How to Choose the Right Campsite in the UK: A Practical Guide
· Updated
The right UK campsite is the one whose type, facilities and location match the trip you actually want, not the one with the prettiest photo. A dog owner in a tent needs different things from a family in a motorhome, and both need different things from a couple after a quiet weekend. Get those three decisions right, in that order, and the rest is detail.
The fastest way to do it is to filter rather than scroll. Our directory at Camping Sites in Britain lists over 7,800 UK campsites, caravan parks and glamping sites you can narrow by exactly the features covered below: electric hook-up, showers, hardstanding, dogs allowed, adults-only, family-friendly and more. This guide is part of our advice on planning your first camping trip.
Start with the type of site
UK campsites fall into four broad types, and picking the right one settles half your other questions. Each trades facilities against price, space and atmosphere.
| Type | What it is | Best for | Rough pitch price/night |
|---|---|---|---|
| Club sites | Run by the Camping and Caravanning Club or the Caravan and Motorhome Club, well kept, reliable facilities | First-timers, caravans and motorhomes wanting consistency | £20 to £40 |
| Commercial holiday parks | Larger sites, often with pool, shop, bar and entertainment | Families wanting things to do on site | £25 to £50+ |
| Small farm, CL and CS sites | Certificated Locations (max five caravans) and Certificated Sites, quiet, few facilities | Peace, space and cheaper nights | £10 to £25 |
| Wild camping | No pitch, no facilities, on open land | Experienced campers wanting solitude | Free, where permitted |
A CL is a small site of up to five caravans licensed through the Caravan and Motorhome Club, and a CS is the Camping and Caravanning Club's tent equivalent. They are brilliant for a low-cost, low-crowd weekend, but bring water containers and expect little more than a tap and a chemical disposal point.
Wild camping is not a free-for-all. In England it is a legal right only on parts of Dartmoor, confirmed by the UK Supreme Court on 21 May 2025. Scotland allows responsible wild camping under the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003 and the Scottish Outdoor Access Code, though Loch Lomond and the Trossachs operates permit zones from 1 March to 30 September. Everywhere else you need the landowner's permission and should follow the Countryside Code.
Match the facilities to how you camp
Facilities are where most trips are made or ruined, so decide which are non-negotiable before you book. A tent camper and a motorhome owner will tick very different boxes.
Electric hook-up (EHU)
Book an electric pitch if you rely on a fridge, heater, CPAP machine or charging more than a phone. UK hook-ups are typically 10A or 16A, enough for a small heater but not a kettle and a heater at once. Tent campers often skip it to save £3 to £6 a night; caravans and motorhomes usually want it.
Showers and toilets
Check whether showers are included or coin-operated, and whether they are heated year-round. Small farm sites may offer one shower block for the whole field, which is fine in April and a queue in August. If facilities matter to you, filter for them rather than hoping.
Hardstanding versus grass
Choose a hardstanding pitch for a caravan or motorhome, especially outside summer, because a grass field turns to mud after rain and vans get stuck. Tents want level, well-drained grass. Many sites offer both, so the pitch type is a filter worth setting.
Dogs, families and adults-only
Confirm the site's policy before you arrive, because it is rarely flexible on the gate. Dog-friendly sites may cap the number per pitch or ban certain breeds. Adults-only sites guarantee quiet but turn away under-18s entirely, while family parks lay on playgrounds and clubs. Our directory lets you filter campsites by dogs allowed, family-friendly and adults-only in one click.
Get the location right
Pick your location around what you will do each day, not just the postcode. A site 40 minutes from the coast sounds close until you do it twice a day with tired children. Decide whether you want to walk from the tent to a beach, a pub or a trailhead, then search that specific area.
Regional character matters too. The Lake District and Cumbria suit walkers and fell views, Cornwall and Devon pull families to the surf, and quieter counties reward anyone after space. Browse by region on Camping Sites in Britain to see what each area actually offers before committing.
Read reviews and check the price properly
Trust recent reviews over the site's own gallery, and read the middling three-star ones, because they tell you the truth about facilities and noise. Look for patterns rather than a single angry post: repeated mentions of cold showers, hidden charges or a hard sell on the way in are worth heeding.
On price, compare the total, not the headline pitch fee. Sites commonly add extras for a second person, an awning, a dog, EHU or an extra vehicle, so a "£18 pitch" can land at £30. A tidy pre-trip check saves surprises; our advice on a pre-camping checklist to avoid common mistakes covers the rest.
Book at the right time
Book early for July, August and any bank holiday weekend, when the best sites in Cornwall, the Lake District and Snowdonia sell out months ahead. Popular family parks and small CLs both fill fast, for opposite reasons. Midweek and shoulder-season nights are cheaper and quieter, and many sites drop their minimum-stay rules outside peak dates.
If you are travelling as a group, book adjacent pitches together and check the site allows it, as some cap group bookings. Our guide to planning a camping trip with friends and, for van trips, our tips for a successful car camping trip both help here. After a quiet break instead? See our tips for a romantic camping getaway and look at adults-only sites.
Frequently asked questions
How do I choose a campsite in the UK?
Decide your site type first (club, commercial park, small farm or wild), then your must-have facilities, then the location around your daily plans. Filter a directory by those features, read recent reviews and compare the total price including extras.
What facilities should a campsite have?
It depends on how you camp. Tent campers usually want clean showers, drinking water and well-drained grass. Caravans and motorhomes want electric hook-up and a hardstanding pitch. Families value playgrounds and a shop; couples often prefer quiet, adults-only sites.
What is a CL or CS site?
A CL (Certificated Location) is a small site of up to five caravans licensed through the Caravan and Motorhome Club. A CS (Certificated Site) is the Camping and Caravanning Club's tent equivalent. Both are quiet and cheap with minimal facilities.
Do I need electric hook-up?
Book EHU if you use a fridge, heater, CPAP machine or need to charge more than a phone. UK hook-ups are usually 10A or 16A. Many tent campers skip it to save money, while most caravans and motorhomes want it.
Can I just camp anywhere in the UK?
No. Wild camping is a legal right only on parts of Dartmoor in England and, responsibly, across much of Scotland under its access code. Everywhere else needs the landowner's permission, so a licensed campsite is the safe choice.
How far ahead should I book?
Book several months ahead for July, August and bank holidays, especially in Cornwall, the Lake District and Snowdonia. Midweek and shoulder-season nights can often be booked a week or two out and cost less.
The short version
Choose the site type, then the facilities, then the location, and let reviews and total price settle the final call. The quickest route is to filter rather than scroll, so search the Camping Sites in Britain directory by the exact features you need and read more on planning your first camping trip.
