Best camping, glamping, and outdoor stays in Retford

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The Nottinghamshire market town of Retford is often overlooked in favour of nearby Lincoln but it makes for a great base for camping holidays in the East Midlands, with family camping and back-to-basics campsites nearby, along with more luxurious glamping options.
96% (1.1K)

Top-rated campgrounds near Retford

9. Snettisham Meadows

96%
(24)
109km from Retford · 40 units · Tents, Motorhomes
Set on a traditional family-run farm in rural Norfolk, Snettisham Meadows is on the outskirts of the pretty village of Snettisham and short drive away from North Norfolk's beautiful white sandy beaches. Animal-mad campers, form an orderly queue please, as this 329-acre farm has several attractions up its sleeve for you, including meet-and-greets with pigs and ponies, lamb feeding in spring and deer safaris. There’s also a dog paddock for rent so four-legged companions can have a frisk around, and an area on the camping field is reserved for guests with dogs. Campfires and barbecues are permitted and you can borrow firepits from the site owners. Logs are also available to buy. The site is only 10 minutes’ walk from a village pub if you fancy a change of scenery. After a fun-filled day exploring this lovely part of Norfolk, come back to your pitch and keep your fingers crossed for clear skies and some serious stargazing. Facilities include washing-up sinks, a small shop at reception for essential supplies and tourist information, USB phone charging and a freezer for ice packs.
Pets
Electrical hookup
Campfires
from 
£22
 / night

14. Hunstanton Camping & Glamping

78%
(29)
105km from Retford · 108 units · Tents, Motorhomes, Glamping
🌅 Hunstanton Camping & Glamping with mYminiBreak: The Coastal Escape Hunstanton Camping & Glamping offers a relaxed, back-to-basics coastal escape in Heacham, Norfolk. The site, a former dairy farm, maintains a peaceful, natural atmosphere, perfect for those looking to unplug. 🐾 Exceptionally Dog-Friendly Haven The site is dog-friendly, welcoming companions in all accommodation types. Its best feature is the immediate access to the sea, being just a quick 2-minute walk from the vast sands of Heacham South Beach. Crucially, this beach operates with no year-round restrictions for dogs, offering unrestricted playtime. 🌊 Prime Location and Local Area The site's unique west-facing position on the West Norfolk coast means guests witness spectacular sunsets directly over the sea—a daily, breathtaking ritual. You are perfectly situated to explore North Norfolk: Hunstanton: The nearby Victorian resort offers seaside fun and the famous striped cliffs of Old Hunstanton. Nature & Walks: Enjoy direct access to the Norfolk Coast Path and close proximity to the Wild Ken Hill rewilding project and Sandringham Estate for extensive hiking and wildlife spotting. Activities: The calm, shallow local waters are excellent for watersports like kayaking and paddleboarding. 🔥 Back-to-Basics Ethos and Core Facilities The ethos of the site embraces a simple, "back-to-basics" camping philosophy. Accommodation: Pitch your own tents, campervans, motorhomes, and caravans, or choose glamping in rustic Shepherd's Huts or spacious Bell Tents. Campfires: Campfires and BBQs are encouraged and allowed, with private fire pits/braziers provided for glamping units, perfect for gatherings under the clear, dark Norfolk skies Core Facilities: Essential amenities are clean and functional: shared toilet/shower blocks with hot water; designated washing-up station and access to fresh drinking water. Limited electric hook-ups are available for pitches upon request, though the emphasis is on a connected-to-nature experience. Wifi available. This site offers an unforgettable escape, blending traditional outdoor life with coastal charm.
Pets
Electrical hookup
Campfires
from 
£17
 / night

18. Scarborough Bay Sea View Camping

81%
(8)
110km from Retford · 50 units · Tents
Scarborough Bay - Sea View Camping, a clifftop retreat on the North Yorkshire coast. Pitch up where you wish on this spacious 5 acre site. All the pitches face the coast so you can have spectacular views over the sea, in this case the North Sea to Scarborough (15 minutes’ drive), giving you a front-row seat on one of England’s most spectacular coastlines. Here you can wake to vibrant sunrises and on clear evenings to watch sunsets in the west. There’s plenty more going for this peaceful site as well: walkers will perk up on hearing that it’s right on the Cleveland Way National Trail, surfers can catch waves at popular Cayton Bay (five minutes’ drive), and families can head for Go Ape or scenic biking trails in Dalby Forest (40 minutes). There’s also a farm shop 15 minutes’ walk away where you can get a decent coffee and homemade food. There’s plenty of room so you’re free to pitch up where you wish. Well-behaved dogs are welcome, and barbecues or firepits are allowed as long as they’re raised off the ground to protect the grass. The camping area is exposed and can get windy at times, so take care when erecting tents and ensure everything is well secured. Facilities are simple: chemical toilets and a water supply. The water supply is from the mains but we recommend bottled water for drinking to be safe. There are no showers on site. Solar showers can be bought on-line for about £10. The access road is alongside a grass field, so please ensure that your vehicle is suitable for the terrain. Local attractions and activities include: - Cleveland Way National Trail (direct access from the site) - Cayton Bay (surfing): five minutes’ drive - Filey Brigg (walking and fossil hunting): 10 minutes - Scarborough (castle and beach): 15 minutes - Alpamare UK (indoor/outdoor pools): 15 minutes - Hunmanby Gap (quiet beach): 15 minutes - Sea Life Scarborough (aquarium): 20 minutes - Dalby Forest (walking and Go Ape): 40 minutes.
Pets
Campfires
from 
£20
 / night

20. Greener Pastures

100%
(3)
103km from Retford · 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
The Nottinghamshire market town of Retford is often overlooked in favour of nearby Lincoln but it makes for a great base for camping holidays in the East Midlands, with family camping and back-to-basics campsites nearby, along with more luxurious glamping options.
96% (1.1K)

Top-rated campgrounds near Retford

9. Snettisham Meadows

96%
(24)
109km from Retford · 40 units · Tents, Motorhomes
Set on a traditional family-run farm in rural Norfolk, Snettisham Meadows is on the outskirts of the pretty village of Snettisham and short drive away from North Norfolk's beautiful white sandy beaches. Animal-mad campers, form an orderly queue please, as this 329-acre farm has several attractions up its sleeve for you, including meet-and-greets with pigs and ponies, lamb feeding in spring and deer safaris. There’s also a dog paddock for rent so four-legged companions can have a frisk around, and an area on the camping field is reserved for guests with dogs. Campfires and barbecues are permitted and you can borrow firepits from the site owners. Logs are also available to buy. The site is only 10 minutes’ walk from a village pub if you fancy a change of scenery. After a fun-filled day exploring this lovely part of Norfolk, come back to your pitch and keep your fingers crossed for clear skies and some serious stargazing. Facilities include washing-up sinks, a small shop at reception for essential supplies and tourist information, USB phone charging and a freezer for ice packs.
Pets
Electrical hookup
Campfires
from 
£22
 / night

14. Hunstanton Camping & Glamping

78%
(29)
105km from Retford · 108 units · Tents, Motorhomes, Glamping
🌅 Hunstanton Camping & Glamping with mYminiBreak: The Coastal Escape Hunstanton Camping & Glamping offers a relaxed, back-to-basics coastal escape in Heacham, Norfolk. The site, a former dairy farm, maintains a peaceful, natural atmosphere, perfect for those looking to unplug. 🐾 Exceptionally Dog-Friendly Haven The site is dog-friendly, welcoming companions in all accommodation types. Its best feature is the immediate access to the sea, being just a quick 2-minute walk from the vast sands of Heacham South Beach. Crucially, this beach operates with no year-round restrictions for dogs, offering unrestricted playtime. 🌊 Prime Location and Local Area The site's unique west-facing position on the West Norfolk coast means guests witness spectacular sunsets directly over the sea—a daily, breathtaking ritual. You are perfectly situated to explore North Norfolk: Hunstanton: The nearby Victorian resort offers seaside fun and the famous striped cliffs of Old Hunstanton. Nature & Walks: Enjoy direct access to the Norfolk Coast Path and close proximity to the Wild Ken Hill rewilding project and Sandringham Estate for extensive hiking and wildlife spotting. Activities: The calm, shallow local waters are excellent for watersports like kayaking and paddleboarding. 🔥 Back-to-Basics Ethos and Core Facilities The ethos of the site embraces a simple, "back-to-basics" camping philosophy. Accommodation: Pitch your own tents, campervans, motorhomes, and caravans, or choose glamping in rustic Shepherd's Huts or spacious Bell Tents. Campfires: Campfires and BBQs are encouraged and allowed, with private fire pits/braziers provided for glamping units, perfect for gatherings under the clear, dark Norfolk skies Core Facilities: Essential amenities are clean and functional: shared toilet/shower blocks with hot water; designated washing-up station and access to fresh drinking water. Limited electric hook-ups are available for pitches upon request, though the emphasis is on a connected-to-nature experience. Wifi available. This site offers an unforgettable escape, blending traditional outdoor life with coastal charm.
Pets
Electrical hookup
Campfires
from 
£17
 / night

18. Scarborough Bay Sea View Camping

81%
(8)
110km from Retford · 50 units · Tents
Scarborough Bay - Sea View Camping, a clifftop retreat on the North Yorkshire coast. Pitch up where you wish on this spacious 5 acre site. All the pitches face the coast so you can have spectacular views over the sea, in this case the North Sea to Scarborough (15 minutes’ drive), giving you a front-row seat on one of England’s most spectacular coastlines. Here you can wake to vibrant sunrises and on clear evenings to watch sunsets in the west. There’s plenty more going for this peaceful site as well: walkers will perk up on hearing that it’s right on the Cleveland Way National Trail, surfers can catch waves at popular Cayton Bay (five minutes’ drive), and families can head for Go Ape or scenic biking trails in Dalby Forest (40 minutes). There’s also a farm shop 15 minutes’ walk away where you can get a decent coffee and homemade food. There’s plenty of room so you’re free to pitch up where you wish. Well-behaved dogs are welcome, and barbecues or firepits are allowed as long as they’re raised off the ground to protect the grass. The camping area is exposed and can get windy at times, so take care when erecting tents and ensure everything is well secured. Facilities are simple: chemical toilets and a water supply. The water supply is from the mains but we recommend bottled water for drinking to be safe. There are no showers on site. Solar showers can be bought on-line for about £10. The access road is alongside a grass field, so please ensure that your vehicle is suitable for the terrain. Local attractions and activities include: - Cleveland Way National Trail (direct access from the site) - Cayton Bay (surfing): five minutes’ drive - Filey Brigg (walking and fossil hunting): 10 minutes - Scarborough (castle and beach): 15 minutes - Alpamare UK (indoor/outdoor pools): 15 minutes - Hunmanby Gap (quiet beach): 15 minutes - Sea Life Scarborough (aquarium): 20 minutes - Dalby Forest (walking and Go Ape): 40 minutes.
Pets
Campfires
from 
£20
 / night

20. Greener Pastures

100%
(3)
103km from Retford · 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

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