Best campsites near Bristol: 7 top picks for 2026

The best campsites near Bristol span rolling Somerset countryside, the dramatic Mendip Hills, and the leafy Avon Valley, all within an easy drive of the city. This guide covers 7 top campsites near Bristol, from family-friendly touring parks to adventure-focused sites with surf pools and zip lines. Camplify trip data shows that Bristol hirers typically spend two to three nights at these spots, making them ideal for a long weekend break.

Browse campervans and caravans for hire in Bristol if you already know your dates.

Chew Valley and Mendip Hills campsites near Bristol

Bath Chew Valley Caravan Park

Bath Chew Valley Caravan Park sits at the edge of Chew Valley Lake, roughly 10 miles south of Bristol city centre, and it is consistently one of the most popular campsites near Bristol among the Camplify community. The park occupies a quiet, sheltered position with open views across farmland and easy access to the lake's walking and cycling trails. Pick up a campervan or caravan from a local Camplify owner in Bristol and you can be setting up here in under 20 minutes.

The site caters well for tourers, with hardstanding and grass pitches, electric hook-up throughout, and clean, well-maintained shower blocks. Chew Valley Lake is a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, and the birdwatching on the water's edge is genuinely impressive, especially in autumn and winter. The nearby villages of Chew Magna and Chew Stoke have good pubs for an evening meal without needing to drive far.

Camplify travellers consistently rate this park highly for its balance of tranquillity and convenience. It is close enough to Bristol for a supply run but far enough away to feel like proper countryside. Families, couples, and solo travellers all find it works well, and demand peaks sharply around bank holidays and school holidays, so booking well ahead is strongly advised.

Quick facts:

• Distance: Approximately 10 miles south of Bristol city centre (around 25 minutes by road)

• Best for: Couples, families, and nature lovers seeking a peaceful base

• Key facilities: Electric hook-up pitches, hardstanding and grass pitches, shower blocks, on-site toilet facilities

• Book ahead: Bank holidays, school summer holidays, and autumn weekends book up fast

Cheddar Club Campsite

A favourite spot for Camplify hirers heading into the Mendips, Cheddar Club Campsite is just a short walk from the famous Cheddar Gorge, placing you at the door of one of England's most dramatic natural landmarks. The site is a members' club campsite, so you will need to check eligibility before booking, but for those who qualify, it offers excellent value and a quieter atmosphere than many of the more commercial parks in the area.

The landscape here does a lot of the heavy lifting. Cheddar Gorge itself offers serious hillwalking on the gorge rim trail, with views that stretch across the Somerset Levels on a clear day. The Cheddar caves are a short walk from the site and are well worth an afternoon, particularly for families with children. Locally, Camplify owners familiar with this stretch of the Mendips suggest arriving from the north via the A371 to get the most dramatic approach through the gorge.

For hirers who've stayed here, the position is the main draw. Pubs in Cheddar village are within easy walking distance, and the site's relatively small scale means it rarely feels crowded, even in mid-summer.

Quick facts:

• Distance: Approximately 23 miles south of Bristol city centre (around 40 minutes by road)

• Best for: Walkers, geology enthusiasts, and families visiting the caves and gorge

• Key facilities: Electric hook-up pitches, toilet and shower facilities, close to village amenities

• Book ahead: Summer school holidays and bank holiday weekends

Mendip Basecamp

Mendip Basecamp takes a different approach to most caravan parks in the Bristol area. Located near Priddy on the high plateau of the Mendips, the site is pitched at outdoor enthusiasts who want a practical, no-frills base for hillwalking, mountain biking, and caving in the surrounding hills. The elevation gives it a wilder feel than sites down in the valleys, and on a clear evening the sky here is properly dark.

The site offers camping and glamping options, and while it is less focused on fully-serviced touring pitches than some alternatives on this list, it suits hirers who are spending most of their time outdoors rather than on site. The Mendip Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty surrounds the site, and Priddy itself is one of the highest villages in Somerset, with a traditional village green and a good local pub. Camplify owners who know this part of the Mendips suggest it as a strong base for multi-day circular walks on the plateau.

If you are also considering further-afield adventures in a campervan, it is worth knowing that the same approach to finding well-located, activity-focused sites works brilliantly further west. The 5 best Brecon Beacons campsites are similarly geared towards outdoor pursuits, just across the border in Wales.

Quick facts:

• Distance: Approximately 20 miles south of Bristol city centre (around 40 minutes by road)

• Best for: Hillwalkers, mountain bikers, cavers, and anyone after a genuinely outdoor experience

• Key facilities: Camping and glamping pitches, toilet facilities, basic amenities on site

• Book ahead: Summer weekends and school holidays, particularly for the glamping options

North Somerset and Cheddar Valley camping near Bristol

Brook Lodge Farm Camping & Caravan Park Ltd

Brook Lodge Farm Camping & Caravan Park Ltd is a well-regarded touring park set on a working farm in the village of Cowslip Green, close to the A38 and around 10 miles south of Bristol. The farm setting gives it genuine character, with open fields, a stream running through the site, and a relaxed pace that makes it popular with families and couples on short breaks. Hirers who've stayed here regularly highlight how easy it is to reach on arrival day, particularly when picking up a campervan from a local owner in Bristol.

The facilities are solid and well-maintained, with electric hook-up pitches, clean shower and toilet blocks, and a site shop stocked with the basics. The surrounding area offers pleasant cycling along quiet country lanes, and the Mendips are within easy reach for a day trip. Yatton and Congresbury nearby have good pubs for an evening without driving far.

Well-rated by the Camplify community for its friendly atmosphere and tidy grounds, Brook Lodge Farm works particularly well for first-time hirers who want somewhere low-key and easy to navigate. The farm's proximity to the M5 also makes it a practical choice for hirers arriving from further afield.

Quick facts:

• Distance: Approximately 10 miles south of Bristol city centre (around 20-25 minutes by road)

• Best for: Families, couples, and first-time campervan hirers

• Key facilities: Electric hook-up pitches, shower and toilet blocks, site shop, children's play area

• Book ahead: Bank holidays and July to August

Bucklegrove Holiday Park

Positioned on the southern slopes of the Mendips, Bucklegrove Holiday Park sits between Cheddar and Wells and makes one of the more convenient bases for exploring both. The park has a strong community following among Camplify travellers, who tend to use it as a hub for day trips rather than staying put on site. Wells is genuinely worth a full day, with its medieval cathedral and the extraordinary Bishop's Palace moat, which is home to swans trained to ring a bell at feeding time, a detail that has charmed generations of visitors.

The park itself is well-equipped for families, with a heated outdoor swimming pool (seasonal), a children's play area, and a bar and restaurant on site, which means you are not entirely dependent on driving out for meals. Touring pitches have electric hook-up and the site is well-sized without feeling anonymous. Camplify owners in the area suggest requesting a pitch away from the static holiday home section if you prefer a quieter setting.

For those planning a longer touring trip down through Somerset and Dorset, Bucklegrove makes a logical first night stop. The 5 best Weymouth campsites are a natural next chapter if you are heading south along the coast.

Quick facts:

• Distance: Approximately 25 miles south of Bristol city centre (around 45 minutes by road)

• Best for: Families and those wanting on-site facilities alongside great day-trip access

• Key facilities: Heated outdoor pool (seasonal), electric hook-up pitches, bar and restaurant, children's play area

• Book ahead: School summer holidays book quickly, particularly for touring pitches with full hook-up

East of Bristol: Avon Valley campsites

Avon Valley Adventure Park Camping

The campsite at Avon Valley Adventure Park Camping occupies a distinctive position in the Bristol camping landscape. The site sits within the grounds of Avon Valley Adventure and Wildlife Park near Keynsham, roughly 6 miles east of Bristol, which means your neighbours in the morning are quite literally animals. For families travelling with children, the combination of on-site camping and access to the wildlife park makes for an efficient long weekend.

The camping area itself is a short walk from the park's entrance, and the setting along the River Avon is pleasant, with mature trees providing shade on warm days. Pitches are relatively straightforward, geared more towards ease of use than luxury, and the whole arrangement suits families who are there for the park's activities rather than a quiet retreat. Recommended by owners in the area as a strong option for families with younger children who want maximum entertainment value from a short break.

If your travel ambitions eventually stretch further north, the same spirit of finding well-positioned, activity-adjacent campsites applies equally well to Scotland. The 5 best Loch Lomond campsites and 5 best Oban campsites are worth bookmarking for future trips.

Quick facts:

• Distance: Approximately 6 miles east of Bristol city centre (around 20 minutes by road)

• Best for: Families with young children, school holiday breaks

• Key facilities: Camping pitches, access to Avon Valley Adventure and Wildlife Park, riverside setting, on-site café

• Book ahead: School holidays, especially Easter and summer

The Camp at The Wave

The Camp at The Wave is unlike any other campsite near Bristol, and that is rather the point. The Wave is a landlocked surf facility near Thornbury, about 12 miles north of the city, using the technology that has made artificial surf lagoons a fixture of modern adventure travel. The Camp sits on the same site, offering camping accommodation directly alongside the surf lagoon, so you can walk from your pitch to the water's edge in minutes.

The camp is designed with activity-focused travellers in mind. Accommodation leans towards bell tents and more experiential options, though motorhome and campervan pitches are available. The site's facilities are contemporary and well-appointed, reflecting the overall investment in the Wave complex. The Camplify community knows this site primarily through hirers who have combined a surf session with an overnight stay, making it a strong option for a standalone adventure weekend rather than a longer touring base.

It is a specific type of trip, and it is all the better for knowing exactly what it is. Surfers, paddleboarders, and those who have always wanted to try the sport without travelling to Cornwall will find the combination genuinely compelling. For those who prefer their waves entirely natural, the 5 best campsites on Anglesey put you within reach of some of Wales's best coastal surf breaks.

Quick facts:

• Distance: Approximately 12 miles north of Bristol city centre (around 25-30 minutes by road)

• Best for: Surfers, paddleboarders, and active travellers wanting a short adventure break

• Key facilities: Electric hook-up pitches, bell tent glamping, contemporary shower and toilet facilities, on-site café and bar, direct access to The Wave surf lagoon

• Book ahead: Year-round, particularly weekends and school holidays when surf sessions are in high demand

Ready to explore the best campsites near Bristol?

Pick up a campervan or caravan from a local Camplify owner in Bristol and you can be at any of these sites within the hour. Browse available vehicles and find your perfect hire at Camplify to start planning your trip.