10 Campsites Near to National Trust Sites

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Dorset

Max Gate, Hardy’s Cottage, Corfe Castle

Where to Stay: Wareham Forest Tourist Park or Longthorns Farm

Designed by author and poet Thomas Hardy, Max Gate is a sophisticated town house designed in 1885 and a short walk from Dorchester historic town centre. Hardy’s Cottage - the birthplace of Thomas Hardy - is a quaint cob and thatch cottage where he wrote several of his early short stories. Only 4 miles from the centre of Dorchester, this is another National Trust site worth a visit when in the area.

A 15 minute drive from your campsite towards the Jurassic Coast, you will find Corfe Castle, an iconic, thousand-year-old royal castle full of history and boasting breathtaking views across the Purbeck.

“As well as quiet woodland pitches, Wareham Forest Tourist Park has a licensed shop, outdoor pool, adventure playground and a playing field. 150 pitches are hardstandings with electric hook-ups, and some of them have aerial points and drainage. From here you can visit Abbotsbury and Corfe Castle.” Martin

Stourhead

Wiltshire

Stourhead

Where to stay: Three Oaks Campsite

Stourhead is a palladian house with a world-famous 18th century landscaped garden, a magnificent lake, woodland and ‘picnic perfect’ lawns. 3 miles away you will find Three Oaks Campsite - "This small campsite gave us the most friendly welcome, with tea and biscuits! Lovely flat campsite with a new, clean shower block." Ann and Bob

Isle of Wight

Mottistone Gardens and Estate

Where to Stay: Compton Farm

Set in a sheltered valley, the once abandoned farmyard but now magical Mottistone gardens, are filled with shrub-filled banks, hidden pathways and colourful herbaceous borders bursting with bright reds, purples and oranges from late spring to early autumn.

A small organic kitchen garden is stocked with seasonal fruit and veg - you may even find fresh olives from their young olive grove which has been planted to take advantage of the Mediterranean-style warm, southerly location. There are plenty of walks across the wider Mottistone Estate stretching towards the sea.

"Compton Farm campsite is near the Tennyson trail which has beautiful scenic walks to Freshwater Bay and a 10 minute walk down to Compton Bay. There’s a basic (but clean!) shower and toilet block on site." Naomi

Bodiam Castle

East Sussex

Bodiam Castle, Sissinghurst Castle, Scotney Castle

Where to Stay: Dogwood Cottage Campsite

Bodiam Castle, a grand, 14th century medieval moated castle, is a 10 minute drive from Dogwood Cottage Campsite, a secluded, family-run campsite in a small East Sussex village. A perfectly 'castle-shaped castle', Bodiam has hidden history throughout.

Slightly further afield you can visit Sissinghurst Castle (especially beautiful in the Autumn months) and Scotney Castle which has a long and rich history dating from 1137.

West Sussex

Lavington Common, Petworth House and Park, Woolbeding Gardens, Uppark House and Garden

Where to Stay: Graffham C&C Club Site

Petworth House and Park is nestled in the South Downs, displaying one of the finest art collections in the care of the National Trust. Not only that, there is also a large lake within the landscaped park, grand views overlooking the Baroque-inspired house and another large park where deer run wild. It's a great spot if you want somewhere to take your dog with you in your campervan. 

‘A garden of design’ Woolbeding Gardens has plenty to explore including a contemporary glasshouse, garden rooms and landscaped gardens. Also worth a visit when in the South Downs area are Uppark House and Gardens, and for fantastic dog walks, Lavington Common tree plantation.

Kate recommends staying at Graffham Camping and Caravanning Club Site. “This beautiful woodland site has plenty of secluded pitches among the trees, and lovely hot showers (20p coin needed). The facilities are clean but rustic, in keeping with the woodland setting. Friends with dogs find it a particularly relaxing place to stay, with access to fantastic dog walks through the National Trust’s Lavington Common tree plantation. Ideal for walkers as it is in the South Downs National Park. There are 2 pubs within walking distance."

Surrey

Polesden Lacey, Claremont Landscape Garden, Clandon Park

Where to Stay: Horsley Camping & Caravan Club Site

"Our camping trip to Horsley Camping & Caravan Club Site was marvellous as the weather was glorious. It is one of our favourite campsites as it’s got a picturesque fishing lake, surrounded by woods. Our pitch was overlooking the lake, which had ducks, and herons and we heard owls every night! We visited Polesden Lacey for the third time. We also went to Claremont Gardens, another of our favourite NT places." Brian and Aprille.

Also nearby are the remarkable ruins of Clandon Park, currently undergoing one of the UK’s biggest heritage projects as they remake the ruin following a fire in 2015. You can see the reconstruction taking place as parts of the building are accessible to the public once you’ve donned a hard hat and hi-vis jacket.

Penrhyn Castle

North Wales

Bodnant Garden, Penrhyn Castle and Garden, Plas Newydd House and Garden

Where to Stay: Penrhiw Uchaf Touring Caravan Site

Bodnant Garden is a haven of tranquility and relaxation with year-round colour. A half an hour coastal drive west will take you to the fantastical Penrhyn Castle and Garden with a backdrop of Snowdonia mountains. Another 9 miles across the Menai Strait will take you to Plas Newydd House and Garden, an elegant house redesigned by James Wyatt in the 18th century.

The peaceful, picturesque hillside campsite, Penrhiw Uchaf Touring Caravan Site, is five miles inland from the beaches of Llandudno and Colwyn Bay. It makes an ideal base for visiting these National Trust sites. There are 10 hardstanding pitches beside the stream, free range eggs for sale, and shops, pubs, supermarkets and garages only a couple of miles away. There's a toilet block with hot showers, and the free-range pygmy goats, horses and hens are fun to watch. A little gem.

Wales

Croft Castle and Parkland, Berrington Hall

Where to Stay: Monstay Farm Campsite & Glamping

"Small and basic - a peaceful campsite in a wonderful location with great views. Lots of space. The only sounds we heard were the wind and the sheep. Visit Ludlow Brewery and Ludlow Castle." Ann & Bob

Conniston Lake

Lake District

Wray Castle, Hill Top, Beatrix Potter Gallery, Coniston Steam Yacht Gondola

Where to Stay: Coniston Park Coppice Caravan & Motorhome (C&M) Club Site

“We had a fab mid-September week in the sunshine walking in the Lake District. We camped in a glade within a large National Trust wood. Good facilities, BBQs permitted, and you can walk to village pubs and cafés." Mandy

Beatrix Potter fans will love this area of the Lake District - visit Hill Top, Potters’ 17th-century farmhouse and the Beatrix Potter Gallery displaying original artwork. Wray Castle, a magnificent Gothic Revival castle complete with turrets and towers is also close by.

On Coniston water, you can book a Steam Yacht Gondola ride or go cycling, pony trekking, rock climbing and birdwatching in Grizedale Forest.

Lincolnshire

Tattershall Castle, Gunby Estate, Hall and Gardens

Where to Stay: Woodhall Spa C&C Club Site

Tattershall Castle sits a 10 minute drive from Woodhall Spa Camping & Caravan Club Site. A magnificent 15th century red brick castle with huge Gothic fireplaces and church-like windows, designed to show off Lord Ralph Cromwell’s wealth, position and power.

Brian and Aprille recommend a visit to Gunby Estate, Hall and Gardens, a 30 minute drive towards the coast. “It was beautiful and I played on a Bechstein Grand piano which Vaughan Williams had given recitals on. My Chopin went down well. We packed our Bambino NV200 CamperCar and spent 5 days touring Lincolnshire. Sun every day, our campsite (Woodhall Spa C&C Club Site) was excellent, with a duck pond and we visited some historical villages, and had a pub lunch with our friend in a lovely old pub similar to Jamaica Inn!”