The best places in the UK to go camping
Outdoor experts have revealed the best places in the UK to go camping.
New research by GO Outdoors has ranked the best spots across the United Kingdom for camping, based on factors like price; pet friendliness and internet access. The research also looks at the best places for families, couples and luxury camping, for those who aren’t as keen to pitch a tent!
The top 10 best places in the UK for camping:
| Rank | Camping area | % of campsites with internet access | % of pet friendly campsites | % of campsites open all year | % of campsites with glamping options | % of campsites with kids' playgrounds | Average price of campsites | Camping score /10 |
| 1. | Cairngorms | 73% | 83% | 57% | 57% | 53% | £24.00 | 9.36 |
| 2. | Dumfries & Galloway | 73% | 95% | 45% | 43% | 40% | £20.00 | 8.79 |
| 3. | Fort William | 73% | 73% | 53% | 53% | 13% | £27.88 | 7.53 |
| 4. | Scottish Highlands | 64% | 77% | 53% | 55% | 25% | £24.44 | 7.30 |
| 5. | Suffolk | 59% | 79% | 38% | 54% | 39% | £24.50 | 7.08 |
| 6. | Isle of Skye | 68% | 68% | 59% | 68% | 5% | £22.00 | 7.10 |
| 7. | Conwy | 62% | 81% | 42% | 38% | 31% | £30.00 | 6.89 |
| 8. | Swansea | 58% | 89% | 26% | 42% | 37% | £24.00 | 6.73 |
| 9. | Cornwall | 56% | 86% | 30% | 40% | 38% | £24.82 | 6.58 |
| 10. | Norfolk | 50% | 82% | 38% | 55% | 43% | £29.74 | 6.28 |
Cairngorms National Park is the best place to camp in the UK. Wigwam Holidays Glenlivet nestled in the heart of the Cairngorms National Park is the ultimate place to camp in the middle of woodlands, while Glenshee Glamping is an idyllic location with llamas, donkeys and goats.
The average cost of a small tent for two adults in this area is £24 per night - cheaper than most locations on our list. 83% of campsites are also pet friendly and 57% are open all year round, while three quarters have internet access.
Hidden away in a western corner of the Southern Uplands, Dumfries & Galloway is the second best place to camp in the UK. This popular Scottish camping location is the perfect place for off-the-grid camping, home to Galloway Forest Park – the largest forest in Scotland. Camping options range from quiet ranches like Balloch O Dee to the more lively Auchenlarie Holiday Park, featuring a pool, bar and bistro.
The average cost of a small tent for two adults is £20 per night – that’s the cheapest price across all of the locations in the rating.
The second Scottish camping spot in this top three, Fort William, is ideal for those seeking a peaceful, remote getaway. It is the priciest location to camp out of top three: a small tent for two adults in Fort William costs on average £27.88 for one night. 3 in 4 campsites are pet friendly, while 53% are open year-round and 73% offer internet for campers.
The research also looked at the best camping hotspots for adventure lovers.
The 10 best camping hotspots for an active break:
| Rank | Camping area | % of campsites open all year | % of campsites with toilets | % of campsites with showers | % of campsites near a beach | % of campsites with games room |
% of campsites with a swimming pool |
% of campsites with fishing | Activities camping score /10 |
| 1. | Cornwall | 30% | 98% | 98% | 75% | 21% | 14% | 19% | 8.13 |
| 2. | Dumfries & Galloway | 45% | 98% | 98% | 50% | 28% | 13% | 53% | 8.1 |
| 3. | Conwy | 42% | 100% | 100% | 50% | 12% | 4% | 23% | 7.72 |
| 4. | Snowdonia | 29% | 99% | 99% | 54% | 13% | 6% | 32% | 7.58 |
| 5. | Pembrokeshire | 21% | 99% | 98% | 74% | 6% | 3% | 20% | 7.54 |
Cornwall is a hub for tourists, holidaymakers, beachgoers and caravan travellers from all over the world, famous for its incredible beaches, warm weather and amazing seafood. Around 21% of all campsites in Cornwall have a games room, and 14% have a swimming pool. 19% of the campsites we found have fishing and three-quarters are near a beach.
Dumfries & Galloway has plenty to offer for those who love activities and camping. Of the campsites in Dumfries & Galloway 28% have a games room, 13% have a swimming pool and 53% have fishing opportunities, and around half are located near a beach. Campsites like Seaward Holiday Park offer a heated outdoor pool, and even a dog exercise area.
Conwy is the ultimate destination for those seeking a peaceful getaway filled with opportunities to practice a skill or learn something new. Conwy’s coastal location means that half of campsites in the area are near a beach, making it a must-visit camping spot for those who love swimming, surfing and even dolphin spotting! In addition, Around 12% of Conwy’s campsites have a games room, while despite the often colder weather, 4% have a swimming pool and 23% have fishing.
Further insights from the study include:
- Buckinghamshire is ranked as the best place for luxury camping, with a score of 9/10.
- Fort William is the best place for family camping, reaching a score of 8.93/10.
- Hadrian's Wall is voted the best place for couples wanting to camp, with 79% class as peaceful campsites; 24% having hot tubs and 58% open all year round. Ideal for couples, around 18% of Hadrian’s Wall campsites are adults only.
You can view the camping hotspots in full here: https://blog.gooutdoors.co.uk/the-best-places-to-go-camping-in-the-uk/
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