43 campsites
Every site here is hand-picked for the guide, 594 across the UK.
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
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
Scaldbeck Cottage
A tiny, unpretentious tents-only gem set on Morston Marsh, born from a garden wedding and capped at twelve people, with the Norfolk Coast Path minutes away
By a river
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
Coniston Hall Campsite
A big, basic, first-come-first-served site in the grounds of a 16th century farm near Coniston Water, where steamers glide past and mighty chimneys mark the spot
By a river
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
Dôl Dulas
A boutique riverside meadow on Anglesey where the facilities are genuinely exceptional and the owners make you feel like the only guests.
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
Lloyds Meadow Glamping
Adults-only lakeside glamping in rural Cheshire, a five-minute walk from a train to Chester and a mile from Delamere Forest.
By a river
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
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
Graig Wen
A family-run Snowdonia site above the Mawddach Estuary, where the panorama pitches look out over saltmarsh, mountain and open water all at once.
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
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
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
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
Leobay Campsite
A compact, owner-run harbour-view stopover on the Isle of Sheppey with an on-site workshop and a genuinely warm welcome from Steve and Kate.
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
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
Furnace Brook Cabins & Camping
An 80-acre nature restoration project in the High Weald that happens to be one of East Sussex's most purposeful places to pitch a tent.
By a river
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
Loch Ness Glamping
Three Armadilla pods on the shore of Loch Ness, with fire pits per pitch, farm animals roaming, and Glen Urquhart views from every deck.
By a river
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
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
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
Lakeview Campsite
Twelve tent pitches on the bank of Gunwade Lake inside Ferry Meadows, with watersports, walking trails, and a decent lakeside bar all within easy reach.
By a river