The UK’s best national park campsites

Cairngorms: The Lazy Duck, Nethy Bridge

Half a mile up a forest track, with hammocks strung between trees and red squirrels darting around the wildflower garden, the Lazy Duck is as close to a Scottish camping idyll as you’re likely to get. Only four tents can occupy this Elysian glade, which means there’s rarely a queue for the wonderful bush shower. The site also has a hostel, a cottage and eco-cabins. lazyduck.co.uk.

Loch Lomond and the Trossachs: Inchcailloch

What could be more thrilling than a campsite tucked beneath trees on a little car-free island on a beguiling loch? There’s an ancient ruined church to discover on Inchcailloch and, come nighttime, the isle belongs to the campers (only a dozen allowed), the birds and the fallow deer.

Lake District: Syke Farm, Buttermere

If ever a campsite exuded a glorious old-school camping feel it’s Syke Farm. Plop your tent down by Mill Beck or on the summit of one of the tiny hillocks and revel in the 360-degree views of hills and woods. There’s Buttermere lake to one side, Crummock Water to the other, and two pubs and ice cream purveyors in between.  ukcampsite.co.uk.

Northumberland: Stonehaugh campsite

A rare campsite within the Northumberland national park, Stonehaugh is pleasingly located on the fringes of the Wark Forest, close to the Pennine Way, and just a few miles from Kielder Water. The showers, meanwhile, are powered by wind turbine and solar panels. Oh, and they’ve got totem poles. Big ones. stonehaughcampsite.com.

Peak District: Fieldhead Campsite, Edale

Run by the local National Park Authority, Fieldhead could win awards for its location alone: it’s a short walk from the eye-easing village of Edale, right at the start of the Pennine Way, at the foot of Kinder Scout and within striking distance of climbing hotspots Stanage Edge and Burbage. Add that to its six tree-lined fields (one especially for families and a riverside meadow for backpackers) and well-tended facilities, and you’ve hit middle pin. fieldhead-campsite.co.uk.

North York Moors: Park Farm, Kildale

In the far north-west of the park, Park Farm sports a view all the way to Tan Hill, 50 miles away that is just too astonishing to pass up. The Cleveland Way cruises right through the farm, while a camping barn in a listed building offers a warmer option.  kildalebarn.co.uk.

Yorkshire Dales: Gordale Scar campsite, Malham

One of Britain’s most startlingly located campsites as its name suggests, it’s slap bang at the entrance to Gordale Scar, a giant limestone ravine immortalised in oils by James Ward (as seen in Tate Britain). Just the one shower serves the entire campsite but there is a little stream and, hey, you can always wash when you get home. malhamdale.com/camping.htm.

Brecon Beacons: Middle Ninfa, Llanellen

Ah, Middle Ninfa a smallholding halfway up the mighty Blorenge (a hill rather than a fancy type of blood orange) where six scattered and secluded pitches offer jaw-plunging views over the Usk valley. Open fires are encouraged and there is, of course, a croquet lawn down below, along with a wood-fired sauna and a bunkhouse in case you’ve forgotten your tent. middleninfa.co.uk.

Snowdonia: Gwern Gf Isaf Farm, Nant y Benglog

Opened in 1906 and still run by the same family, Gwern Gf Isaf is a much-loved institution among walkers and climbers. It’s beneath Tryfan, one of Snowdonia’s iconic peaks, and with the Glyders and the Carneddau close by, it’s no wonder Sir John Hunt prepared here before leading the team that put Hillary and Tenzing on Everest.  gwerngofisaf.co.uk

Pembrokeshire Coast: Rhosson Ganol, St Davids

The most westerly campsite in Wales provides those two essentials of a great campsite a lovely field and a view. And what a view it is, out over the sea to Ramsey Island. You can hop on a boat and visit the RSPB reserve there or grab your walking boots and head out along the glorious Pembrokeshire Coast Path. ukcampsite.co.uk.

Exmoor: Caffyns Farm, Lynton

This is relaxed campfire-y camping on a grand scale. Caffyns Farm covers 160 acres and you can pick from nine fields some with views across the Valley of the Rocks and the Bristol Channel (all the way to Wales if the weather’s good), others offering seclusion and protection from the elements. Check out the red deer they’re everywhere.exmoorcoastholidays.co.uk

Dartmoor: Sweet Meadows, Clifford Bridge

Set in a hamlet on Dartmoor’s north-eastern edge, Sweet Meadows offers both a semi-wild experience with woods full of owls and woodpeckers, and back-garden pitches surrounded by flower beds and shaded by apple trees. Isle of Rum ponies meander in the paddock and just beyond, the Teign Valley calls with its renowned displays of daffodils and orchids. ukcampsite.co.uk

The Broads: Reedham Ferry Touring Park

This pub campsite in the heart of the Norfolk Broads has a private fishing lake (with roach, rudd and some elusive large carp). There are more amenities here than on most of the sites on this list, with electric hook-ups and a barbecue area or you can eat at the Archers pub overlooking the Yare river. reedhamferry.co.uk

New Forest: Matley Wood

If you’re looking for a step-out-of-your-tent-and-you’re-in-the-forest site, this is the place. Encircled by oaks and with some of the park’s famous ponies liable to wander by at any time, this is as immersed as you can be in the New Forest while still being on a campsite. And take a field guide, too there are 700 species of wildflower to spot. campingintheforest.co.uk

South Downs Housedean: Farm Campsite, near Lewes

A 900-acre family farm, Housedean is not only inside the national park but on the South Downs Way. The downs rise up from its spacious camping field, beckoning visitors to get out and explore. Bicycles can be hired on site and, when you get back, there’s an open-air hot shower to refresh you before you stoke up the campfire. housedean.co.uk 

Dixe Wills is the author of Tiny Campsites (tinycampsites.co.uk).