Best waterside campsites in England 2025

England’s waterside camping scene packs in over 3,300 options, from the wild cliffs of Devon to the calm rivers of Sussex. You’ll find sites that let you pitch up right beside rolling streams or pebble beaches—ideal if you’re keen on fishing, surfing, or just spotting kingfishers at dawn. Facilities tend to cover the essentials: toilets, showers, and many allow campfires, so bring marshmallows. Campsites start at just £10 a night, with the average closer to £85. Local favourites like Chalky Downs (241 reviews), South Dean Camping (169 reviews), and Sweet Hill Farm (142 reviews) make it easy to wake up to the sound of water and sometimes distant gulls. Pack for mud, bring your own rubbish bags, and don’t forget your wetsuit if you’re heading for the surf.

95% (4.9K)

Top-rated campgrounds

England’s waterside camping scene packs in over 3,300 options, from the wild cliffs of Devon to the calm rivers of Sussex. You’ll find sites that let you pitch up right beside rolling streams or pebble beaches—ideal if you’re keen on fishing, surfing, or just spotting kingfishers at dawn. Facilities tend to cover the essentials: toilets, showers, and many allow campfires, so bring marshmallows. Campsites start at just £10 a night, with the average closer to £85. Local favourites like Chalky Downs (241 reviews), South Dean Camping (169 reviews), and Sweet Hill Farm (142 reviews) make it easy to wake up to the sound of water and sometimes distant gulls. Pack for mud, bring your own rubbish bags, and don’t forget your wetsuit if you’re heading for the surf.

95% (4.9K)

Top-rated campgrounds

1. Cornish Tipi Holidays & Camping

97%

(147)

168 units · Tents, Motorhomes, Glamping · Cornwall, South West England

Wake up to the sound of birdsong, go swimming before breakfast in the clear water of a secluded lake. Cook your bacon and eggs over an open fire while you plan your day, or just laze it away in the peace and quiet of your own personal tipi. You can always go fishing tomorrow, and walk along the cliffs the day after that… The site is a unique woodland valley folded around a clear, spring-fed lake created from the old Tregildrans Quarry. Our tipis and tent pitches are dotted about this secret 20 acres full of ferns, bluebells, oak and meadowsweet. Left in peace for many years there's been no modern chemicals or poisons on the land, meaning we've got bluebells, dormice, Red Admirals and shy woodland Jays for you to spot. It’s a place set apart from the rush and clutter of the modern holiday experience, with an atmosphere that makes you forget the world outside, and just lounge, ramble, or potter about in a boat. We're committed to giving you a genuinely individual service from first contact to your time staying with us. We established CTH in 1996. This was the first and we believe still is the best tipi holiday site in the UK. We know our area inside out and can always help with local knowledge or contacts if you need them. We want to offer our guests a sustainable holiday. A return to real camping means the lowest possible impact on the land and environment - our tipi poles don’t even break the surface of the earth. Your footprint while here could only be bettered by a survival expert. You don't have to fly! a major bonus, and we source all our wood, fish and canvas locally and work with local people wherever possible.

2. The Secret Garden

100%

(5)

3 units · Tents, Motorhomes, Glamping · Newquay, Cornwall

2 sites to stay ruby rose for chalet or jasmine pitch for van This secret garden's is surrounded by the fields and tall hedges, a magical place, it’s in a world of its own and will certainly make those memories. * Private spacious camping in a very peaceful and beautiful space just for you and your favorites ! either with chalet on its own, van, tents or both :) chalet with double bed, single bed, bathroom, shower, tv mini kitchen, plates, kettle, cutlery, pots & pans, outside washing up area Chill in your massive jacuzzi with a your favourite drink and best tunes 🎶 (add on for Jasmine) * Picnic bench, garden, hot shower, flushing toilet, firepit (add on for Jasmine) * A very special gated garden to spend time out with your favourite people. Family friendly You may spot wild pheasants, chickens, indian runner ducks, our super friendly Bengal Cats! if you like them!😻 Your own furry friends are welcome as it is a gated secure garden. Enjoy the fire pit (wood and firelighters can be brought in advance) or bring your own :) Your car/van can park right outside the gate to your secret garden. (jasmine is another pitch) Lovely walk down the bottom of our lane to river gannel, bring your own paddle boards, kayaks, yourself for a swim :) From the river gannel if you walk from your garden it will take you to crantock beach and quant village, including the 2 local pubs worth a visit if your into our local history. Trenance 15 minute walk 0r 3 minute drive (walk the country back lane here to Trenance via river gannel for a beautiful nature walk) *Horse riding along the river gannel at Trenance riding stables *Trenance Boating lake, Tea rooms, rose gardens and Boat hire *Trenance Play park for the kids 5 mins walk to esso/budgens for essentials 24 hour 5 Mins car ride to the quant Crantock Village beach, or long walk to the beach. Tearooms, the outstanding C-bay day spa for an extra special day out. 1.2 miles into town, 10 min car ride to Newquay town centre to visit our beautiful Cornish beaches, harbour (fishing trips) golf course, chip shops, deliveroo do deliver here :) Lifts i can do for £10 back from town before 12am if your stuck :) Bus direct into Newquay town Center or any other part of Cornwall 4 minute walk down the lane :)

3. Camping at Cardewlees

99%

(47)

37 units · Tents, Motorhomes, Glamping · Carlisle, England

A welcoming, family-run farm campsite between the Lake District and Hadrian's Wall

4. Pleasant Streams Farm Camping

91%

(70)

67 units · Tents, Glamping · St Austell, England

Lakeside camping with streams, rope swings and farmyard animals in rural Cornwall

5. Whitlingham Broad Campsite

98%

(164)

72 units · Tents, Motorhomes, Glamping · Norfolk, East Anglia

Laid-back camping and glamping a stone's throw from Norwich and at the gateway to the Norfolk Broads

6. Bulstone Springs Devon Eco-Glamping

100%

(7)

1 unit · Glamping · Devon, South West England

A unique combination of off-grid glamping and spa days in Devon

7. Elmar's Place

60%

(5)

2 units · Tents · Bude, England

Nearly wild camping on the border of Devon and Cornwall

Camper favorites in England

Top-rated campgrounds reviewed by the Hipcamp community.

Pleasant Streams Farm Camping

91%

(70)

67 units · Tents, Glamping · St Austell, England

Lakeside camping with streams, rope swings and farmyard animals in rural Cornwall

Whitlingham Broad Campsite

98%

(164)

72 units · Tents, Motorhomes, Glamping · Norfolk, East Anglia

Laid-back camping and glamping a stone's throw from Norwich and at the gateway to the Norfolk Broads

Bulstone Springs Devon Eco-Glamping

100%

(7)

1 unit · Glamping · Devon, South West England

A unique combination of off-grid glamping and spa days in Devon

Elmar's Place

60%

(5)

2 units · Tents · Bude, England

Nearly wild camping on the border of Devon and Cornwall

Stories from the community

V

Virginia

October 2025

With pets

Weekend Trip to Camping at Cardewlees

Lovely location, beautiful views. Comfortable pod and great with enclosed garden for the dog. Good facilities too.

S

Susan

August 2025

Tent

Weekend Trip to Whitlingham Broad Campsite

Brilliant place to camp. Couldn’t fault it. It was great being able to hire a fire pit to sit around in the evenings.

S

Sally

August 2025

Tent

With kids

Weekend Trip to Whitlingham Broad Campsite

This has got to be one of the best campsites ever. The facilities are incredible, surrounded by trees, walkable distance to a brewery, cafe and broad and never too busy even when fully booked. I'm actually hesitant to write this review as I want to keep the secret to myself!

A

Ally

August 2025

Tent

Weekend Trip to Camping at Cardewlees

Just returning from our first visit to Cardewlees and we could not of asked for a better stay. Cardewlees is an absolute little gem of a campsite and Johnny could not have been a better host if he tried. Toilet and showering facilities were more than adequate and the water was always nice and warm. Thank you for a perfect stay and we look forward to coming back soon. Ally and Lee x

E

Eleanor

August 2025

Tent

Weekend Trip to Camping at Cardewlees

A simple but friendly camping experience. A very attentive host!

Wild Camping - Communal Meadow Tent Pitch

N

Nick

August 2025

Tent

With kids

4 nights at Cornish Tipi Holidays & Camping

An interesting and wonderful spot that is a superb location for cornwall adventures and an incredible campsite with the lake and restaurant! They need to sort out the hot water and when they do it will be 5/5!

M

Mark

August 2025

Tent

4 nights at Cornish Tipi Holidays & Camping

I stayed in Gosels as a private pitch and absolutely loved it. The campsite was perfect blend of eco/modern (compostable/flushable toilets and hot showers) within a tranquil setting. I liked how the campsite was used in a traditional sense for escape keeping noise and disturbance down to a minimum. The quarry lake was a great area for a splash around and cool down. Though used heavily by young families, had enough space for all. I already miss my chicken and rabbit friends seen daily on my pitch. The location of the site was perfect for me to make some visits out to North Cornwalls surrounding beaches and beauty spots. Well worth the trip.

Wild Camping - Private Pitch - Bluebell Bank

a

anna

August 2025

Tent

With kids

4 nights at Cornish Tipi Holidays & Camping

This is wonderful. The private pitches for wild camping are perfect for a family holiday. What a beautiful place teeming with wildlife and beautiful swimming.

M

Megan

August 2025

Tent

With pets

Weekend Trip to Camping at Cardewlees

The campsite had lovely views and the facilities were very accessible.

C

Callum

July 2025

Tent

With kids

Weekend Trip to Cornish Tipi Holidays & Camping

The lake was amazing - even better than the pictures. Beautiful private wooded sites running down the hill and a lovely set of open pitches at the top. The site staff were really friendly and helpful, with an excellent on site cafe for brunch and dinner. My daughter says her caramel cookie was the best she had ever eaten - high praise!

A

Andrew

May 2025

Tent

With kids

Weekend Trip to Whitlingham Broad Campsite

Excellent campsite with great features, very family friendly. Our boys loved running around and exploring and making new friends. And while being super close to Norwich, it doesn't feel that way at all!

G

Giulia

May 2025

Tent

With kids

Weekend Trip to Whitlingham Broad Campsite

we loved camping here, the place is quiet and there is everything you need. Toilets were clean, there is a small shop where you can buy snacks. You can charge your phone for a small fee, and Linda is very helpful is sharing information and suggestions on things to do in the area. We had a great time and the children loved playing football in the field and building a den in the forest.

L

Luke

April 2025

1 m pop-up camper

2 nights at The Secret Garden

A perfect little hideaway – ideal to stay whilst cycling, surfing & recharging! I stayed here as part of a bikepacking trip and couldn’t have asked for a better spot. The location is peaceful and secluded, surrounded by greenery with a lovely fire pit, hot outdoor shower, and plenty of space to relax. It’s just a 15-minute cycle to Newquay and Fistral Beach, which made it ideal for surfing and exploring the coast. The host, Sheryl, was incredibly welcoming and helpful. She provided super clear directions with photos, was quick to respond to questions, and even left out firewood and matches. On top of that, there were friendly chickens roaming about, a couple of chilled cats, and paddleboards available too. She also gave great local recommendations and was very flexible on request. The price is very reasonable for what you get – this place is a hidden gem. I was also really grateful to be able to book on the same day — something quite rare / almost impossible with the campsites in the area. Would absolutely stay again – thanks Sheryl!