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With the summer holidays fast approaching, and the days getting brighter and longer, it’s the perfect time to start looking for the best family-friendly campsites by the sea in the UK to visit in 2022. Whether you are keen to visit the Southeast coast of England or venture up to Scotland, this article will cover all the options so you don’t have to spend hours searching. So here are our Top 10 Family-Friendly UK Campsites by the Sea:

1. Troytown Farm Campsite, St Agnes, Isles of Scilly

With fantastic views of the Atlantic on the southernmost populated island of St Agnes, is Troytown Campsite which allows you to spend your days relaxing on the sand of the campsite’s beach, dining alfresco and watching the beautiful sunset from your tent. The campsite is very family-friendly with its safe, natural and traffic-free environment and vast range of activities for the children, such as kayaking and paddle boarding. The island itself has lots of amenities such as restaurants, cafes, pubs and shops and you can even take boat trips to other islands or wildlife and fishing trips. On site there is a shop selling ice cream, farm produce and camping gas and there are camping mats, chairs and stoves which are available to hire. Troytown becomes very popular during the summer months so it is essential you book in advance, which you can do so here, whereas outside of peak times the campsite states you are welcome to arrive at short notice. The campsite also welcomes school groups, scout groups and activity groups. Dogs are allowed however only one is permitted per party and Troytown does not allow cars or caravans.

2. Manor Farm Caravan and Camping Park, Whitby

Set within the North Yorkshire Moors National Park, nestling on the cliffs between Whitby and Robin Hoods Bay, this campsite is the perfect choice for families looking for peace, tranquility and space. Easily accessible from the A171 and only minutes away from the Cleveland Way, Manor Farm, which was once a dairy farm, now produces wheat, barley and rapeseed. Although there is no on site bar, shop or children’s play area, this camping park offers beautiful scenery, an escape from the hustle and bustle with areas where you can walk and cycle nearby (there are bikes available locally to hire), such as the Cleveland Way and The Cinder Track. If you want to explore a little, the village of Hawsker is only a short walk away or you can take the bus into Whitby or Scarborough where you can visit beaches perfect for sunbathing and amusing the kids with sandcastle building! The facilities on-site at Manor Farm include electric hook ups, a toilet and shower block, chemical toilet disposal, washing up facilities and WiFi access. If you are interested, you can book here.

3. Harlyn Sands Holiday Park, Padstow, Cornwall

Cornwall is renowned for its breathtaking views, gorgeous summer weather and hospitable environment for families, which is why Harlyn Sands is a great choice when it comes to holiday parks.  Looking out over Harlyn Bay and only three miles from the charming working fishing port town of Padstow, the park is surrounded by natural beauty including coves, beaches and wildlife. Near enough to Padstow to explore, but far away enough to feel out of the hustle and bustle and relax, the park benefits from a prime location. There are a range of accommodation options available here, including renting out one of their caravans, which range in size with some sleeping six, and others four, and a campsite/touring park with 80 level grass pitches. On site, there is a unisex shower block (with a 20p charge for four minutes’ use), a toilet block, a laundry block and washing-up area. There is also plenty of entertainment here at Harlyn Sands, such as The Super Splash Fun Pool, the Play Park, a Kids Club which meet at 10am and teach dances, host colouring competitions and play lots of games, the Beach Bum Club who hold sessions for the children on Friday evenings and Saturday mornings, Crazy Golf and Inflatafun. Click here to contact/book the holiday park.

4. Pitton Cross Caravan and Camping Park, Gower, Swansea

First opened in the 1960’s by the Button family who have lived on Gower for over 300 years, Pitton Cross is a quiet family park which is only a mile away from Rhossili Village and its beach, which has previously been named the best beach in the UK by a TripAdvisor survey. In Rhossili village there are also pubs, a couple of cafes and a National Trust Shop, or if you want to visit somewhere with more amenities the city of Swansea is only 16 miles away from Pitton Cross. What is so spectacular about this park is that the scenic coastline is within walking distance from your pitch. Nearby there is Ramsgrove Cove which is great for rock pooling, Meswlade and Fall Bay where you can try body boarding and take your bucket and spade or previously mentioned Rhossili Beach which boasts the Helvetia Shipwreck. On site, there is a shop selling everything from milk, bread and local produce, to fishing equipment, Welsh gifts and books and kites and windsocks. Pitton Cross is open all year, has several facilities including showers, laundry, dishwashing and chemical disposal, and welcomes campers and caravan owners, to book click here.

5. Marina Bay Holiday Park, Peterhead, Aberdeenshire

Set along Peterhead’s award-winning Lido beach, this holiday park is a family and dog friendly choice for those looking to explore more of Scotland. With stunning views of the coast and an onsite play area as well as the opportunity to not only camp traditionally but also to stay in glamping pods, Marina Bay offers a lot. The camping park also allows caravans and motorhomes. In terms of facilities at the park, there are toilets, showers, laundry resources, WiFi access, disabled access, drinking water and a shop. If you want to venture out the park and take yourself and the kids round the town of Peterhead, remember it has a bustling fishing port so the seafood is worth a try, and if you’re looking for a fun fact to share with the children, there is Slains Castle which is said to be where Bram Stoker was inspired to create Dracula! This holiday park is definitely ideal for families looking to experience the naturistic feeling of waking up to the sounds of birds and swimming in the sea, but also looking to discover new areas and the amenities which they offer. If you are interested in booking Marina Bay, you can find more information here.

6. Wold Farm Caravan and Camping Site, Flamborough, East Yorkshire

A peaceful farm located on the edge of Flamborough near Bridlington, this site boasts stunning views out to sea towards both Flamborough lighthouses and across to Danes Dyke. With a private footpath which takes you on a five-minute walk to the cliffs, you can spot the Puffins or walk along the headland, taking in the beautiful Yorkshire bays. Flamborough village itself has plenty to offer, with traditional pubs, a co-op, newsagents, cafés and coffee shops and the best thing for when you’re on a family holiday: fish and chip shops! At Wold Farm Caravan and Camping Site you are also only a short stroll away from the RSPB Bempton Cliffs Bird Sanctuary where you can see puffins burrowing as close as 10 metres away. Facilities on-site include toilets, showers, an electric hook-up, drinking water, chemical disposable and grey waste disposal. Situated in a prime location with five Yorkshire Coast beaches in the area, thriving wildlife and a chance to not only traditionally camp or park up your caravan, but to glamp too, this site is perfect for a getaway with the children. For more information on how to make an enquiry or book a place at this campsite by the sea, click here.

7. Wirral Country Park Club Campsite, Thurstaston, Merseyside

Often referred to as the ‘paradise peninsula’, Wirral is an area which boasts exceptional natural beauty and fantastic landscapes with the River Dee on one side and the River Mersey on the other. Located in a country park of 2,000 acres of nature, this caravan park is made up of several pitching areas separated by trees and shrubs, with some pitches overlooking the Dee Estuary. Whether you have young children, sport-enthusiastic teens or you and your partner fancy a relaxing but fun getaway, Wirral Country Park Club Campsite offers plenty of activities to cater to all. If you enjoy sailing, there are at least seven private Sailing Clubs which offer temporary and family memberships to visitors, or you may be up for water skiing. For those warm summer nights when you want to unwind and enjoy some delicious food looking out onto Wales, there is a mobile fish and chip van which visits the site, just ask staff for more details. The site allows BBQs, has a dishwashing area, a disabled shower room and disabled facilities for those in wheelchairs, a toilet block, laundry facilities, WiFi access and electric hook-up. To book, click here.

8. Gibraltar Farm Caravan and Campsite, Silverdale, Lancashire

A traditional, family run working farm situated in the heart of the Arnside and Silverdale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, surrounded by gorgeous scenery with views of Morecambe Bay, this campsite consists of ancient woodland and open grassland. Previously voted the best coastal campsite in the Northwest of England by The Daily Telegraph, the location is what really makes it, the view of Morecambe Bay is breathtaking and it is only 20 minutes off the M6. When it comes to nearby attractions, you can walk through National Trust woodlands and Natural England reserves, visit Silverdale village centre with shops and pubs, go sea fishing or visit a local golf course. On site, there are facilities including electric hook ups for caravans and motorhomes, hardstanding and grass pitches, a shower and toilet block, free hot water and showers, a raw milk vending machine, homemade ice cream and a brand new washer/dryer for campers. We actually already have a full review dedicated to this campsite here where we go into more detail, but click here if you are keen to book.

9. Beryl’s Campsite, Kingsbridge, Devon

Opened by a couple named Drew and Beryl nearly 30 years ago, this campsite is a hidden gem in the heart of South Devon surrounded by beaches and rolling hills. Beryl’s prides itself on being environmentally friendly, quiet and family orientated with pitches which are all spread out, and whether you want lovely views, shade or the morning sun on your tent, there is a pitch to suit everyone. There are plenty of ways to occupy your time whilst camping here, whether it’s walking on the nearby coastal paths, hiring a boat in Dartmouth by the hour or for the full day (which is six hours), or taking paddle board lessons from Salcombe Paddle Boarding business, you are spoilt for choice. Facilities on site include flushing toilets, hot showers (at the cost of 20p), hot water washing up sinks, recycling bins, a few fridges/freezers and they even have logs for sale and fire pits to hire. Beryl’s advises that if you are looking for a campsite a little more commercial, this may not be the site for you, however if you fancy enjoying wild camping with basic amenities and stunning surrounding nature and views, you can book here. 

10. Tregurrian Camping and Caravanning Club Site, Newquay, Cornwall

Great for those looking for a seaside holiday and keen to get stuck in to some watersports, Tregurrian Camping and Caravanning Club Site is situated just north of the beautiful Newquay where you are spoilt for choice of beaches to visit. Sitting high up on, but set back from, the cliffs to the north of Newquay, this is away from the hustle and bustle but still in a prime location. This site offers plenty of spaced-out pitch choices, including grass only with no electric, grass with electric hook-up, hardstanding with electric hook-up and a motorhome service point. Pets are welcome so you can bring your dog and walk along the coastline or venture into Newquay for lunch, dinner or an ice-cream while the children build sandcastles or try out water sports in the Atlantic ocean. At the club site you will find a flushing toilet, showers, washbasins, WiFi, a parent and baby room, washing machines and a shop which sells the basics and a lovely selection of sweets. This is definitely one of the best family-friendly campsites by the sea so if you want to read more about Tregurrian, we have a whole article reviewing it here, or if you want to book, click here.