The best campsites for beaches
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You can't beat a summer family holiday at the beach and the UK's full of great places to choose from. To help save you some time searching we've made a shortlist of our top campsites for motorhomes, caravan and tents which have beautiful beaches on their doorstep.
Mother Ivey’s Bay Holiday Park, Cornwall
Trevose Head, Near Padstow, Cornwall PL28 8SLT: 01841 520990 W: motheriveysbay.com
Mother Ivey’s Bay occupies a stunning location on the north Cornwall coastline with direct access via a short path from the hire caravans area down to the site’s own private beach. With a view of Padstow lifeboat station in the distance, the beach is a sheltered cove with golden sand, perfect for family days, building sandcastles and sunbathing. Dogs are welcome here too. The campsite itself is immaculate, dotted with rockeries and flower-beds, with first class facilities including toilets, showers, a laundry, play area and shop. There are several different touring areas for caravans, some with super pitches, others in dog-free areas and some boasting superb views.
Three Cliffs Bay Holiday Park, South Wales
North Hills Farm, Penmaen, Swansea SA3 2HBT: 01792 371218 W: threecliffsbay.com
In 2006 Three Cliffs Bay Holiday Park was awarded ‘number one view from a campsite in the world’ by the Independent, and it’s easy to see why. The campsite has panoramic views over three limestone crags jutting into the sea from the south coast of the Gower peninsula, giving this stunning sandy bay its name. When the tide is out you can even walk underneath the rock archway and watch the many horse riders who like to use this huge expanse of beach for a gallop. The rock pools here are great for children to explore. All touring pitches on the site have electric hook-up, with hardstandings available. Facilities include toilets and showers, a family room and shop.
Sunnyside Croft Touring Site, Northern Scotland
Arisaig, Inverness-shire, Highland PH39 4NTT: 01687 450643 W: sunnysidetouringsite.co.uk
This is a particular favourite of the sites team, as we are big fans of the coast and this site is all about it. Location, location, location, as they say. From the immaculate hardstanding pitches the sea stretches endlessly in front, while to the rear of the site is rolling heathland with bursts of yellow colour from clumps of wild gorse. This is a site for escape and relaxation, for taking the time to unwind. That’s not to say children will be bored here – the site is part of a working croft with plenty of livestock, including the wonderful Highland cattle, to see. Sunnyside Croft benefits from first class eco-friendly facilities with a family bathroom, laundry and accessible shower room, and a shop selling basic provisions and local produce.
Durdle Door Holiday Park, Dorset
Lulworth Cove, Wareham, Dorset BH20 5PUT: 01929 400200 W: lulworth.com
When we think of the Dorset coastline it has to be the image of the iconic Durdle Door which comes to mind. This limestone arch, shaped by the power of the sea, is truly a sight to behold and for anyone who has already been there, it seems to have a power that draws you back time and again. The beaches at Durdle Door and neighbouring Man o’ War are both shingle, so they’re not a place for sandcastles. They are however ideal for swimming and inflatables, as both are sheltered and lead into shallow water. The campsite has several grassed touring areas, some pitches with sea views, and others with full services. There are full facilities here including toilets and showers, family shower rooms, children’s play areas, a laundry, café bar and takeaway plus a general store.
Waren Caravan & Camping Park, Northumberland
Bamburgh, NorthumberlandT: 01668 214366 W: meadowhead.co.uk/WarenHome.aspx
The north east of England is home to some dramatic and vast expanses of beach and none more so than the stunning beach at Bamburgh, which stretches for miles and nestles in the shadow of the dominating castle of the same name. The Waren campsite is in an ideal location for exploring the beaches in this area – it’s just a one mile walk to Budle Bay, part of a nature reserve with vast mud flats exposed at low tide. There is a great walk from Budle Point along the beach, around Harkness Rocks and on to Bamburgh Castle. For something a little different, a short drive north will take you to the tidal causeway to the holy island of Lindisfarne, which twice each day is completely cut off from the mainland. Here you will find more sandy beach than you know what to do with, a 16th century castle, and the enigmatic ruined priory.
Waldegraves Holiday Park, Essex
Mersea Island, Colchester, Essex CO5 8SET: 01206 382898 W: waldegraves.co.uk
Situated on historic Mersea Island, Waldegraves Holiday Park overlooks the Blackwater estuary and has its own south-facing, private beach with a slipway for launching boats. From the touring area it’s a short walk past one of the four fishing lakes to the sand and pebble shore. A walk west from here leads to the brightly painted beach huts lining the beach of West Mersea – some of which can be hired (thelittlebeachhutcompany.co.uk) but will need booking in advance as they are pretty popular. The beach is ideal for families as there are places for children to play and shops not far from the sea front. Waldegraves is very much a family holiday campsite, with two outdoor play areas, a heated outdoor pool, restaurant, takeaway and 18-hole pitch and putt.
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