Campsites with campfires near Kelso
The border town of Kelso has historic appeal and adventure on its doorstep.
99% (108 reviews)
99% (108 reviews)
Popular camping styles for Kelso
Under £50
Dog-friendly getaways
12 top campsites near Kelso with campfires
96%
(142)
Kestrel Lodge Campsite
10 units · Tents4 acres · Keswick, Cumbria, North West England
A family-friendly Lake District campsite, nestled between the quiet shores of Bassenthwaite Lake and the beautiful Cumbrian fells
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£24
/ night
80%
(10)
West Highland Way Hotel & Campsite
46 units · Glamping, Motorhomes, Tents10 acres · Glasgow, Lanarkshire, South Scotland
A welcoming campsite on the West Highland Way
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£30
/ night
100%
(19)
The Old Chapel Campsite
30 units · Tents1 acre · Grizedale, England
Nearly wild camping in the North Pennines
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£20
/ night
98%
(95)
Walkmill Campsite
10 units · Motorhomes, Tents10 acres · Northumberland, North East England
Refreshingly understated private camping in the unspoiled Northumberland countryside
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£25
/ night
100%
(3)
Ruberslaw Wild Woods Camping
53 units · Glamping, Tents500 acres · Hawick, Scottish Borders
Pick between the woods and the walled garden at this stunning Scottish Borders site
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£33
/ night
100%
(22)
Camping at Cardewlees
37 units · Glamping, Motorhomes, Tents1 acre · Carlisle, England
A welcoming, family-run farm campsite between the Lake District and Hadrian's Wall
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£20
/ night
98%
(77)
Beirhope Alpacas
11 units · Tents1 acre · Kelso, Scotland
A small, off-grid campsite with alpacas in the historically rich southern Scottish borders
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£18
/ night
93%
(23)
Culdees Castle Estate Glamping
5 units · Glamping, Motorhomes17 acres · Perthshire , Scotland
Luxury woodland cabins, each with a private hot tub, in the grounds of a Scottish castle
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£25
/ night
100%
(6)
Cleghorn Farm
11 units · Glamping, Tents250 acres · Lanark, Scotland
*PLEASE NOTE THAT WE ARE ONLY OPEN FOR WEEKEND BOOKINGS FOR CAMPING. THE CABIN IS AVAILABLE FOR MIDWEEK BOOKINGS*
Cleghorn Farm is a mixed farm just north east of the market town of Lanark. Comprised of 250 acres of fields and woodland and bounded to the south by Mouse Water, it is a beautiful spot to get away from it all without having to leave it all behind if you don't want to. The fields are grazed and cultivated but the woodlands are much as they were at the end of the last ice age with spectacular walks along Cleghorn Glen with the chance to see badgers, bats, deer and all manner of birds among the towering pine and beech trees.
The Mouse Water (pronounced moose) tumbles down along the edge of the farm and has some glorious pools for swimming, shallows for paddling and some spectacular water falls before it joins the River Clyde.
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£10
/ night
100%
(1)
Nearly-wild camping @ Heggs Farm
1 unit · Tent136 acres · Reeth, England
Get back to basics and immerse yourself in the joy of simple outdoor living with a nearly-wild camping experience @ Heggs Farm, Arkengarthdale--part of a collaborative, 200-acre renaturing project, spanning the northern tip of the Yorkshire Dales National Park.
Stretching from the wooded banks of the Arkle Beck, up to the dizzying heights of Fremington Edge, our undulating, south-facing site is a wonderfully biodiverse and off-the-beaten path spot, offering adventure-loving families and small groups the chance to unplug completely, and get a taste of no-frills camping, the way mother nature intended.
What's more, every booking is for exclusive use of the camping area by you and your group, guaranteeing you a truly unique (and undisturbed) experience.
NB Due to the undulating nature of the terrain, our site is most suited to tents with a smaller footprint.
Why Heggs?
Get a taste of 'wild-camping' with a few bare bones facilities: Pitch up where you like, make the most of a private firepit cooking area, and enjoy our compost loo with a view. Our remote, no-frills site is the perfect intro to simple living; yet sits close enough to 'civilisation' to hike out for picnic supplies, and/or a pub meal.
Reconnect with nature through wholesome, unplugged activities: Fill your days with poo sticks, pebble skimming, and foraging for kindling. Spend your evenings playing scrabble by torchlight, identifying owl calls, and marvelling at the constellations in our Dark Skies conservation area. No wifi = no distractions.
Explore endless routes right from the doorstep: Arkengarthdale is one of the Dales' most beautiful yet undiscovered valleys. Multiple bridleways and footpaths connect Heggs to Reeth (2 miles) and Langthwaite (1.5 miles), running along both sides of the Arkle Beck, and up the slopes of Fremington Edge.
Part of the adventure is getting here: Our walk/cycle-in-only camping area is all part of the magic of our tucked-away site. Free bag transfer is available to our farmhouse from the nearest roadside parking spot (20 mins walk); or from the public parking areas in Reeth or Langthwaite (40 mins walk). From the farmhouse, the camping area lies a further 200m along a rough grass track.
NB Limited parking for 4WD vehicles is available on site, 7-8mins walk from the camping area along the public footpath. Please note we cannot accept campervans or trailer tents.
Every stay plants trees, literally: All profits from nearly-wild camping support our ongoing habitat restoration as part of the Heggs-Castle renaturing cluster. Enjoy the 'feel-good' factor as you roam free across the site and explore our latest woodland creation areas. Find out more at heggscastlecluster.org.
What's included/provided with my booking?
-Exclusive use of the camping area for you and your group (up to a max of 8 people), including compost loo and firepit with grill.
-Access to weatherproof cow byre HQ for storage of camping equipment, including bikes.
-1 x wheelbarrow load of firewood, with kindling and natural firelighters (more can be bought on site).
-Unlimited potable water in canisters with taps.
-Large Ghillie Kettle, firepit cooking utensils and heatproof gloves, biodegradable washing up liquid, washing up bowl, tea towels, first aid kit, fire extinguisher.
-Bag transfer from/to the nearest roadside or public parking place on arrival and departure.
Please pack everything else you need to sleep, cook (your own portable gas stove and/or charcoal is welcome), eat, and keep yourself and your equipment safe; remembering that you’ll have to carry your own gear for at least the last 200m down to the cow byre...and then beyond to wherever you pitch up!
Note too that the site is completely unlit after dark, there are no charging facilities, and phone signal can be spotty. Headtorches, camping lanterns, and portable battery/solar chargers are all strongly recommended.
Where can I stock up?
Our local businesses would love your support! Award winning bread, cafe-quality ready meals, and Thursday night pizzas can be pre-ordered for collection at Two Dales Bakery; the Bike Centre is known for its incredible cake selection (and excellent rental service); Reeth Post Office sells the usual camping cupboard staples, as well as local milk, cheese and sausages; and Reeth's Friday morning market has all your meat, cheese, and fruit and veg supplies covered.
For dining out, there are four pubs within a two-mile hike/cycle: The CB Inn, The Bridge Inn, The Black Bull and The Buck (the only to offer all-day dining 12-8pm). Ramsay’s Fish and Chip Van also visits Reeth between 4-6pm every Friday evening; you’ll find it parked up in Langhorne Drive.
Finished reading and not sure it's for you?
Search for The Annexe @ Heggs Farm on AirBnB for simple, off-grid living with a few creature comforts e.g. hot running water, a bed and a bath. This can also be booked in tandem with our nearly-wild camping area, subject to availability.
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£45
/ night
Booked 4 times
Tyne View Camping
15 units · Motorhomes, Tents10 acres · Chopwell, England
Tyne View Camping is a peaceful spot in Tyne and Wear, not far from Hedley on the Hill village. It's on a farm run by David and his family, who welcome guests to enjoy the beautiful countryside views.
You can see the Tyne Valley from the camping pitches, which is great for stargazing at night. The site is basic with just water taps and toilets, no showers, but there's lots of space for kids and dogs to play.
You're allowed to bring a barbecue or firepit for cooking, and you can buy supplies in Prudhoe nearby. Or, you can walk to Hedley on the Hill for a meal at a top-notch pub.
There are plenty of things to do nearby, like walking in the woods, playing golf, or trying gliding. You can also visit Hadrian’s Wall, Newcastle upon Tyne, or explore the North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty for a varied and enjoyable break.
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£20
/ night
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Kip & Nook
6 units · Motorhomes250 acres · Darlington, England
Adult-only campervan site with hot tub pitches in North Yorkshire
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£40
/ night
Available this weekend
Star Hosts in Kelso
Campsites with campfires near Kelso guide
Overview
Nestled in the heart of the Scottish Borders, just a stone’s throw from the Scotland-England border, Kelso is a vibrant town set picturesquely at the meeting of the Tweed and Teviot Rivers. As is typical of border towns, Kelso is steeped in dramatic history, much of it centred around the now-ruined, though once powerful, Roxburgh Castle where James II met his fate. Today, the grand, and still inhabited, Floors Castle is the main attraction and is worth a visit to explore the fine art collection and wander the grounds’ woodland, riverside trail and Victorian walled garden or let the children play in the enclosed adventure playground.
Where to go
Jedburgh
A 20-minute drive southwest of Kelso, Jebdurgh is another historic border town that’s worth a visit for its picturesque town centre and association with Mary Queen of Scots. Just outside of the town, the small Jedburgh Camping and Caravanning Club Site has pitches for tents, caravans and campervans.
Hawick
West of Jedburgh, Hawick is famed for its textile heritage, particularly its knitwear and cashmere. It’s equally famed for the Common Ridings, a spectacle of horsemanship held annually in early summer. Between Hawick and Jedburgh, Wild Woods Camping Ruberslaw offers a variety of pitches for tent campers, including semi-wild pitches and pitches inside the site’s walled garden.
Lauder
A 30-minute drive north of Kelso, the small village of Lauder sits on the edge of the Lammermuir Hills, providing walkers and cyclists opportunities to explore the network of paths around the hills. The Southern Upland Way long distance walking route also passes by the town. The Lauder Camping and Caravanning Club Site has pitches for tents and tourers, as well as a selection of timber chalets.
When to go
The Scottish Borders is a great region to visit all year-round: unlike better-known destinations, such as Edinburgh and the Isle of Skye, it rarely suffers from crowds in the summer months. It also doesn’t experience as harsh climates as more northerly parts of the country. July and August are ideal for enjoying long days and (hopefully) sunny weather. This is also the time of the Common Ridings, which take place in several border towns.
Know before you go
- If you choose to wild camp, be sure to adhere to the Scottish Outdoor Access Code. Note that while wild camping is permitted in Scotland, it is illegal just over the border in England.
- While you can get around by using public buses, having your own transport offers more flexibility. The closest train station is Tweedbank, which is a 45-minute bus journey away.
- There are a few small supermarkets in Kelso where you will find the essentials. For bigger purchases, head for Tweedbank.
Top regions near Kelso
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