The best pets off leash campsites in Ainsdale Sand Dunes National Nature Reserve
98% (129) • 40 campsites
Top-rated campgrounds in Ainsdale Sand Dunes National Nature Reserve
Woodsworth Exploring
1. Woodsworth Exploring
98%
(68)
Ilkley, England · 12 units
Nearly wild woodland camping in West Yorkshire’s Bronte country
Pets
Campfires
Potable water
from
£30
/ night
Greener Pastures
2. Greener Pastures
88%
(4)
England · 8 units · Tents, Motorhomes
This isn’t a place for drive-in, drive-out holidays. It’s for staying, relaxing and enjoying nature.
More 'nearly wild' in farming countryside, than manicured sectioned areas.
Enclosed paddocks, no nearby roads, and only the gentle hum of a distant train from across the canal, this is countryside relaxation at its finest.
Watch the canal boats drift by, or go for a walk or cycle on the network of paths beside them. If your feeling adventurous, take a paddleboard or canoe onto the water, or hire a longboat for the day.
Walk to the nearby dog friendly, local pubs, or a short drive there are many options of restaurants, from country pubs to fine dining of all different cultures including takeaways. Or stay onsite with a BBQ, campsite cooking or firepit.
Supermarkets, farm shops, garden centres, national trust, activity parks and many other off site places to visit within close proximity, such as historic Chester or the monkeys at Trentham Garden.
You can book experiences with the animals we have on site, horses, alpacas, pygmy goats, sheep, rescue hens and our own dogs love a fuss.
Your dogs are very welcome, including reactive and exempt dogs. We have enclosed 1 acre paddocks for you to stay.
With a choice of paddock or hardstanding pitches, we can accommodate you whatever the weather.
We have a glamping tent with a full size double bed available to hire. This can sleep 6 with additional beds. Subtle solar lighting, table and chairs, blankets and cushions to sit outside in the evenings and watch the sunset.
We are perfect for a technology detox, while we have electricity on site to charge your phones, there is no electric to the pitches.
Use of a fridge freezer, small kitchen area with hot water, shower bay and mains water.
1 x EHU available..
Pets
Campfires
Showers
from
£15
/ night
Over-the-Moon Luxury Shepherds Hut
3. Over-the-Moon Luxury Shepherds Hut
100%
(27)
Ruthin, Wales · 1 unit
A shepherd’s hut on a smallholding in rural north Wales
Pets
Showers
Campfires
from
£86
/ night
Tower Farm
4. Tower Farm
Wales · 11 units · Motorhomes, Glamping
Tower Farm is nestled beneath Castell Dinas Bran in the stunning Vale of Llangollen, North Wales.
Just a 15 minute walk from the town centre with its many attractions and activities, and only 2 minutes from the Royal Pavilion, it offers the perfect base for guests looking to explore the area’s natural beauty and adventure opportunities.
Accommodation includes a 2 bedroomed cottage, 4 electric, hardstanding/grass caravan pitches, 4 electric, hardstanding caravan/motorhome pitches and 1 shepherd's hut with 2 more coming soon.
Please note that we don't have communal toilets/showers for the caravan/motorhome pitches currently, expected August.
Also, please note that this is an adults only site.
Please note that we do not currently have communal toilets/showers for the caravans/motorhomes, these will be available in August.
Sorry, we don't accommodate camping.
Pets
Electrical hookup
Campfires
from
£36
/ night
Moss Rose Campsite
5. Moss Rose Campsite
99%
(61)
Pilling, Preston, England · 25 units · Tents, Motorhomes, Glamping
We have a family friendly Quiet campsite in the heart of Lancashire on our family run farm. Our site is situated in a species rich meadow field with large mown Pitches surrounded by wild flowers and meandering pathways linking the site together.
We are surrounded by a young trees & woodland with the back drop of the Pennines. We offer both glamping and traditional non EHU camping on our site, with lovely hot showers, clean toilet facilities, fresh water point, pot wash area, phone charger lockers, communal freezers, elsan disposal point, microwave, coffee/hot chocolate machine, and our little honesty shack with all little camping essentials to might need whilst staying with us.
We also hire out picnic benches and fire pits to help enhance your camping experience.
We have a lovely little woodland walk, with a meandering mown path, that winds through our woodland/conservation area. Perfect to walk your dog, and let your kids explore.
Adjoining the campsite, we have a padock with super frindly sheep that love to say hello. We sell little bags of sheep feed, just incase you'd like to give them a little treat.
In the middle of the site, we have a little tots play area, perfect for keeping you're small kids entertained.
We are a Quiet family site, with a Reduced Noise policy from 9 pm, and Quiet Time from 10 pm to 8.30 am.
Latest check in time is 8PM, unless prearranged with the campsite.
Our site has close links to the A6 and m6 J33. We are only 13 miles from the Historic city of Lancaster, the Bright lights of Blackpool and the jubilee city of Preston. 4 miles from the first fair trade market town of Garstang and 45 mins into the Lake District. There is also lots of interesting activities to do locally.
Pets
Campfires
Showers
from
£18
/ night
Copy House Hideaway
6. Copy House Hideaway
100%
(67)
Earby, England · 2 units
Luxury shepherd's huts with wood-fired hot tubs and an adjoining log cabin for extra space
Pets
Showers
Campfires
from
£146
/ night
Balwen Shepherds Hut
7. Balwen Shepherds Hut
100%
(2)
Montgomery, Wales · 1 unit
Large shepherd’s hut ideal for families and friends to enjoy a beautiful corner of Wales. Fitted with everything for your convenience but also enough simplicity to connect with nature and the sounds of the countryside. Surrounded by fields you feel that you’ve disconnected from the chaos of society and can relax in tranquillity. There is private parking for around three cars next to the hut.
Pets
Showers
Campfires
from
£85
/ night
98% (129) • 40 campsites
Top-rated campgrounds in Ainsdale Sand Dunes National Nature Reserve
Woodsworth Exploring
1. Woodsworth Exploring
98%
(68)
Ilkley, England · 12 units
Nearly wild woodland camping in West Yorkshire’s Bronte country
Pets
Campfires
Potable water
from
£30
/ night
Greener Pastures
2. Greener Pastures
88%
(4)
England · 8 units · Tents, Motorhomes
This isn’t a place for drive-in, drive-out holidays. It’s for staying, relaxing and enjoying nature.
More 'nearly wild' in farming countryside, than manicured sectioned areas.
Enclosed paddocks, no nearby roads, and only the gentle hum of a distant train from across the canal, this is countryside relaxation at its finest.
Watch the canal boats drift by, or go for a walk or cycle on the network of paths beside them. If your feeling adventurous, take a paddleboard or canoe onto the water, or hire a longboat for the day.
Walk to the nearby dog friendly, local pubs, or a short drive there are many options of restaurants, from country pubs to fine dining of all different cultures including takeaways. Or stay onsite with a BBQ, campsite cooking or firepit.
Supermarkets, farm shops, garden centres, national trust, activity parks and many other off site places to visit within close proximity, such as historic Chester or the monkeys at Trentham Garden.
You can book experiences with the animals we have on site, horses, alpacas, pygmy goats, sheep, rescue hens and our own dogs love a fuss.
Your dogs are very welcome, including reactive and exempt dogs. We have enclosed 1 acre paddocks for you to stay.
With a choice of paddock or hardstanding pitches, we can accommodate you whatever the weather.
We have a glamping tent with a full size double bed available to hire. This can sleep 6 with additional beds. Subtle solar lighting, table and chairs, blankets and cushions to sit outside in the evenings and watch the sunset.
We are perfect for a technology detox, while we have electricity on site to charge your phones, there is no electric to the pitches.
Use of a fridge freezer, small kitchen area with hot water, shower bay and mains water.
1 x EHU available..
Pets
Campfires
Showers
from
£15
/ night
Over-the-Moon Luxury Shepherds Hut
3. Over-the-Moon Luxury Shepherds Hut
100%
(27)
Ruthin, Wales · 1 unit
A shepherd’s hut on a smallholding in rural north Wales
Pets
Showers
Campfires
from
£86
/ night
Tower Farm
4. Tower Farm
Wales · 11 units · Motorhomes, Glamping
Tower Farm is nestled beneath Castell Dinas Bran in the stunning Vale of Llangollen, North Wales.
Just a 15 minute walk from the town centre with its many attractions and activities, and only 2 minutes from the Royal Pavilion, it offers the perfect base for guests looking to explore the area’s natural beauty and adventure opportunities.
Accommodation includes a 2 bedroomed cottage, 4 electric, hardstanding/grass caravan pitches, 4 electric, hardstanding caravan/motorhome pitches and 1 shepherd's hut with 2 more coming soon.
Please note that we don't have communal toilets/showers for the caravan/motorhome pitches currently, expected August.
Also, please note that this is an adults only site.
Please note that we do not currently have communal toilets/showers for the caravans/motorhomes, these will be available in August.
Sorry, we don't accommodate camping.
Pets
Electrical hookup
Campfires
from
£36
/ night
Moss Rose Campsite
5. Moss Rose Campsite
99%
(61)
Pilling, Preston, England · 25 units · Tents, Motorhomes, Glamping
We have a family friendly Quiet campsite in the heart of Lancashire on our family run farm. Our site is situated in a species rich meadow field with large mown Pitches surrounded by wild flowers and meandering pathways linking the site together.
We are surrounded by a young trees & woodland with the back drop of the Pennines. We offer both glamping and traditional non EHU camping on our site, with lovely hot showers, clean toilet facilities, fresh water point, pot wash area, phone charger lockers, communal freezers, elsan disposal point, microwave, coffee/hot chocolate machine, and our little honesty shack with all little camping essentials to might need whilst staying with us.
We also hire out picnic benches and fire pits to help enhance your camping experience.
We have a lovely little woodland walk, with a meandering mown path, that winds through our woodland/conservation area. Perfect to walk your dog, and let your kids explore.
Adjoining the campsite, we have a padock with super frindly sheep that love to say hello. We sell little bags of sheep feed, just incase you'd like to give them a little treat.
In the middle of the site, we have a little tots play area, perfect for keeping you're small kids entertained.
We are a Quiet family site, with a Reduced Noise policy from 9 pm, and Quiet Time from 10 pm to 8.30 am.
Latest check in time is 8PM, unless prearranged with the campsite.
Our site has close links to the A6 and m6 J33. We are only 13 miles from the Historic city of Lancaster, the Bright lights of Blackpool and the jubilee city of Preston. 4 miles from the first fair trade market town of Garstang and 45 mins into the Lake District. There is also lots of interesting activities to do locally.
Pets
Campfires
Showers
from
£18
/ night
Copy House Hideaway
6. Copy House Hideaway
100%
(67)
Earby, England · 2 units
Luxury shepherd's huts with wood-fired hot tubs and an adjoining log cabin for extra space
Pets
Showers
Campfires
from
£146
/ night
Balwen Shepherds Hut
7. Balwen Shepherds Hut
100%
(2)
Montgomery, Wales · 1 unit
Large shepherd’s hut ideal for families and friends to enjoy a beautiful corner of Wales. Fitted with everything for your convenience but also enough simplicity to connect with nature and the sounds of the countryside. Surrounded by fields you feel that you’ve disconnected from the chaos of society and can relax in tranquillity. There is private parking for around three cars next to the hut.
Pets
Showers
Campfires
from
£85
/ night
Recent reviews from the Hipcamp community
J
Jourdan
3 weeks ago
With pets
We had the most wonderful stay at this gorgeous shepherds hut. Everything about our visit was just perfect. The setting was so peaceful and private and dreamy, such a beautiful little escape to relax and switch off. The hut itself was cosy, spotless, and had everything we could possibly need, you can really tell how much care and thought has gone into it. The hosts were incredibly kind, welcoming, and attentive, which made the whole experience feel even more special. Honestly, there is nothing we would change. We left feeling so happy and refreshed and would absolutely love to come back again. Could not recommend it more 💖
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L
Lisa
February 2026
Tent
Lovely site, friendly staff, excellent toilet and water facilities. Will be back in the summer.
See more
D
David
January 2026
3 nights at Over-the-Moon Luxury Shepherds Hut
Beautiful location, great for walking.
Hut was immaculate, cosy & had everything we needed.
Great communication prior to our arrival.
Highly recommend
See more
C
Charna
October 2025
Weekend Trip to Over-the-Moon Luxury Shepherds Hut
This is the second time I have been to Over The Moon and it was just as gorgeous as the first. Peaceful escape from the city, and Ruth is a lovely host 🙂 thankyou again for having us, I'm sure we will be back for a third visit ❤️
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Y
Yunus
September 2025
Tent
With kids
Great experince of almost woodland camping. Well organised and very helpful staff. Very handy for local attrcations.
Thanks had a wonderful short stay.
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I
Isabelle
August 2025
Tent
Such a lovely spot. Very idyllic and private. Pitches were a decent distance from each other which was really nice - it was nice knowing other people were around but having your own private space. Dog friendly, which was brilliant - camped for the first time with our boy. He didn't like the owls! We will be back!
See moreM
Melissa
August 2025
Tent
With kids
We had a wonderful time at Woodsworth Exploring - our kids loved camping in a woodland, and it is well-looked after and beautiful. You do have to walk in with your gear, but they provide wheelbarrows for you to use. Emma was very responsive and helpful. We thoroughly enjoyed our visit and hope to come back sometime soon!
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Richard
August 2025
4 m pop-up camper
With pets
Absolutely tranquil and family friendly site, second only to the amazing family run operation, which was so welcoming. Both John and Joe were interested in making our stay as comfortable as possible without being overbearing. They care for their site and their customers. We will definitely return like the many repeat customers they entertain, proving that they have got their product just right. Thanks again
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E
Emma
August 2025
Tent
With kids
Our second time here. Absolutely wonderful hosts, John would’ve put our tent up for us just to stop us arguing!! They’re always around, cleaning, helping and chatting. Never known hosts like that before, it’s so nice. Loved all the baby birds!! Will definitely be back, thanks for a wonderful stay. Love Emma, Matt, Chloe and Alyssa xxx
See moreG
Google2
August 2025
Tent
With pets
Such a great place to go camping, the owners are amazing people and are always more then happy to help with anything, they have good facilities with hot water, showers, pot washing station, cold drinking water. They also have a small nature walk on site and long meadow grass and wild flower between plots. The plots are nicely spread out with lots of room between other campers and the pots are a good size. 10/10 would highly recommend
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G
Georgie
August 2025
3 m Class B
Lovely place, friendly animals and welcoming owner
See moreG
George
August 2025
Tent
Beautiful woodland to camp in, the plots are well spaced and so really feels like you have the woodland to yourself. Would highly recommend and would go again!
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K
Kate
August 2025
4 m Class B
With pets
Loved staying in Jo's field. Great welcome, super quiet and just what we needed. Would recommend highly!
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Becky
August 2025
Tent
With kids
A fabulous campsite with a real family feel. Very friendly staff, clean facilities, lovely location, great supply in the honesty shop. My children loved playing in the play area which was central to part of the campsite. This meant they could happily make friends while we could keep a watchful eye and do other things at camp. Baby ducks! You can't go wrong.
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Emma
August 2025
With pets
Our stay at Over the Moon was absolutely perfect. Ruth was super friendly and gave clear instructions on how to find them, and replied quickly to any questions. The location is beautiful and incredibly peaceful. The hut had everything we needed and the bed was huge and very comfortable. We can’t wait to come stay again!
See moreM
Megan
August 2025
Tent
The land was gorgeous. We had the whole place to presents surrounded by Jo’s gorgeous animals. Jo herself was so kind and helpful throughout and prior to our stay. The instructions to find the land were so helpful. Jo was amazing throughout our stay. We will definitely be back.
See moreA
Alice
August 2025
Tent
With kids
We’ve just got back from 3 nights camping at Moss Rose.
The owners are so friendly and helpful, the pitches are big and surrounded by lovely long grass.
While the loos and showers are small they are very clean and shower hot and powerful. (I think there are plans to add more)
The little play area in the middle is the central point for all children and great for keeping an eye on them from your pitch.
The best think about the site is the lovely friendly atmosphere
This was our second visit and definitely won’t be our last.
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Jodi
August 2025
Tent
With kids
I stayed at Moss Rose as a female, first time, solo camper, and I couldn't have chosen a better place to feel completely safe, relaxed, and build confidence for future solo escapades. So much so, that after my 3rd (officially booked) night, I was so happy that Kel & Joe had space for me to stay an extra night!
The site itself is just perfect for me, feels "wild" in it's beautiful rural surroundings, with pitches mown into well defined areas separated by long grasses and wildflowers - but with the amenities of clean showers, toilets, fridge, freezer, coffee machine, microwave etc. So whilst I didn't need to use any of these, I can definitely pack lighter next time I stay knowing I don't have to haul as many toiletries, cooling, and charging equipment. I definitely enjoyed browsing in, and donating to little Stan's Honesty Shack for wood, kindling and other bits and bobs - he has it all covered!
As hosts, you won't find friendlier that Kel, Joe, & John. It's so apparent how much they love what they do, and how much they invest in their guests loving their experience too.
I can't wait to come back, wish I'd have found this little gem of a site and of a family before the end of the season x
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L
Louise
August 2025
Tent
Absolutely fantastic family run site! We only stayed one night as a pit stop on our way to Scotland. We will definitely be visiting again in the future.
See moreD
Denise
August 2025
Tent
With pets
We loved camping on John's farm I loved that they ate environmently friendly having their pitches surrounded by patches for wildlife an flowers ..Joe his son was always on hand if you needed anything . There was a fridge freezer ..microwave to use and coffee making facilities.Thete wa also Stans Honesty shack for essentials you might have forgotten. The views were great. We stayed for 3 nights and would have stayed a fourth but for a weather warning ..not Joe or John's fault!! Will definitely going back
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The best pets off leash campsites in Ainsdale Sand Dunes National Nature Reserve 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.