5 woodland campsites in the UK
We have finally passed April 12th on the government’s roadmap to easing covid-19 related restrictions and camping season is here! Please scroll to the bottom of the blog more information*
It’s time to wave goodbye to the changeable summer weather and seek out shelter in the trees. James Warner Smith from coolcamping.com chooses his top five woodland campsites for getting back to nature.
Check COVID restrictions beforehand and enjoy the outdoors responsibly.
Sun, rain, cloud, even snow… so far this spring we’ve had it all and, when it comes to going camping, it’s always wise to read the weather forecast to make sure you’re prepared for what’s in store. As well as gathering all the right camping equipment from your local Go Outdoors retailer, one guaranteed way to make the most of changeable weather is to find a sheltered campsite among the trees. Whether it’s the sound of the dawn chorus, the smell of campfire smoke or the sight of dappled sunlight as it dances through the leaves, it’s tough to beat sheltering away at a forest site. To help you find the best woodland spots, we’ve asked the experts from coolcamping.com to pick five incredible UK campsites where you can pitch your tent in the trees…
Dreamy Hollow, Norfolk
Tucked inland, six miles from the North Norfolk coast, Dreamy Hollow Campsite is set in the three-and-a-half-acre woods of a former First World War training area. Lost amid the weaving pathways and delightful dells of the woodland, a series of old trenches can still be seen, now worn away and much reclaimed by nature, while rope swings occupy children and campfires keep evenings warm. Camping pitches are comprised of clearings within the trees, some large, some small and one accessible to campervans, while facilities – ‘jungle showers’ and toilets – are a back-to-basics affair.
Marthrown of Mabie, Dumfries & Galloway
Follow steep Forestry Commission tracks up to this hidden campsite and you’ll discover a seemingly lost little campsite at the very end. Within Mabie Forest and directly beside some of the most renowned mountain biking trails in Scotland, the pine-clad camping space feels utterly remote, despite being easily accessible from Dumfries, five miles away. There’s ample space for tents beneath the ginormous trees, while hiring a tipi, yurt or an Iron-Age-style roundhouse are also options. Campfires are permitted and there’s a wood-fired, Finnish hot tub for your post-cycle warm down.
Ruby’s Orchard, Devon
Not quite camping, yet not quite glamping, this wild orchard in rural Devon is a back-to-basics site, with off-grid, pre-pitched tents and simple, no-fuss facilities. There are two composting toilets and a pair of quirky pump-your-own showers for use, while campfires, pond dipping and hanging out in hammocks are all part of the daily drill. Best of all, this woodland wonder accommodates a maximum of just eight people, with only one group able to book at a time. The result is a ready-made hideaway in Devon all to yourself and endless space to climb trees, build dens and go explore.
Top of the Woods, Pembrokeshire
If you want space, pick Pembrokeshire. Not only is this campsite spread across some 27 acres, it also adjoins Ffynone Wood, a gargantuan 325-acre forest, much of which is now a designated Site of Special Scientific Interest. Camping pitches occupy and open, grassy meadow, with glamping options also available, though, for the most wooded feel, you can pitch along the edge beside a flank of mature oak trees. Wildlife is plentiful – the forest has the largest badger population in West Wales – while the farm also has pigs, chickens and pets. Facilities are excellent and converted farm barns make for wonderful communal spaces.
Loch Katrine Eco Camping, Stirlingshire
This stunning loch-side camp site is situated in one of Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park’s most historic locations. It’s not always clear which is the biggest attraction at Loch Katrine. The water itself – a nine-mile-long S shape in the heart of Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park – or the 120-year-old single screw passenger steamship (the last of her kind) that sails across it. Choose to set up your camp in a tent or take the glamorous route and stay the night in one of their fantastic eco lodges. With plenty to do on site, including hiring bikes, taking a boat trip and eating and drinking at the nearby cafés, it’s ideal for family getaways.
Based on their leading guidebooks, the Cool Camping website now offers an online collection of the very best camping and glamping sites in the UK and Europe. Discover their full collection of woodland campsites here.
Be prepared for your trip and shop all things camping here at Go Outdoors!
*We have finally passed April 12th on the government’s roadmap to easing covid-19 related restrictions, meaning self-contained accommodation is able to reopen and camping season is here!
Don’t forget though, holidays which include shared facilities will not be allowed until at least the 17th May. It’s also worth noting that campers and caravanners will only be able to holiday with other members of their own household.
Self-contained accommodation is also allowed in Wales, but holiday accommodation in Scotland isn’t expected to reopen until April 26th at the earliest.
Please see our Camping After Covid Blog for further information and advice.
