Glamping breaks for families on the UK’s loveliest beaches

Kids love camping by the beach, and Ready Camp is on a mission to convince parents to feel exactly the same way: by removing the camping fuss and making much, much more of the fun side of things.

UK experts in the art of cocooning you under canvas, Ready Camp have your luxury tent built before you arrive, and packed with lots of little home comforts (including real beds and your very own kitchen).

As an offspring of the Camping & Caravanning Club (C&CC), their campsites are exceptional, surrounded by fun attractions to keep everyone happy, from toddlers to teens (and grown-ups too). Plus, you get to travel light as light as you like: all you need is bedding, holiday essentials – and wine for the fridge.

Ready to put Ready Camp to the test? Have a look at these 16 beautiful campsites, closest to the UK’s loveliest beaches, and great value short-breaks breaks for 2018.

Sandown, Isle of Wight

1/16  Adgestone, Isle of Wight

Is the Isle of Wight exciting for kids? It’s nicknamed ‘Bicycle Island’, and home to the UK’s first dinosaur museum. The 57 mile-round coast includes 17 Blue Flag beaches, and the family-friendly Isle of Wight Festival has been going longer than Glastonbury.  In fact, it could only be more exciting, if you were glamping minutes from long, golden sands. Luckily, Ready Camp’s Adgestone site in Sandown has that covered too.

Why kids love the Isle of Wight

• Over 500 miles of safe, family-friendly cycling routes.
• The UK’s first dinosaur museum: Dinosaur Isle in Sandown.
• Carisbrooke Castle for medieval adventures and enchanting donkeys.
• Surfing, windsurfing, sailing, Mega Family SUP, aqua-zorbing.
• The Needles’ chairlift at Alum Bay.
• Monkey Haven animal sanctuary; Robin Hill Country Park; Tapnell Farm Centre.
• Black Gang Chine amusement park: first opened in 1843.

Find out more about Ready Camp Adgestone for beachy family holidays

Widemouth Beach, Bude

2/16  Bude, Cornwall

Just 20 minutes from mysterious Tintagel Castle, a short drive from brilliant beaches and top crabbing sites, close to cute seaside towns and very handy for some of England’s finest fish & chips: Ready Camp’s Bude site works everything that’s magical about family holidays in Cornwall – and then some.

Why kids love Bude

• Crackington Haven Beach: sheltered by some of Cornwall’s tallest cliffs.
• Widemouth Beach: three miles of sand and excellent surf schools.
• Tintagel Castle for wild climbs and Arthurian legends.
• The world’s largest Museum of Witchcraft and Magic in Boscastle.
• Award-winning fish & chips and legendary crabbing in charming Padstow.
• Cycling the 18 mile (almost traffic-free) Camel Trail from Wenfordbridge to Padstow.
• Exploring quaint seaside towns like Bude, Port Isaac and Polzeath.

Find out more about Ready Camp Bude for beachy family holidays

Bantham Beach, South Devon

3/16  California Cross, South Devon

Gorgeous South Devon beaches or wild adventuring round Dartmoor National Park, days out in Plymouth or seaside antics at Torquay? Ready Camp’s California Cross site keeps it simple, puts all those fun options within easy reach, then adds dozens more. So if you run out of ponies and sands: go see otters, sail to Dartmouth Castle or spend an afternoon at the UK’s biggest waterpark in Paignton.

Why kids love California Cross

• Bantham Beach, only English beach in Lonely Planet’s ’10 Best Beaches in Europe’.
• Half-an-hour from seaside resorts like Paignton and Torquay.
• Close to Dartmoor Otters & Buckfast Butterflies; Dartmoor Zoo.
• Plymouth’s National Marine Aquarium.
• Splashdown Quaywest in Paignton is the UK’s largest outdoor waterpark.
• Babeny Farm Stables for family pony trekking on Dartmoor.
• Woodlands Family Theme Park, the biggest in Devon.

Find out more about Ready Camp California Cross for beachy family holidays

Cromer, Norfolk

4/16  West Runton, Norfolk

Ready Camp’s West Runton site sits on the Norfolk Coast, just three miles from Sheringham: a hotspot for rock-pools and fabulously broad sands at low tide. You’ll find even more traditional seaside fun in nearby Cromer, where the beaches are huge and the Victorian pleasure pier is bigger still. Hop on the North Norfolk Railway and take it easy round the lovely, local countryside. Alternatively, be active, climb to the top of Beacon Hill, and survey the magnificent coastline from Norfolk’s highest point.

Why kids love West Runton

• Traditional seaside Sheringham for great big beaches.
• Broad sands, funfairs and restored Victorian pier at Cromer.
• Scenic train journeys on the North Norfolk Railway.
• Walking, cycling and sailing on the Norfolk Broads.
• Hillside Animal & Shire Horse Sanctuary in Cromer. 
• Over 200 South American animals at Cromer’s Amazona Zoo.
• Woodland walks and family events at Felbrigg Hall.

Find out more about Ready Camp West Runton for beachy family holidays

Rocky Beach in front of Culzean Castle, Ayrshire

5/16  Culzean Castle, Ayrshire

Glamping doesn’t get much more palatial than Ready Camp’s Culzean Castle site. It’s set in the enormous, and wildly beautiful grounds, of one of Scotland’s most famous 18^th century castles: which also happens to sit cliff-top, overlooking the Firth of Clyde. So not only do you have spectacular views of Ailsa Craig and Arran, there’s masses of beachy fun on the glorious Ayrshire coast too – if you can tear kids away from Culzean itself.

Why kids love Culzean Castle

• Set in the grounds of Culzean Castle, overlooking the Firth of Clyde.
• Close to beautiful beaches at Maidens and Dunure.
• Half-an-hour from Ayr for family seaside fun and more, sandy beaches.
• Robert Burns Birthplace Museum and heritage park.
• Heads of Ayr Farm Park is less than 20 minutes away.
• Wildlife and dolphin spotting cruises round Ailsa Craig from Girvan.
• Walking, hiking and mountain biking in Galloway Forest Park.

Find out more about Ready Camp Culzean Castle for beachy family holidays

Blackpool Sands, South Devon

6/16  Dartmouth, South Devon

For family beach holidays, where beaches are front and centre, from the minute kids wake up in the morning, Ready Camp’s Dartmouth site on the South Devon coast is pretty hard to beat. First thing views of stunning Start Bay over breakfast are followed up by easy-going strolls to beautiful Blackpool Sands, and – if you don’t mind a tiny drive – Slapton Sands, Torcross, and Beesands are a mere 10, scenic, minutes away.

Why kids love Dartmouth

• Blackpool Sands is one of South Devon’s loveliest Blue Flag beaches.
• Breakfast with baboons and other wild fun at Paignton Zoo. 
• Splashdown Quaywest in Paignton, the UK’s biggest outdoor waterpark.
• Slapton Sands, Beesands, and Torcross Beaches.
• Easy days out in Torquay AKA the English Riviera.
• Woodland’s Family Theme Park is 10 minutes from Dartmouth.
• Nearby Dartmouth town has ferry crossings to dramatic Dartmouth Castle.

Find out more about Ready Camp Dartmouth for beachy family holidays

Great Yarmouth beach

7/16  Kessingland, Suffolk

Ready Camp’s Kessingland site sits so close to Africa Alive Wildlife Park, it’s like being on safari, only with enormous Suffolk coast beaches minutes away. If night sounds of the Serengeti lulling them to sleep isn’t exciting enough, Benacre nature reserve is another near neighbour, and RSPB Minsmere is close by too. Plus, wildly good fun of the traditional English seaside variety, is just 45 minutes up the road in Lowestoft and Great Yarmouth.

Why kids love Kessingland

• A few minutes drive, or an easy walk, from Kessingland Beach.
• Safari adventures round 100-acre  Africa Alive Wildlife Park.
• Birdwatching at RSPB Minsmere and Benacre Nature Reserve.
• Fun, family beaches and maritime museums in Lowestoft.
• Great Yarmouth for vintage seaside fun, aquariums, fairs, and pleasure piers.
• Lighthouse tours (and brewery tours) in nearby Southwold.
• Thrigby Hall Wildlife Gardens for pandas, primates, and big cats.

Find out more about Ready Camp Kessingland for beachy family holidays

Woolacombe Beach, North Devon

8/16  Lynton, Devon

Tucked between Exmoor National Park and North Devon’s Heritage Coast, Ready Camp’s Lynton site balances beaches and outdoor adventuring beautifully. Charming seaside towns you expect in this part of England, but the world’s steepest, water-powered funicular linking a couple of them, might come as more of a surprise. Although, if you really want open-mouthed wonder from kids, try the animatronic dinosaurs in Combe Martin Wildlife Park or close encounters with creepie crawlies at Exmoor Zoo.

Why kids love Lynton

• A short drive from big, sandy beaches on North Devon’s Heritage Coast.
• The spectacular Cliff Railway linking Lynton and Lynmouth.
• Historic Ilfracombe and legendary rock-pooling on the Tunnels Beaches.
• Wild Exmoor ponies roaming the National Park from spring to autumn.
• Animatronic monsters and real wildness at Combe Martin Wildlife & Dinosaur Park.
• ‘Hands-on’ experiences at Exmoor Zoo: Devon’s Best Small Attraction 2017.
• Waterfalls and fun family activities at Glen Lyn Gorge in Lynmouth.

Find out more about Ready Camp Lynton for beachy family holidays

Skegness Beach, Lincolnshire

9/16  Mablethorpe, Lincolnshire

With iconic Skegness just half-an-hour south, you can safely pack buckets and spades for Ready Camp’s Mablethorpe site: family holidays don’t come more vintage seaside than this. Although you really don’t have to travel for beaches here, since long, local sands are mere minutes away every morning. And if you want to swap the coast for a spot of countryside rambling, Lincolnshire Wolds AONB is almost as close to your luxe canvas home, as the beach.

Why kids love Maplethorpe

• All the traditional fun of the English seaside, minutes away in Mablethorpe.
• Mablethorpe Seal Sanctuary & Wildlife Centre.
• Pleasure beaches, funfairs and endless big beaches in Skegness.
• Walking, cycling and riding in nearby Lincolnshire Wolds AONB.
• Rushmoor Country Park and Falconry Centre.
• Skegness Aquarium, Fantasy Island Family Theme Park.
• The Five Sailed Mill in Alford, the UK’s finest working windmill.

Find out more about Ready Camp Mablethorpe for beachy family holidays

Minehead Beach, Somerset

10/16  Minehead, Somerset

Sitting on Somerset’s side of Exmoor National Park, overlooking the Bristol Channel, with the Quantock Hills in the background, Ready Camp’s Minehead site checks just about every essential on the family holiday wish list. Nearby beaches are as stunning as you’d expect. And if you want quaint harbour town prettiness, lively summer festivals, and cute pubs for sampling Somerset’s most famous export, Minehead is the nearest neighbour.

Why kids love Minehead

• Long, sandy Minehead beach just a few minutes away.
• Lively Minehead town with its traditional prom and summer festivals.
• Walking, cycling and pony trekking in Exmoor National Park.
• National Trust Dunster Castle and woodland walks.
• Family tours of Dunster Working Watermill.
• Watersports at Wimble Reservoir.
• Days out on West Somerset Steam Railway’s vintage trains.

Find out more about Ready Camp Minehead for beachy family holidays

Pevensey Bay Beach, East Sussex

11/16  Normans Bay, East Sussex

Ready Camp’s Normans Bay site is right on the East Sussex coast, which means enormous beaches are the first thing kids see every morning. If you can manage to tear them away from the heady combo of complete freedom and acres of sand, Hastings is less than half-an-hour away: the history here is so satisfyingly gore-laden and battle-rich, it’s almost unrecognisable as education. Start the Hastings’ tour with a ride up the East Cliff Railway: it’s the UK’s steepest funicular and the views are astounding.

Why kids love Normans Bay

• Almost right on long, sandy and sheltered Normans Bay Beach.
• Fascinating Hastings’ Old Town and museums.
• East Cliff Railway: steepest funicular in the UK.
• Walking and cycling round Hastings Country Park.
• Eastbourne beaches and Miniature Steam Railway Park.
• Pevensey Bay Beach, where William the Conqueror landed in 1066.
• Drusilla Park for zoos, funfairs, waterparks and play zones.

Find out more about Ready Camp Normans Bay for beachy family holidays

North Bay Beach, Scarborough

12/16  Scarborough, North Yorkshire

Of course Scarborough has irresistible seaside charms like fish & chips on the prom and big, family beaches, but it’s also North Yorkshire. So you can look forward to wild country walks, astonishing views, forests filled with aerial adventures, historic little towns, quaint villages, and enough outdoor activity to fill several holidays. Happily, Ready Camp’s Scarborough site has a pole position in North York Moors National Park, and it’s minutes from the coast, so you’re right at the heart of all the local action.

Why kids love Scarborough

• Minutes from Scarborough town centre and North Bay beaches.
• Scarborough Sea Life Sanctuary and Open Air Theatre.
• Aerial adventures at Go Ape in North York Moors National Park.
• Family events and exploring at magnificent Scarborough Castle.
• North Riding Forest Park adventure playgrounds.
• Pony trekking, mountain bike trails, hiking in North York Moors.
• Days out in historic Whitby – half-an-hour north of Scarborough.

Find out more about Ready Camp Normans Bay for beachy family holidays

Slapton Sands, South Devon

13/16  Slapton Sands, South Devon

South Devon does lovely as standard, but Ready Camp’s Slapton Sands site is next to Slapton Ley Nature Reserve, home to the UK’s largest freshwater lagoon, so it manages to bypass lovely and go straight for extraordinary. Blue Flag Blackpool Sands Beach is just a few minutes away too. And if all that doesn’t keep kids sufficiently entertained: nearby Dartmouth has ferry crossings to Dartmouth Castle and absorbing hours of crabbing by the sea.

Why kids love Slapton Sands

• Slapton Ley Nature Reserve and freshwater lagoon.
• Blue Flag Blackpool Sands Beach.
• Dartmouth for Dartmouth Castle, crabbing, and cream teas.
• Slapton Sands, Beesands and Torcross Beaches are all a short drive away.
• The English Riviera at nearby Torquay, and the UK’s biggest waterpark in Paignton.
• Woodland’s Family Theme Park.
• Breakfast with baboons and other animal experiences at Paignton Zoo.

Find out more about Ready Camp Slapton Sands for beachy family holidays

Falmouth, Cornwall

14/16  Veryan, Cornwall

Minutes from beaches on the Roseland Heritage Coast, and almost as close to the historic city of Truro, Ready Camp’s Veryan site is Cornwall for beginners – and a reminder of how gorgeous the area is, for experts. Whichever you are, expect to be dazzled by dramatic coves and long, long sands; charmed by quaint villages and seaside towns; intrigued by local tales, and tempted into days out at legends like The Lost Gardens of Heligan, The Eden Project, and Trelissick.

Why kids love Veryan

• Carne, Pendhower and Portholland Beaches nearby.
• The Lost Gardens of Heligan and Trelissik Garden.
• Cliff walks on Roseland Heritage Coast. 
• Discovery Quay in Falmouth.
• National Maritime Museum Cornwall, and Pendennis Castle.
• Flumes, slides and pools at Falmouth’s Ships & Castles Leisure Centre.
• 16^th century St. Mawes Castle fortress.

Find out more about Ready Camp Veryan for beachy family holidays

Bournemouth Pier

15/16  Verwood, New Forest

Nestled right in the heart of the New Forest, Ready Camp’s Verwood site might not instantly say ‘beach holiday’, but lively Bournemouth is just 20 minutes away, and you don’t get much beachier than that. The town’s famous for free summer festivals, surf schools and ziplining on its immense Victorian pier. And, if you want waterpark action, head next door to charming Poole for rides and slides at Splashdown.

Why kids love Verwood

• Seven miles of Bournemouth beaches just 20 minutes away.
• Surf schools, ziplining, climbing walls and aerial adventures at Bournemouth Pier.
• Splashdown Waterpark in Poole.
• Paulton’s Family Theme Park and Peppa Pig World.
• Go Ape and Go Ape Junior in the New Forest.
• Walking, cycling, and The Highway Rat trails in Moors Valley Country Park. 
• New Forest Reptile Centre.

Find out more about Ready Camp Verwood for beachy family holidays

Surfing in West Wales

16/16  Cardigan Bay, West Wales

Between the soaring peaks of Snowdonia National Park, magnificent beaches, and historic seaside resorts, it’s not surprising West Wales is prime family holiday territory. Pick of the best spots for golden sands and outdoor adventuring goes to Ready Camp’s Cardigan Bay site. Not only is it minutes from one of the UK’s loveliest coastlines, and just over an hour from Coed y Brenin Forest Park, it’s an easy drive to Aberystwyth, and closer still to the lively town of Aberteifi.

Why kids love Cardigan Bay

• Easy, kid-friendly hiking along the Ceredigion and Pembrokeshire Coastal Paths
• Legendary Cwmtydu Beach is closest of all.
• Coed y Brenin for some of the UK’s best, hand-built, AT bike tracks.
• The scenic Vale of Rheidol Railway from Aberystwyth to Devil’s Bridge.
• 10 minutes from Cardigan Bay Marine Wildlife Centre.
• Sailing, windsurfing and kayaking at New Quay Bay.
• Aberystwyth Cliff Funicular Railway and the Victorian Camera Obscura.

Find out more about Ready Camp Cardigan Bay for beachy family holidays

More countryside than coast when it comes to camping? Have a look at the full range of Ready Camp family campsites across the UK.