53 campsites
Every site here is hand-picked for the guide.
Priory Mill Farm
A picture-postcard riverside site around a Grade II* listed corn mill just outside Brecon, lovingly restored by Noel and Susie into something Cath Kidston could package and sell
By a river
Retorrick Mill
A bohemian, communal camping site hidden in Cornwall's Lanherne Valley, with a cosy live-music bar, courtyard fire pit, and a car-free clearing that feels genuinely cool without trying too hard
In a valley
Bank House Farm Caravan and Camping Park
Two gently undulating fields with the River Manifold meandering around them in the Peak District hamlet of Hulme End, with a perfect pub sharing the site's name between them
Derbyshire
Nethergong Camping
A former tree nursery turned 26-acre nature reserve of a campsite by a Kent river, family-run by Jed and clan with generously spaced pitches across woodland, meadow and lakes
By a river
Fieldhead
Back-to-basics Edale base for walkers, cars left at the gate.
In a valley
North Lees
A peaceful, car-free Peak District site tucked into sloping fields under the amazing gritstone edge of Stanage, yet only a short walk from Hathersage and a few miles from Sheffield
In a valley
Holme Open Farm
A genuine working farm near Sedbergh reached by two routes, with animals to feed, a flat spacious field beneath the Howgill Fells and a firepit waiting on arrival
On a farm
Wyreside Farm
A butterfly-garden and blue-egg Peak District farm beside the River Wyre, full of little surprises and run by Penny, whose conservation work won a David Bellamy Gold Award
By a river
Whitlingham Broad Campsite
Two flat riverside meadows in an 80 acre Country Park right at the beginning of the Norfolk Broads, remote in feel yet minutes from Norwich city centre
By a river
Side Farm Campsite
A gloriously simple tents-and-vans site sloping down to the shore of Ullswater, where the basic facilities are forgiven the moment you unzip the door to that lake view
In a valley
Camping By The River
Eight bell tents on a private Thames bend where Stephen and Annemarie have made proper off-grid glamping look quietly effortless.
By a river
Dolwen Riverside Camping
Seven well-spaced pitches on a North Wales riverside meadow, each with its own fire pit and a host who treats eco-camping as a conviction, not a marketing line.
By a river
Glynmarch Camping
A tent-only meadow beside the River Marlais in the Carmarthenshire hills, with campfires, river paddling, and a sociable barn for wet evenings.
In a valley
Cae Adda
A small, family-run lakeside site on Llyn Trawsfynydd, deep in the Rhinogydd, where the owner is always around and the facilities are kept spotless.
By a river
Caldbeck Camping
A fire-pit-on-every-pitch riverside campsite in a Cumbrian fell village, with the Cumbria Way on your doorstep and the River Cald Beck audible from your tent.
By a river
Cockingford Campsite
A family-run Dartmoor farm where the East Webburn river runs along the boundary and the moors are walkable in both directions from your pitch.
On a farm
Cuddfan - The Hiding Place
A single bell tent on the River Grwyne bank in the Brecon Beacons: private fishing rights, dark skies, and the sound of moving water all night.
By a river
Dyfi Adventure Campsite
A riverside basecamp in the Dyfi Valley built for riders, walkers, and anyone who'd rather fall asleep to the sound of water than electricity.
By a river
Nature's Nest
Four safari tents on a Wye Valley AONB farm with private river access, hot tubs per pitch, and views across rolling Herefordshire countryside.
By a river
New Wharf Campsite
A working West Sussex farm where the River Adur runs past your pitch, the Friday pizza van is genuinely worth staying for, and the field belongs to the guests once cars are left at the gate.
By a river
Allington Lock Campsite
Riverside lock-side camping on the Medway where passing boats and a pub within sight of your pitch make the setting do all the work.
Kent
Bwch-Yn-Uchaf Campsite
A river-edged valley site in Snowdonia, with a steam railway next door and no light pollution to speak of.
In a valley
Bycross Farm Campsite
A riverside farm campsite on the Wye where the orchard pitches, on-site canoes, and evening pizza make it genuinely hard to leave.
By a river
Dinham Farm Caravan and Camping Park
South-facing River Camel site run by an owner couple who clearly care, with direct trail access to Rock and Polzeath.
By a river
Dolau Afon Campsite
A riverside husband-and-wife campsite in the Cambrian Mountains with a fire pit on every pitch, dark skies overhead, and the Ystwyth a few steps from your tent.
By a river
Gilestone Glamping
Private safari tents and larch lodges on the River Usk, each with a wood-fired hot tub and the Brecon Beacons at the door.
By a river
Glanusk Caravan Park
A private estate campsite in the Usk Valley where the Brecon Beacons set the scene and the facilities put most sites to shame.
In a valley
Iron Gorge Camping
A 14-acre hillside site above Ironbridge Gorge, where a fire pit comes with every pitch and the world's first iron bridge is a short walk down the hill.
In a valley
Mains Farm
A family-run working farm in the Eden Valley where the River Eden runs through the site and Lazonby's outdoor pool is a mile and a half up the road.
In a valley
Camping Field
Andrews Field is a gate-code riverside pitch on the Avon near Pershore where the weir does the entertaining and the facilities list stops at a water tap.
By a river
Constable Park
Riverside glamping on the Stour in Dedham Vale, where Constable painted the views and Sarah and Ian now run kayaks and serve breakfast.
By a river
Cwmlanerch Campsite and Cottages
A quiet riverside pitch in Snowdonia, one forest walk from Betws-y-Coed, run by a family who actually notice when you arrive.
By a river
Dol Llys Farm Caravan and Camping
Working farm on the upper Severn where the river is the campsite's beating heart, with firepits at the water's edge and two long-distance trails leaving from the gate.
On a farm
Invermill Farm Caravan Park
A family-run riverside site on the River Braan, a mile from Dunkeld Cathedral, that earns its reputation through genuine owner warmth and a setting that does the heavy lifting.
By a river
Laneside Caravan Park
Third-generation family site on the River Noe in the heart of Hope Valley, five minutes' walk from the pub and the Peak District on the doorstep.
By a river
Low Wray Campsite
National Trust lakeside camping in the Lake District, with woodland pitches, some right on Windermere's shore and Wray Castle on the doorstep.
By a river
Oxford Riverside Glamping
A small, owner-run glamping site on the Thames bank near Oxford, with spa-quality showers and countryside sunset views.
By a river
Barefoot Campsites
A car-free Thames riverbank campsite where you can wild-swim before breakfast, canoe to the pub for lunch, and sit by a fire until the stars come out.
By a river
Cuckoo Camp
A working-farm riverside campsite in West Sussex where the River Arun ticks past at sunset and Climping beach is a half-hour walk.
By a river
Dolgam Campsite
A Snowdonia riverside classic with nearly a century of operation, flat pitches on the Llugwy, Moel Siabod filling the skyline, and the Sherpa bus to Pen y Pass stopping at the gate.
By a river
Glenshiel Campsite
Riverside campsite pitched directly beneath the Five Sisters of Kintail, run by hands-on owners who'll give you and your dog a lift up the road if you ask nicely.
By a river
Gwersyllt Rhos y Gallt Campsite
A quiet valley campsite in Montgomeryshire with a riverside wild field, hilly sunsets, and Glyndŵr's Way a mile from the gate.
In a valley
Cloud Farm Campsite
A National Trust riverside campsite deep in Exmoor's Lorna Doone Valley, where Badgworthy Water runs past your pitch and the stars at night are genuinely dark.
By a river
Cobleland Campsite
Forest-floor camping on the River Forth with a hands-on owner and a Trossachs National Park address that earns every pitch.
By a river
Digeddi Wildlife Camping
A working stud farm on the Wye where you pitch beside a small rapid, wake to egrets and otters, and have Black Mountains views in every direction.
Herefordshire
Little Eden Riverside Campsite
A simple, owner-run riverside pitch on the Somerset Levels where kingfishers pass close enough to startle you and every pitch has its own fire pit.
By a river
Gunthorpe Camping
A spacious field just across a quiet road from the River Trent, with pubs on the doorstep and cows watching from the fence.
In a field
Llechwyd Farm Campsite
A working-farm campsite on the River Dwyryd in Snowdonia, where the car-free lower meadow earns its place as the best pitch on site.
By a river
Park Farm Camping
Eighteen acres of working farmland on the River Rother where you pitch wherever you like, light a fire, and walk to Bodiam Castle before lunch.
On a farm
Budle Bay Campsite
Bohemian, family-run Northumberland base 200 metres from Budle Bay's mudflats, two miles from Bamburgh Castle, with the English Coastal Path running straight through the site.
By a river
Immervoulin Caravan & Campsite
A proper riverside base inside the Trossachs, with the River Balvaig running along the edge and a national park on every side.
By a river
Brook House Farm
A working farm on the Welsh-Shropshire border with Severn views, offering everything from grass tent pitches to bell tents and shepherd's huts.
On a farm
Inside Out Camping
Yurt glamping on the River Derwent in Borrowdale, where the Lake District does its quietest and most dramatic work.
By a river
Why these made the list
- Allington Lock Campsite
The lock-keeper's setting on the Medway means you fall asleep to moving water and wake to boats working through the gates.
- Barefoot Campsites
The Thames runs alongside your pitch and you can hear it at night; wild swimming and canoeing leave from the bank.
- Brook House Farm
Brook House Farm overlooks the River Severn from the Welsh-Shropshire border, with the Severn Way walking trail close enough to hear the water on a quiet morning.
- Budle Bay Campsite
Pitches back onto a small river through the valley, with the sound of water a constant on the grass spots.
- Bwch-Yn-Uchaf Campsite
The River Twrch runs alongside the entire length of the site, with tent pitches on the lower grass close enough to hear it.
- Bycross Farm Campsite
The Old Apple Orchard pitches sit directly on the Wye, with the river audible from your tent and easy wade-in access a few steps away.
- Cae Adda
Pitched on the shore of Llyn Trawsfynydd, with lake views from the moment you arrive.
- Caldbeck Camping
The River Cald Beck runs alongside every pitch, and you can hear it clearly from your tent.
- Camping By The River
A private Thames bend in Oxfordshire where the river is close enough to hear from your bell tent.
- Camping Field
The Avon runs right past your pitch at Andrews Field, with a weir in front and a paddleboard launch steps away.
- Cloud Farm Campsite
Badgworthy Water runs past your pitch here in the Lorna Doone Valley, this is what a proper riverside site feels like.
- Cobleland Campsite
The site sits directly on the River Forth banks inside Queen Elizabeth Forest Park.
- Cockingford Campsite
The East Webburn river runs along the campsite boundary; you can hear it from the pitches.
- Constable Park
Bell tents and cabins right on the Stour in Dedham Vale, with kayak hire a few steps from your pitch.
- Cuckoo Camp
The tidal River Arun runs past Church Farm and the sunset walk down to the bank is one of the better free things you can do at a campsite.
- Cuddfan - The Hiding Place
You fall asleep to the River Grwyne with two miles of private bank and fishing rights outside the tent door.
- Cwmlanerch Campsite and Cottages
The River Conwy runs alongside the pitches and you can hear it from your sleeping bag.
- Digeddi Wildlife Camping
Pitched above a small Wye rapid, with egrets on the far bank and the sound of moving water all night.
- Dinham Farm Caravan and Camping Park
South-facing pitches on the River Camel with estuary views and trail access to Rock and Polzeath.
- Dol Llys Farm Caravan and Camping
Riverside pitches on the upper Severn with campfires allowed and logs to buy from the farm.
- Dolau Afon Campsite
The Ystwyth runs along the bottom of the field with a bathing spot for swimming and paddling immediately on site.
- Dolgam Campsite
The Llugwy runs directly alongside the pitches at Dolgam, fast enough to hear from your tent and shallow enough to paddle by afternoon.
- Dolwen Riverside Camping
Seven pitches strung along a North Wales meadow river, with the sound of water as your constant companion and kingfishers to prove it.
- Dyfi Adventure Campsite
Pitched right on the Dyfi bank, with moving water as your evening soundtrack.
- Gilestone Glamping
A working farm on the Usk with larch lodges and safari tents, each looking out over the river valley.
- Glanusk Caravan Park
The River Usk runs through a private estate in the Brecon Beacons, with canal and riverside walks to Crickhowell from the pitches.
- Glenshiel Campsite
A river runs immediately alongside the site, audible from your pitch from arrival to dawn.
- Glynmarch Camping
The River Marlais runs through Glynmarch's land and you can hear it from your pitch.
- Gunthorpe Camping
Pitched just across a quiet road from the Trent, with the lock walk and river pubs an easy stroll away.
- Gwersyllt Rhos y Gallt Campsite
The river meadow wild field is a short walk from the main pitches, with fishing access and the sound of water on a quiet evening.
- Immervoulin Caravan & Campsite
The River Balvaig runs the full length of the site, you can hear it from your pitch and swim from the bank on a warm day.
- Inside Out Camping
Yurts on the River Derwent in Borrowdale, you can hear it all night.
- Invermill Farm Caravan Park
The River Braan runs alongside the pitches and the Tay is a few minutes' walk, making this a true riverside stay rather than merely a riverside postcode.
- Iron Gorge Camping
Perched above the Severn Gorge with views through the valley and woodland paths leading down to the river and Ironbridge.
- Laneside Caravan Park
The River Noe runs alongside the site, with Mam Tor visible from the pitches and Hope Valley walks starting from the gate.
- Little Eden Riverside Campsite
Pitches literally on the River Brue bank, paddleboards launch from the same stretch where kingfishers hunt.
- Llechwyd Farm Campsite
The car-free lower meadow runs to the River Dwyryd and you hear it all night.
- Low Wray Campsite
Some pitches at Low Wray sit close enough to Windermere's shore that the lake is the last thing you hear before sleep.
- Mains Farm
The River Eden runs through the site itself, not past the bottom of the field.
- Nature's Nest
Private Wye access 200m from the tents, with paddleboards and a shallow swimming stretch.
- New Wharf Campsite
Private access to the River Adur with kayaking possible and riverside walks directly from the pitch.
- Oxford Riverside Glamping
Thames-bank glamping at Swinford, with countryside views and the river path out the front.
- Park Farm Camping
The River Rother runs alongside the site, with kayaking and fishing on the water and Bodiam Castle a 20-minute walk upstream.