Camping in England

Camping in the UK offers a wealth of extraordinary landscapes set against the backdrop of a rich and vibrant history. In terms of character and stunning scenery it offers an unsurpassed choice of holiday activities from coast to country.

Despite our notoriously unpredictable weather, camping and caravanning in England is an adventure. For sure, UK campsites in general offer easy access to spectacular terrain, but the campsites in England provide an unbeatable mix of scenery with the widest range of terrain.

Walking and cycling trails criss-cross the countryside showcasing the best scenery, little lanes lead to everywhere and nowhere, but always springing a pleasant surprise around every bend. Every campsite in England can help you get a little closer to the locality.

Public footpaths may be well-trodden or rarely used but are a wonderful way to get to know whichever corner of England that you are in. Follow the paths through glorious bluebell woods in spring, skirt around magnificent lakes and through soaring mountain passes. Equally, simply amble through a quintessentially English village with roses clambering up the ancient walls, hear the church bells tolling and soak up the sense of history.

Northern England

A beautiful and varied region of rolling hills and undulating moors, along with a wealth of industrial heritage and undiscovered countryside. Camping in the Peak District or glamping on the Yorkshire moors, perhaps the Cumbrian lakes or among the Northumbrian ancient forts and fairy tale castles, these are all highlights not to be missed.

The ancient industrial cities have long shed their grimy past and are today must-visit places or real interest: Newcastle with its iconic bridges, York is home to the national railway museum and famous city walls and Liverpool, of course, is the birthplace of the Beatles. Manchester is now a destination in its own right too, a modern, vibrant city of the arts and culture (not to mention two global football clubs, Manchester United and Man City).

Southern England

Rich in maritime heritage and historical attractions, the southern region comprises tranquil English countryside replete with picture postcard villages, ancient towns, formidable castles and grand stately homes, coupled with a beautiful coastline and lively seaside resorts.

Historic fishing ports like Hastings, where boats are still landed on the shingle beach, has a special past, dating back to 1066. Not far away lie the sleepy cobbled lanes of Rye, a popular enclave of artists and artisan crafts perched on its hill and one of the Cinque Ports.

Seaside towns like Brighton and Bournemouth offer a colourful mix of old and new, with vibrant culture, festivals, food markets and a diverse programme of performance and events.

Venture inland and you’ll find the South Downs and the Weald of Kent, with their timbered houses, ancient trails and small picturesque villages. Kent, known as the Garden of England, has a huge array of farm shops, vineyards and orchards and the oast houses with their pointed white cowls are so distinctive.

Eastern England

A perfect mix of gentle countryside and sleepy storybook villages, it’s an unspoilt region with the endless skies of the Fens, inland waterways and traditional beach resorts. Campsites in Norfolk Broads have a special charm, peaceful and sleepy, almost allowing you to drift off to another time.

The classic timbered houses with their weathered oak beams, wonky floors and terracotta tiles, are often painted in muted pastel hues, particularly creams and soft pinks. Medieval cloth towns like Thaxted, or Great Dunmow and Sudbury are good places to visit.

Western England

A region of contrasts, with windswept moorlands and dramatic cliffs towering above beautiful sandy beaches. The coasts of Devon and Cornwall have both sandy shores and rocky headland, and dense deciduous woodland that shelters all kinds of flora and fauna.

Camping in Cornwall has long been a highlight of many families’ year. The clean sands polished by the buffeting waves, the surfers incessantly riding high on the white foam, the tranquil gardens and eco hotspots like the Eden Project drawing in visitors by their thousands.

Some make full use of their campervan in Cornwall - from surfing to enjoying a leisurely cream tea, it’s the ideal base. And campsites in Devon and Cornwall are always friendly and inviting, often with sweeping sea views. Special areas are often reserved for tent camping, so if you’re a tenter planning a holiday under canvas, it’s always worth enquiring about tent pitches.

The wild places like Bodmin Moor and Dartmoor contrast with the gentler countryside around Torbay, the English Riviera, and the fascinating Jurassic Coast of Dorset. Recognised by UNESCO for its cultural heritage it is hugely popular with campers and caravanners staying at campsites in Dorset.