Riverside sleeps

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.