Riverside glamping near Ayr

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The coastal town of Ayr draws visitors an hour west of Glasgow with its long sandy stretch of beach and pretty esplanade. It’s also well-known for Ayr Racecourse, home of the Scottish Grand National. The biggest draw here, however, is the association with Scotland's national bard, Robert Burns, who was born in Alloway, just outside the town. Visitors can make the short trip to visit his birthplace and explore the Robert Burns Birthplace Museum. Basing yourself in Ayr is handy for exploring the southwest coast where activities include mountain biking, kayaking and white water rafting, and for heading to the offshore islands of Arran, Cumbrae and Bute. 

92% (33) 32 campsites

Top-rated campgrounds near Ayr

Cleghorn Farm

1. Cleghorn Farm

100%
(11)
60km from Ayr · 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
Camping at Cardewlees

2. Camping at Cardewlees

99%
(47)
124km from Ayr · 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
Ayrshire Airstream

3. Ayrshire Airstream

100%
(2)
22km from Ayr · 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
Garden Yurt in a hidden glen

4. Garden Yurt in a hidden glen

100%
(3)
56km from Ayr · 1 unit
A cosy, romantic getaway. Unwind and reconnect, surrounded by nature and amazing dark skies. The spacious, well-equipped yurt is tucked away in a large private home garden in a beautiful glen, with Scaur Water just over the road. The Yurt at Craignee is a cosy, off-grid retreat, with wood burner and garden area, surrounded by peace and wildlife. Enjoy lots of home comforts with an extra dash of adventure! #bbcwildlife60places winner STL Number: DG01053P
Showers
Campfires
Wifi
from 
£100
 / night
West Highland Way Hotel & Campsite

5. West Highland Way Hotel & Campsite

82%
(36)
61km from Ayr · 46 units · Tents, Motorhomes, Glamping
A welcoming campsite on the West Highland Way
Pets
Campfires
Full hookups
from 
£30
 / night
Culdees Castle Estate Glamping

6. Culdees Castle Estate Glamping

88%
(25)
109km from Ayr · 5 units
Luxury woodland cabins, each with a private hot tub, in the grounds of a Scottish castle
Showers
Campfires
Hot Tub
from 
£140
 / night
King Garth

7. King Garth

100%
(9)
119km from Ayr · 1 unit
Built in 1733, King Garth is also known as The Old Customs House, reflecting its role in these fraught times of smuggling. Its strategic position on the banks of The Eden served as the perfect lookout for a bailiff employed by Carlisle Corporation to protect the very important salmon fishery. The plaques on the building which commemorate the visits by Mayors date back to the 1700s. These visits no doubt involved indulgent banquets centring around freshly caught salmon I grew up on the opposite side of the river. On family walks along the Eden I was always fascinated by the house on the other side sited in such an amazing position. In 2010, when I returned to Cumbria I was amazed to hear that this house was for sale. It was a ruin and everyone told me I was mad..... I probably was a little! But I soon realised that I wasn’t alone in my love of this house, everyone I met from the surrounding villages had a tale to tell about this iconic place. King Garth is for sharing - with locals, (we have an annual barbecue), with wildlife and with people like you. The aim when renovating King Garth was to celebrate and embrace its history. King Garth is off grid and has no running water. It is furnished in a style to reflect its history. It isn’t everyone’s ‘cup of tea’: you have to drive a mile down a muddy lane, there is no hot shower, no electric lighting, and a compost toilet. BUT we offer beautiful evenings of candle light, log burner, hot tub under the stars and bathing in the river. My priority with King Garth and the land attached was to manage in a way to protect the abundant wildlife. There are also alpacas who you can look after during your stay. You will be astounded by the din the birds make at dawn and dusk! Inside the house there is an owl box where one summer a pair of barn owls successfully raised chicks. Since then a kestrel frequents the box and has twice laid there. This part of the Eden is tidal so both estuarine and river species co exist. Kingfishers and otters are often spotted And even the occasional seal! Kinggarth comes with fishing rights and if you want to fish this can be arranged with the host. The bird feeders are frequented by tree sparrows, yellow hammers, wood peckers, nut hatches and in winter red poll.
Pets
Campfires
Hot Tub
from 
£80
 / night
Organic Welltree

8. Organic Welltree

100%
(2)
136km from Ayr · 2 units
Welcome to Organic Welltree's beautiful eco-friendly yurts. Looking for a place to stay in the heart of Scotland, Perthshire for that perfect organic, vegetarian or vegan holiday? Come and enjoy our unique rooms in Scottish design or try luxury glamping and back-to-nature living in our well equipped yurts like a Home from home no matter where you’re from, a place to relax, enjoy nature and escape from the city. Short-Term Licence Number: PK13177F.
Pets
Showers
Potable water
from 
£100
 / night
Inside Out Yurts

9. Inside Out Yurts

100%
(9)
141km from Ayr · 3 units
Rustic yurt glamping with a riverside setting, fell views and an enviable Lake District location
Pets
Showers
Potable water
from 
£115
 / night

The coastal town of Ayr draws visitors an hour west of Glasgow with its long sandy stretch of beach and pretty esplanade. It’s also well-known for Ayr Racecourse, home of the Scottish Grand National. The biggest draw here, however, is the association with Scotland's national bard, Robert Burns, who was born in Alloway, just outside the town. Visitors can make the short trip to visit his birthplace and explore the Robert Burns Birthplace Museum. Basing yourself in Ayr is handy for exploring the southwest coast where activities include mountain biking, kayaking and white water rafting, and for heading to the offshore islands of Arran, Cumbrae and Bute. 

92% (33) 32 campsites

Top-rated campgrounds near Ayr

Cleghorn Farm

1. Cleghorn Farm

100%
(11)
60km from Ayr · 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
Camping at Cardewlees

2. Camping at Cardewlees

99%
(47)
124km from Ayr · 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
Ayrshire Airstream

3. Ayrshire Airstream

100%
(2)
22km from Ayr · 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
Garden Yurt in a hidden glen

4. Garden Yurt in a hidden glen

100%
(3)
56km from Ayr · 1 unit
A cosy, romantic getaway. Unwind and reconnect, surrounded by nature and amazing dark skies. The spacious, well-equipped yurt is tucked away in a large private home garden in a beautiful glen, with Scaur Water just over the road. The Yurt at Craignee is a cosy, off-grid retreat, with wood burner and garden area, surrounded by peace and wildlife. Enjoy lots of home comforts with an extra dash of adventure! #bbcwildlife60places winner STL Number: DG01053P
Showers
Campfires
Wifi
from 
£100
 / night
West Highland Way Hotel & Campsite

5. West Highland Way Hotel & Campsite

82%
(36)
61km from Ayr · 46 units · Tents, Motorhomes, Glamping
A welcoming campsite on the West Highland Way
Pets
Campfires
Full hookups
from 
£30
 / night
Culdees Castle Estate Glamping

6. Culdees Castle Estate Glamping

88%
(25)
109km from Ayr · 5 units
Luxury woodland cabins, each with a private hot tub, in the grounds of a Scottish castle
Showers
Campfires
Hot Tub
from 
£140
 / night
King Garth

7. King Garth

100%
(9)
119km from Ayr · 1 unit
Built in 1733, King Garth is also known as The Old Customs House, reflecting its role in these fraught times of smuggling. Its strategic position on the banks of The Eden served as the perfect lookout for a bailiff employed by Carlisle Corporation to protect the very important salmon fishery. The plaques on the building which commemorate the visits by Mayors date back to the 1700s. These visits no doubt involved indulgent banquets centring around freshly caught salmon I grew up on the opposite side of the river. On family walks along the Eden I was always fascinated by the house on the other side sited in such an amazing position. In 2010, when I returned to Cumbria I was amazed to hear that this house was for sale. It was a ruin and everyone told me I was mad..... I probably was a little! But I soon realised that I wasn’t alone in my love of this house, everyone I met from the surrounding villages had a tale to tell about this iconic place. King Garth is for sharing - with locals, (we have an annual barbecue), with wildlife and with people like you. The aim when renovating King Garth was to celebrate and embrace its history. King Garth is off grid and has no running water. It is furnished in a style to reflect its history. It isn’t everyone’s ‘cup of tea’: you have to drive a mile down a muddy lane, there is no hot shower, no electric lighting, and a compost toilet. BUT we offer beautiful evenings of candle light, log burner, hot tub under the stars and bathing in the river. My priority with King Garth and the land attached was to manage in a way to protect the abundant wildlife. There are also alpacas who you can look after during your stay. You will be astounded by the din the birds make at dawn and dusk! Inside the house there is an owl box where one summer a pair of barn owls successfully raised chicks. Since then a kestrel frequents the box and has twice laid there. This part of the Eden is tidal so both estuarine and river species co exist. Kingfishers and otters are often spotted And even the occasional seal! Kinggarth comes with fishing rights and if you want to fish this can be arranged with the host. The bird feeders are frequented by tree sparrows, yellow hammers, wood peckers, nut hatches and in winter red poll.
Pets
Campfires
Hot Tub
from 
£80
 / night
Organic Welltree

8. Organic Welltree

100%
(2)
136km from Ayr · 2 units
Welcome to Organic Welltree's beautiful eco-friendly yurts. Looking for a place to stay in the heart of Scotland, Perthshire for that perfect organic, vegetarian or vegan holiday? Come and enjoy our unique rooms in Scottish design or try luxury glamping and back-to-nature living in our well equipped yurts like a Home from home no matter where you’re from, a place to relax, enjoy nature and escape from the city. Short-Term Licence Number: PK13177F.
Pets
Showers
Potable water
from 
£100
 / night
Inside Out Yurts

9. Inside Out Yurts

100%
(9)
141km from Ayr · 3 units
Rustic yurt glamping with a riverside setting, fell views and an enviable Lake District location
Pets
Showers
Potable water
from 
£115
 / night

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Riverside glamping near Ayr guide

Where to go

In Town

On the banks of the River Ayr, the Craigie Estate has lovely wooded gardens that are ideal for a wander through. On the grounds you can spot wildlife such as owls, kestrels, sparrowhawks, and you may even see an otter or two down by the river. On the grounds of Craigie Estate, and within easy walking distance of the town centre of Ayr and beach, Ayr Craigie Gardens Club Site has pitches for tents and tourers.

Alloway

Just a few minutes south of Ayr, the suburb of Alloway is the heart of Burns heritage tourism. At the Robert Burns Birthplace Museum you can see the cottage where he was born, the Burns Monument and Memorial Gardens, the museum that holds important collections of work and places associated with Tam o’ Shanter, much of which was set here. Under three miles away (4.5 kilometres), Craig Tara Holiday Park has pitches for tourers, an indoor swimming pool and direct beach access.

Coylton

Heading inland, five miles (eight kilometres) east of Ayr, the small village of Coylton is known for its 14th-century Sundrum Castle. On the castle grounds, Sundrum Holiday Park is a top choice for families thanks to its ample facilities including a heated pool, crazy golf course and amusement arcade. It has plenty of room for tents and tourers.

When to go

Ayr is typically a summertime destination, particularly for short break holiday makers from Glasgow. In the summer months temperatures range from mild to warm, with the chance of the occasional hotter day, and daylight hours are long. Spring and autumn are both also good options for fewer crowds compared to summer and the weather is typicallly mild after April and through October. Winters don’t get too cold but you may encounter storms and closed businesses.

Know before you go

  • Wild camping is possible throughout Scotland but campers are required to adhere closely to the Scottish Outdoor Access Code.
  • Ayr is a one-hour train journey from Glasgow. Regular local buses can get you to most places of interest in the surrounding area.
  • There are plenty of well-stocked supermarkets in Ayr and you’ll also find a handful of outdoor and camping gear stores.

Popular Ayr glamping styles