Best UK caravanning destinations: 10 picturesque places

With almost a fifth of the UK classified as an official Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, a picturesque pitch is never far from home. We’ve scoured England, Wales, and Scotland for the most gorgeous areas to go on your next caravan holiday.

So whether you prefer to stay static, take your own van, or hire locally through Camplify, the UK’s largest RV hire and caravan sharing community, this list has got the picture-perfect park for you.

1. The Peak District, Derbyshire

The tranquil Peak District , Britain’s first National Park, is scattered with incredibly scenic walking and cycling trails. There are plenty of outdoor activities available within the National Park including fishing, horse riding, climbing, and caving. Visit from May to September and you’ll also see the famous Well Dressings.

Any touring holiday in The Peak District is incomplete without visiting magnificent Chatsworth House , home to the Duke and Duchess of Devonshire (and Keira Knightley, in a couple of films).

Pitch at Bakewell Campsite

Unfortunately, there are no scrummy sugary tarts with a cherry on top here, although apparently, the pudding in Bakewell town is worth a go! The good news is,Backwell Campsite Caravanning & Camping Club site is incredibly peaceful and only 5 miles south of Chatsworth House.

There are no WC or shower facilities at this campsite, so make sure your Camplify caravan or motorhome has a washroom. There is Club Site wifi, a kid’s playground, and a designated dog walk.

2. Hadrian’s Wall, Northumberland

Hadrian’s Wall is the largest Roman artefact in existence, stretching 84 miles from Wallsend to Bowness. The World Heritage Site traverses some of England’s most breathtaking countryside, with an abundance of historical sites and activities to keep the whole family entertained on your caravan holiday.

Pitch at Hadrian’s Wall Caravan & Campsite

This small, tranquil caravan and camping site is within easy walking distance from some of the most picturesque stretches of Hadrian’s Wall. The campsite has all the facilities you need including a centrally heated shower/toilet block, cookhouse, laundry room, free WiFi, small shop, and café.

3. Snowdonia, North Wales

Eager to relax and inhale some fresh sea air from the wild cliffs and long sandy beaches of the west? Or perhaps hiking, mountain biking, or whitewater rafting are more your style? Come and pitch your caravan where ancient woodlands and towering mountains meet the rugged Welsh coast. Adventurous types will definitely want to save a nice summer’s day for scaling Snowdon (Yr Wyddfa), the highest mountain in Wales and England. ****Pitch at Aberafon Camping and Caravan Site **** Where dramatic mountain landscapes meet the wild Llyn Peninsula , Aberafon is a non-negotiable for your next caravanning holiday in Wales. Snowdonia National Park , lakes, trails, and plenty of idyllic seaside villages are all within an hour’s drive. Aberafon Camping and Caravan Site facilities include a toilet & shower block, with a small shop, laundry, and dishwashing facilities available during peak season.

4. The Lake District

As you might imagine, there’s plenty of water and even more gorgeous waterside views to be found here. It’s not hard to see why The Lake District is the UK’s favourite National Park; its rugged mountains and ribbon lakes the stuff of folklore. Not just a pretty face, Lakeland (as the locals call it) is packed with outdoor adventures and attractions to entertain the masses, whatever you’re into.

Pitch at Park Cliffe

Holiday Park of the Year 2016, Park Cliffeoffers spacious pitches for touring caravans set amongst some of the most beautiful, unspoilt British countryside you’ll ever see. You won’t exactly be roughing it, with a bar, restaurant, shop, and other amenities at your disposal.

5. Somerset & Wiltshire

Whether you’re a serious shutterbug or just a part-time ‘grammer, this little corner of South-West England is rife with stunning photo ops. If you’re touring the area, make sure you stop and take some pictures in Bath , Exmoor National Park , Longleat Safari Park , and the ancient stone circles at Stonehenge and Avebury.

Pitch at Botany Camping and Glamping

This family-friendly campsite is just a stone’s throw away from local attractions. offering glamping tents as well as touring pitches. For a tranquil day out just 20 minutes from Botany Camping and Glamping, you won’t want to miss the breathtaking Stourhead Estate on the Wiltshire-Somerset border with its 18th Century landscaped gardens and classical temples dotted around the lake.

6. Polperro, Cornwall

Step back in time in this quaint little fishing village on the South East Coast of Cornwall. The unspoilt natural beauty of this area, in addition to its proximity to attractions like The Eden Project and The Lost Gardens of Heligan , puts Polperro high on the list of the best places to go on a caravan holiday in Cornwall.

Pitch at Great Kellow Farm

This simple, family-owned farm provides great value and stunning sea views to boot. Set well away from busy roads, this tranquil little field is just a few minutes’ walk from Polperro and half an hour’s drive from all the local attractions. Great Kellow Farmfacilities include electric hookup for caravans and motorhomes, toilets, and hot showers.

7. Glenfinnan, Scottish Highlands

Even if you have no idea what the Hogwarts Express is (for shame), the famous Glenfinnan Viaduct and Loch Shiel are wondrous sights to behold all the same. Those more interested in real history will enjoy a walk around the Glenfinnan Monument and Railway Museum.

Pitch at Linnhe Lochside Holidays

Taking your caravan touring in the Scottish Highlands? Linnhe Lochside Holidays is the perfect base, with pitches set in terraced gardens overlooking Loch Eil and the Narrows. This well-equipped campsite is close to all the Highlands highlights including Loch Ness, Glenfinnan, and the Isles of Skye & Mull.

8. Purbeck Heritage Coast, Dorset

For the most picturesque caravan holiday Dorset has to offer, take a tour along the Purbeck Heritage Coast. From the famous limestone landmark Durdle Door at Lulworth Cove , to the dramatic white cliffs of the Isle of Purbeck , this stretch of the Jurassic Coast is packed with scenery in every direction.

Pitch at Durdle Door Holiday Park

Set on the Lulworth Country Estate between rolling green hills and sea views, here you’ll be ideally located to make the most of your stay on the Jurassic Coast. Durdle Door Holiday Parkhas everything you need including shower block with hot water, laundry, WiFi, cafe/bar, and shop.

9. Brecon Beacons National Park, South Wales

A closer look at the striking mountain ranges of

Brecon Beacons will reveal an epic land of adventure, with endless caves, waterfalls, trails, and peaks to discover. For a more relaxing day, take a stroll through the ancient medieval ruins of Llanthony Priory , nestled within the stunning Vale of Ewyas.

Pitch at Aberbran Fach Caravan & Camping

Located on a serene slice of farmland in the heart of the National Park, Aberbran Fach is just 4 miles from the historic town of Brecon. Long summer days can be spent exploring Brecon Beacons or simply relaxing down by the river. Heated shower/toilet block and washing up facilities available.

10. Dartmoor National Park, Devon

Dartmoor boasts the largest number of archaeological remains in Europe, so fans of ancient history will enjoy discovering stone circles and menhirs aplenty in this breathtaking, heather-clad moorland. Walk up to the legendary Brentor Church and take in the amazing views for miles around.

Pitch at Woodland Springs Touring Park

This exclusively for adults camping and caravan site is open all year round and offers every amenity imaginable. Woodland Springs Touring Park is close to attractions like the cathedral city of Exeter and the maritime city of Plymouth , there’s no shortage of both indoor and outdoor adventures on this caravan holiday.

How to live an amazing holiday adventure

If you have experienced caravanning, you know that touring is the best way to see and experience all the beauty that Britain has to offer.

But the freedom and convenience of a caravanning holiday are no longer exclusive to those who own one. With Camplify you can now hire a campervan, motorhome, caravan or trailer tent for a few days or weeks without breaking the bank. Also, you can easily find a van available almost in any location you look for in the UK .

Why hiring a van with Camplify?

We are the UK's fastest-growing peer-to-peer caravan hire and RV sharing community. Camplify is just like Airbnb, but for caravans, campervans, motorhomes, trailer tents and lodges. We connect van owners with holidaymakers in a safe and secure sharing environment.

Look for a van near your home and start planning your ultimate adventure!