Best campsites in England: 6 top parks to visit

The best campsites in England span a remarkable stretch of coastline and countryside, from the surf-fringed coves of Cornwall to the chalky cliffs of the Isle of Wight. This guide covers 6 of the top campsites in England, chosen from the parks that Camplify's community of owners and hirers returns to again and again, across the South West, the New Forest area, and the Dorset and Hampshire coast.

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

Best campsites in England: Cornwall and Somerset highlights

Pentewan Sands Holiday Park

Pentewan Sands Holiday Park sits directly on a private beach between Mevagissey and St Austell, and it is one of the most consistently popular England campsites among Camplify travellers. The park occupies a wide, sheltered valley where the River Pentewan meets the sea, giving it a sense of arrival that is genuinely hard to match on the Cornish coast. Pitches are spread across flat, well-maintained ground with electric hook-up available throughout, and the beach access is direct rather than a walk across a road or a scramble down a path.

Families make up a large share of the visitors here, and the facilities reflect that. There is an outdoor heated pool, a range of on-site food options, and organised activities through summer that keep younger travellers occupied. Camplify trip data shows that July and August are the highest-demand months across England campsites as a whole, and Pentewan Sands fills especially fast for those weeks. Booking well in advance for bank holiday camping in high summer is not optional here; it is essential.

For those picking up a campervan or caravan from a local Camplify owner in the Cornwall area, Pentewan makes a natural first or last night stop on a wider South West loop. Pair it with a visit to the Lost Gardens of Heligan or the Eden Project, both within comfortable driving distance.

Quick facts:

• Distance: Approximately 4 miles from St Austell

• Best for: Families, beach holidays, couples on coastal touring routes

• Key facilities: Direct beach access, electric hook-up, heated outdoor pool, on-site café and bar, children's activities

• Book ahead: July, August, and all bank holiday weekends

Old Oaks Touring & Glamping Park

A working farm setting on the edge of the Somerset Levels gives Old Oaks Touring & Glamping Park a character that is quite different from the big coastal resorts. The park is adults-only, which immediately sets the tone: it is quiet, well-ordered, and set up for travellers who want to slow down rather than be entertained. Well-rated by the Camplify community for exactly this reason, Old Oaks draws couples and solo travellers who are touring the South West and want a genuinely restful overnight stop or a longer base.

Glastonbury is only a few miles away, making the park a practical launchpad for the town's mix of ancient history, independent shops, and the Tor. The Somerset Levels themselves reward a morning's drive, and the Mendip Hills are close enough for a day's rambling. Hardstanding pitches are available, which matters when you're arriving after rain on Somerset's notoriously damp autumn evenings. Electric hook-up is standard across most pitches, and the glamping options, including shepherd's huts and timber pods, mean the park works for mixed groups where not everyone wants to be in a motorhome.

Owners familiar with the Somerset touring circuit suggest arriving on a Sunday or Monday to secure the best pitches and avoid the weekend rush from Bristol and Bath. The on-site facilities are modest but well-maintained, and the overall atmosphere is one of considerate, low-impact camping. If you're planning a wider South West tour, the best campsites in Somerset guide covers more options across the county.

Quick facts:

• Distance: Approximately 3 miles from Glastonbury

• Best for: Couples, solo travellers, adults seeking a quiet countryside base

• Key facilities: Hardstanding pitches, electric hook-up, glamping accommodation, clean modern amenities block

• Book ahead: May, June, and weekends throughout summer

Camping in England: Devon and the New Forest

Lady's Mile Holiday Park

The approach to Lady's Mile Holiday Park through the Devon lanes near Dawlish Warren gives little away until the park opens up into a surprisingly spacious and well-organised site. This is family camping in England done at scale, but without the anonymous feel that larger parks can sometimes carry. The park has its own indoor and outdoor pool complex, a bar and restaurant, and a range of activities from soft play to mini golf, which makes it one of the more self-contained options in the South West.

A community favourite for families with younger children, Lady's Mile sits within easy reach of the Exe Estuary and the red Devon cliffs that define this stretch of coast. The beach at Dawlish Warren, a national nature reserve as well as a popular sandy beach, is reachable on foot. Pitches range from standard grass to fully serviced hardstanding, and there is a motorhome service point on site for those doing longer touring loops down through Devon and into Cornwall.

Hirers picking up campervans from local Camplify owners in the Exeter or Torbay area often use Lady's Mile as a first-night stop before heading further west. The best campsites in Devon page has further suggestions for the wider county. If you are travelling with a dog, check the park's current pet policy before booking, as restrictions on certain pitches can apply during peak season.

Quick facts:

• Distance: Approximately 10 miles from Exeter

• Best for: Families with children, touring Devon and Cornwall

• Key facilities: Indoor and outdoor pools, electric hook-up, hardstanding pitches, motorhome service point, bar and restaurant, mini golf

• Book ahead: School holidays, particularly late July through August

Sandy Balls Holiday Village

The name raises a smile, and Sandy Balls Holiday Village has been doing exactly that for long enough that it has become part of the park's identity. Set in the heart of the New Forest National Park near Fordingbridge, this is one of the top campsites in England for anyone who wants ancient woodland, cycling trails, and free-roaming New Forest ponies as a backdrop to their pitch. The park is large and well-equipped, with a range of accommodation from touring pitches to holiday lodges.

Popular among Camplify travellers who are keen cyclists and walkers, Sandy Balls has direct access to the New Forest's network of cycle paths and bridleways. The forest itself is extraordinary: a royal hunting ground since the Norman Conquest, its ancient trees and open heathland make for some of the most atmospheric countryside in England. Electric hook-up is available across the touring field, hardstanding pitches are well-distributed, and the facilities include a spa, a café, and an outdoor pool. For those interested in the wider area, the best campsites in the New Forest guide is worth reading alongside this one.

Demand peaks hard through August and over the May bank holidays, so planning ahead is wise. Owners in the Hampshire area note that early September is often the sweet spot: the school crowds have thinned, the weather holds reasonably well, and the forest takes on its first autumn colours.

Quick facts:

• Distance: Approximately 5 miles from Fordingbridge, 12 miles from Salisbury

• Best for: Families, cyclists, walkers, nature lovers

• Key facilities: Electric hook-up, hardstanding pitches, outdoor pool, spa, café, direct forest trail access

• Book ahead: August, May bank holidays, and early September weekends

Top campsites in England: Dorset and the Isle of Wight

South Lytchett Manor Caravan & Camping Park

South Lytchett Manor Caravan & Camping Park occupies the grounds of a Victorian manor house on the edge of Poole Harbour, and the setting lends it a quiet grandeur that touring parks don't often achieve. Mature trees, well-kept grass pitches, and views across the harbour make this one of the more atmospheric campsites in England. It is a short drive from both Poole and Wareham, putting the entire Jurassic Coast within comfortable day-trip range.

The Camplify community consistently points to this park as an excellent base for exploring Dorset's coast and countryside. Corfe Castle, Lulworth Cove, and the Purbeck Hills are all within easy reach, and the harbourside at Poole is worth an evening visit. Electric hook-up is standard across the site, and hardstanding pitches are available. The 5 best Weymouth campsites page is a useful companion if you're planning to extend your Dorset tour further along the coast. For those travelling with dogs, the park is dog friendly, and the surrounding countryside is well-served by footpaths and bridleways.

The amenities block is clean and modern, and the overall atmosphere is relaxed rather than resort-like. Travellers picking up a campervan from a local Camplify owner in the Poole or Bournemouth area will find South Lytchett Manor a well-placed starting point for a Dorset loop. See also the best campsites in Dorset for a fuller picture of the county.

Quick facts:

• Distance: Approximately 4 miles from Poole

• Best for: Couples, dog owners, Jurassic Coast explorers, touring Dorset

• Key facilities: Electric hook-up, hardstanding pitches, dog-friendly pitches, modern amenities block, motorhome service point

• Book ahead: July, August, and Dorset bank holiday weekends

Whitecliff Bay Holiday Park

Chalk cliffs, a private beach, and a sheltered bay on the eastern tip of the Isle of Wight: Whitecliff Bay Holiday Park has a setting that makes the ferry crossing from Portsmouth or Lymington feel immediately worthwhile. The park looks out towards the Solent and the distant outline of the mainland, a view that is particularly striking in the early morning. Touring pitches are set back from the cliff edge, with electric hook-up and level ground throughout.

A go-to for Camplify regulars who want a coastal base with real character, Whitecliff Bay works well for families and couples alike. The Isle of Wight's cycle network, the famous Needles chalk stacks, and Ventnor's Victorian seafront are all accessible by road or the island's surprisingly good bus service. The on-site facilities include a bar, a restaurant, and a pool, so rainy days, which the island does occasionally produce with some enthusiasm, are manageable. Those wanting more context on the island's camping options will find the best campsites on the Isle of Wight guide useful.

The park's location on the eastern side of the island means it catches the best of the morning light, and the bay itself is calm enough for swimming through the summer months. Demand is high from July onwards, and the ferry crossings also book up fast on summer Fridays, so planning the logistics a few weeks ahead saves a good deal of frustration.

Quick facts:

• Distance: Approximately 7 miles from Ryde, 5 miles from Sandown

• Best for: Families, couples, coastal walkers, Isle of Wight explorers

• Key facilities: Private beach access, electric hook-up, outdoor pool, bar and restaurant, pet-friendly pitches available

• Book ahead: July, August, and bank holiday weekends; book ferry crossings early too

More camping destinations nearby

England's campsites sit within a wider network of brilliant UK destinations, from the Scottish Highlands to the Welsh coast. If you're planning a longer tour or want to explore beyond England, these guides cover the best of what's nearby.

• Best campsites in the UK – A broad overview of the finest camping in the UK, from Cornwall to Caithness

• Best campsites in Scotland – Wild landscapes, loch-side pitches, and the freedom of Scottish camping

• Best campsites in Wales – Snowdonia, the Pembrokeshire Coast, and some of Britain's most dramatic camping scenery

• Best campsites in Cornwall – Surf beaches, coastal paths, and the best pitches on the Cornish peninsula

• Best campsites in Devon – From Dartmoor to the Jurassic Coast, Devon's top parks covered in full

• Best campsites in Dorset – Jurassic Coast pitches, Purbeck views, and the best of Dorset camping

• Best campsites in Somerset – The Levels, the Mendips, and some of England's most peaceful countryside parks

• Best campsites in the New Forest – Ancient woodland, free-roaming ponies, and superb cycling from your pitch

• Best campsites on the Isle of Wight – Chalk cliffs, sandy bays, and a surprisingly varied island camping scene

Find your pitch across England

The best campsites in England reward a bit of planning, and picking up a campervan or caravan from a local Camplify owner gives you the freedom to move between them at your own pace. Browse campervans and caravans for hire in England to find a vehicle near you, and get your dates in early if you're travelling through July or August.