UK Campsite Categories
Commercial Campgrounds
Full facilities: electric, water, toilets, showers
Price: £20-£40/night
Best for: Full amenities, families, long stays
- White Acres (Lake District)
- Woodside (Cornwall)
- Center Parcs (various)
Club Sites
Caravan and Motorhome Club / Camping and Caravanning Club
Price: £15-£25/night + membership
Best for: Reliable facilities, community feel
- Club sites nationwide
- Often on scenic locations
- Member benefits
Wild Camping Areas
Legal wild spots, often free
Price: Free - £10/night
Best for: Seclusion, adventure, experienced
- Scottish land (right to roam)
- Dartmoor (with restrictions)
- Lake District fringes
Pub Stays
Overnight in pub car park with purchase
Price: £0-£15 (pub meal)
Best for: Local experience, support local
- Rural pubs welcome vans
- Often have EV charging
- Check local bylaws
Top 10 UK Campsites for Van lifers
- Broadslow Barn Caravan Park - Wiltshire - £25/night, excellent facilities, dog-friendly
- Haven Holidays - Multiple locations - £30/night, entertainment, indoor pools
- Syndicot Farm - Norfolk - £18/night, peaceful, fishing
- Kingswood Farm - Somerset - £22/night, lake views, walking
- Hilltop Farm - Cumbria - £28/night, mountain views, stars
- Bayfield County Park - Norfolk - £20/night, beach access, wide pitches
- Blackgang Farm - Isle of Wight - £25/night, gardens, tea room
- Park Farm - Suffolk - £16/night, arable land, quiet
- Robin Hood's Bay - Yorkshire - £22/night, coastal, cliffs
- South Cliff Garden - Scarborough - £25/night, seaside, amenities
Essential Facilities Checklist
Must-Have
- Electric hookup (10A or 16A)
- Clean toilets and showers
- Disposal point for cassette toilets
- Fresh water point
- Wheel washing area
Nice-to-Have
- WiFi
- Laundry facilities
- Playground
- Bar/restaurant
- Dogs welcome
- WiFi
Avoid
- No drainage (empty cassette elsewhere)
- Height restrictions
- Nighttime noise restrictions
- Resident-only permits
UK Campsite Booking Tips
- Book 6-8 weeks ahead for summer (July-August)
- Mid-week stays are cheaper and quieter
- Off-season (Nov-Feb) often walk-up available
- Check height restrictions before booking (UK vans vary 2.1-2.7m)
- Read recent reviews on Pitchup.com or Camping
- Call ahead for large vans/LWB
Regional Camping Characteristics
Scotland
Wild camping legal, campsites fewer but high quality. Popular: Glenmore, Applecross.
Cornwall
Very popular, book 2-3 months ahead. Beachside sites premium. Popular: Portreath, Looe.
Lake District
Popular with walkers, book early. Scenic locations. Popular: Windermere, Ullswater.
Wales
Good availability, often cheaper. Popular: Bala, Pembrokeshire.
Van Size Considerations
| Van Size | Max Width | Max Height | Typical Sites |
|---|---|---|---|
| Compact (Transit Custom) | 2.1m | 2.3m | Most sites |
| Medium (Transit L2H2) | 2.25m | 2.55m | Most, check height |
| Large (Transit L3H2+) | 2.45m | 2.7m+ | Limited, ring ahead |
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Last updated: 26 August 2026