Few of us see the fun of camping in a blizzard.
But now that the weather has hotted up, the lure of sleeping under the stars is hard to resist. And the choice is better than ever.
Some sites are geared for the intrepid, others for those who still want their creature comforts. Here’s Daily Mail’s comprehensive guide to suit all tastes…
Spectacular views
Caolasnacon, Kinlochleven, Argyll
Hello campers: Now that the weather has hotted up, the lure of sleeping under the stars is hard to resist. And the choice is better than ever
Take in the triple joy of lake, mountains and woods when you unzip your tent at this bonny Scottish campsite on the shores of Loch Leven, half an hour from Ben Nevis.
This is one for wildlife lovers. Look out for golden eagles, red squirrels and magnificent red deer patrolling the Highlands. It might sound untamed, but there’s wifi, electric hook-ups and free hot showers.
Good to know: You can earn your hot toddy by taking kayaks out on the loch, glencoe.actionglen.com.
Details: Tent pitches from £11 per night, including space for a car. Open April to October, kinlochlevencaravans.com, 01855 831279.
Troytown Campsite, St Agnes, Isles of Scilly
Rugged: Wake up to a glorious sea view at Troytown Farm, Isles of Scilly, off the Cornish coast
Who needs the Seychelles when there’s our own beautiful archipelago, the Isles of Scilly, off the Cornish coast?
Set up camp on St Agnes island and you’re in an Area Outstanding Natural Beauty and a World Heritage Site. Cars aren’t allowed so luggage transfer is by tractor.
Good to know: St Agnes’s rose geranium ice-cream, which tastes just like Turkish Delight, is made with flavouring distilled on Troytown Farm.
Details: Camping £9.50 per adult, £5 children aged one to four and dogs £2.50. Tent charges apply in high season, from £2 per night. Open March to October, troytown.co.uk, 01720 422360.
Family fun
Eweleaze Farm, Dorset
Sme sites allow pets, including Troytown Campsite in St Agnes and Eweleaze Farm in Dorset
Each August, families flock to organic farm Eweleaze, when it’s transformed into a mega-campsite for four weeks.
Children can run wild on the half-mile stretch of private beach, where it’s clean enough to swim and catch fish.
They’ll love the animal handling sessions, too (as long as piglet petting doesn’t put them off their bangers).
Good to know: Enjoy the company of resident collies (pictured right) by joining the dog walks, several times daily.
Details: Open August 1 to 28. Adults from £8 per night and children age three to 14 from £4, plus £10 for each vehicle, eweleaze.co.uk, 01305 833690.
Whitemead Forest Park, Gloucestershire
Staying under canvas is a cheap way to do a holiday park break, so whisk little adventurers to this all-frills Forest of Dean retreat.
Whizz past trees on a zip-wire or horseride through the forest nearby. The truckload of on-site activities includes zorbing, archery and treasure hunts for the younger ones.
Good to know: Retreat to the on-site spa.
Details: Open year-round except for a few weeks in January. Pitches from £12 per night including use of leisure facilities, https://www.boundless.co.uk/ , 03301 230 374.
Taste of the wild
Upper Booth, Derbyshire
A stone barn on the way up to Kinder Scout above Upper Booth in Peak District National Park
With no electrics at this site in the High Peak estate, there are few distractions from the rolling pastures of Austin and Bronte land.
It might be close-to-nature camping, but when you’re covered in mud after exploring the Pennine Way, Kinder Scout or Jacob’s Ladder, there’s a hot shower waiting.
Good to know: Tuck into fruits of the land with the grocery pre-ordering service, Hampers For Campers.
Details: Open from March to November. Adults from £6 per night, children aged three to 12, £5, and cars £4, upper boothcamping.co.uk, 01433 670250.
Piel Island, Cumbria
A speck in the sea cupped by the Furness peninsula, this island is a wild-with-facilities experience (a toilet and cold-water showers).
Camp anywhere on its 50 acres apart from in the castle ruins. Pop into the island’s only pub, The Ship Inn, for weather and pitching advice.
If the heavens open, then hunker down and enjoy the local ales and hot pies.
Good to know: Guided seal watching on licensed boats cost £5 per person.
Details: Costs £5 per tent. Open March to October, pielisland.co.uk, 07516 453784.
Easy camping
Hurley Riverside Park, Berkshire
From Hurley Riverside Park, you are within a 30-minute drive of Windsor Castle
If putting up a tent turns you off camping, get someone else to do it. ReadyTents at this park in Wind in the Willows territory are so roomy they fit six campbeds, a fridge, cooker, table and chairs.
You’re within a 30-minute drive of Windsor Castle, Legoland and the Harry Potter studio tour.
Good to know: Hurley has its own guided nature trail.
Details: Pitches from £13 per night, ReadyTents from £360 for a week, hurleyriversidepark.co.uk, 01628 823501.
King’s Lynn Caravan & Camping Park, Norfolk
This friendly campsite near affluent North Runcton village, close to the train station, has country walks on your doorstep — all laid out for you in a lovingly compiled welcome pack.
Choose your manicured pitch from ten acres of parkland or cheat with a wooden ‘mega-pod’ complete with heater, fridge and kettle.
Good to know: Not quite king of the barbecue? The Gate Inn, less than a mile away, serves wonderfully hearty meals.
Details: Pitches from £17 per night. Open all year, pitchup.com/campsites, 01553 840004.
A cut above
Loveland Farm, Devon
Near Loveland Farm is Woolacombe, which has been voted Britain’s best beach
Loveland’s luxury pods are bigger than some flats (and as equipped, with a fridge, gas hob, shower and surround-sound speakers).
Interiors look like swanky Swedish design showrooms. Elevated decking overlooking the farm is a ripe spot for a bottle of wine.
Good to know: Nearby Woolacombe has been voted Britain’s best beach.
Details: Two nights from £230. Open all year, lovelandfarmcamping.co.uk, 01237 441894.
The Drover’s Rest, Herefordshire
A luxury African safari holiday in Herefordshire? Well, almost. Cast iron beds and sheepskin rugs are under huge Indian-style canvas tents, which each come with a monsoon shower.
Get stuck into life on the Welsh borders by joining a foraging and cooking course or there’s cider making.
Good to know: Pizzas, curries and barbecues served on different days of the week.
Details: March to October, from £395 for three nights, droversrest.co.uk, 01497 831 215.
Sprinkling of romance
The Secret Campsite, Barcombe, East Sussex
A bridge over the River Ouse at Barcombe Mills, four miles away from The Secret Campsite
Stay at this woodland meadow and romance will flourish faster than it took Catherine Zeta-Jones to say ‘I do’ in The Darling Buds Of May. Each tent pitch is surrounded by trees for a little privacy as you watch the stars.
Good to know: The harvest mouse nest-inspired Tree Tent featured in George Clarke’s Amazing Spaces on Channel 4.
Details: From £17 per person per night. Open mid-March to end of October, thesecretcampsite.co.uk, 01273 401100.
Faerie-thyme Campsite, Carmarthenshire
When the campsite owners are dressed as wizards on their website, you know you’re in for a magical time. Venture past the giant dream catchers at this enchanting adult-only site near Wales’s oldest town and choose between a field or woodland pitch.
Good to know: An honesty shop provides marshmallows for toasting on the fire.
Details: Fire pit pitches from £24.50 per night. Open April 1 to October, caravancampingwales.co.uk, 01269 871774.
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