As we all know, the UK is not a location known to be all warm and sunny. However, there are many islands and cities in this region that actually have good weather. Many beautiful beaches are spread across the region and ready to be found. That’s why we have curated a list of the best beach campsites in the UK for you.
From isles to big cities on the seaside, each location has something cool to offer. Local cuisine, historical monuments, castles, and much more. The UK is full of camping gems and it is arguably the best region in the world if you are into this type of camping. Some locations such as Scotland even allow wild camping, which is great if you are on a budget or up for a challenge.
Isle of Arran
The Isle of Arran is one of the most popular camping destinations in Scotland. Also known as “Scotland in miniature”, this isle is great if you want to legally wild camp because it’s possible thanks to Scottish Outdoor Access Code. You should definitely bring a windbreaker and good hiking shoes though. You may even bring binoculars to enjoy everything this place has to offer.
Camping on the Isle of Arran is for everyone who wants to enjoy stunning natural beauty, sandy beaches, and rolling hills. When you realize the beaches on the Isle of Arran look straight out of a movie, you’ll see why it is on our list of best beach campsites in the UK. Basically, both hikers and casual campers will love this place. There are also several distilleries that may be interesting to whisky lovers, or if you want to play some drinking games.
Best time to visit: June to September if you want to enjoy warm weather, beaches, and almost no rain.
Isle of Skye
Another isle on our list is the Isle of Skye, best known for its rugged, picturesque landscape and many natural attractions. One of the most famous attractions is the Old Man of Storr, a strange rock formation that rises above the ground. There are also many historical landmarks such as the Armadale and Dunvegan Castles.
The Isle of Skye attracts people with all kinds of different activities. You’ll find hiking trails and many climbing spots. On the other hand, if you would rather try some fishing, that’s a popular thing to do here as well. Even though the formation of this isle is mostly cliffs and mountains, there are some amazing sandy beaches like the one in Loch Dunvegan. Just as in the previous isle, it is okay to wild camp due to Scottish law, just make sure you don’t litter or destroy nature in any way.
Best time to visit: Anywhere between April to October to enjoy the best weather for outdoor activities.
Fife
Fife is one of the largest Scotland areas full of beautiful beaches, rich history, and cultural attractions. If you love to explore castles, St. Andrews castle, and Falkland Palace are just some of the most popular ones. Also, as for the main reason you are reading this post, the beaches are lovely. Fife is full of many sandy beaches, some are near the fishing villages where you can buy fresh fish from local fishermen.
The fact that you can experience local cuisine by directly buying freshly caught fish from local fishermen makes it a candidate for our list of best beach campsites in the UK.
Other than historical points, Fife also has some of the best golf courses in the world. The food and drinks are amazing all over the region. Plenty of locally produced food, including seafood, whisky, and beer can be found in restaurants. As for the younger generations, plenty of festivals are available such as the Dunfermline Festival of Music and the Arts.
Best time to visit: Throughout the whole year as the temperatures are never extreme.
Polzeath
Polzeath is a small village nearby Cornwall in England. It is one of the best places to visit for beach camping and it’s super popular amongst surfers. Most beaches are sandy, but you’ll find rocky ones on the cliff side of Polzeath. Visitors love to do all sorts of different activities on the beach side, from surfing to swimming and rock pooling.
There are plenty of restaurants, cafes, and pubs where you may taste the local cuisine. If you are on the budget side, we got no-cook camping meal recipes ready for you. You cannot camp in the wild here, but you’ll find many accommodation offers, from hotels to cottages.
Best time to visit: During summer months when the temperatures are high enough to take a swim.
Yarmouth
Just to clarify, there are several places around the world called Yarmouth, but this one is on the Isle of Wight. Just as with many other England towns, you’ll find historical castles and a beautiful coastline in Yarmouth. One of the most famous castles is the Yarmouth Castle from the 16th century which was built by King Henry VIII. Nowadays, tourists can come and explore the castle either alone or with guided tours.
If you are a bigger fan of exploring the outdoors, Yarmouth is not a stranger to that experience either. You can find plenty of cycling and hiking trails all around the area. If you love beautiful coastline views, we suggest visiting the Needles Old Battery.
Best time to visit: During summer when the temperatures are most stable, however, ticket prices are lowest during winter months.
Bamburgh
Bamburgh is a beautiful village located on the north side of England. It is most famous for its castle that’s near a sandy beach as seen in the photo down below. The castle is from the 11th century and tourists love to visit it. Sandy beaches are dominant in this area, so if that’s what you are looking for, it’s definitely worth visiting. Camping in Bamburgh is a lovely experience that you’ll remember for the rest of your life.
Swimming, while an ancient castle is footsteps away from the beach, is definitely worth the spot on the best beach campsites in the UK list.
Other than its castle and beaches, people camping in this area love to enjoy various outdoor activities. The most popular activities include hiking, cycling, birdwatching, and more. You should definitely try the local cuisine, especially fish and chips, but also try the homemade ice cream. It tastes way different than what you usually get in your local supermarket.
Best time to visit: Weather can get harsh in this area, so aim to visit between July and September.
Isle of Barra
The Isle of Barra is a lovely place and one of the rare spots in Scotland where you may find white beaches and turquoise waters on Castlebay Beach. On this island, you may find some of the best beach campsites in the UK. Thanks to the previously mentioned Scottish law, you can pitch your tent in the wild on Barra. If you ever wanted to try camping on a beach, this is an ideal opportunity to do so.
Besides beaches, here you may also find many cliffs, hills, and moorland. If you are into historical places, you’ll love the Kisimul Castle built back in the 11th century and Garenin Blackhouse Village which is a restored village built in the 19th century. As for the food, you should definitely try the seafood in this area. Isle of Barra got plenty of restaurants and cafes that serve local specialties.
Best time to visit: If you want to see Aurora Borealis, go in mid-October, otherwise, go anywhere from April to October.
Pembrokeshire
Pembrokeshire Coast is a national park southwest of Wales best known for its natural beauty. Even though it is one of the UK’s smallest national parks, there are so many different things to see and do. Firstly, there are white sand beaches and turquoise water everywhere. Surfers love this location as the water is super clear and the waves are ideal.
People are also enjoying other outdoor activities such as hiking and cycling when visiting Pembrokeshire Coast. As for the food and drink, the local cuisine is known for its cheese, seafood, and cider. If you decide to camp on the Pembrokeshire Coast, definitely give the food specialties a try.
Best time to visit: If you want the warmest weather possible, go from May to September, but that’s when it’s the most crowded time as well.
Bournemouth
Bournemouth is a town in the south of England famous for many different things, including beautiful sandy beaches. There are approximately seven miles of these beaches which are loved by both surfers and families looking for a relaxing time. Since wild camping is forbidden, you’ll have to stay at an official campsite or book yourself a hotel. Two of the most popular beaches in this area are Hengistbury Head Beach and Alum Chine, but there are many more.
Bournemouth beaches may seem crowded, but there is always enough space for everyone, and there are plenty of booking options, and that’s why it deserves a spot on the best beach campsites on the UK list.
Bournemouth is close to the New Forest National Park which is full of hiking and cycling trails. Other than camping, you will quickly notice how there is a huge variety of bars, clubs, and restaurants. If you want to combine nightlife with camping, there isn’t a better place to do so. Also, AFC Bournemouth is playing in Premiership League, so you might combine a match with your camping trip.
Best time to visit: Anywhere from July to October is fine.
Orkney Islands
Orkney is a small archipelago on the northern side of Scotland. We always mention this location as one of the most underrated places to visit or go camping to. Since it’s in Scotland, you can go wild camping, but many caravan sites and secluded beaches are also available to book.
The beaches on Orkney islands are mostly rocky, but there is a fair amount of sandy beaches too. Basically, everyone will find something to their liking. If you are into photography, you’ll love the cliffs surrounding the islands as it really looks stunning. People into rock climbing will see this region as a paradise.
Best time to visit: Late spring to early autumn, you’ll notice how summer on the islands is quiet and mild.
Dorset
Dorset is a county in the South West of England that’s most known for its beautiful coastline and quaint towns and villages. There are multiple beaches, but the most popular is arguably Weymouth Beach. You’ll find the biggest amount of tourists there as golden sand spreads all over it.
There are also Sandbanks Beach and West Bay Beach, also popular destinations. The beaches in this area are considered to be safe and the water is clean which makes it an interesting location for families. If you like to try new things, then you’ll love the fact that there are many restaurants and cafes in the area.
Best time to visit: To enjoy the beaches and warmer weather, go in the summer months.
Isle of Man
The Isle of Man, also known as the Man Isle, is a self-governed island located in the Irish Sea between the United Kingdom and Ireland. It is renowned for its unique mountainous landscape and rugged coastline. There is also a huge number of all kinds of beaches on the Isle.
Some of the most known beaches on the Isle of Man include:
- Douglas Beach is a long sandy beach that’s located on the east coast of the island.
- Peel Beach on the west coast, is also sandy and quite popular for beach games.
- Port Erin Beach is in the southern part of the island. It’s a sheltered cove and it’s popular for different water sports.
Best time to visit: From May to September when the temperatures and the sunny days are on the rise.
Brittany
Most people know France for the Alps or Paris, but there is so much more to it. There are some epic camping locations, including Brittany, a peninsula between the English Channel and the Atlantic Ocean. Sandy beaches, cobbled streets, and incredible sea views are just some of the things you may see here.
Other than camping, you should definitely try the local cuisine. There are many food specialties that are just not the same when found outside this area. Some of those are Crepes, Cider, Gateau Breton, and plenty of different seafood. Even though wild camping is not allowed in France, it’s not frowned upon either. Just make sure you get a permit from the landowner.
Best time to visit: From June to August as other months tend to be very cold.
Isle of Harris
The Isle of Harris is connected to the Isle of Lewis and it’s located in Scotland. Its best known for its beautiful nature, including many beautiful beaches like the Luskentyre and Seilebost Beach. Crystal clear waters, golden sand, what else can you ask for?
Other than natural beauties, The Isle of Harris has also known for food and its tweed industry. If you want to see what’s a high-quality fabric, you’ll be able to purchase it from many local businesses. There is also the natural wonder known as the standing stones of Callanish which date back to the Neolithic period which was more than 5000 years ago. Even though it’s more on the Lewis part of the isle, it’s still close by. Also, if you are into cycling, make sure you explore the golden road.
Best time to visit: Any time of the year, just make sure you bring a raincoat.
Isles of Scilly
Located at the southwestern tip of Cornwall, the Isles of Scilly is an archipelago made out of five smaller islands. Other than splendid beaches and lovely nature, you should explore the Tresco Abbey Garden which has more than 20000 exotic plant species from all around the world. While wild camping is prohibited in the Isle of Scilly, you could still ask a landowner for permission.
You may find some really magical beaches around the Isles of Scilly. These beaches will surprise you with white sand and crystally clear waters, and the most popular ones are:
- Porthcressa Beach
- Great Porth Beach
- Port Hellick Beach
Best time to visit: During spring as the temperatures are ideal for a full-day exploration of the Isle of Scilly.
Isle of Lewis
The Isle of Lewis is connected to the Isle of Harris as previously mentioned. You may find many interesting things on this part of the isle such as The Western Isles Wildlife Centre. You may learn about a wide variety of animals in this wildlife center which will be super interesting to the younger folk too. As for the beaches, the Isle of Lewis is full of beautiful beaches such as Uig Beach and Traigh Mhor. It’s worth noting that Uig Beach has some of the best beach campsites in the UK.
If you are into art, then definitely visit The Hebridean Celtic Festival. It happens every year and features a wide variety of music and cultural happenings. Also, you may take a trip to the Gearrannan Blackhouse Village. It is a traditional historic village that has been restored and you may book a holiday cottage there. There are even some golf courses if you play.
Best time to visit: Mid-June to Mid-July when the weather is nice and sunny on average.
Isle of Wight
Beautiful nature combined with castles is what makes the Isle of Wight a top camping destination. Here you can explore many historic buildings, but also enjoy the great nature full of cliffs, forests, and beautiful beaches. Another bonus is the fact that the Isle of Wight is in the sunniest part of the UK which makes it a great location to visit the whole year round.
Some of the best beaches you may visit on the Isle of Wight are Sandown Beach, Ventnor Beach, and Shanklin Beach. On these beaches, you may find people playing water sports and swimming. If you’d rather walk than swim, there is a whole network of footpaths and hiking trails.
Best time to visit: Whole year, but if you want to swim, go in the summer months.
Anglesey
Anglesey is a lovely island located in the northern part of Wales. This should be your next stop if you are into the picturesque countryside, beautiful sandy beaches, and diverse wildlife. Anglesey has a wide range of campsites to choose from. You can find something for each budget. Even though the climate is mild, it has a high amount of rainfall throughout the year.
Anglesey has some of the best beach campsites in the UK. The most popular beaches in Anglesey include:
- Trearddur Bay is a long and sandy beach on the west coast of Anglesey.
- Newborough Beach is another sandy beach surrounded by a large nature reserve.
- Cemaes Bay is a beach located in the northern part of Anglesey. This beach has different facilities which make it ideal for camping trips.
Best time to visit: May to September as that’s when the weather is warm and dry.
Conclusion
Even though the UK is perceived as cold and rainy, it’s not always like that. Some regions have nice weather, sand beaches, and crystal clear waters. It’s hard to pick a specific place and say it has the best beach campsites in the UK, so we had to create this whole list of locations worth it. Each has its own advantages and disadvantages, but each place on the list is worth visiting.
