aldeburgh, a pretty seaside town with boutique shopping, art galleries and restaurants. Head to the beach to see Scallop, a four-metre-high sculpture to honour the composer, Benjamin Britten, who used to live here and take walks along the beach.

Find out more: Cakes and Ale Holiday Park 

(Photo courtesy of Smytham holiday park)

Nestled in a quiet valley in north Devon within 33 acres of parkland, Smytham Holiday Park is perfect for anyone who loves a good walk, thanks to the site’s direct access onto the Tarka Trail. Incorporating England’s longest traffic-free walking and cycling paths, the 180-mile trail runs through north Devon and Exmoor, and is inspired by the route travelled by Tarka the Otter in the novel by Henry Williamson.

Smytham Holiday Park is a relaxing affair, but with plenty on site to entertain those who want a little more to do than simply relax and unwind. There’s an outdoor swimming pool, a games room, play area, a family-friendly bar, a shop and also a dog exercise paddock.

Pitches on the campsite are a choice of hardstanding, all-weather or grass with electric hook-up. There is the option to upgrade to a ‘posh’ pitch with the addition of fresh water, grey water disposal and a picnic bench. For the ultimate in luxury while on holiday, you could even choose one of the campsite’s en suite pitches, which also have their own private toilet, shower and sink in a cedar-clad cabin on the pitch.

Find out more: Smytham Holiday Park  

(Photo courtesy of Flaxton Meadows)

The aim of Flaxton Meadows campsite is to provide a low-carbon-footprint environment for eco-conscious guests. It is located in North Yorkshire countryside, bordered by Strensall Common Nature Reserve. The city of York is only 20 minutes away, and motorhomes can use a designated parking area at Grimston Bar park and ride (YO19 5LA).

Motorhomes can pitch on grass or hardstanding with electric. The modern toilets and showers have thermostatically controlled hot water and underfloor heating utilising natural resources generated on the campsite. Facilities are fully accessible, there is a launderette, a bar and nature trail.

Find out more: Flaxton Meadows 

(Photo courtesy of Inspired Images/Pixabay)

Quite uniquely, for any campsite we’ve ever come across, Love2Stay has a premium pitch upgrade option that comes with an Isabella static awning for additional space! Standard pitches on this quality touring and glamping site are still fully serviced, set in 22 acres of land just a short drive from Shrewsbury. You might not want to leave the campsite, though, with the host of leisure options available. There’s a natural outdoor swimming pool with beach and sun terrace, a fitness suite, assault course, fishing lake, yoga, pilates and meditation classes, plus jogging and walking routes.

Guests have access to toilets and showers with complimentary toiletries, fire pits, a dog walking area and dog shower, a bike wash, a coffee shop and a pizzeria. The bus stop located outside the campsite is handy if you do decide to explore the area. The medieval town of Shrewsbury has an abbey, castle, Victorian prison, and a recreational park with flower garden. You can also take leisurely boat trips on the River Severn.

Find out more: Love2Stay 

(Photo courtesy of Fforest Fields)

(Photo courtesy of Lovat Parks)

For a countryside retreat, how about a peaceful hideaway in the New Forest, set over 50 acres? Green Hill Farm is located in the New Forest with a gate at the bottom of the site that leads into open forest. You, therefore, have miles of trails and paths that you can explore at your leisure. If you want to explore on two wheels then bikes can be hired, too. There are also three beautiful lakes on the campsite.

The campsite is split into different areas, including an adults-only area, and there are three shower and toilet blocks. You have a choice of grass pitches with or without hook-up or hardstandings with electric. Facilities include a shop, café bar and pizzeria, communal fire pit, play area and table tennis. For anyone with children, a variety of seasonal activities take place.

Find out more: Green Hill Farm 

(Photo courtesy of Eye Kettleby Lakes)

Not only a relaxing place in the Leicestershire countryside, Eye Kettleby Lakes is a fishing haven. The adults-only campsite boasts country walks and nine fishing lakes! There are hardstanding pitches of differing sizes, with electric hook-up, water tap and also a grey water drain. Facilities are log-cabin style, with individual bathrooms having a toilet, sink and shower cubicle. There are accessible facilities, plus a washing machine and dryer. Eye Kettleby also has a bar, lounge area and tea room. The site is dog-friendly, with a dog shower available and pets welcome in the tea room and bar.

Find out more: Eye Kettleby Lakes 

(Photo courtesy of The Woods)

Surrounded by woods and fields, and with views to the beautiful Ochil Hills, you can’t get much more countryside than The Woods. The campsite is located between the towns of Alva and Sauchie, and just a 15-minute drive from Stirling, so a large selection of shops and places to eat are close by if needed. There’s also a restaurant at the entrance to the campsite.

The Woods has a selection of pitches including large hardstandings with electric and some fully serviced pitches. There are two toilet and shower blocks, a laundry and drying area, a play area and small shop. Dogs are welcome, with a small exercise area available.

Gartmore Dam Country Park and Alva Glen are nearby, along with many walking and cycling routes, as you would expect from a rural location.

Find out more: The Woods 

(Photo courtesy of The Woods)

Located in the Ullswater Valley in the beautiful Lake District, Hillcroft Park has two touring areas: Buttermere, with views towards Ullswater, features super pitches with water, electric hook-up and grey waste disposal, while the Crummock Water area is adjacent to the facilities and has hardstanding pitches with electric. All pitches have access to toilets and showers, a launderette and shop. There are also two private bathrooms available for hire, a play area, games room and dog shower.

There is a host of walks of all levels and abilities in the local area, including a 20-mile circular route around sparkling Ullswater Lake. If you would prefer to explore the lake in a less strenuous manner, then why not hop on board a famous Ullswater Steamer and experience the lake by boat?

Find out more: Hillcroft Park