May half-term 2024: camping with kids – 15 family campsites
May half-term is one of the best times for camping with kids: the days are long, the grass is green and campsites are quieter and cheaper than in August. In most of England and Wales, May half-term 2024 runs from 27 to 31 May, right after the bank holiday. Here are 15 family campsites across the UK, with ages, difficulty and what to pack, so your first or fifteenth trip under canvas goes smoothly.
Why camping with kids is such a hit
Camping gives children freedom: running between tents, making friends at the playground and toasting marshmallows under the stars. Screens get forgotten, bedtimes become flexible and even breakfast feels like an adventure. For parents, it's a budget-friendly break with plenty of fresh air.
May half-term is a sweet spot: warmer than Easter, but before the summer crowds and peak prices.
Which ages it suits
Camping works at every age; what changes is the kind of site you choose.
| Age | Best type of site | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Babies (0–1) | holiday park with facilities | easy showers, power for warmers |
| Toddlers (1–3) | small family site with a playground | safe space and early nights |
| Pre-schoolers (3–5) | farm or beach site | animals, sand and space to roam |
| School age (6+) | wild-ish sites with streams and hills | dens, rock pools and campfires |
15 family campsites with distance and difficulty
Cornwall, Devon and the Gower are great for beach camping, while the Lake District, Peak District and Scotland suit families who love hills. "Difficulty" here means how basic the facilities are. Check prices, booking and pet rules on the official website before you go.
| Campsite | Area | Nearest beach or walk | Difficulty | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Trevornick | Cornwall | beach 10–15 min walk | easy (lots of facilities) | ££ |
| Wooda Farm | Cornwall | Bude beaches by car | easy | ££ |
| North Morte Farm | Devon | beach 5–10 min walk | easy | ££ |
| Hidden Valley Park | Devon | Woolacombe by car | easy | ££ |
| Burnbake | Dorset | woods on site, coast by car | moderate | £ |
| Deepdale Camping | Norfolk | coast path nearby | easy | ££ |
| Kelling Heath | Norfolk | heath trails on site | easy | ££ |
| Upper Booth Farm | Peak District | hill walks from the field | moderate | £ |
| Knight Stainforth Hall | Yorkshire Dales | river and waterfall walks | easy | ££ |
| Castlerigg Farm | Lake District | Keswick 20 min walk | moderate | £ |
| Three Cliffs Bay | Gower | beach below the site | moderate | ££ |
| Hillend | Gower | Rhossili Bay next to the site | easy | ££ |
| Shell Island | Snowdonia coast | huge beach and dunes | moderate | ££ |
| Glen Nevis | Highlands | Glen Nevis walks | easy | ££ |
| Comrie Croft | Perthshire | woods and trails on site | moderate | ££ |
Price per pitch per night: £ = under about £25, ££ = about £25–£50, £££ = over £50. Rough guide only, prices change.
Find family days out in Cornwall on the Kid.ooo map
South West. Trevornick near Holywell Bay has pools, play areas and a walk to the beach. Wooda Farm near Bude is a family-run farm site. In North Devon, North Morte Farm sits above a sandy cove, and Hidden Valley Park has a lake and woodland play. In Dorset, Burnbake is a woodland site with a stream that kids love.
East and North. Deepdale Camping and Kelling Heath are favourites on the Norfolk coast. In the Peak District, Upper Booth Farm is a classic hill farm site, and in the Dales Knight Stainforth Hall has a river and waterfalls nearby. Castlerigg Farm above Keswick has some of the best views in the Lake District.
Wales and Scotland. On the Gower, Three Cliffs Bay and Hillend are close to stunning beaches. Shell Island is one of the largest campsites in Europe, with dunes to explore. In Scotland, Glen Nevis sits below Ben Nevis and Comrie Croft is an eco-friendly farm site with bike trails.
For more sites, The Camping and Caravanning Club has family-friendly campsites across the UK.
Safety and kit for camping with kids
Bring warm sleeping bags, a torch for every child and a simple first aid kit.
- Sleep: sleeping bags rated for cold nights, mats or airbeds and an extra blanket.
- Light: head torches for everyone and a lantern for the tent.
- Clothes: layers, waterproofs, wellies and hats for chilly evenings.
- Fire safety: keep children well back from stoves and campfires, and use a fire pit where allowed.
- Sun: sun cream and hats, as May sun can be stronger than it feels.
- Rules: agree boundaries on the campsite and a meeting point.
Snacks and stops on the way
Pack easy camping food: pasta, sausages, wraps and plenty of marshmallows. Stop at a farm shop on the way for local treats and fresh bread. A cool box and a two-ring stove are enough for most families.
Our guide to apple picking and farm cafés lists farm shops worth a stop. Find kid-friendly cafés near your campsite on the Kid.ooo map.
Parent tip: do a test night
Pitch the tent in the garden or at a site close to home before the big trip. It helps you check you have all the parts and lets children get used to sleeping outdoors. Choose a site with a playground for your first trip, and bring a rainy-day plan, such as our list of woodland playgrounds or winter walks that work all year.
For family travel and food inspiration, take a look at @abbyteh on Instagram.
Find nearby trails and playgrounds in Kid.ooo
Kid.ooo is a free family days out map where parents share playgrounds, trails and kid-friendly cafés. Use it to find playgrounds near me and things to do with kids near me around your campsite this half-term.
Find playgrounds and trails on the Kid.ooo map
Missing your favourite family campsite? Add it to Kid.ooo and help other parents plan their next camping trip.
Frequently asked questions
When is May half-term 2024?
In most of England and Wales, May half-term 2024 runs from Monday 27 to Friday 31 May, after the late May bank holiday. Scottish schools don't have a May half-term, but many have a long weekend around the same time.
What age can children go camping?
Children of any age can camp, and many families start with babies. For a first trip, choose a site with good toilets, a play area and a short drive from home, and try one or two nights.
Is it too cold to camp in May?
Days are often warm, but nights in May can still drop close to freezing, especially in the hills. Pack warm sleeping bags, extra layers and hats for bedtime.
What are the best campsites for families?
Look for flat pitches, clean showers, a playground and a beach, stream or woods within walking distance. Sites such as Trevornick, Three Cliffs Bay, Castlerigg Farm and Comrie Croft are popular with families.
Find family places near you
Open the kid.ooo map in your browser – no download needed.