Top-notch UK camping spots boasting lush gardens perfect for a verdant escape this summer
Embark on a unique camping journey in the UK, where beautiful gardens meet the great outdoors. Here are some exceptional campsites that offer both a tranquil garden setting and opportunities for exploring local nature.
First on our list is the Penpont Estate in Powys, a 2,000-acre estate nestled along the River Usk. This eco-friendly campsite encourages low-impact living and sustainability, allowing campers to pitch their tents in orchards, old rose gardens, or by the river. Children can enjoy climbing trees and the Green Man maze, while adults can appreciate the mature trees and shrubs that add to the estate's charm [2].
Next, we have Trewan Hall in Cornwall, a 36-acre campsite surrounded by woodlands and gardens around a 17th-century manor. This site focuses on ecological planting rather than ornamental gardens and boasts a heated swimming pool and a children's play area [2].
For those seeking a more rustic camping experience, Woodfire Camping near the South Downs National Park offers nature hikes, while Harry’s Campsites in the New Forest provides a nature-centric stay close to cycling and walking trails [1].
Wytch Wood Camping in Somerset offers a peaceful nature connection, with pitches among wildflower meadows and woodlands [1]. For a truly unique experience, Feather Down Farms offers multiple sites across the UK with farm animals and woodland playgrounds suitable for family adventures [3].
If you're looking for a more boutique camping experience, Bert's Kitchen Garden on the Llŷn peninsula offers pitches in wildflower meadows and orchards beside streams. The site includes a kitchen garden restaurant serving seasonal produce grown onsite, treehouses, rope swings, and eco-friendly facilities [3].
For those who appreciate medieval history, Dartington Estate near Totnes, Devon, offers camping on a medieval estate with views of Haytor on Dartmoor. The estate boasts 26 acres of Grade II listed gardens filled with sculptures, ancient trees, and impressive plant species [1].
Speyside Gardens, situated for salmon fishing on the river, walking and cycling the Spey Way, and sampling local whisky distilleries, offers a six-acre campsite in a Victorian walled garden [1]. The site includes an on-site shop and children's play area, as well as red squirrel feeders on the green [1].
Farm on the Hill Eco Campsite, located on the Staffordshire/Derbyshire border, features small pitches surrounded by young trees, wildflowers, and grasses [3]. Knepp Safaris in West Sussex offers a campsite in a wildflower meadow with upcycled fire-pits and barbecue grills, part of a rewilding project with eco-friendly facilities and open air baths [3].
Lastly, Alde Garden, located in Suffolk, offers a campsite with natural pathways, friendly ducks and chickens, communal facilities including a campfire, covered field kitchen, compost loo, and jungle shower. It also has a raised herb garden for self-service [3].
These sites combine beautiful natural gardens or landscaped grounds with opportunities for exploring local nature, making them excellent choices for campers who enjoy gardens and outdoor activities. Whether you're seeking a rustic or boutique camping experience, these UK campsites offer a unique blend of tranquillity and adventure.
- The Penpont Estate in Powys, with its orchards, old rose gardens, and river setting, offers a unique camping experience that promotes sustainable living and ties garden charm with the great outdoors.
- Trewan Hall in Cornwall, encompassed by woodlands and gardens, prioritizes ecological planting and provides a blend of nature and lifestyle, complete with a heated swimming pool and children's play area.
- Alde Garden in Suffolk, home to friendly ducks and chickens, offers a rustic camping experience in a setting surrounded by natural pathways, communal facilities, and a self-service raised herb garden.
- The Dartington Estate in Devon presents a boutique camping experience on a medieval estate, offering views of Haytor on Dartmoor and a 26-acre Grade II listed garden filled with sculptures, ancient trees, and impressive plant species.
