Top 5 UK campsites for group camping

1/5 Cerenety Eco Camping, Cornwall

With its no-frills, close-to-nature approach, Cerenety proves you can still enjoy the wilder side of camping in a uniform, family campsite.

Just a smattering of tents are allowed in the seven sprawling acres, so for large group camping, space is never a problem, and facilities are as green as the surroundings with compost loos and solar panels.

Alpacas roam a few feet shy of the tents, while campers wander further – it’s a mile’s easy stroll along a canal to Bude, where kids can get a seaside fix without sanding up the car.

Price: £8 per person for a large tent for six people (staying between July 4th – September 8th)

Find out more: coolcamping.co.uk

Jonathan Knight is the editor of Cool Camping Britain. The 2nd edition of Cool Camping Britain has just been published – available from coolcamping.co.uk

2/5   Comrie Croft, Perthshire

In the heart of highland Perthshire, this co-operative run campsite is perfect for a family bash.

Smaller groups can enjoy the main camping field close to all the facilities, or hideaway in a romantic bank of woodland, while larger groups can hire out their own private meadow.

Meanwhile, if you don’t fancy laborious tent-pitching, there are five Swedish Katas for rent. Trails sneak off into the trees and an established mountain bike route adds extra excitement. Those looking to relax can still return to a quiet Tea Garden.

Price: Weekend stays start at £10 per night (adult) and £5 per night (under 18s)

Find out more: coolcamping.co.uk

3/5  Abbotstone Wood, Hampshire

It’s live and let live at Abbotsone Wood, where campfires are encouraged and kids, kites and acoustic guitars are not to be hidden away.

The huge site means big family groups can find their own space in a central, open field, or disperse themselves around clearings within the trees and reconvene whenever the time suits.

Wildlife spotting and den building occupies little ones, with a bushcraft day on offer at weekends, and there’s an excellent one mile walk to the family-friendly Woolpack Inn.

Price: £15.00 per night (adults only). They offer a reduction for families which is £12.50 per adult and £6.00 for each child 3 and over. (Adults are classed as all those over 16)

Find out more: coolcamping.co.uk

Best bits:

• Dogs welcome
• Campfires permitted
• Nice views
• Fishing
• Tent pitches

4/5  Llyn Gwynant, Gwynedd

Llyn Gwynant doesn’t just offer space for a massive tribe gathering; it also brings a wealth of activities to the table.

Come the weekends there’s a frenetic buzz to the place and don’t be surprised when the kids bring another 20 friends back to join your party.

Canoeing, sailing, rafting, rock-climbing and coasteering are among the activities to get your teeth into. Not to mention just sitting, wide-eyed, watching it all happen. During the weekdays the buzz drops to a relaxing hum and campfires crackle in the evening hours.

Price: £11 per adult and £5 per child (July 17 to Aug 31 and bank holidays except for August bank holiday)

Find out more: coolcamping.co.uk

Best bits:

• Dogs welcome
• Campfires permitted
• Nice views
• Waterside location
• Caravans permitted

5/5  Castle Knights, Monmouthshire

For something different, the well-preserved Norman keep of Usk Castle in Monmouthshire boasts stunning views over it’s namesake town and beyond to the Black Mountains.

In its grounds, four striped pavilions (with additional space for 10 tents – ideal for group camping) offer guests the chance to gather together like Knights of the Round Table and generally enjoy having the run of the castle grounds, with the ruins free to explore.

Kids will adore the medieval fancy dress, archery, and bicycle jousting on offer, while grown ups have a peaceful setting, magnificent sculpture trail and a pretty market town to discover.

Price: £180 for six people in July (staying for 2 nights)

Find out more: coolcamping.co.uk

Best bits:

• Dogs welcome
• Campfires permitted
• Glamping available
• Nice views
• Mountains