New research has revealed the UK’s top 10 camping destinations as a “hidden gem” with two locations in Cornwall on the list.
Two Dorset campsites topped the list, with Calistic Cornwall campsites in Truro and East Cranes Camping and Caravan Park in St Austell featured fourth and seventh, respectively.
British camps have boomed in the past two years, with 4.5 million Britons going camping or caravan for the first time since the pandemic began, according to Mintel.
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ATS Euromaster has revealed its top ‘hidden gem’ camping sites. Photo: ATS Euromaster
To uncover the country’s hidden gems, tire and vehicle service provider ATS Euromaster scoured the best camping destinations that social media doesn’t know, by revealing the number of reviews on online camping sites with less than five Instagram tags.
These hidden gems won’t break the bank either, with prices starting at just £8 per night for two adults.
The most-reviewed UK sites that have flown under the social media radar are:
1. Trigon Farm, Wareham: 6534 reviews, 5 hashtags
2. Dewflock Farm, Dorchester: 6071 reviews, 4 hashtags
3. Newfold Farm, Peak District: 5,213 reviews, 0 hashtag
4. Callestick Camping, Truro: 5050 reviews, 3 hashtags
5. Eco Caerhys Camping, Abereiddy: 3622 review, 1 hashtag
6. Newlands Valley Campsite, Dodd: 3109, 0 hashtags
7. East Crinnis Camping and Caravan Park, St Austell: 2,668 reviews, 0 hashtag
8. Three Fields Campsite, Haverfordwest: 2,223 reviews, 1 hashtag
9. Birchwood Hunting and Camping, Skegness: 1986 reviews, 1 hashtag
10. Kings Acre Glamping, Chester: 1,711 reviews, 3 hashtags
Top 10 Hidden Gem Destinations for Campers
Here’s what ATS Euromaster had to say about the 10 best hidden gems for camping and why they think you should visit them.
Trigon Farm, Wareham
Trigon’s farm in Wareham, Dorset. Photo: ATS Euromaster
A beautiful market town close to the south coast, Wareham lies where the Frome and Piddle rivers meet and offers plenty to do.
hidden gem: Trigon’s farm is in a country field near Wareham, with views of Trigon Manor’s home and arable fields left and beyond. It’s a great location for families, with great facilities and it’s also dog friendly.
Prices start from: £17 per night, for a tent or trailer.
Duoflock Farm, Dorchester
Dioflock Farm in Dorchester, Dorset. Photo: ATS Euromaster
A historic market town on the banks of the River Frome, to the south of the Dorset Downs, Dorchester is a lively and ideal place for sightseeing. Some of the UK’s best preserved Roman ruins are located moments from the thriving High Street.
hidden gem: Dewflock Farm is a working farm where people can camp and picnic, just 5 minutes from Dorchester. It’s a great base for people to explore Dorset, including the beautiful beaches nearby.
Prices start from: £100 per night in a Shepherd’s cabin.
Newfold Farm, Peak District
Newfold farm in the Peak District. Photo: ATS Euromaster
Winnats Pass is a gorgeous limestone gorge in the White Peak area of the Peak District, and an ideal camping spot. The limestone is full of fossils of marine organisms that lived here over 350 million years ago.
hidden gem: Newfold Farm is a family run camping site at the beginning of Benin Trail. It is great for hikers and cyclists. It is also a half mile from the pub and railway station.
Prices start from: £20 per night, tent pitch.
Callestick Camping, Truro, Cornwall
Callestick camp in Truro, Cornwall. Photo: ATS Euromaster
Truro is Cornwall’s only town and is a dining destination surrounded by beautiful parks and rivers. Cathedral town offers the perfect blend of historic charm and modern retailers, while peaceful camping among unspoiled nature is never far away.
hidden gem: Callestick Camping is a wild, dog-friendly campground with stunning views of the Corniche countryside, and just a 10-minute drive from the beach.
Prices start from: £17.50 per night, tent or trailer pitch
Eco Caerhys Camping, Abereiddy, Pembrokeshire
Eco Caerhys Camping in Abereiddy, Pembrokeshire. Photo: ATS Euromaster
Abereiddy, a small village in Wales, is the perfect place to get away from it all and soak up the beauty of the Pembrokeshire coast.
hidden gem: Eco Caerhys Camping in St Davids offers camping in the wild meadows of an organic farm on the Pembrokeshire coast. It’s a great place for active people, with surfing nearby.
Prices start from: £30 per night, tent pitch
Newlands Valley Camp, Dodd, Cumbria
Newlands Valley Camp in Dodd, Cumbria. Photo: ATS Euromaster
Great place to get stunning views of the beautiful lake district of Cumbria, Dodd a few miles north of Keswick.
hidden gem: Newlands Valley Campsite is located near Keswick and Derwentwater. It’s a great place for outdoor people, as mountain biking, boating, and quad biking are available nearby.
Prices start from: £23 per night, tent pitch.
East Crains Camping, St Austell, Cornwall
East Cranes Campground in St Austell, Cornwall. Photo: ATS Euromaster
A stunning bend of stunning coastal scenery and an area rich in cultural heritage, St Austell is one of Cornwall’s largest towns, boasting many great beaches.
hidden gem: East Crinnis Camping in Heronbank is a working farm and wildlife sanctuary half a mile off the Corniche coast with easy access to destinations like Fowey, Mevagissey, and Eden Project.
Prices start from: £16 per night, tent pitch
Three Fields Camp site, Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire
Three Fields Camp site in Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire. Photo: ATS Euromaster
Haverfordwest is a quaint old Pembrokeshire county town, steeped in history with the castle and museum, which was the home of the governor of the prison.
hidden gem: The Three Fields Campsite is a spacious site with a private toilet, shower, and fire pit at every playground, located just 10 minutes from Haverfordwest.
Prices start from: £26 per night, a tour of the stadium
Birchwood Hunting and Camping, Skegness, Lincolnshire
Birchwood hunting and camping in Skegness, Lincolnshire. Photo: ATS Euromaster
Skegness is a seaside town in the East Lindsey district of Lincolnshire, offering plenty of family-friendly attractions.
hidden gem: In a rural setting just two miles from Skegness, Birchwood Fishing and Camping offers fishing on a large lake in the beautiful Lincolnshire countryside.
Prices start from: £8 per night, tent pitch
Kings Acre Glamping, Chester, Cheshire
Kings Acre Glamping in Chester, Cheshire. Photo: ATS Euromaster
Chester is arguably Britain’s richest city in archaeological and architectural treasures, and boasts the most complete city walls, the oldest racetrack and the largest Roman amphitheater in the UK.
hidden gem: Kings Acre Glamping is located deep in the Cheshire countryside, just 10 minutes’ drive from Chester. Barbecues are allowed, with bonfires and professional pizza ovens available for hire.
Prices start from: £25 per night, tent pitch
Dorset’s underutilized camping destination
Often times they can be the hidden gems that provide the best camping experience. It’s a great way to escape the crowds while enjoying the laid-back atmosphere of some of the UK’s most popular camping destinations.
Using review data from a range of websites and online communities, ATS also found 10 untapped campgrounds in counties known to pitch tents or tow a caravan.
Tucked away in Cornwall is the Sunny Corner in St Agnes.
According to Pitch up, the campsite is one of their best options for outdoor recreation on the north coast of Cornwall.
Described as “small and well-maintained,” the staycation destination is located in a five-acre field on the edge of the village. The camping website says Sunny Corner boasts “scenic sea views, spacious playgrounds, and easy access to all village amenities.”
To find out more about the UK’s best hidden camping destinations and start planning your next trip, visit the ATS website.