How to Choose a Campsite — What to Look For

Not all campsites are created equal. Some are brilliant — well-kept, great locations, genuinely welcoming. Others are muddy fields with a portaloo and a bad attitude. Knowing what to look for (and what to avoid) saves you money, time, and disappointment.

What Makes a Good Campsite

Location

The single most important factor. A great campsite in a bad location is still disappointing. Consider:

• Proximity to walking/activities — can you walk from the site, or do you need to drive?
• Landscape — views, natural surroundings, trees for shelter
• Noise — near a main road? Next to a pub? Near a farm with early-morning activity?
• Local amenities — shops, pubs, takeaways within walking distance

Pitch Quality

• Size — enough space between you and your neighbours. If pitches are crammed together, you'll hear every conversation.
• Surface — grass is the standard. Well-drained grass is the goal. Hardstanding for wet weather.
• Flatness — sleeping on a slope is miserable. Good sites have reasonably level pitches.
• Shelter — hedges, walls, or trees that break the wind make a huge difference.

Facilities

• Toilets and showers — clean, warm, and sufficient for the number of pitches. The shower block is the heart of any campsite.
• Washing up — covered is better than open-air.
• Water points — convenient locations, not a 10-minute walk across the site.
• Waste disposal — recycling facilities, general waste bins, and chemical disposal if relevant.

Atmosphere

This is harder to assess before arrival but matters enormously:

• Quiet vs social — some sites are peaceful retreats; others are party central. Know which you want.
• Family-friendly — playground, safe areas for children to explore, a relaxed attitude to kids being kids.
• Tent-friendly — some sites clearly prioritise caravans and motorhomes. Tent campers get the worst pitches.

Red Flags

Before Booking

• No reviews or very few — could be new, could be avoiding scrutiny
• Photos only show the best pitch — what does the rest of the site look like?
• Excessive rules — some rules are sensible (quiet after 11pm). A page-long list of restrictions suggests a site that doesn't trust its guests.
• No tent pitches — if a site only takes caravans and motorhomes, they probably don't want tent campers
• Hidden fees — charges for showers, car parking, extra people, dogs, breathing

On Arrival

• Dirty facilities — if the toilets and showers aren't clean when you arrive, they won't get better
• Overcrowded — pitches so close together you can read your neighbour's book
• Poor drainage — standing water, muddy paths, waterlogged pitches
• Generator noise — some sites have generators that run all night. Ask before pitching.
• Unwelcoming staff — the tone is set from the top. Unfriendly reception usually means unfriendly experience.

Types of Campsite

Farm Campsites

Often the best option. A farmer with a field and basic facilities. Typically quiet, beautiful locations, and reasonable prices. Facilities are basic but functional.

Best for: Peaceful camping in rural settings.

Commercial Holiday Parks

Large sites with full facilities — swimming pools, shops, entertainment. Can be good for families but often noisy, expensive, and feel like a holiday park rather than camping.

Best for: Families wanting activities and facilities. Not for peace and quiet.

Wild-Style Campsites

A growing category — sites that offer a wild camping feel with the safety net of basic facilities. No electric hook-ups, limited pitches, composting toilets. Often in stunning locations.

Best for: Those who want a taste of wild camping without full commitment.

Club Sites (Camping and Caravanning Club, Caravan and Motorhome Club)

Well-maintained, reliable facilities. Can feel a bit regimented and rules-heavy. Often good value for members.

Best for: Those who want consistent quality and don't mind the club atmosphere.

Pop-Up and Seasonal Sites

Sites that operate only during peak season, often on farmland. Quality varies enormously.

Best for: When everything else is booked.

Booking Tips

• Book early for peak season — the best sites fill up months in advance for summer weekends and bank holidays
• Midweek is cheaper and quieter — if your schedule allows
• Check cancellation policies — flexibility matters, especially with UK weather
• Phone ahead — websites don't always reflect reality. A quick call can tell you about current conditions and availability
• Ask about pitch allocation — some sites let you choose; others allocate. If you want a specific spot, ask.

Price Guide

UK campsite prices vary enormously:

• Basic farm site: £8-15 per tent per night
• Standard campsite: £15-30 per pitch per night
• Wild-style premium site: £20-40 per pitch per night
• Holiday park: £25-50+ per pitch per night

Prices are usually per pitch (tent + car) with additional charges for extra people. Dogs may or may not be extra.

Finding Good Campsites

• Pitchup.com — good search filters and reviews
• Cool Camping — curated selection of interesting sites
• Hipcamp — growing UK presence, especially for wilder sites
• Nearly Wild Camping — specifically for wild-style sites
• Word of mouth — the best campsites are often discovered through recommendations

The Perfect Campsite

If you find a campsite that ticks all the boxes — great location, clean facilities, decent pitch sizes, friendly owners, and a good atmosphere — hold on to it. Tell your friends (quietly). Go back. Support the people who run it.

Recommended Campsite Essentials

Whether you're at a farm pitch or a wild-style site, these items improve any campsite stay.

Good campsites exist because good campsite owners care. They deserve your loyalty and your recommendations.