With January coming to an end and the nights getting lighter, you might be starting to think about your camping trips for the summer. My wife certainly is—she’s already scouting out new sites as well as planning visits to our must-return favourites. We love revisiting cherished spots but also enjoy trying new camping destinations to keep the adventures fresh.
Before you grab your family tent and book your next trip, check out our top five family-friendly campsites in the UK. These are sites we’ve personally visited and highly recommend for making unforgettable family memories.
1. Sunflower Park
We visited this site for the first time last year, located near Gainsborough in Lincolnshire. We found it through friends who camp with us regularly, and it’s become an instant favourite. This family-run campsite doubles as a working farm and animal rescue centre, making it a haven for animal lovers.
Highlights:
Farm and Animal Experience: The kids had an amazing time feeding the animals and collecting eggs. The site is home to geese, chickens, pigs, cows, llamas, donkeys, and a variety of birds—too many to list! Seeing the kids’ excitement while helping around the farm was priceless.
Family-Friendly Facilities:
A woodland area where the kids built dens and explored for hours.
A bar and restaurant offering affordable meals.
Campfires are allowed, and the logs you purchase directly support the farm.
Nature Reserve: Just opposite the site, the nature reserve provides excellent trails for exploring.
Bouncy Castle Day: One day a week (last year it was Thursdays), a bouncy castle setup entertained the kids for hours. For just £7 per child, they could play to their heart’s content.
We barely left the site all week except for a takeaway run on the last night. The owners were incredibly welcoming, always stopping for a chat or to check we were comfortable. One particularly memorable day, the kids spent hours learning how to milk a goat under the guidance of the staff, which led to endless giggles and stories to tell their friends back at school. By the end of our stay, it felt like we were leaving family behind.
2. Lincolnshire Lanes
Another family favourite just outside Market Rasen. We’ve been coming here for years and are already planning our next visit.
Highlights:
Spacious Pitches: The pitches are huge, so you never feel cramped or too close to your neighbours.
Community Atmosphere: One visit stands out when all the kids on-site ended up playing a massive football match. It started with my kids, the owner’s grandson, and a few others. By nightfall, even the dads joined in, using car headlights to light up the field. The kids still talk about that trip, and for us, that’s what camping is all about.
Woodland Exploration: A dedicated area for den building with logs and other materials provided.
Campfire Traditions: Even during a rainy trip where half the site was empty, our friends joined us for a campfire on the final night. We made s’mores and spider dogs, and before we knew it, the entire campsite had gathered around. One of the dads was celebrating a birthday and shared cake, turning it into a memorable evening.
Another highlight was the sense of freedom for the kids. They’d disappear into the woods for hours, emerging muddy but smiling, with tales of the “secret forts” they’d discovered. It’s the kind of place where you don’t have to worry about them being glued to a screen—their imaginations take over instead.
3. Little Trevothan
Down in Cornwall, Little Trevothan is a true gem. If you get good weather, it feels like being abroad.
Highlights:
Stargazing: The site’s remote location means dark skies perfect for stargazing. By the end of our stay, the kids were finding constellations on their own.
Immaculate Facilities: This is one of the cleanest campsites we’ve ever stayed at.
Family-Friendly Features:
A large playing field where cars aren’t allowed, making it safe for kids.
A well-stocked shop for essentials, which is handy since the site is fairly isolated.
Perfect Location:
Close enough to explore Cornwall’s beaches and attractions, like the Eden Project.
Secluded enough to feel like you’re truly away from it all.
One evening stands out as particularly magical. After a long day of exploring the nearby coastline, we sat around the campfire, toasting marshmallows. A neighbouring family joined us, and the kids became fast friends, putting on an impromptu “shadow puppet show” using the firelight. It’s those small, unscripted moments that make this site unforgettable.
4. Glen Nevis Campsite
This campsite at the foot of Ben Nevis might not seem like the most family-friendly option, but it’s a fantastic spot for adventurous families.
Highlights:
Hiking Opportunities:
Direct access to Ben Nevis trails for older kids and easier walks for younger ones.
On-Site Activities:
A river running along the site, perfect for kids to play by.
A spacious playground and designated dog-walking areas.
Breathtaking Scenery: Even the drive to the site, especially past Glasgow, is one of the most beautiful journeys we’ve ever taken.
The river quickly became our kids’ favourite spot. They spent hours building makeshift dams and “fishing” with sticks, completely immersed in their own adventures. Meanwhile, we relaxed with a coffee and soaked in the views of the Highlands. One afternoon, we joined a guided nature walk organised by the site, where the kids learned about local wildlife—and we got some stunning family photos with the mountains as a backdrop.
5. Chipping Norton Camping and Caravanning Club Site
This site near Clarkson’s Farm in the Cotswolds isn’t a traditional family campsite, but it’s well worth a visit.
Highlights:
Clarkson’s Farm Proximity: My kids, being fans of the show, loved being able to visit the farm shop.
Clean and Spacious: The toilet block is spotless, and the pitches are generously sized.
Exploration Opportunities:
Easy access to the Cotswolds for day trips.
Plenty of nearby attractions, though be prepared for longer drives on country roads.
During our stay, we took full advantage of the location. We spent one day touring small, picturesque villages and another hiking through the rolling hills of the Cotswolds. The kids were thrilled when they spotted pheasants and deer on one of our walks. And of course, no visit would be complete without popping into Clarkson’s Farm Shop for a snack and a few souvenirs. The combination of natural beauty and quirky charm made this site a hit for all of us
Final Thoughts
That wraps up our top five family-friendly campsites in the UK. Have you visited any of these, or do you have your own recommendations? Let us know in the comments below—we’re always on the lookout for new places to explore. Now, grab your family tent, pack up the family, and get camping!