Going camping for the first time? There are plenty of good tips for first-time campers but one of the most important is choosing the right place to stay. Whether it’s a campsite great for kids or a spot near a pub so you don’t need to cook, finding the perfect campsite could make or break your first trip. With that in mind, we asked the experts at Hipcamp for their pick of the easiest campsites for beginners. From a quirky farm site near London to a charming family campsite in the Scottish Borders, here’s where to try your tent for the very first time…
Set on a fruit farm on the outskirts of Norwich, Plum Camping offers well-connected camping near the historic city, with a handy bus stop by the campsite entrance. Campfires are allowed, facilities are well maintained, and numbers are limited to around 30 pitches, so it never gets too crowded. The farm shop is particularly convenient for first-time campers. It has a cafe, oodles of fresh produce, and an on-site cider brewery. There’s also a butcher’s shop – great for providing fresh meat to cook over the campfire.
Plum Camping / Hipcamp
In the heart of Dartmoor National Park, Three Hares Campsite offers a charming, traditional camping experience, with grassy pitches, facilities in a beautiful barn, and old-school entertainment provided by a tree swing, hammocks, and blackberry-filled hedgerows. There’s electricity on around half of the pitches and campfires are allowed. Hosts Chinnie and Henry provide valuable local knowledge, including their favourite wild swimming spots, walks, and local pubs. The campsite is less than three miles from Castle Drogo and the Teign Gorge, offering numerous opportunities for outdoor adventures.
Three Hares Campsite / Hipcamp
For beginners nervous about campsite showers and busy facilities, things don’t get much better than Cowpots. This car-free campsite has individually mown pitches, each featuring not just a picnic bench and shelter but also your own ‘en-pitch’ facilities, with a private shower, toilet, and sink. There are handy food options too – wood-fired pizzas are available on the weekend and milk from the farm’s herd of Jersey cows is used to make ice-cream sold on site. And it’s all just 15 minutes’ drive from the nearest beach.
One of just a handful of campsites within the M25, The Barn KT9 is one of London’s most convenient camping locations and still boasts a serene, rural atmosphere. First-time campers can choose from 12 different-sized pitches and there are bell tent options too. There’s plenty on offer at the farm, including an on-site coffee shack, visiting food vans, and an old air hanger that’s been converted into a wellness space (try the weekend yoga classes with a view). Bring bikes to explore excellent off-road cycling routes or see the maps pegged up at the campsite for walking routes to local pubs.
The Barn KT9 / Hipcamp
Just around the corner from the National Trust’s Stackpole Estate, this family campsite centres around a picture-perfect thatched cottage, home to a well-stocked shop. Well-behaved dogs are welcome, campfires are permitted, and minimal lighting ensures clear night skies. The campsite is small, with a maximum of 50 pitches, ensuring a peaceful and relaxing atmosphere. Nearby attractions include Freshwater West (great for surfing), Broad Haven (with beautiful lily ponds), and Brafundle Bay (accessible on foot). The coastal path and six local castles are also close at hand.
Park Farm / Hipcamp
This 18th-century farm at the foot of Skiddaw is the perfect place to stay on your first camping trip to the Lake District. Family run, the place is superbly accommodating to beginners, with a shop and hiking maps in reception, excellent facilities, a playground and separate dog-walking area, and electric hook-ups for those that need them. It’s a quiet campsite, where campfires are allowed and families make up the majority of campers. Try local hikes up Binsey, Skiddaw, or Great Sca Fell if you don’t fancy using the car. It’s also just a 15-minute stroll to the local pub.
Kestrel Lodge Campsite / Hipcamp
You can choose the level of camping to suit you at this popular Borders campsite. If you want something wild there are woodland pitches and remote camping spots on the side of Ruberslaw Hill but, for first timers and families, the best place to start is in the Edwardian walled garden, a neat, sheltered space, complete with an old glass house that’s now a social space. Toilets and hot showers are available in a central hub and a campsite shop offers essentials. The site is car-free, with vehicles left near reception and a kit drop-off service provided.
Ruberslaw Wild Woods Camping / Hipcamp
Modern facilities but a traditional farm feel make this Yorkshire campsite well suited to new campers. The washblock, housed in old farm stables, has everything you need (including a shower for your dog!) and the hosts are young, knowledgeable, and enthusiastic. They can point you in the direction of Beverley town centre, which you can reach easily on foot from the campsite, while it’s also a 15-minute drive to Hull and 30 minutes to the coast. Home to cows, sheep, and pygmy goats, Butt Farm provides plenty to see. Arrive in May to see newborn lambs and June for young calves in the neighbouring meadows.
Butt Farm / Hipcamp
Off-grid camping might not sound perfect for first timers but this family site in the Kent Downs caters perfectly to your needs. Facilities include horsebox showers, compost loos, and drinking water taps, while the site also offers weekend massages, facials, and yoga sessions, with wood-fired pizzas available in the farmyard. There are just 30 pitches in total and the car-free environment is ideal for kids. Enjoy walks in nearby Spong Wood if you don’t fancy using the car or drive 20 minutes to the beach if you do.
The Sunnyfield Campsite / Hipcamp
Having skateboarded across Australia and swam the Missouri River, the host of this quirky eco campsite in Lincolnshire is well placed to give tips and advice to first-time explorers pitching a tent. Together with wife Emma, they have crafted a perfect family site, with simple but excellent facilities, glamping accommodation options, a hammock camping area, and animals to keep you entertained. The surrounding area offers excellent opportunities for walking and cycling, with particularly flat, quiet roads that are great for kids.
Big Sky Hideaway / Hipcamp
Now that you know where the best beginner-friendly campsites are, it’s time to pack your tent and hit the road. Whether you’re looking for a serene retreat, family-friendly fun, or easy access to local attractions, these campsites have you covered. Happy camping!
