- Forest Camping
Woodland campsites in Grey Mare's Tail Nature Reserve
100% (144) • 166 campsites
Top-rated campgrounds in Grey Mare's Tail Nature Reserve
Camping at Cardewlees
1. Camping at Cardewlees
99%
(47)
Carlisle, England · 37 units · Tents, Motorhomes, Glamping
A welcoming, family-run farm campsite between the Lake District and Hadrian's Wall
Pets
Electrical hookup
Campfires
from
£16
/ night
Cleghorn Farm
2. Cleghorn Farm
100%
(11)
Lanark, Scotland · 15 units · Tents, Glamping
*PLEASE NOTE THE CABIN IS AVAILABLE FOR MIDWEEK AND WEEKEND BOOKINGS. CAMPING WILL RETURN IN SPRING 2026.*
Cleghorn Farm is a mixed farm just north east of the market town of Lanark. Comprised of 250 acres of fields and woodland and bounded to the south by Mouse Water, it is a beautiful spot to get away from it all without having to leave it all behind if you don't want to. The fields are grazed and cultivated but the woodlands are much as they were at the end of the last ice age with spectacular walks along Cleghorn Glen with the chance to see badgers, bats, deer and all manner of birds among the towering pine and beech trees.
The Mouse Water (pronounced moose) tumbles down along the edge of the farm and has some glorious pools for swimming, shallows for paddling and some spectacular water falls before it joins the River Clyde.
Pets
Campfires
Potable water
from
£10
/ night
Beirhope Alpacas
3. Beirhope Alpacas
98%
(137)
Kelso, Scotland · 11 units
A small, off-grid campsite with alpacas in the historically rich southern Scottish borders
Pets
Campfires
Showers
from
£20
/ night
Broom Fisheries Campsite
4. Broom Fisheries Campsite
Newbie, Scotland · 4 units
Luxury caravans ideally situated next to picturesque Scottish fishing lakes
Pets
Showers
Hot Tub
from
£167
/ night
Ayrshire Airstream
5. Ayrshire Airstream
100%
(2)
Irvine, Scotland · 1 unit
A seriously comfortable 1978 Airstream, complete with a hot tub, fire pit and its own bar.
Showers
Campfires
Hot Tub
from
£187
/ night
Esk Yurt
6. Esk Yurt
100%
(5)
Peebles, Scotland · 1 unit
Adult only yurt glamping in the Scottish Borders with exceptional views, hiking trails, and wild swimming
Showers
Potable water
from
£130
/ night
Dod Mill Fishing Hut
7. Dod Mill Fishing Hut
Lauder, Scotland · 1 unit
Artistic riverside cabins in the grounds of a 17th-century watermill
Pets
Showers
Campfires
from
£150
/ night
100% (144) • 166 campsites
Top-rated campgrounds in Grey Mare's Tail Nature Reserve
Camping at Cardewlees
1. Camping at Cardewlees
99%
(47)
Carlisle, England · 37 units · Tents, Motorhomes, Glamping
A welcoming, family-run farm campsite between the Lake District and Hadrian's Wall
Pets
Electrical hookup
Campfires
from
£16
/ night
Cleghorn Farm
2. Cleghorn Farm
100%
(11)
Lanark, Scotland · 15 units · Tents, Glamping
*PLEASE NOTE THE CABIN IS AVAILABLE FOR MIDWEEK AND WEEKEND BOOKINGS. CAMPING WILL RETURN IN SPRING 2026.*
Cleghorn Farm is a mixed farm just north east of the market town of Lanark. Comprised of 250 acres of fields and woodland and bounded to the south by Mouse Water, it is a beautiful spot to get away from it all without having to leave it all behind if you don't want to. The fields are grazed and cultivated but the woodlands are much as they were at the end of the last ice age with spectacular walks along Cleghorn Glen with the chance to see badgers, bats, deer and all manner of birds among the towering pine and beech trees.
The Mouse Water (pronounced moose) tumbles down along the edge of the farm and has some glorious pools for swimming, shallows for paddling and some spectacular water falls before it joins the River Clyde.
Pets
Campfires
Potable water
from
£10
/ night
Beirhope Alpacas
3. Beirhope Alpacas
98%
(137)
Kelso, Scotland · 11 units
A small, off-grid campsite with alpacas in the historically rich southern Scottish borders
Pets
Campfires
Showers
from
£20
/ night
Broom Fisheries Campsite
4. Broom Fisheries Campsite
Newbie, Scotland · 4 units
Luxury caravans ideally situated next to picturesque Scottish fishing lakes
Pets
Showers
Hot Tub
from
£167
/ night
Ayrshire Airstream
5. Ayrshire Airstream
100%
(2)
Irvine, Scotland · 1 unit
A seriously comfortable 1978 Airstream, complete with a hot tub, fire pit and its own bar.
Showers
Campfires
Hot Tub
from
£187
/ night
Esk Yurt
6. Esk Yurt
100%
(5)
Peebles, Scotland · 1 unit
Adult only yurt glamping in the Scottish Borders with exceptional views, hiking trails, and wild swimming
Showers
Potable water
from
£130
/ night
Dod Mill Fishing Hut
7. Dod Mill Fishing Hut
Lauder, Scotland · 1 unit
Artistic riverside cabins in the grounds of a 17th-century watermill
Pets
Showers
Campfires
from
£150
/ night
Recent reviews from the Hipcamp community
A
Andrew
November 2025
2 nights at Cleghorn Farm
Friendly and welcoming environment! Nice place if you’re needing to get off the grid a bit.
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V
Virginia
October 2025
With pets
Lovely location, beautiful views. Comfortable pod and great with enclosed garden for the dog. Good facilities too.
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K
Kinga
September 2025
Tent
With kids
Absolutely amazing stay at Beirhope Alpacas. You can tell that Lynne has set everything up with love and care. Alpacas are a cherry on top of everything else. My 4 year old twins cried when leaving because they wanted to live there. We definitely found a new yearly visit place ❤️
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J
Jennifer
September 2025
Tent
With kids
This Alpaca farm is an absolute must visit. Unfortunately we were only here for 1 night but what a visit! This specific pitch is the middle one 1 of 3 that are in front of the Alpaca/Sheep fields and we couldn't have asked for better neighbours.
Lynne was extremely helpful upon our arrival and offered help with anything if it was needed...which it was when I realised I had the mattress but not the stopper to keep it inflated! She came to my rescue with cushions to sleep on which was over and above as far as I'm concerned.
We were provided carrots to feed the animals that evening and my son (4yo) loved feeding Harry the goat and between him and his friends it was a game to see who could feed Houdini before Harry got in the way 🤣
This morning my son was scheduled to feed the alpacas and whilst he was initially nervous he warmed up on the walk and confidently clapped Deeno.
This site is a bit off the road but take it easy and enjoy the scenery. Beirhope Farm is in a pretty stunning part of the country and I would 100% recommend a visit to anyone looking for everything you need on a camping trip.
If you forget anything she has everything covered, including an honesty 'larder' for the snacks or bits and pieces that you've forgotten.
Stunning! We will be back.
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K
Kathy
August 2025
Tent
We stayed in Phil’s Patch for just one night on our way north. Lynne offered us a warm welcome. We had our own private enclave in the trees. Posh composting toilets and everything well thought out. Wish we’d used the unique shower!
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P
Paulette
August 2025
Tent
The surroundings are truly beautiful, scenic, calm and peaceful. Lynne has ensured that everything a camper needs is close at hand. The pitches are well spaced out and on good solid terrain. Clean, accessible facilities, well maintained. Adorable alpaca herds literally over the fence. A wonderful retreat, we will definitely return. Lynne is simply lovely and has hit the nail on the head with this site.
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P
Paul
August 2025
Weekend Trip to Cleghorn Farm
The beautiful cabin is in a lovely quiet private space. There are nice views across to the hills particularly when sat by the firepit. Alex and Lauren made us feel very welcome.
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A
Ally
August 2025
Tent
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
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Eleanor
August 2025
Tent
A simple but friendly camping experience. A very attentive host!
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a
alexander
August 2025
Tent
Really great campsite enjoyed our stay very much shower was a learning curve but worked and was good fun
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C
Charlotte
August 2025
Tent
We loved staying on Lynnes land, it was a lovely quiet campsite, the alpacas are so cute, and Lynne was a great host! Definitely recommend.
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J
Jonathan
August 2025
Tent
Perfect spot in the Borders for a peaceful night.
Friendly welcome from Lynne who was most helpful.
Clean,good facilities.
Alpacas are an added bonus,cheeky with it.
Book it!
See moreK
Katie
August 2025
Tent
Beirhope was a beautiful location, we were greeted by Lynne who was brilliant. The site had everything you might need. Will definitely be back!
See moreG
Gary
August 2025
Tent
With kids
Spent 3 fab nights on Phil’s Patch with my 12 year old son. Lynne’s hospitality was as great as ever and look forward to returning again soon.
We had great weather and clear skies giving us fantastic views of the night sky. Magical!!
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J
James
August 2025
Tent
Lynne was so accommodating and always strived to help us out. She gave great recommendations and was always there to provide unparalleled customer service.
The site was equipped with a private kitchen space including knifes, chopping board, and cooking utensils, as well as a private toilet. The water was fed from a private spring so it was always so fresh and refreshing.
The alpacas, horses, sheep and goats were always great to watch and the woodland surrounding the site had become home to Golden Eagles. This site is definitely a place for nature lovers and those trying to get away from cities.
The only thing I would change about this experience would be to install running water in the shower, but the existing set up involving a bucket-pulley system and a hose with shower head works surprisingly well!
We are looking forward to our next stay in this campsite!
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Anna
August 2025
Tent
Lynne is probably the best campsite host we've experienced (and we've done a lot of camping) super campsite with lots of lovely quirks and yes the shower is warm! Loved camping next to the alpacas and doing various outdoor activities before settling down to a bbq and camp fire. The fridge, freezer and camp shop were all unexpected bonuses and my other half was elated with his flat white delivered to the tent door each morning. Weather was amazing too - nothing more we could ask for.
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Shirzad
August 2025
Tent
Welcoming host, peaceful experience, nice walking route...
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Megan
August 2025
Tent
With pets
The campsite had lovely views and the facilities were very accessible.
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Barry
July 2025
Tent
With kids
Myself and my son had a great time . Lynne is a fantastic friendly host. The site is beautiful. The alpacas are lovely. Would definitely stay again
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Emily
July 2025
Tent
We had a lovely couple of nights, we felt so welcome. The surroundings were beautiful & staff could not have been more helpful. Nothing was too much to ask! The weather was our only downside & no one could have been more helpful even where that was concerned. We will definitely be visiting again!
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Woodland campsites in Grey Mare's Tail Nature Reserve guide
When to go
Grey Mare’s Tail Nature Reserve is open to visitors all year round. Spring and summer are the best times to visit the Southern Uplands as the weather is typically at its best and daylight hours are long. As with everywhere in Scotland, the summer school holidays draw the biggest number of visitors.
Know before you go
- There is a small entry fee, which is paid at the car park (admission is free for National Trust for Scotland members.
- Interpretation panels in the car park provide useful visitor information.
- The nearest bathroom facilities are five miles away at St Mary’s Loch.
- There is no public transit access to the reserve: your own vehicle is essential.
- Even in summer, the weather can quickly change. Warm, waterproof clothing and sturdy walking boots are essential.
- If wild camping, be sure to follow the Scottish Outdoor Access Code.