A comprehensive region-by-region guide to the best campsites near the UK’s most spectacular castles

By Nikki  |  Campsites and Castles  |  Updated 2026

There’s something genuinely magical about waking up in a tent with a medieval castle visible through the zip of your groundsheet. No hotel can give you that. No Airbnb comes close. Camping near a castle is one of the most quintessentially British holiday experiences you can have — and yet surprisingly few people plan their trips this way.

This guide exists to change that. Whether you’re a family looking for an adventure that keeps the kids genuinely engaged, a couple who loves heritage but hates hotel prices, or a solo traveller who wants to immerse themselves in British history, this is your definitive resource.

I’ve organised this guide by region — England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland — so you can plan your trip geographically. Every section includes my top castle picks, the best campsites nearby, and what to see and do when you’re there.

📌 How to Use This Guide Jump to your region using the sections below. Each regional section covers the standout castles and the best campsites within easy reach. Look for the 🔗 INTERNAL LINK markers — these highlight where the dedicated cluster articles live so you can add the correct hyperlinks when publishing.

What Makes a Great Castle Campsite?

Not all campsites near castles are created equal. Before I get into the regional picks, here’s what I look for when recommending a site:

• Distance — ideally within 5–15 minutes’ drive or walking distance of the castle
• Facilities — pitches suitable for tents, plus decent toilets and showers
• Setting — countryside or coastal locations that complement the heritage experience
• Family friendliness — particularly if children are part of the plan
• Dog friendliness — because many of us travel with four-legged companions
• Booking options — campsites that can be booked via platforms like Pitchup or Cool Camping are easier to plan around

England

England’s castle landscape is staggeringly rich — from the great Edwardian fortresses of the north to the fairy-tale turrets of the south. Here are the best camping options by sub-region.

Northumberland & the North East

Northumberland is arguably England’s greatest castle county. It’s also home to some of the UK’s most dramatic and unspoilt countryside — perfect camping territory.

Bamburgh Castle

Rising straight from the Northumberland coast, Bamburgh is one of England’s most photogenic castles. The combination of golden beach, castle silhouette, and sea air makes this one of the most memorable camping destinations in the country.

Best nearby campsites: Waren Caravan & Camping Park (Budle Bay), Glororum Caravan Park (less than 2 miles from the castle), and Dunstan Hill Camping.

What to see: Bamburgh Castle itself, Seahouses harbour (for Farne Islands boat trips), Alnwick Castle and its famous gardens.

Hadrian’s Wall

Less a castle and more a 73-mile feat of Roman engineering, Hadrian’s Wall deserves its own entry in any UK heritage camping guide. Camp here and you’re sleeping on the edge of the ancient Roman Empire.

Best nearby campsites: Hadrian’s Wall Campsite (Once Brewed), Herding Hill Farm near Haltwhistle, Walltown Campsite.

The Midlands

Warwick Castle

One of England’s most visited and best-preserved medieval castles, Warwick Castle sits in the heart of England and is a brilliant anchor for a family camping trip. The castle itself offers glamping pods, but for traditional camping the surrounding area has some excellent options.

Best nearby campsites: Island Meadow Caravan Park (Aston Cantlow, ~20 mins), Riverside Caravan Park (Stratford-upon-Avon), and several Pitchup-listed sites within 15 miles.

What to see: Warwick Castle (allow a full day), Stratford-upon-Avon, Kenilworth Castle ruins.

The South East

Windsor Castle & the Thames Valley

Windsor is the oldest and largest occupied castle in the world and a working Royal residence. Camping nearby puts you within easy reach of one of Britain’s greatest royal sites — plus the Thames Valley and the Chilterns for walking.

Best nearby campsites: Hurley Riverside Park, Bisham Woods (National Trust), and various sites in the Chilterns AONB.

Yorkshire

Yorkshire has an embarrassment of castle riches — from the imposing ruins of Scarborough to the romantic remains of Bolton Castle where Mary Queen of Scots was once imprisoned.

Top Yorkshire castle camping spots:

Cornwall

Tintagel Castle

Tintagel is one of Britain’s most dramatic and atmospheric castle sites — perched on a clifftop above the Atlantic, it’s steeped in Arthurian legend. Cornwall’s camping scene is outstanding, and glamping options here are particularly well-developed.

Best nearby campsites: Atlantic View Campsite (within walking distance), Headlands Holiday Park, Treknow Camping Site.

📖 Related Reading For a deeper dive into each region, see the full England castle guide: Best Castles in Yorkshire | Best Castles in Kent | England’s Greatest Castles: A County-by-County Guide

Scotland

Scotland has more castles per square mile than almost anywhere else in the world — over 2,000 at last count. Add to that the most liberal wild camping laws in the UK and you have the ultimate destination for heritage campers.

Edinburgh & the Lothians

Edinburgh Castle

Scotland’s most visited tourist attraction, Edinburgh Castle dominates the city’s skyline from its ancient volcanic perch. Camping near Edinburgh isn’t quite wild camping territory, but there are excellent campsites within easy reach of the city.

Best nearby campsites: Mortonhall Camping & Caravan Park (Edinburgh’s main campsite, south of the city), Linwater Caravan Park, Edinburgh Caravan Club Site.

What to see: Edinburgh Castle, the Royal Mile, Holyrood Palace, Arthur’s Seat. Day trip to Craigmillar Castle (free entry, far fewer crowds).

Where to Camp Near Edinburgh Castle: The Best Campsites for Your Visit

Central Scotland

Stirling Castle

Stirling Castle sits at the very heart of Scotland — historically, geographically, and strategically. This was where Robert the Bruce and William Wallace fought to reclaim Scotland. Camping near Stirling gives you access to some of Scotland’s most significant battlefield and heritage sites.

Best nearby campsites: Witches Craig Caravan & Camping Park (Blairlogie, stunning views of the Ochils), Trossachs Holiday Park (Aberfoyle), Linnhe Lochside Holidays.

What to see: Stirling Castle, Bannockburn Heritage Centre, Wallace Monument, Doune Castle (famously used in Monty Python and Game of Thrones)

Wild Camping in Scotland

Scotland has the most progressive wild camping legislation in the UK. Under the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003, you have the legal right to wild camp almost anywhere in Scotland — including near many of its most dramatic castle ruins.

⚖️ Wild Camping in Scotland: The Key Rules You must camp responsibly: leave no trace, use a toilet trowel and bury waste, avoid large groups camping in one spot for more than 3 nights, and always follow the Scottish Outdoor Access Code.

📖 Related Reading Going deep on Scottish castles? See: The Best Castles in Scotland: A Region-by-Region Guide | Scottish Clan Castles: History and How to Visit | 3 Days in Scotland’s Castle Country (Aberdeenshire Itinerary)

Wales

Wales has the highest concentration of castles per square mile of any country in the world — over 600 in total. Many are dramatic coastal or hillside fortresses built by Edward I during his conquest of Wales in the 13th century. The country is also increasingly popular for glamping and wild-ish camping.

North Wales

Caernarfon Castle

Caernarfon is one of Edward I’s great Edwardian castles — a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most impressive medieval fortresses in Europe. It sits in the town of Caernarfon on the Menai Strait, with Snowdonia (now Eryri National Park) just to the east.

Best nearby campsites: Cadnant Valley Camping & Caravan Park (within 2 miles), Riverside Camping (Caernarfon), plus several sites on Anglesey just across the Menai Bridge.

What to see: Caernarfon Castle, Beaumaris Castle (Anglesey), Snowdon, and the Welsh Highland Railway.

Welsh Castle Trail

For those with a car and a week to spare, the Welsh Castle Trail is one of the great UK heritage road trips. Starting in the north with the Edwardian castles (Caernarfon, Beaumaris, Harlech, Conwy) and heading south through Powys to the Norman and Marcher castles of the Borders, it’s a journey through 1,000 years of Welsh history.

Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland is the UK’s most underrated heritage camping destination. From the dramatic coastal path of the Causeway Coast to the ruined towers of County Down, the castle landscape is wild, atmospheric, and far less crowded than comparable sites in England or Scotland.

Dunluce Castle & the Causeway Coast

Dunluce Castle clings to a clifftop above the Atlantic, connected to the mainland by a narrow bridge. It’s one of the most dramatic castle ruins in Europe and the inspiration for Castle Greyjoy in Game of Thrones. The Causeway Coast is also home to the Giant’s Causeway, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Best nearby campsites: Causeway Coast Holiday Park (Ballycastle), Whitepark Bay Hostel & Campsite, and several sites in Bushmills and Portrush.

What to see: Dunluce Castle, Giant’s Causeway, Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge, the Dark Hedges (Game of Thrones filming location).

Practical Tips for Camping Near Castles

Booking Your Campsite

Most of the campsites featured in this guide can be booked online. I recommend using Pitchup.com — it’s the UK’s largest campsite booking platform and lets you filter by facilities, location, and site type. Cool Camping is another excellent resource, particularly for more characterful and independent sites.

💡 Booking Tip For summer weekends near popular castles like Bamburgh or Caernarfon, book at least 6–8 weeks in advance. Many of the best sites fill up by Easter for July and August.

Getting Into the Castles

Castle entrance prices add up quickly, especially for families. Here’s how to save money:

• English Heritage membership — covers free entry to 400+ sites including many castles. Pays for itself in 2–3 visits.
• Historic Environment Scotland membership — equivalent for Scottish properties.
• Cadw membership — covers Welsh castles and monuments.
• National Trust membership — covers some castle properties and extensive grounds.
• Pre-book tickets online — many castles charge less for pre-booked entry and skip the queue.

What to Pack for a Castle Camping Trip

Beyond your standard camping kit, castle trips benefit from a few extras:

• A good walking map or OS app — castle grounds and surrounding walks are often more extensive than they first appear
• Layers — UK castle sites are often exposed and coastal, even in summer
• A small daypack — for wandering castle grounds without carrying everything
• A portable phone charger — for all those castle photos
• A printed (or downloaded) guidebook — many castle sites have limited mobile signal

Planning Your Castle Camping Road Trip

If you want to combine multiple castles into one trip — a castle camping road trip — the key is realistic daily distances. Here’s a simple framework I use:

• Plan no more than 2–3 castle visits per day, even with children who are enthusiastic — heritage fatigue is real
• Build in at least one rest day per week for just enjoying the campsite
• Allow more time than you think — good campsites near popular castles are rarely in the castle car park
• Keep a buffer day at the end of any trip for traffic, weather delays, or discovering somewhere unexpected

UK Castle Camping: Quick Reference Table

Use this table to match your destination with the best campsites and linked guides:

Best UK Castle Campsites for Families

Camping with children near castles is one of the most rewarding UK holiday experiences. Castles bring history to life for kids in a way no classroom can match — and the combination of outdoor camping adventure plus castle exploration ticks every box.

My top picks for family castle camping:

• Warwick Castle — excellent family facilities, knights’ shows, and campsite options nearby
• Bamburgh Castle + Seahouses — perfect for beach + castle days with children
• Caernarfon Castle + Anglesey — castle in the morning, beach in the afternoon
• Stirling Castle + Doune Castle — two great castles in one day, strong family programming
• Tintagel + Cornish coast — Arthurian legend, beaches, coastal walks — unbeatable for imaginative children

Ready to Start Planning?

The UK’s castle and camping combination is one of the most underrated holiday experiences available — and one of the best value, too. Whether you’ve got a weekend, a week, or a whole summer to play with, there’s a castle campsite out there waiting for you.

Use the links throughout this guide to dive deeper into each region and castle. And if you’re not sure where to start, I’d honestly recommend Northumberland — Bamburgh Castle on a clear evening, from the campsite, with a cup of tea and the sound of the sea, is about as good as UK travel gets.