Ayres Rock Hostel & Campsite
A tiny, host-led site on the beach at Sanday where Phil cooks breakfast and the bay fills your tent door.
Sanday is the largest of Orkney's North Isles, known for its sweeping white-sand bays and a quietness that most UK campers never encounter. Ayres Rock sits right at that bay edge, overlooking the Noust of Ayre, a Viking landing site, with the beach a short walk from your pitch. There are 11 pitches in total: grass for tents, hardstanding for caravans and motorhomes, and a handful of pods. The scale keeps it from ever feeling busy.
Claire and Phil took over in late 2024 and the place runs on their energy. Phil's chef background means breakfast is genuinely worth ordering, brought out to you in the morning. The shared kitchen has a sea view, is fully equipped, and stocks fresh eggs. Reviews consistently name the hosts as the reason guests wish they'd booked longer. The evening 4G signal is weak, which for most people on Sanday is a feature, not a fault.
The island rewards slow exploration: quiet beaches, sea otters, seals, and short-eared owls have all been spotted close to the site. Dark skies over the North Isles are serious enough that the site openly markets itself for Aurora borealis viewing, and the year-round opening makes a winter visit genuinely possible. Showers are small and a renovation is planned; the rest of the facilities are solid for the price.
Before you book
- Only 11 pitches and Sanday is a destination island, so book ahead, especially in summer.
- Evening 4G signal is patchy, and the island ferry crossing means spontaneous visits are hard to plan.
“One of very few campsites where the ferry crossing is worth it for the campsite itself, not just the island. Ayres Rock earns its reputation through owner care and a bay setting that genuinely delivers.”
Why it made the cut
- Right on the beach at Sanday with unobstructed sea views from pitches and pods
- Host-present operation with a chef on site and breakfast served to your pitch
- Year-round opening with serious dark-sky and Aurora credentials
- Tiny scale (11 pitches) keeps the experience personal and quiet
The Feeling
Lovingly scruffy · Soulful handmade · Mixed tempo
Good For
- Solo
- Date
- Dog holiday
Best For
- Year-round Aurora borealis viewing and dark skies on Sanday
- Mixed pitch types including hardstanding caravans, tents, and glamping pods
- Beach setting with Viking heritage nearby and wildlife spotting opportunities
In Campr's collections
- Coastal hideawaysRight on the bay at Sanday, Orkney, with the Noust of Ayre visible from your pitch and the beach reachable on foot.
- Stargazers picksYear-round site on Sanday with serious dark skies over the North Isles, run by owners who specifically promote Aurora viewing.
- Solo sanctuarySmall, host-present, and on a remote island that rewards slow arrival, Ayres Rock is exactly the kind of place a solo traveller leaves wishing they'd stayed longer.
Facilities
Quick answers
- Does Ayres Rock Hostel & Campsite allow dogs?
- Yes, dogs are welcome at Ayres Rock Hostel & Campsite.
- What kind of stays does Ayres Rock Hostel & Campsite offer?
- Tent, Motorhome, Glamping, by the sea.
- How much does Ayres Rock Hostel & Campsite cost?
- Pitches from £15 per night. Book directly with the site.
- Where is Ayres Rock Hostel & Campsite?
- Coo Rd, Orkney KW17 2AY, UK.
Where it is
Coo Rd, Orkney KW17 2AY, UK
By the sea · Orkney · Scotland · 59.256° N, 2.612° W
Open in OpenStreetMapIndependent Rating
Based on 61 Google reviews
