The UK's best campsites for kids

In the beautiful South Downs, Graffham Camping and Caravanning Site offers a secluded woodland environment which is ideal for those looking for peace and quiet. This dog-friendly 90-pitch site has good shower and toilet facilities and is near local attractions and the coast.

With three separate areas to pitch a tent, Thistledown Farm is a great campsite for families. Surrounding footpaths take you past 70 acres of meadow, woodland, streams and beautiful natural picnic spots. There's also a farm shop selling local produce and a cafe serving hot food and drinks. Expect to see plenty of wildlife during your stay, including badgers and deer.

If you haven't had your fill of the seaside this year, Mother Ivey's Bay has its own private beach. There are camping pitches and static caravans available for hire, showers, toilets and dishwashing facilities and a small shop on site for essentials. It's also very close to some great Cornwall tourist attractions such as The Eden Project and Newquay Zoo.

Wrap up warm and enjoy stunning panoramic sea views of the White Cliffs of Dover at Kingsdown Campsite. There are activity trails around the site to keep kids entertained and large free campfire circles so everyone can keep warm. There are also village shops and pubs within a five minute walk.

Whether you want to pitch a tent, park a caravan or rent a cottage, Clippesby Hall is an award-winning holiday park with plenty of facilities to keep everyone entertained. As well as that all important WiFi access, there's a bar and a restaurant on site. Entertain yourselves on the mini golf course, play area and then go canoeing on the Norfolk Broads.

There are 48 spacious pitches at Sacrewell Farm with beautiful views and a 50% discount to the farm centre itself. There are good shower and hot water facilities on site as well as a cafe and a shop selling the farm's own produce. If you want to venture off a bit further, there are some lovely towns nearby to wander into.

For a peaceful escape into nature, Beddgelert Forest is the perfect location. In the centre of Snowdonia National Park, the campsite has 195 pitches for tents, good shower and toilet facilities, an on site shop selling hot takeaway food and plenty of beautiful walks. You might even spot an otter or a trout in the River Colwyn.

Possibly the trendiest glamping site around, Happy Days Retro Vacations offers stylish American trailer accommodation just a short distance from the Suffolk coast. Kids will love the play area and it's got great family toilet and shower facilities. This small site only has room for 10 pitches so it's perfect for cosy nights around a campfire.

On the edge of the Yorkshire Dales, Barnard Castle Campsite is a tree-lined retreat with 90 pitches for those who want a bit of quiet and relaxation. It's dog-friendly and there are plenty of walks surrounding the site, as well as a visiting fish and chip van. Yum!

Right on the shore of Loch Lomond, Cashel Camping is a beautifully scenic setting. It's great for getting some peace and quiet – and quality family time – as it's so secluded. There are shower and toilet blocks and two pubs close by.

For those who want to take part in a variety of activities and nature pursuits, Conkers National Forest Campsite is a great choice. From horse riding and fishing to gentle forest walks and cycling, it's also close to the National Brewery Centre, Calke Abbey, Conkers Activity Centre and lots more. The site has great shower and toilet facilities as well as a children's play area, WiFi and plenty of space for ball games.

Perfect for those who want a tranquil stay surrounded by nature, Sherwood Forest Holiday Park has both grass and hard-standing pitches available for tents and caravans – all of which back on to the River Maun. There are five toilet and shower blocks across the site and a shop selling essentials. It's close to Sherwood Forest Steam Railway and The Major Oak, which was said to be Robin Hood's hideout.

If you're looking for a slice of tranquillity without being a million miles away from the hustle and bustle of a city, Kingsbury Water Park Campsite is ideal. With good shower and toilet facilities, WiFi and a play area, it's close to attractions such as Drayton Manor and Cadbury World a 30-minute drive away.

Choose between hobbit-like 'earth-sheltered' pods Toad Hall, Mole Manor, or Badgers Court at Townsend Farm or bring your own camping gear to pitch at the 12-acre site. Adventurers can explore the bike trails while those looking to relax can sit by the lake or check out the farm shop.

Close to the beautiful Northumberland coast, Dunstan Hill Campsite is the perfect base for enjoying both the countryside and the beaches. The site itself is dog-friendly, has good toilet and shower facilities and a children's play area while the surrounding areas – Alnwick, Bamburgh and Dunstanburgh – offer three castles to explore.

Located on a traditional family farm, Gibraltar Farm has amazing views of Morecambe Bay as well as acres of woodland to enjoy. You need to bring your own tent or caravan but there are toilet and shower blocks and a washer-drier. Nearby there is an 18-hole golf course, Silverdale village and the stunning Lake District.

Set in 200 acres of beautiful woodland, you can choose between luxury woodland tents, lodge tents or woodcutter huts for a warm, comfortable glamping experience at Jollydays. Be warned: this is a chance to really get away from it all, as there's NO wifi on site. All accommodation is equipped with wood burning stoves, gas hobs, barbecues and hot running water.

Whether you want to roam the Yorkshire Moors or enjoy an autumnal day on Scarborough's beaches, Scarborough Campsite has 300 pitches for tents and caravans. There are good shower and toilet facilities, two play areas, a Go Ape! course and an onsite chip shop. Just in case you fancy a change of scenery from the site, you can visit Scarborough Sea Life Centre, Whitby Abbey or Scarborough Castle nearby.

Popular with families, Blair Castle Caravan Park has 33 non-electric pitches and 29 electric pitches, as well as glamping pods. There is plenty of on-site entertainment including a games room, football pitch, putting green, adventure playground and dog walking areas. There are also modern comforts such as a launderette, shower and toilet facilities and a shop selling essentials.

Nestled against a stunning dramatic backdrop, Red Squirrel Campsite is a magical natural setting for a family camping trip. Although it's mostly an authentic back-to-nature setting with forest walks and a swimming hole to enjoy, there are hot showers and toilets on site as well as WiFi. Small campfires and barbecues are allowed, as are well-behaved dogs.

In the heart of the Teifi Valley, Dolbryn Caravan and Campsite provides loads of ways for your kids to enjoy natural play. Children can build dens, meet the animals and explore the woodland and stream. The site offers a variety of accommodation ranging from bringing your own tent or caravan through to ready tents or wooden camping pods.

Camp in style in the beautiful rural surroundings at Canvas and Campfires. There are three safari tents to choose from, which all sleep six people. They feature a wood burning range cooker, leather sofa, dining table and chairs, flushing toilets and outside decking. If you want something even more special, you can also stay in The Barn – a converted 18th-century cowshed with beautiful views of the pond.

At Ballywhiskin Caravan and Camping Park, you're in a great location for numerous local attractions such as The Exploris Aquarium, The Ulster Folk and Transport Museum and the city of Bangor. The kids will be entertained by the children's play area and on-site animal farm, and cleaning up afterwards is made easy for you with a laundry room.

Relax and enjoy the natural surroundings of Castle Archdale. Whether you're camping or caravanning, pitch up and get stuck into the range of activities on offer including walking, water sports and plenty of fascinating trails of the area, which is steeped in WW2 history. The site features a shower block, kids play area and a laundrette.

On seven miles of sandy beach, Golden Sands has stunning views of the northern coastline. You're guaranteed a comfortable stay with on-site showers and toilets, laundry room, dishwashing facilities and electrical hook-ups. There's also plenty of fun to be had with activities like Teddy Bear's Picnic, Disco bingo and Talent Shows.

Set in the shadow of mighty Skiddaw and a stone’s throw from Bassenthwaite Lake, Kestrel Lodge Camping is a traditional Lakeland campsite on an 18th-century farm. The opposite of a holiday park, the ethos here is 'small, quiet, friendly, traditional, but with nice hot showers, and somewhere to clean your boots and dogs.'

Choose from two sites in Coniston or Windermere and then choose whether you want to sleep in a Yurt, Berber tent, GeoDome or Vardo Wagon ... Leave your tent behind – Wild In Style is all about glamping in unusual nomadic homes scattered around the forest. Pet-friendly and family-friendly, a camping trip here is all about having fun and reconnecting with nature.

A huge campsite but somehow Red Shoot Camping Park never seems to get too crowded. It has more than 100 electric hook-up or standard grass pitches. There's a great play area with a fireman's pole, rope and swing bridges, and a well-stocked shop to make life easier. You'll also see ponies, donkeys and deer roaming the countryside here.

The Treloan Coastal Holidays campsite is bound to be a hit with the whole family. Every morning, the campsite owner rings a bell so that children can collect eggs from the top of the field and feed the animals; they keep pigs, guinea pigs, chickens and rabbits. You can bring your own tent or caravan, or rent a mobile home or wooden snug.

Jerusalem Farm sits in one of the most picturesque wooded valleys in the Pennines, making it great for both relaxing and getting active. It's perfect for cycle rides, country walks, and adventures. The campsite is fairly basic but does offer showers, toilets and picnic tables.

Worried about camping with kids? Read our top tips here.

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