The summer holidays are aproaching and as foreign travel chaos persists, perhaps you’re considering another UK staycation this year.
After all, the past two summers have been the excuse we needed to rediscover the gorgeous British countryside in all its glory.
Like the idea of wild camping under the stars, glamping with your own private hot tub or pitching up in the middle of a lavender field?
Grab your wellies and your camping stove (or not as the case may be at some of the more luxurious options on this list) and head to one of these idyllic spots.
Happy camping, people!
Glamping
Starry Meadow Glamping, Wales
USP: Bell tents, bunting and streetfood in the Brecon Beacons
Starry Meadow is a family-friendly festival-inspired pop-up glamping spot in Hay-on-Wye, Wales, that’s back for its third year this summer at Raquety Farm. Set in the foothills of the Brecon Beacons, there will be luxury bell tents which sleep up to 4 (plus 2 children), colourful bunting, delicious streetfood — think Mexican burritos, woodfired pizzas and onion bhajis — and plenty for the kids to see and do as they roam free safely. Evenings will be full of acoustic music and storytelling around the campfire so guests can make friends and socialise.
Distance from London: 4 hours
Price: from £595 for a three-night weekend and £645 for a four-night midweek break for a family of 4
West Lexham Bell Tent Glamping, Norfolk
USP: Wild swimming amid soothing woodlands
Set on 21 acres of wondrous woodland, with seven quirky bell tents in the Norfolk countryside, West Lexham offers the ultimate glamping experience that’s suitable for the whole family. Tents feature double beds and plenty of storage. After a good night’s kip, enjoy a refreshing morning dip in the newly-renovated heated pool or wild swimming lake. And there’s no need to leave the pups at home, for a small fee they are more than welcome on site.
Distance from London: 2.5 hours
Price: from £100-£250 per night
Bunker Down, Cotswolds
USP: A cosy Cotswolds countryside escape
Bunker Down sits on a 500-acre farm complete with three bell tents and a shepherd’s hut. This site is a perfect base for exploring the beautiful Cotswolds. Enjoy long walks and hearty roasts, before a night spent toasting marshmallows over your very own open fire pit.
Distance from London: 2 hours
Price: from £78-£125 per night
Gilcombe Camping, Somerset
USP: Prime positioning in picturesque Somerset
Set among 300 acres of picturesque organic farm, Gilcombe is all about luxurious bell tents (with super comfy beds) and unbeatable views, close to Longleat Safari Park, pretty Bruton and The Newt, with Stonehenge and Glastonbury further afield for more adventurous day trips.
Distance from London: 3 hours.
Price: £100 per night
Homestead Glamping and Camping. Herefordshire
USP: Watersports and good pubs in rural Herefordshire
This tranquil site in Herefordshire will take you back to basics (while still offering showers and BBQs if desired). With famous walks, kayaking, canoeing and cycle routes in the Brecon Beacons, there’s plenty to do in the surrounding area. After an action packed day, wind down at The Stag Inn or the award-winning Felin Fach Griffin for dinner.
Distance from London: 4 hours
Price: from £50 per night
Alexander House Glamping, Scotland
USP: Stargazing and hot tubs
There are only two of these spacious yurts on site, which ensures a secluded escape. After exploring the surrounding countryside, enjoy a glazz of fizz in your own woodfired hot tub and soak up the breathtaking views of Gleneagles and Perthshire. Fall onto your king-sized bed for a deep sleep before doing it all over again.
Distance from London: 7.5 hours
Price: from £150 per night
Collaton Farm, South Devon
USP: Safari vibes near sandy beach
These luxe safari tents come complete with memory foam mattresses, fully kitted-out kitchen, TV, shower and a balcony. You’ll find Dartmoor National Park in one direction and the sandy beaches at Salcombe in another (both within a 30-minute drive).
Distance from London: 4 hours
Price: from £100 per night
Starry Meadow Glamping, Brecon Beacons
USP: Festi feels with streetfood grub
Flags, bunting, face paint, fancy dress… Starry Meadow Glamping gives off festival vibes and is ideal for both families or groups of friends. Make new pals at the open-air cinema while munching on dishes from the on-site street food stalls.
Distance from London: 3.5 hours
Price: from £495 per week
Tamar Lakes Campsite, Cornwall
USP: Cream teas and canoeing (a winning combo)
Can’t decide between the lake or the beach? You don’t have to at Tamar Lakes, which boasts both a sandy beach and lake. During the day, there is a wide selection of water sports to enjoy, before refuelling at the campsite with cream teas and Cornish ice cream. This is the ultimate Cornish holiday experience.
Distance from London: 4.5 hours
Price: from £15 per night
Kooky
FinchingField Camping, Essex
USP: Pretty lavender fields for your Insta-feed
Stay on this 1.5-acre lavender and wild flower farm an hour from London. You’ll be given your own lavender bag for picking, before settling down for afternoon tea. With plenty of village pubs, quaint tea rooms and the Stour River on its doorstep, this unique location is a perfect break.
Distance from London: 1 hour
Price: from £28 per night
Ettie’s Field, Leicestershire
USP: Boho glamping in Leicestershire
Already own your own glamping gear? This one’s for you. Ettie’s Field in Hinkley welcomes tipis, bell or lotus tents and roof tents. With the Tropical Bird Land and Lucky Tails Alpaca Farm nearby, you’ll have the kids entertained all weekend.
Distance from London: 2.5 hours
Price: from £70 per night
Knepp Wildland Safaris & Camping, West Sussex
USP: a Great British safari
Still saving up for that dream Kenyan safari? Knepp Wildland Safaris in Horsham is the next best thing, for now. You’ll have to settle for exmoor ponies and roaming cattle over lions and elephants, but the charming rustic vibe is sure to give you your wildlife fill. Choose from more affordable basic tents or treat yourself and upgrade to glamping.
Distance from London: 2 hours
Price: from £20 a night.
Apple Camping, South Wales
USP: Extraterrestrial scenes in South Wales
At Apple Camping in South Wales you can spend the night in a stationary Jet Star aeroplane, complete with original bar and Xbox flight-simulator games, or go extraterrestrial with a stay in the UFO pod. Three Mongolian-style yurts are also available to hire.
Distance from London: 4.5 hours
Price: varied
Tin Can Camping, Norfolk
USP: Airstream glamping in Norfolk
Stay in one of four airstreams at Tin Can Camping in south Norfolk for a fun-filled retro weekend helpfully located next to three of the region’s top vineyards.
Distance from London: 2.5 hours
Price: from £320
Fuzzy’s Farm, Hemel Hempstead
USP: Roaming alpacas and a Wild West theme
Alpacas, sheep, pigs, chickens, ducks and geese all roam free on the farm near the quintessentially English village of Potten End and the National Trust woodlands of Ashridge. Tipis sleep up to eight.
Distance from London: 1 hour
Price: from £480 for a tipi
The Cairngorms Yurt, Scottish Highlands
USP: A magical Highlands setting
Partial to a wee dram? Use this charming yurt as a base for exploring the magical Scottish Highlands, including the nearby Cairngorms national park and world-famous Malt Whisky Tail. The star-gazing alone makes it worth it.
Distance from London: 10 hours.
Price: from £465-902 per week
Vintage Vacations, Isle of Wight
USP: Authentic airstreams
Vintage Vacations on the Isle of Wight was the first to offer American airstream holiday accommodation in the UK. Inside, the vans feature original fixtures and fittings and quirky vintage accessories. The nearby town of Ryde boasts plenty of restaurants and shops, and also offers ferry access.
Distance from London: 3 hours
Price: from £80-£160 per night
Roulette Retreat, Melrose
USP: Gypsy-style caravans on the Scottish Borders
Looking for something a little different? These kooky gypsy-style caravans nestled in Eildon Hills in the Scottish Borders feature intricate hand-carved wooden doors and wood burning stoves. The scenic setting is surrounded by the flowing River Tweed and the beautiful valleys of Yarrow and Ettrick.
Distance from London: 6.5 hours
Price: from £110 per night
EarthSpirit, Somerset
USP: Glamping for spiritual souls
Just five miles from Glastonbury, EarthSpirit is an eco-site dedicated to art, spirituality and healing. Glamping includes two Lotus Belle tents and a yurt, and guests can enjoy energising morning yoga classes and workshops.
Distance from London: 2.5 hours
Price: from £18 per night
Wilder spots
Doward Park, Wye Valley
USP: Go off-grid in a secluded valley
Phone constantly reminding you of your ever increasing screen time? It’s time for a digital detox, and Doward Park, set in the secluded Wye Valley, near Symonds Yat, one mile from Wales, is the place to do it. With barely any signal and no WIFI (except in the reception building) you’ll be forced to go off-grid.
Distance from London: 3 hours
Price: from £24 per night
Cotswold Camping, Cotswolds
USP: Cosy pubs and Cotswolds countryside
Embrace the simple life for the weekend; this spot offers stunning views and, more importantly, award-winning pubs close by. While basic, it is equipped with all the essential facilities, as well as an electric car charging point.
Distance from London: 2 hours
Price: from £90 per night
Yomer Wood, North Devon
USP: The call of the wild
The closest you’ll get to wild camping in England. With only a compost loo, a stream for a shower and no electricity or wi-fi, it’s set between the Victorian seaside town of Ilfracombe and Woolacombe beach. Bring your own tent or book the two-person rustic cabin on site.
Distance from London: 4 hours
Price: from £20 per night
Bales Ash Campsite, Devon
USP: Surfing and homemade cream teas
Bales Ash offers homemade Devonshire cream teas on request, wifi and showers. Spend your days walking the spectacular trails and surfing at the nearby beaches before returning for still warm home-baked scones, followed by a communal campfire.
Distance from London: 4 hours
Price: from £28 per night
Donnington Wild Camping, West Sussex
USP: Stargazing and swimming
Guests can pitch up at this picturesque campsite on a rural farm in the small village of Donnington and make use of the onsite toilets and washing facilities, and even rent a campfire for an evening of marshmallow toasting and stargazing. With Chichester and the vast sandy beach at West Wittering all nearby, there’s plenty to do.
Distance from London: 1.5 hours
Price: £30 per night
The Field of Stars, Cornwall
USP: A picturesque pitch in Penzance
Sitting on an organic beef farm in Penzance with plenty of nearby beaches to explore. Facilities include drinking water points, a washing-up sink, composting and flush toilets, hot electric showers, a communal fridge freezer and an electric socket for charging phones. There’s also a pub and bakery just a 10-minute drive away.
Distance from London: 5.5 hours
Price: £19 per night
Sustainable
Sunrise Eco Glamping, Retford
USP: Eco-friendly camping in Nottinghamshire countryside
With a zero-waste refill shop, a vegan coffee shop and greengrocers, Sunrise Eco Glamping feels like a sustainable village. The stargazing tents have double beds and wood-burning stoves.
Distance from London: 3 hours
Price: from £15 per night
Chyan Farm, Falmouth
USP: A quiet, family-friendly field
An eco-friendly campsite surrounded by apple orchards under five miles from Falmouth. Amenities include solar-powered hot showers, a sauna, spring-fed swimming pool and mud kitchen. This is a place to chill and relax with the family — there’s a strict 9.30pm noise curfew.
Distance from London: 5 hours
Price: from £16 per night
Adults-only
The Shepherds Hut Retreat, Somerset
USP: A romantic lakeside getaway
Looking to book a last minute romantic bolthole this summer? Look no further than these romantic shepherd’s huts nestled in the rolling Somerset hills, which offer guests a slice of luxury. Each comes with ensuite bathrooms, an outdoor kitchen, decking area, open-air hot tub and stunning views looking out on to the lake.
Distance from London: 3 hour
Price: from £110 per night
Cider Farm Orchard Campsite, West Dorset
USP: Camping for cider lovers
Love cider? Who doesn’t. Learn all about its production (and sample plenty) at this tranquil camping spot where you can sleep under the stars in the middle of an organic apple orchard. Enjoy tastings and communal BBQs for a sociable stay. Over 21s only.
Distance from London: 3.5 hours
Price: from £32 per night
Country View Lodge, Cornwall
USP: A Cornish lodge perfect for the family
A peaceful spot located on a farm half an hour from the seaside town of Bude. The lodge is well equipped, even boasting its own bath and a great BBQ are for al fresco family meals.
Distance from London: 4 hours
Price: from £80 per night
Roundoak Farm, Kent
USP: Farm life in Kentish countryside
Located on a working rare-breed farm on the southerly slopes of the Greensand Ridge overlooking the Weald of Kent, only an hour from London, this site has everything from Highland cattle to turkeys and ducks roaming free. Enjoy evenings making a slap up meal on the BBQ with some of their fresh local produce that they sell.
Distance from London: 1 hour
Price: From £25 per night
Stybeck Farm, Lake District
USP: Hiking in the Lakes
The perfect base for exploring the lakes. Lace up your boots and hike direct from your pitch at this stunning spot in Cumbria. Enjoy local produce from the farm shop and be sure to take a pit stop at the local pub 10 minutes up the road after a long day of walking.
Distance from London: 5.5 hours
Price: From £23 per night
Honeybrook Camping, Devon
USP: Cycling and hiking in Devonshire countryside
Keen cyclists should head to Honeybrook Camping, conveniently located close to both the Dartmoor and Granity Way cycle paths. Rise to chirping birds outside your tent, before spending your days cycling or hiking the landscape while soaking up the breathtaking views.
Distance from London: 4 hours
Price: from £12 per night
Coastal
Beach View Holiday Park, Suffolk
USP: Cosy glamping pods with woodfired pizza
A great variety of accommodation, including luxury lodges, glamping pods and hassle-free camping - there’s something for everyone. With stunning sea views and a bar that makes woodfired pizzas, it won’t take you long to switch off.
Distance from London: 2.5 hours
Price: from £30 per night
Surfer’s Paradise Campsite, North Devon
USP: A surfer’s paradise
It takes less than 60 seconds to walk to Croyde Bay’s surf beach from this serene spot. Beginners are welcome and can hire equipment on-site.
Distance from London: 4 hours
Price: from £34 per night
Cornish Tipi Holidays, Cornwall
USP: Tipi glamping in a lakeside setting
Fish for supper in the lake at this gorgeous spot set on 20 acres in St Kew. Take in the ferns, wild bluebells and ancient oak or jump in for a swim in the lake. Opt for pre-pitched tipis or take your own camping gear.
Distance from London: 4.5 hours
Price: from £36 per night
Celtic Camping and Bunkhouses, West Wales
USP: Spectacular sea views in Pembrokeshire
Nestled on National Trust land with unbeatable views and direct access to the Pembrokeshire coastal path. Facilities are basic, but with the beach down the road, the limited phone signal will be welcome.
Distance from London: 5 hours
Price: from £28 per night
Field 725 Eco Camping and Glamping, Somerset
USP: Eco-camping near Glastonbury
Both Frome and Glastonbury are a short drive away from this idyllic eco-camping which sits next to 100 acres of untouched woodland within the rolling hills of Somerset. Choose from a selection of pre-pitched glamping accommodation or camping pitches.
Distance from London: 2.5 hours
Price: from £25 per night
Canna Farm, Cornwall
USP: An eco-friendly site on the coast
An off-grid, pet-friendly eco site near St Austell and 15 minutes from the sea. There are two fields available for rustic camping, with hot showers, compostable loos and fire pits to borrow.
Distance from London: 4.5 hours
Price: From £16 per night
Monkton Wyld Court, Dorset
USP: Alfresco pizza by the Jurassic Coast
This eco-friendly site sits on 12 acres of rolling countryside. Facilities include a shared fire-pit, alfresco pizza oven and rope swings. It wouldn’t be a trip to Dorset without a visit to the Jurassic Coast which is an hour’s walk away.
Distance from London: 3 hours.
Price: from £20 per night
Freshwater camping
Purple Badger Camping, Leicestershire
USP: Remote fishing nestled in woodland
Remote enough to feel like you’re escaping it all yet still easily accessible from the city. With two beautiful lakes nestled among woodland, full of roach, perch, tench and carp, you can spend the days fishing your way to zen. Both shepherd’s huts and bell tents are available for hire.
Distance from London: 2.5 hours
Price: From £25 per night
Wild Canvas Camping, Bedfordshire
USP: Riverside camping set to chilled out tunes
A pop-up glampsite within the riverside grounds of Turvey House in Bedfordhire, with delicious local food, DJs and workshops. This year’s dates are July 29-August 1 and August 5– 30.
Distance from London: 2 hours.
Price: from £144 per night.
Canal Camping, Norfolk Broads
USP: Waterside camping and canoeing
Tucked away in Dilham right next to the canal, this is a prime spot for canoeing. After a day spent on the water, nestle around the campfire for marshmallow toasting and stargazing in the big (and clear) Norfolk skies.
Distance from London: 3 hours
Price: from £16 per night
Kingfisher Escapes, Wales
USP: A cosy cabin by the river
Looking for a romantic retreat with your other half? Escape it all at this cosy cabin by the River Ceiriog, just outside Chirk. Inside, the self-contained shepherd’s hut features a double bed, fully-equipped kitchen, wet room bathroom and woodburner-style heater to keep you toasty. Feeling daring? Take on a trip to the River Dee where you can go gorge walking or whitewater rafting.
Distance from London: 3.5 hours
Price: From £130 per night
Alvingham Lakes, Lincolnshire
USP: Peaceful fishing with caravan accommodation options
Just outside the Georgian market town of Louth on the edge of the Lincolnshire Wolds, you’ll find the calming Alvingham Lakes day ticket fishery. Bountiful with carp and bream. Pitch up your own tent or rent a static caravan. Amenities are basic but well-maintained, with a cafe, toilet and BBQ. Dogs are welcome.
Distance from London: 3.5 hours
Price: from £20 per night
Coniston Experience Freedom Glamping, Lake District
USP: Walking and watersports
Set on the banks of Coniston Water, this is an ideal base for a walking holiday to reset the body and mind. Break up your daily trekking with windsurfing, canoeing and steamboat rides on the seren Lakes.
Distance from London: 5 hours
Price: from £79 per night
Family
Forest Oak Farm
USP: Pup-friendly camping and cycling near the forest
Family-run Forest Oak Farm lies just next to the lush landscape of the Forest Of Dean in Gloucestershire. With BBQs for guests’ use, a lake and plenty of nearby cycle routes, you’ll be spoilt for choice, plus this site is dog-friendly and even boasts pup-exercise areas.
Distance from London: 3 hours
Price: from £16 per night
Broad Park Camping and Glamping, North Devon
USP: A Kid-friendly campsite with wakeboarding and alpacas
One for adventure travellers, Broad Park is conveniently situated next to the North Devon Wake Park, where you can get wakeboarding lessons and kids will love the outdoor blow up assault course. Expect to meet alpacas and chickens onsite, where there are also all the essential amenities for a comfortable few days by the sea.
Distance from London: 4.5 hours.
Price: From £16 per night.
Barn Park Campsite, Devon
USP: A beach heaven base perfect for families
Barn Park, set on a dairy farm with views Dartmoor, is a tranquil, family-friendly base from where to explore the Devonshire countryside. While this site has basic facilities, there is plenty nearby to get stuck into, including Woolacombe beach, surfing at Croyde, the Ilfracombe Aquarium, horse riding and even a spot of golf.
Distance from London: 4 hours.
Price: from £20 per night
