The best campsite in the UK revealed – with just one riverside pitch and nearby country pubs
THE best campsite in the UK has been revealed – and it’s one that offers wildlife watching and wild swimming in picturesque surroundings.
The site came top of a brand new list of campsites published by camping experts Hipcamp, who compiled data from bookings, reviews, and ratings across all the UK pitches on their site.
They used that information to identify top-performing camping grounds for the Hipcamp awards, and crowned the best places to pitch up, just in time for camping season.
Top of the pile was Alder Carr Farm, in the Peak District, England.
They described the site as a “perfectly simple, riverside Hipcamp” but praised its secluded location, its wild activities and nearby activities.
They wrote: “Book here and you have staked your claim on a patch of grass and a stretch of river for a few days of getting back to basics.
“This secluded pitch on a farm offers wild swimming, wildlife watching and crackling campfire.
“Should you wish to explore further though, there’s lots to see and plenty to do.
“It’s situated just three miles from the historic market town of Ashbourne and a similar distance from Dovedale – the southernmost part of the Peak District National Park.”
A stay at Alder Carr Farm can be booked from £30 per night, with just one pitch on-site for the ultimate privacy.
In close second to the Peak District site was Hamperley Hideaways, in Shropshire, which can be booked from £20 per night.
Hipcamp said that the site “bridges the gap between wild camping and traditional campsites” and is a place “where neighbouring tents are so far away that you wouldn’t know they existed” and where glamping is “as rustic as it gets”.
The wild(ish) site has bikes for hire for guests and a wild swimming hotspot nearby.
It’s found just beyond Church Stretton, a small market town, that’s home to both good pubs and shops for supplies.
In third place was Cwmffrwd Farm Campsite, Powys, Wales, which has pitches available from £10 per night.
It’s described as a “back-to-nature retreat for those looking for simple camping in stunning surroundings”.
Three camping tips from an expert
David Scotland owns camping equipment retailer Outdoor World Direct and knows all about how to make a camping trip run smoothly.
When visiting any campsite this summer it’s important to make sure you’re not making simple mistakes that could ruin your holiday.
Check your tent
David recommends putting your tent up a couple of weeks before you’re due to travel to give you enough time to repair or replace any damaged parts.
He told Sun Online Travel: “You’d be surprised how many people turn up with broken tents.”
Test the ground
Picking a good spot to pitch your tent is difficult, with lots of things to consider.
One of those should be the condition of the ground you’re putting your tent on top of, according to David.
He said: “Once you’ve found the perfect spot, test the ground with your pegs before you commit to camping there to make sure the ground is soft enough.”
Don’t nap in your tent
It may seem the perfect place for it, but a nap in a tent could end badly, if it’s done at the wrong time of the day.
David explained: “If the sun’s shining and it’s hot inside your tent – don’t do it!
“One of our friends nodded off in his tent during a heatwave at Glastonbury and ended up at the medical tent with heatstroke.”
Instead, he recommends finding some shade outside or somewhere well ventilated.
Hipcamp said that the spacious pitches for campers and glampers “make visitors feel like they’ve found a secret spot in South Wales – tucked away amid towering mountains in the heart of the Brecon Beacons National Park”.
Meanwhile, kids can enjoy a variety of workshops run throughout the year that feature folklore, folktales, bushcraft and wilderness skills.
James Warner Smith, Hipcamp’s UK editor said: “The Hipcamp awards show how setting and scenery plays a more pivotal role than modern-day high-spec facilities.
“The winners range from back-to-basic wild sites to established locations with extensive washblocks, reflecting the wide variety of expectations from different campers, and, amongst them, you’ll also find smaller, secluded sites, as well as the larger more sociable spots.
“But the common theme that runs through them all is welcoming, friendly hosts, and spectacular locations.
“Fundamentally, camping is still about being outside in nature, so it’s no surprise that stunning scenery goes hand in hand with a fantastic camping experience, regardless of whether you want somewhere wild or somewhere with more home comforts.”
The full top 10 is as follows:
- Alder Carr Farm, England, Peak District – from £30/night
- Hamperley Hideaways, England, Shropshire – from £20/night
- Cwmffrwd Farm Campsite, Wales, Powys from £10/night
- Westland Farm, England, Devon, from £13/night
- Wild Camping in the Cotswolds, England, from £50/night
- Sunny Corner Campsite, England, Cornwall from £30/night
- Bryn Ifan Camping, Wales, Gwynedd,from £20/night
- Fire and Stars Woodland Camping, Leicestershire England, from £50/night
- Gwerniago Camping Site, Wales, Gwynedd from £15/night
- Goren Farm, England, Devon, from £24/night
Meanwhile, here are some of the best seaside campsites in the UK.
And this campsite has direct access to the beach and has been compared to both the Caribbean and Greece.
