The best campsites in Ainsdale Sand Dunes National Nature Reserve with horseback riding

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This inviting tract of beach and vegetated dunes forms the central swathe of the Sefton Coast, a long line of sand between Liverpool and Southport. The Ainsdale Sand Dunes NNR, alongside several other reserves, protect the area’s dune grasslands and Corsican pinewoods, which rise behind the beach and offer diverse habitat for endangered creatures like natterjack toad. Caravan campers fare better than those with just tents along the coast thanks to touring parks at Formby and Ainsdale—tent campers should try heading a bit inland for the best bets.

100% (87) 259 campsites

Top-rated campgrounds in Ainsdale Sand Dunes National Nature Reserve

Hazel Mount Fellside

1. Hazel Mount Fellside

98%
(49)
Eskdale, England · 5 units
Nearly wild camping on the western edge of the Lake District overlooking the Duddon Estuary
Pets
Campfires
Potable water
Tipsy Tree Glamping

2. Tipsy Tree Glamping

100%
(18)
Englesea Brook, England · 3 units
Quirky eco-friendly glamping ideal for a rural road-trip
Pets
Showers
Campfires
Greener Glamping

3. Greener Glamping

100%
(6)
Corwen, Wales · 2 units
An off-grid two-yurt glamping site in the Welsh Berwyn Mountains
Pets
Showers
Campfires
Logfire Holidays

4. Logfire Holidays

100%
(2)
Afonwen, Mold, Wales · 3 units
Emily Rose and Finch are set in our field garden, surrounded by farm land, high in the Clwydian range. Our hilltop setting affords far-reaching valley views and access to fabulous walks along Offa's Dyke from the doorstep. This is a perfect spot for nature lovers, star gazers and those wanting peace. The North Wales countryside and coastlines are waiting to be explored - think castles and beaches. Snowdonia and Liverpool can be reached in under an hour so why not add city sights and adrenaline fuelled mountain adventures to your holiday activity list, then return to laze in a hammock, picnic under the apple trees, and enjoy evenings around the fire-pit.
Showers
Campfires
Wifi
Chilled Out Adult Only Glamping

5. Chilled Out Adult Only Glamping

100%
(32)
Mouldsworth, England · 5 units
Lakeside glamping on the edge of Delemere Forest and a 10-minute train ride from Chester
Showers
Campfires
Potable water
The Peacock Shepherds Hut

6. The Peacock Shepherds Hut

100%
(15)
Corwen, Wales · 1 unit
This newly opened Peacock Shepherds Hut is set on our 20 acre smallholding in beautiful North Wales. We have many animals..llamas, alpacas, sheep, goats. Peacocks and Guinea fowl wander freely on our land. Our guests are welcome to meet all of our creatures as well as relaxing in the peace and quiet here.
Showers
Campfires
Potable water
The Cabins Conwy

7. The Cabins Conwy

100%
(20)
Conwy, Wales · 3 units
Eco-friendly cabins in a wild, riverside setting, with views of the Carneddau Mountains
Showers
Campfires
Potable water
Whitelee Farm Shepherd Huts

8. Whitelee Farm Shepherd Huts

100%
(6)
Cheshire, England · 2 units
Romantic en-suite shepherds huts on a riverside farm in the Peak District National Park.
Showers
Campfires
Wifi
The Shepherds Hut at Hafoty boeth

9. The Shepherds Hut at Hafoty boeth

100%
(2)
Corwen, Wales · 1 unit
A little shepherd’s hut with big views on a smallholding in north Wales
Showers
Campfires
Potable water
The Hut at Hafod Las

10. The Hut at Hafod Las

100%
(3)
Llangollen, Wales · 1 unit
A shepherd’s hut on a smallholding on the edge of the Clwydian Range
Showers
Campfires
Potable water

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Ainsdale Sand Dunes National Nature Reserve camping guide

Where to go

Sefton Coast

Reaching from Crossens near Southport 21 miles down to Crosby on the edge of Merseyside, Sefton Coast is one of the UK’s most important sandy coastlines. The unbroken, gold-brown beachfront and epic dunes behind, containing 40% of the nationally rare dune slack habitat, make this area special—and it’s all linked by coastal trail. Camping on the coast is difficult, but small-scale campsites can be found just a short way from the water.

Leeds & Liverpool Canal

This fully navigable 127-mile waterway between Liverpool and Leeds pulls off engineering feats a-plenty—negotiating the steep contours of the Pennines, for example—but just as it provides excellent narrow-boating, walking, and cycling, the canal’s camping possibilities are also impressive. The canal loops to within seven miles east of Ainsdale Sands near Downholland—look out for farm glamping near Lathom for a sleep in a fully furnished bell tent.

Ribble Estuary

North of Crossens and about five miles northeast of Ainsdale Sand Dunes NNR, the sand merges into the marsh and mudflats of the Ribble Estuary, one of England’s largest saltmarshes. Over half the estuary is protected as an NNR, and its south side has the best camping. It’s a brilliant area for wildlife-watching, especially for wildfowl.

West Pennine Moors

A locally popular but nationally little-known chunk of stark moorland, the West Pennine Moors swoop east of Chorley, 25 miles east of Ainsdale Sand Dunes. The handiest parts of this outdoor playground are Anglezarke and Rivington Moors, where two long reservoirs divide the higher ground from the conurbation to the west. The region offers great contrasts with the Ainsdale area’s flat, sandy coastscape, as well as charming campsites with several hiking routes into the wilder terrain beyond.

Happy farmer sitting in a truck in a grassy field
Happy farmer sitting in a truck in a grassy field

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