Pitch Perfect: The Best Places To Go Camping In The UK This Summer

Site: A wonderfully relaxed space where 28 super-spacious pitches are set in five acres of grassy fields and reached along twisty paths cut into the greenery. Each pitch is surrounded by a border of tall tussocky grasses and wild flowers - owner Claire Murray regularly sows new seeds - and is named according to characters from Alice and Wonderland. No cars on site so use the wheelbarrows provided to take your stuff to your pitch.Facilities: Eight toilets, six showers and two washing-up sinks. There are solar USB charging points in reception and sockets for hairdryers in the washing areas. Each pitch has its own fire pit and solar lantern and logs can be bought on site.Nearby: The cathedral town of Ely is two miles away - the cathedral can be seen from the campsite – and is reached via an attractive two-mile footpath along the River Ouse. There are also plenty of walks and cycle routes. Lowdown: £20pn for up to five guests; extra guests cost £3/night/pitch (£18pn low-season). Minimum two nights in summer and bank holidays.

Site: Set over 20 acres in a woodland valley that folds around a spring-fed lake, this is where fashion designer Alice Temperley honeymooned. Pitch your tent with fellow campers in the meadow or, for privacy, in either a clearing among the woodland or in the escarpment above the freshwater lake. Swim, mess about in a boat and even catch a rainbow trout for your camp supper.Facilities: Hot and cold showers, washing facilities, flushing or composting loos; standpipes and water-containers throughout the site. Boats and lifejackets provided.Nearby: Beaches - it's five minutes to Port Gaverne and under 15 to Polzeath. Head to Port Quin for sea going fun . Walk or cycle the 18 mile scenic Camel Trail.Lowdown: Adults £20-£25pn, children aged 2-12, £11/£12, high season. Two-night minimum stay on bank holiday weekends.

Site: Zip open your tent and gaze upon the stunning vista of the English Channel, dotted with Looe and St George's Islands - in the evening, sip a glass of wine and watch the fishing boats return. 'Every pitch gets a sea view unless there's fog!' says owner Liz Elford. This season there will be just 15 pitches and an extra 20 during August.Facilities: Men's and women's toilets, hot showers, coin-operated laundry and electric hook-ups.Nearby: The camp site is right on the South West Coast Path - explore the cliff paths to Black Rock beach, Millendreath and the fishing village of Looe with its harbour and narrow lanes. Further up the path is Polperro.Lowdown: Two adults and two children under 12 £31 / £34pn with electricity; additional adults, £5pn, children £3pn. This season, no children under 6.

Site: A chilled tents-only space, pitch yours anywhere you like on the two acres of grassy fields on the edge of the Norfolk Broads and soak up the sights and sounds of the countryside. The site has 12 pitches and there are no cars on-site so wheelbarrows are provided to shift your stuff.Facilities: Composting toilets and hot showers in wooden cabins, hot water, washing up facilities. Make a camp fire in one of Bernie's brilliant custom-designed braziers. Firewood can be bought onsite.Nearby: Take a short drive to beaches such as Horsey (seal-watching) and Winterton (backed by the dunes of the National Nature Reserve). Plus there are the Broads and Norwich.Lowdown: Adults £10pn, children (3-15 years) £5pn.

Site: A stunning location with the peaks of Snowdonia circling around one side and a private beach on the other. At the far end of the large site is the 'Beach Field', right on the beach, with its 16 pitches (seven with electric hook-ups) accessible only to small cars. If you prefer to be more sheltered, pitch further inland, nestled between trees and next to a stream. 'Visitors find the location special with campfires on the beach, toasting marshmallows and watching the sun setting,' say Hugh and Clare Bird-Jones who own the site.Facilities: one shower/toilet block, separate male and female toilets (13 in total) and laundry facilities.Nearby: The historic town of Caernarfon and there are cycle and walking tracks.Lowdown: Adults £8.75pn, children (3-5 years) £4pn. Electricity £3.50. There will be restrictions on the number of people this year.

Site: Five acres of grassy field bordered by mature woodland and the River Frome – guests get access to a private stretch of the river to paddle in the shallows or go wild swimming. Pitch in the shade or sun and owners will even suggest the best pitches to catch the sunset. No wifi and an unreliable phone signal make it the perfect place to escape the world (yes please!)Facilities: Three hot showers, four eco loos and a washing-up sink. Campfires allowed and you can buy firewood onsite.Nearby: The picturesque village of Moreton is short walk away; from there are many walks and cycle paths. The stunning Jurassic coast is six miles away.Lowdown: Adults £10pn, children (3-15 years) £5pn, under 3 free. Only open August 3 – 31.

Site: flat grassy fields set in a woodland valley, the soul-lifting views taking in Kirkby Pool river as it meanders towards the Irish sea. With just 30 pitches (no large groups allowed) and with woodland to explore and streams to dabble in, it's a beautiful laid-back place.Facilities: shower and toilet block, washing up room and communal power points. Campfires permitted and logs (and marshmallows) are sold on site.Nearby: the walk along the old railway line to Broughton-in-Furness is one of many. A short drive away are Coniston and the towns of Windermere and Ambleside.Lowdown: Adults £8pn, children under 15 £4.

Site: In the heart of the beautiful Alde Valley, this super-spacious campsite is spread over three fields, each field bordered by mature hedgerows. Each of the 15 tent pitches sits in half an acre and is reached by winding pathways cut into the grass. 'We offer space, peacefulness and an abundance of nature while being close enough some of the best beauty spots on the Heritage Coast,' say owners James and Emma Strachan. Wheelbarrows and trolleys are provided to move your things from the car park.Facilities: Three separate male, female and family/ disabled rooms provide a total of five showers and five toilets. Each room has wash basins, hair dryers, mirrors, shelves and electric sockets. Closer to the tents is a composting toilet along with drinking water and an electrical hook up. Campfires allowed with wood sold on site.Nearby: The livelier town beaches of Southwold and Aldeburgh or quieter ones such as Dunwich Heath and Beach are all about 20-30 minutes drive away, plus the town of Framlingham with its famous castle.Lowdown: Adults £17.50pn, children £8, under 5s free. Open to September 6.

Site: An expansive open heathland with a large pond as well as pockets of leafy ferns and forest mean that even with 500 pitches available, there's plenty of space, especially as pitches must be at least three (preferably six) metres apart. There are no permanent sites – simply choose a spot you like and that is suitably distanced and enjoy the wonderful views. You'll also be sharing it with the famous New Forest ponies that wander freely.Facilities: hot showers, washing cubicles, toilets and drinking water taps. No campfires but raised bbqs allowed. Food best stored in cars due to marauding wildlife!Nearby: there are miles of walking and cycling paths throughout the forest. Beyond are the villages of Lyndhurst, Brockenhurst and Beaulieu.Lowdown: Two adults from £22.15pn (mid-season); family (2 adults and 2 children) £27pn. Pitches with electricity cost more. Open to September 28.

Site: a wonderfully bijou and tranquil space of just 20 pitches over five acres built on the grounds of a Norman castle, hence the surrounding moat. With six converging ley lines, the owners, Sally and Andy Birtwell who also run the adjoining Holycombe Holistic Retreat Centre, have added a stone circle said by dowsers to emit high levels of electro-magnetic energy.Facilities: two hot showers, one flush and two compost toilets. Campfires in supplied firepits; wood can be bought on site.Nearby: the campsite is adjacent to Whichford Wood with its many footpaths, and a short distance from many pretty Cotswold villages.Lowdown: Adults £10pn, children (12 - 18 years, £5pn). No children under 12.