10 of the best family-friendly campsites

Burrowhayes Farm, Somerset

Located on a small farm, the camping field here stretches from behind the stables to the woods. There are horses and ponies, and escorted rides into Exmoor can be arranged for both children and adults. Burrowhayes Farm, Tel: 01643 862463

Safari Tented Lodges, Gloucestershire

Set in a wooded glade overlooking the sea, book the whole site for a group holiday, or hire tents individually. The tents have wooden beds, mattresses, bedlinen and barbecues. There are shared cooking areas as well as toilets and safari-style shower tents. Safari Tented Lodges, Tel: 07985 169101

Talton Lodge, Warwickshire

This campsite is in a Victorian walled garden with veggie patches, chicken coops, an orchard - even a babbling brook. The garden is a delight for children to run around in and there is a luxury tipi and a luxury yurt to hire, as well as additional tipis for living and cooking in, plus a farm shop just up the lane. Talton Lodge, Tel: 07962 273417

Rukin's Park Lodge, North Yorkshire

With a glorious river and waterfall, this site will be heaven for children. Whether it is paddling in the rock pools, taking picnics amongst the fells or toasting marshmallows on wood fires by the river bank, this is an idyllic spot for all the family. Rukin's Park Lodge, Tel: 01748 886274 (currently no website).

Yurts, Lake District

In the heart of the Lake District, Long Valley Yurts combine back-to-nature living with luxuries such as comfortable beds, and cosy wood burning stoves. Overlooked by the Langdale Pikes, this site is a spectacular location. Or you can try the smaller, but still wonderful, The Lovely Yurt Company, which is set in 20 acres of private, ancient woodland overlooking Lake Windermere. Long Valley Yurts, Tel: 01539 731089; The Lovely Yurt Company, Tel: 07767 066058.

Fisherground Campsite, Cumbria

This is a children's paradise, with rafts on the pond, a treehouse and an adventure course. The laundry has a washing machine, three tumble driers and an ironing board (with an iron!). There is even a boot drier if your children love playing outside, no matter the weather. Fisherground Campsite, Tel: 01946 723349

Yellow Wood Bush Camp, Powys

This is how camping should be. There are five acres of ancient woodland where the owner, bush-camping specialist Paul, runs bushcraft courses; you can learn how to identify edible plants and light fires without matches. Yellow Wood Bush Camp, Tel: 07800 767519

Gwern Gôf Isaf Farm, Snowdonia

Set in the heart of the mountains, and located on a traditional hill-farm close to the base of the well-known peak of Tryfan, this camp is ideally situated for exploring the surrounding peaks of the Glyders and the Carneddau. Gwern Gôf Isaf Farm, Tel: 01690 720276

Lazy Duck Hostel, Inverness-shire

Claiming to be one of Scotland's smallest camping zones, you will be guaranteed quiet here. There are ducks and geese, as well as a forest to explore and a wood-burning stove for cooking. Nearby, you can go sailing (or just paddling), try horse riding or even a spot of archery. Lazy Duck Hostel, Tel: 01479 821642

Mum's guide to family camping

If you're about to try camping with your family for the first time, or a keen camper after a bit more advice, check out our first-hand mum's guide to happy camping with a toddler or child.