- Ainsdale Sand Dunes National Nature Reserve
Shepherd's Huts in Ainsdale Sand Dunes National Nature Reserve
100% (118)
Top-rated campgrounds
100% (118)
Top-rated campgrounds
Camper favorites in and near Ainsdale Sand Dunes National Nature Reserve
Top-rated campgrounds reviewed by the Hipcamp community.
Stories from the community
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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Kamila
September 2025
4 nights at The Peacock Shepherds Hut
The Peacock Shepherds Hut was amazing. The views are incredible and the hut was really comfortable and well thought out from the lovely Peacock details to underfloor heating. The facilities provided everything I needed to enjoy a peaceful break. Fantastic place to relax and reset listening to birds and enjoying the roaming peacocks and wandering down to see the Alpacas. Carol makes you feel so welcome. I will definitely be recommending this place to friends.
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Natalie
August 2025
Weekend Trip to The Hut at Hafod Las
Our stay at the hut was lovely, so relaxing and quite, the breakfast that Helen provided for us gor when we arrived was delicious, the hut had everything we needed and the wood burner was so cosy for when it got a bit chilly, thanks Helen for a lovely weekend in the hut we will definitely be returning soon xx
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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!
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Darleen
August 2025
2 nights at Llwyn Onn Glamping, North Wales.
Such a hidden gem! Llwyn Onn is set in a beautiful location close to Betws-y-Coed, surrounded by fields & a majestic view of Snowdon. The sunsets were magical & we were lucky to see a meteor shower 1 night. We stayed in The Hut, which was perfect, very clean & well kept with a floor to roof glass viewing pain overlooking Snowdon, so if the weather isn’t great you can view in comfort. It was equipped with everything you need for a perfect nights sleep, we loved the comfy mattress & fluffy pillows.
warm blankets are provided. Needed for sitting around the campfire toasting marshmallows! This was our highlight along with the friendly, very cute Alpacas..Boo-boo, Ranger & Django!
A very well equipped separate kitchen making it easy to prepare food & a very clean & well kept communal bathroom area made our trip very comfortable & we can’t wait to go back! So much green space, fresh air & stunning 360 views, such a healing place. Book here & you won’t be disappointed.
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Olivia
August 2025
Weekend Trip to Over-the-Moon Luxury Shepherds Hut
Lovely as always! This was my second visit to the Shepherds Hut, and it was just as great as my first visit.
The inside was cosy, tidy and firewood bundle was a great addition for the cooler summer nights!
Thanks again for a great stay ✨️
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A
Alex
August 2025
Weekend Trip to Over-the-Moon Luxury Shepherds Hut
A lovely hut in a lovely location. Clean and well-stocked. Perfect for a weekend getaway!
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Sarah
July 2025
With kids
We had a lovely stay at Little Ranch. Rod made us feel so welcome and our daughter loved exploring the farm and meeting the animals. The hut is beautifully designed being both spacious and and cosy, with everything you need to relax and enjoy your stay. The little extras on arrival really made it special. We enjoyed some nice walks along the canal, evenings toasting marshmallows by the fire and just really appreciated the peaceful location. We highly recommend Little Ranch and hope to be back again soon!
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Fiona
July 2025
3 nights at Over-the-Moon Luxury Shepherds Hut
Have already recommended this place to friends. We had a lovely stay in the sunshine. The hut is has everything you need in a compact but unsquashy space. Enjoyed some fine walks and a super day out in Ruthin. We'd also recommend the Red Lion for a visit. Ruth & Jude were both very helpful and welcoming. I'm sure we'll come back.
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M
Marie
June 2025
With pets
I had a wonderful stay in this charming shepherd’s hut nestled in a peaceful meadow. The hut was beautifully equipped with everything I needed for a comfortable and cozy getaway. The surrounding area was lovely, with fruit to pick and plenty of space for the dogs, who absolutely loved it! The hosts were fabulous—friendly, helpful, and welcoming. I couldn’t have asked for more. Highly recommend this little gem for a relaxing countryside retreat.
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Vitalija
June 2025
Weekend Trip to Copy House Hideaway
We loved our stay at Bracken Hut! Very clean and hospitable - we really felt that we were welcomed there. Also it was such a quiet place with an amazing views.
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J
Juli
May 2025
With pets
Jo has worked hard to make this place one of the most beautiful and peaceful places that we've stayed at.
Very clean with everything that you need.
She's thought of everything that you may need and provided it.
We will be looking at booking again when we can.
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Seren
May 2025
1 night at The Peacock Shepherds Hut
We really enjoyed our stay here, the Shepard’s hut is great and in the perfect & private location. Hosts are very friendly and the animals on sight are a fab addition too! We would definitely stay again for a little getaway.
The only things I would point out for anyone who doesn’t know the area- it is around 15 minutes each way to the local towns/shops, but this place is in the perfect location if you want to “switch off” and be surrounded by nature.
The hut has all of the essential items, such as shower gel, hand soap, fire wood, tea & coffee and salt & pepper. However, my only suggestion is that I personally think that some local produce such as some fresh milk & eggs would go a long way and would elevate the experience massively. In saying this, everything was perfect with our stay😊
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Hannah
May 2025
Weekend Trip to Over-the-Moon Luxury Shepherds Hut
This was our second stay at the shepherd’s hut and it was just as great as the first. It’s a lovely, peaceful spot and really well looked after. We also tried the eggs from their hens this time – they were delicious!
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Cath
April 2025
2 nights at Over-the-Moon Luxury Shepherds Hut
Perfect getaway for me and my daughter. The hut is perfect, everything you could need and equipped and furnished beautifully. The views are stunning and the location is within easy reach of nature reserves and forests - spoilt for choice. It was so cosy and warm in the hut with the log burner lit and the fairy lights on. We will return! Thank you
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E
Esther
April 2025
With pets
My daughter and I just returned from a 2 night stay. The accommodation, the view, the hospitality and the lovely little extra touches made us feel so welcome and exceeded all expectations. The accommodation was clean and bright and had everything we needed and more. Emma was a superb host and nothing was too much trouble. What an absolutely perfect getaway in the quiet, watching the sunrise and the sunset with the sounds of the birds, seeing the rabbits running around. Simply cannot recommend this place enough for couples or families.
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Nicole K
April 2025
With kids
A warm and relaxed welcome from the moment we arrived. The kids were safe roaming in the play area and engaging with the animals. Our dogs were treated like family. We were super comfortable and I was able to switch off from the busy real world and read a book and enjoy the surroundings. The facilities are fantastic and the beds are big and comfortable! Can't wait to visit again.
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J
Joanne
April 2025
With kids
What a stunning setting—waking up to glorious fields, with alpacas and peacocks roaming freely!
The shepherd’s hut was beautiful: warm, tastefully decorated, and full of home-from-home comforts. It had all the essentials we needed to make our stay comfortable and complete.
We had an amazing few days—some precious time out for my little boy, and me. A peaceful, breathtaking location… just what we needed to rest the soul.
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l
lisav6
April 2025
3 nights at Over-the-Moon Luxury Shepherds Hut
We loved our stay at Over the Moon. Location was perfect, bed was extremely comfy and the hut was very cosy with everything you'd need. We loved the chickens mooching around and hearing the sheep and baby lambs. Such a peaceful and beautiful location. Thanks to Ruth & Jude and the animals ☺️
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Tracey
March 2025
With pets
Over The Moon is a charming shepherd’s hut, and it was an absolute delight to stay there. The accommodation is thoughtfully designed and beautifully finished to a high standard. It was also super cosy and warm. The peaceful setting made it the perfect place to unwind and recharge. Waking up to the sounds of nature and enjoying the tranquil surroundings was just what I needed. I would highly recommend this hidden gem to anyone looking for a relaxing and restorative getaway.
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Shepherd's Huts 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.