Farm camping and caravan sites

With wide open fields to run around in and animals to befriend, most kids will be tempted by pitching up on a farm campsite. 

And there’s plenty for the adults to do at these rural spots as well, from strolling through spectacular scenery to relaxing in fresh country air.

Why go camping on a farm? Here are eight good reasons

Animal encounters

You can interact with the animals at some farm campsites, whether that's by bottle-feeding lambs in spring or helping to milk the cows. And it might not just be sheep, chickens and goats – you’ll also see llamas, alpacas and ostriches at some campsites. Look out for wild animals too; you might get a glimpse of anything from red deer in Scotland to foxes and badgers in England.

Alternative activities

Some farm campsites offer guided nature walks, tractor and trailer rides or the chance to help mend fences and clip hedges. Others offer horse riding or llama trekking, while fishing ponds, walking trails and cycling paths can be found on many farm sites too. 

Plenty of space  

With so much room to roam when you’re camping on a farm, kids have the freedom to just be kids. Instead of rigid marked-out pitches, farms often have pick-your-own-pitch setups, where you can spread out away from other guests. 

Farm-fresh food

From free-range eggs, homemade jams and local yogurt to breakfast bacon or packs of frozen meat, farm campsites often offer their own produce for sale, so you can grill up a feast on your barbecue and help the farmer financially too. Wood and kindling packs for the campfire are often available at farm sites too.

Budget breaks

Farm campsites are usually simple places, so they’re often cheaper than bigger holiday parks with lots of facilities. Apart from the real back-to-basics places, most have the essential amenities you’d find anywhere else, like toilets and hot showers. 

A touch of luxury

Farm sites are not just about tents, motorhomes and touring caravans, however. Some also have fancy glamping areas with yurts, lodges or shepherd’s huts with well-equipped kitchenettes, proper beds and luxurious extras like hot tubs.

Peace and quiet

Landowners who’ve never opened up fields to holidaymakers before are launching pop-up sites all the time on Pitchup, so we list hundreds of farm campsites that aren’t available to book elsewhere. These are often far from residential areas and busy resorts, so they are ideal for peaceful breaks.

Helping local economies

When you go camping on a farm, you’re giving much-needed tourist income to rural areas. For example, in Lancashire – the least-visited county in England – 12% of overnight visitors account for more than 50% of all spending. Studies also show that travellers part with around £30 of their money per day off-site.

What to keep in mind when camping on a farm

• Always ask the owner whether it's OK to interact with the animals before getting too close, and don't feed them unless you've specifically been told that you can.
  

• Check before bringing your dog – livestock and dogs don’t always mix well. If the site is dog-friendly, always keep your pet under control.
  

• Try to read each listing thoroughly before booking. As some farm campsites are pop-ups, they may not have amenities like showers or electric connections.

How to go farm camping

Head to Pitchup’s farm campsites page and browse all the options. We have hundreds of options to choose from, whether you’re after a back-to-basics pitch in a field or a heated glamping pod.

See all Pitchup farm camping and caravan sites

FAQs for camping on a farm

1. Can I take the family camping or caravanning on a farm?

Kids are normally welcomed with open arms on farm sites – there’s plenty of room for them to play, pitches are often spread out and there are often lots of animals to keep them enthralled. We recommend that you check our family-friendly sites before you travel.

2. Can I take my dog to camping or caravan sites on a farm?

Dogs are often allowed on farm campsites, and some even provide dedicated exercise areas for your pets. It’s vital that you check beforehand though, to make sure you're booking one of our dog-friendly campsites here.

3. Can I go glamping on a farm?

Yes you can. Glamping gives you more protection from the weather, plus lots of extra luxuries, which might include hot tubs, electricity, fully equipped kitchenettes, private showers and even meal services. Pitchup has a great collection of glamping sites to choose from.