Camping guide: The best UK campsites

Many of us can't afford a holiday abroad but a family camping holiday in the UK can be an affordable way to get away with the kids.

A camping holiday can be one that you and your kids will remember for years - nothing beats cooking dinner over a BBQ (don't forget to toast marshmallows!), and getting out and exploring the countryside.

Nearly all campsites now have toilet blocks and showers on site, plus some will have Wi-Fi access, common rooms with TVs, places to charge your mobile phone, play areas for kids, entertainment in the evenings and heaps more.

We've rounded up the top 10 campsites across the country for you to choose from we've listed the facilities that each campsite has too.

So work out the how much a camping holiday would cost you altogether - and you might be surprised to find that can afford a break this year. Just remember to factor in the cost of food, camping equipment and any extras the campsite might charge you for - such as electric hook ups.

Many camp sites charge as little as £10 a night to pitch a tent for the night so you might be shocked at just how affordable a camping holiday can be.

If you know of a great campsite that you want to shout about, let us know by heading to our Facebook page and sending us a message or writing on the post!

Don't forget to check out our camping essentials gallery to make sure you don't forget anything!

Camping guide: Campsite 1

Abbey Wood campsite, near Woolwich, London

If you fancy some sightseeing in London as well as some space for the kids to run around - this campsite is just the thing. The nearby train station will get you into London within 35 minutes (or to the very lovely Greenwich in just 20 minutes), but you'll also enjoy the open space and play area when you get back. Visitors to this campsite say that staff are friendly and helpful, the toilet and shower facilities are in good condition and security is taken seriously.

Open: All year round Pitches for: Tents, caravans and motorhomes Facilities: Wi-Fi toilets and showers, laundry, dogs allowed, playing field, supermarket within walking distance, BBQs allowed on site Best for: A great mix between a city break and camping break! Price: £45 for a week in August - but you need to be a member of the Caravan Club to camp here

Visit Abbey Wood campsite's website

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Camping guide: Campsite 2

Sumners Ponds, Barns Green, West Sussex

Sumners Pond has two campsites - the main site, and a lakeside site (great if you fancy trying your hand at fishing). The site has 130 acres of woodland and a working farm - plus there's plenty of opportunity to go exploring on the footpaths and cycle trails. The on-site shop sells hot food, drinks, snacks and ice cream, and if you want to venture out, the nearby village has a pub, shop and post office.

Open: All year round Pitches for: Tents and caravans Facilities: Electric hook ups, Wi-Fi, showers and toilets, laundry, kids' play area, dogs welcome Best for: A very quiet, relaxing break with the opportunity of plenty of exercise - and it's great for anyone who loves fishing! Price: £77 for a pitch for 1 week in August

Visit Sumners Pond's website

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Camping guide: Campsite 3

Bowden Crest Caravan & Camping Park, Langport, Somerset

This quiet campsite has great views of Somerset - the games room on-site will keep your kids entertained for hours with its games machines, pool table and TV. Kids can let off some steam in the play area and you can all enjoy a meal in the restaurant and bar on-site. There's lots to do nearby, including cycle routes, museums, theatres, golf and walks around the quiet villages.

Open: All year Pitches for: Tents and caravans plus you can hire caravans Facilities: Electric hook ups, Wi-Fi, showers and toilets, laundry, kids' play area, shop, bar and restaurant, dogs allowed Best for: A quiet place to relax in the evenings and lots to explore nearby during the day Price: From £140 for a week in August

Visit Bowden Crest Caravan & Camping Park's website

Know a great campsite in the South West? Let us know on our Facebook page!

Camping guide: Campsite 4

Clippesby Hall, Clippesby, Norfolk

Use Clippesby Hall as your base to explore the Norfolk Broads, Norwich and Great Yarmouth - and there's plenty to do on site too. Hire bikes and cycle, try your hand at boating, birdwatching, fishing and canoeing or just leave your little ones to go mad on the adventure playground! The on-site coffee shop and pub is a great place to relax and have fun too.

Open: Easter until the end of October Pitches for: Tents, caravans and motorhomes Facilities: Electric hook ups, showers and toilets, childrens' play area, coffee shop, pub restaurant, outdoor pool, mini golf and tennis courts Best for: Energetic families and kids Price: £185 for a week in August

Visit Clippesby's website

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Camping guide: Campsite 5

Sherwood Forest Holiday Park, Mansfield, Notts

Relax in this secluded, quiet campsite which will give you loads of opportunities to get some fresh air and exercise. The site is nearby to cycle networks, plus you can visit the Major Oak at Sherwood Forest, or the nearby Clumber Park.

Open: All year round Pitches for: Tents, caravans, motorhomes Facilities: Showers and toilets, laundry, washing up facilities, kids' play area, shop, dogs allowed. Best for: Exploring the great outdoors Price: £180 for a week in August

Visit Sherwood Forest's website

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Camping guide: Campsite 6

Shell Island, Gwynedd, North Wales

Shell Island was recommended to us by Sue on goodtoknow's facebook fan page. It's one of the UK's biggest campsites - with over 300 acres for camping in. The site is very near to the beach and has everything you'll need on site - including a restaurant, snack bar and supermarket. Plus local activities include fishing, boating and crabbing. Only families and couples are accepted, so you're unlikely to be kept awake by noisy groups in the evenings.

Open: March - October Pitches for: Tents and motorhomes. Facilities: Showers and toilets, laundry, TV room, entertainment, supermarket, gift shop, restaurant, dogs allowed Best for: A stress-free, relaxing holiday - you'll never have to leave the campsite Price: £100 for a week in August

Visit Shell Island's website

Know a great campsite in Wales? Let us know on our Facebook page!

Camping guide: Campsite 7

Upper Carr Holiday Park, Pickering, North Yorkshire

This secluded campsite in the middle of the countryside is a great place for families - the campsite is clean and secure, plus there's loads of things to do nearby. Visit the stately homes, castles and abbeys or take a trip through the moors on a steam railway. If you fancy a quieter day, the site has entertainment for kids - including a play area, amusement arcade and regular events like BBQs.

Open: March - October Pitches for: Tents, caravans, motorhomes - plus you can hire tents that are already set up and static caravans Facilities: Toilets and showers, laundry, kids' playground, shop, amusement arcade, disabled facilities, dogs allowed Best for: Families with energetic children Price: From £84 for a week in August

Visit Upper Carr Holiday Park's website

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Camping guide: Campsite 8

Royal Umpire Caravan Park, Croston, near Preston

This lovely, quiet campsite is a great place for energetic kids to let off some steam - the play area and playing field gives them plenty of space to run around. If you fancy a trip to the beach, Southport and Blackpool are only a 30 minute drive away - both offering amusements and rides as well as seaside! You can also explore the nearby village, Croston, which is one of the most photographed areas in Lancashire.

Open: All year round Pitches for: Tents, caravans and motorhomes Facilities: Electric hook ups, toilets and showers, laundry, washing up, kids' play area, mini football pitch, garden, dogs allowed Best for: Energetic families Price: £111 for a week in August

Visit Royal Umpire Caravan Park's website

Know a great campsite in the north west? Let us know on our Facebook page!

Camping guide: Campsite 9

Drumroamin Farm, Kirkinner, Newton Stewart Wigtownshire, Scotland

This privately owned, family site is very spacious and has beautiful scenery. It's a great place for a relaxing break, but there are also plenty of local attractions to keep you entertained - including Galloway house and gardens, St Ninian's Cave and Monreith Animal World. There are also cycle tracks around the area.

Open: All year round Pitches for: Tents, caravans, motorhomes plus you can hire static caravans Facilities: Showers and toilets, laundry, washing up, kids' play area, indoor playroom and sitting area, storage for bikes and boats Best for: A relaxing, quiet break Price: £70 for a week in August

Visit Drumroamin Farm's website

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Camping guide: Campsite 10

Delmont Country Park Camping and Caravanning Club, Killyleagh, Northern Ireland

This campsite is just 10 minutes from the coast and is opposite Delamont Country Park - which has an adventure playground for kids, plus the longest miniature railway in Northern Ireland. Other local activities include fishing, walking and cycling. The site is open to members and non members and is about an hour's drive from the Belfast Ferry.

Open: March - November Pitches for: Tents, caravans and motorhomes Facilities: Electric hook ups, Wi-Fi, showers and toilets, laundry, washing up, dogs allowed Best for: Active families Price: £163 for a week in August

Visit Delmont Country Park's website

Once again don't forget to get in touch if you've got any camping holiday tips and tricks you would like to share – Happy camping!