10 of the best UK campsites with swimming pools
Lounging by the pool while the kids splash about in the water is an essential part of a holiday for many – but it’s not something that’s limited to overseas holidays. There are plenty of campsites around the UK that have their own pool, making them an affordable and eco-friendly alternative to jetting off abroad, or a great option for a short break. On top of that, many of the places listed below have additional leisure facilities on site too, so you’ll be able to keep everyone entertained without too much travelling around.
Of course, the UK isn’t blessed with the kind of climate you’d find in Mediterranean countries, so it’s always worth finding out what kind of pool is on site – indoor, outdoor or an adaptable pool with a retractable covering – and checking the opening dates before you book. All this information is available on the campsite page on Pitchup, and you can search for suitable sites using the tick-box filters to find the facilities and camping style that suit you.
10 of the best UK campsites with a pool
Indoor pools, outdoor pools, waterslides, kids’ pools, hot tubs and even a swimming lake – we’ve got the lot listed here among our pick of the best UK campsites with a swimming pool. All the sites below have been tried and tested and given the thumbs up in impartial reviews from previous Pitchup customers.
Trewan Hall Camping Site
St Columb Major, Cornwall
TR9 6DB
Why here? This Cornish site is in a rather fabulous setting – it’s centred around a 17th-century mansion between Padstow and Newquay, on an estate that has a huge 36 acres of gorgeous gardens and woodland. And the facilities are rather fabulous too, including a fully stocked shop, a spacious playing field, games barns and a social barn where local bands provide the entertainment on summer evenings. The highlight for many, however, is likely to be that pool: it’s a proper 25-metre open-air pool here, with heated water and a dome in case of bad weather, and it’s open throughout July and August for summer holiday swims.
Key facilities: Outdoor pool, play area, games barn, summer entertainment, launderette, toilets, showers, dogs allowed
One last thing… As there’s plenty of space here you can pick your own pitch, in either a family-oriented area near all the facilities or a more secluded field for peaceful stays.
Morfa Bychan Holiday Park
Llanfarian, Aberystwyth
Ceredigion, SY23 4QQ
Why here? Morfa Bychan Holiday Park is in a stunning seaside spot, up on a clifftop looking out over Cardigan Bay and with direct access to its own pebble beach for fishing, surfing and rockpooling. This being the West Wales coast, though, some visitors deem the sea to be a little too cold for proper swims – and that’s where the site’s pool comes in very handy. The heated outdoor pool here is open in the summer, with a large grassy area and picnic tables alongside where parents can nurse a cup of tea while supervising splashing kids at a safe distance.
Key facilities: Outdoor pool, play area, games room, launderette, toilets, showers, dogs allowed
One last thing… Getting out for a walk is easy from Morfa Bychan, as the Wales Coast Path runs right along the edge of the park – it’s about four miles from here to the seaside town of Aberystwyth.
Book Morfa Bychan Holiday Park
Ninham Country Holidays
Ninham Farm, Shanklin
Isle of Wight, PO36 9PJ
Why here? There’s an awful lot to do around the Isle of Wight – it’s only a small island, but it’s packed with beaches, historic buildings and family attractions to fill your days. And that means you’re likely to be very grateful for a pitch at Ninham Country Holidays – this pretty and peaceful site has lots of space for relaxing between outings, and a good collection of facilities including a games room, a play area and the heated open-air pool which is open throughout the summer and available to guests on a regulated booking system.
Key facilities: Outdoor pool, games room, play area, launderette, toilets, showers
One last thing… A lot of effort has gone into making this site as eco-friendly as possible – it’s got a strict recycling policy in place, along with technologies like solar water heating and rainwater harvesting toilets.
Manor Wood Country Caravan Park
Mill Lane, Coddington
Chester, Cheshire CH3 9EN
Why here? Cheshire’s Manor Wood Country Caravan Park is a terrific spot for a family holiday, with lots to do nearby and a great collection of leisure facilities on site. The outdoor pool (heated and with a massage jet shower) is likely to be a highlight, but you can also fill hours on site with time spent at the tennis courts, fishing lake, play area or games room. Even catering is easy here, as the park has a café serving up breakfasts, snacks and light lunches, along with the lovely touch of a dedicated menu just for dogs.
Key facilities: Outdoor pool, fishing lake, café, play area, tennis courts, showers, toilets, dogs allowed
One last thing… The lovely city of Chester is 25 minutes’ drive from here, and days out there are made even easier as you can buy tickets for Chester Zoo on site before you set off.
Book Manor Wood Country Caravan Park
Twelve Oaks Farm Caravan Park
Teigngrace, Newton Abbot
Devon TQ12 6QT
Why here? You can be sure the water’s always nice and warm at Twelve Oaks Farm Caravan Park – the outdoor pool at this Devon site is linked up to an eco-friendly biomass system that keeps it supplied with heated water at all times. And that’s not all there is to keep you entertained at this working farm site: it’s also got a play area and a couple of fishing lakes, and it’s within walking distance of a large country park, a family-friendly cycling trail and the Templer Way hiking trail.
Key facilities: Outdoor pool, fishing lakes, play area, launderette, toilets, showers, dogs allowed
One last thing… This is a quiet rural location on a farm, but easy access to local main roads means it’s straightforward to get out and about to Dartmoor National Park or down to the coast around Dawlish and Torquay.
Book Twelve Oaks Farm Caravan Park
Music Water Touring Park
Rumford, Padstow
Cornwall PL27 7SJ
Why here? You may need to pack plenty of swimming kit for a stay at Music Water Touring Park – not only does this Cornwall campsite have its own outdoor pool, but it’s also only a few miles from north Cornwall’s coastline for beach days and surfing adventures. Handily, there’s a launderette here if you’d rather keep the packing list short, and it’s part of a long list of facilities that also includes a play area, a family-friendly bar, a well-equipped games room and two bathroom blocks.
Key facilities: Outdoor pool, play area, bar, games room, launderette, showers, toilets, dogs allowed
One last thing… As well as all its static facilities, the park also has a petting area where you can nuzzle with cute ponies – a feature that’s bound to find favour with animal-loving kids.
Landguard Holiday Park
Landguard Manor Road, Shanklin
Isle of Wight PO37 7PJ
Why here? There shouldn’t be any worries about rain stopping play at Landguard Holiday Park, on the Isle of Wight, as the park has both outdoor and indoor pools to ensure that swims can go ahead whatever the weather. They’re both equally enticing too – the outdoor one has a shallow kids’ pool and plenty of sun loungers alongside, and the indoor one has a twisty waterslide to slither down. When it’s time to dry off, there are kids’ activities, a playground and amusements to keep little ones entertained, and a bar, restaurant and takeaway to keep everyone fed and watered.
Key facilities: Outdoor pool, indoor pool, bar, restaurant, play area, kids’ club, launderette, toilets, showers, dogs allowed
One last thing… The park hosts family shows in the evenings during high season; at quieter times, guests can head to the sister park next door where entertainment runs all year round.
Waldegraves Holiday and Leisure Park
Mythop Road, Weeton
Preston, Lancashire PR4 3NJ
Why here? Swimming fans of all ages will be in their element at Waldegraves Holiday and Leisure Park, on Mersea Island in Essex: as well as a sizeable heated outdoor pool, it’s also got a lake for boating and fishing, and access to its own private stretch of sandy beach. All of this generally adds up to a fine spot for a family holiday – and that’s before you’ve even added in the additional attractions of the clubhouse with its licensed bar, the playground, the miniature golf, the driving range, the sports court and the games room, plus the antics of site mascots Bonnie and Sammy.
Key facilities: Outdoor pool, playground, sports facilities, miniature golf, fishing, bar, toilets, showers, dogs allowed
One last thing… Mersea Island is well known for its oysters, so it’s one of the best places in the UK to sample them; if that’s not to your seafood tastes, there are plenty of places for fish and chips in nearby West Mersea.
Book Waldegraves Holiday and Leisure Park
Cornish Tipi Holidays
Tregildrans Quarry, Trelill
Polzeath, Cornwall PL30 3HZ
Why here? Here’s a wonderful spot for those who like their swims to be on the wilder side – it’s not actually an outdoor pool at Cornish Tipi Holidays but a gorgeous lake with crystal-clear water where you can splash about or borrow canoes and rowing boats to paddle around on the surface. The lake is also stocked with brown trout which you’re welcome to try to catch if you’ve brought your fishing kit along. Alongside all of this is a fabulously welcoming and peaceful site owned by true Cornish native Elizabeth, whose family have lived and worked around here for 11 generations.
Key facilities: Fishing/swimming lake, café, showers, toilets
One last thing… There might be no stronger recommendation of the appealing atmosphere of this place than the fact that there’s been at least one marriage proposal here every year since 1997…
Whitehill Country Park
Stoke Road, Paignton
Devon TQ4 7PF
Why here? The pool area at Whitehill Country Park is a real winner – alongside the heated pool itself are a child-friendly splash pad with a fountain to play in, and a hot tub where the grownups can bubble away out in the fresh air. In fact, this whole park is a real winner: it’s in a great location a couple of miles from south Devon’s beaches and it’s got a fabulous 40 acres of natural space to explore, with a treasure trail to follow and lots of wildlife to look out for. A takeaway, café and shop are among the amenities provided to make life nice and easy on site.
Key facilities: Outdoor pool, play areas, games room, café, launderette, toilets, showers, dogs allowed
One last thing… If all this gorgeous scenery inspires you to paint or draw, you can do so at the park’s Shire Craft Centre, which also runs children’s activities like pottery painting and face painting.
The sites listed here are just a few of the options available to book through Pitchup – we’ve got all sorts of campsites with swimming pools around the UK, across Europe and beyond. Click on the links below to see all the sites you could choose from.