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Best campsites in Yorkshire: 8 top picks for 2026

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Best campsites in Yorkshire: 8 top picks for 2026

Camplify Team
Best campsites in Yorkshire - Image 1

The best campsites in Yorkshire span clifftop holiday parks on the East Yorkshire coast, spa-adjacent touring fields in Harrogate, and off-grid farm sites deep in the Dales, giving you 8 genuinely distinct options across the county. This guide to the best campsites in Yorkshire covers everything from full-facility Haven parks to rewilding projects where the night sky is the main event. Drive time from Manchester is roughly 1.5 to 2 hours depending on your destination, making Yorkshire one of the most accessible touring regions in northern England.

Browse campervans and caravans for hire in Yorkshire if you already know your dates.

Yorkshire campsites on the East Coast: clifftops, bays, and seaside touring

Haven Thornwick Bay Holiday Village

Haven Thornwick Bay Holiday Village sits on the clifftops above Thornwick Bay near Flamborough Head, one of the most dramatic stretches of the East Yorkshire coast. The setting is genuinely striking: chalk headlands, seabird colonies, and the kind of coastal light that makes even a drizzly afternoon feel worthwhile. It is among the most popular campsites in Yorkshire for families, and consistently rates highly among Camplify travellers who value a full-facility base with easy beach access.

The park offers electric hook-up pitches, an indoor pool, entertainment facilities, and on-site dining, making it a practical choice for longer stays or bank holiday camping when you want convenience alongside the coastal scenery. Flamborough Head itself is a short walk or drive, with fossil hunting on the beach a favourite activity for younger travellers. Hirers who've stayed here rate it highly for the mix of structured facilities and open clifftop space, which gives families room to breathe without sacrificing comfort.

Bridlington is the nearest town, around 5 miles south, with a traditional seaside front and good fish and chips. For touring around the East Riding, this is a solid anchor point. If you are exploring further into the Dales afterwards, the Best Yorkshire Dales National Park campsites guide is worth reading before you pack up.

Quick facts:

  • Distance: Approx. 35 miles from Hull, 45 miles from York

  • Best for: Families, couples seeking coastal touring

  • Key facilities: Electric hook-up, indoor pool, entertainment, on-site restaurant, shop

  • Book ahead: Bank holidays and school summer holidays book up fast

Can't tow? Get a campervan delivered to Haven Thornwick Bay Holiday Village.

Harrogate Caravan Park

Harrogate Caravan Park is a well-run touring park sitting close to one of England's most elegant spa towns. Harrogate has always attracted a certain kind of visitor: the kind who enjoys a proper tea room, a well-maintained garden, and a decent local pub. This park fits that character well. It is tidy, well-organised, and positioned conveniently for the town centre without feeling hemmed in.

The park provides electric hook-up pitches and hardstanding options, and the facilities are kept to a good standard. Camplify travellers consistently recommend it as a practical base for exploring the wider region, with the RHS Garden Harlow Carr, the Stray, and Knaresborough all within easy reach. The nearby market town of Knaresborough, with its castle and the famous Mother Shipton's Cave, is a popular half-day trip. Feedback from Camplify's community of owners and hirers notes that this park rewards those who take time to explore the area rather than treating it as a stop-off point.

Harrogate's town centre is walkable from some parts of the park, which is a practical advantage if you would rather leave the van parked up after a long drive. Bank holiday weekends and the Harrogate Flower Show period see demand rise sharply, so planning ahead pays.

Quick facts:

  • Distance: Approx. 15 miles from Leeds, 20 miles from York

  • Best for: Couples, retirees, town explorers

  • Key facilities: Electric hook-up, hardstanding pitches, modern amenities block

  • Book ahead: Bank holidays, flower show weekends, and summer school holidays

Can't tow? Get a campervan delivered to Harrogate Caravan Park.

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Camping in Yorkshire on the North Yorkshire coast and moors

Parkdean Resorts Cayton Bay Holiday Park

Parkdean Resorts Cayton Bay Holiday Park occupies a strong position on the clifftops between Scarborough and Filey, with direct access to Cayton Bay beach via a path through the park. It is among the top campsites in Yorkshire for families who want a seaside holiday with plenty of on-site options to fall back on when the North Sea wind picks up. The park has indoor and outdoor pools, a range of dining options, and well-maintained touring pitches with electric hook-up.

Scarborough itself is only a few miles north and earns its reputation as one of Yorkshire's classic seaside destinations: two bays, a working harbour, a castle on the headland, and a functioning steam railway. Camplify travellers rate Cayton Bay highly as a coastal base because you get the seaside access without being in the thick of Scarborough's busiest streets. Cayton Bay beach is quieter than South Bay and suits families with younger children.

Pitches vary from standard grass to hardstanding, and the park is a motorhome-friendly site with a motorhome service point. For those touring the coast before heading inland, Cayton Bay pairs well with a drive through the North York Moors National Park. If you later head further north, the 11 best NC500 campsites for motorhomes is a useful forward-planning resource.

Quick facts:

  • Distance: Approx. 45 miles from York, 60 miles from Leeds

  • Best for: Families, couples, coastal touring

  • Key facilities: Electric hook-up, hardstanding pitches, indoor/outdoor pool, motorhome service point, on-site dining

  • Book ahead: School summer holidays and bank holiday weekends

Can't tow? Get a campervan delivered to Parkdean Resorts Cayton Bay Holiday Park.

Heggs Farm Off-Grid Bothy, Wild Camping & Rewilding Project

Heggs Farm Off-Grid Bothy, Wild Camping & Rewilding Project is a genuinely different kind of place. Located in West Yorkshire near Hebden Bridge, this working rewilding project offers off-grid camping on farmland that is being actively returned to a wilder state. No electric hook-up, no entertainment complex, and no pool. What you get instead is birdsong, dark skies, and a sense of space that is increasingly rare this side of the Pennines.

Camplify owners who know this area suggest it works best for travellers comfortable with self-sufficiency: bring your cool box well stocked, check your water supply before you arrive, and leave with everything you came with. The bothy accommodation suits those who want shelter without formality, and the camping areas are dispersed enough to give genuine solitude. Hirers who've stayed here rate it highly for the rare combination of accessible off-grid camping and proximity to Hebden Bridge's cafes, independent bookshops, and market.

This is one of the top campsites in Yorkshire for those specifically seeking an alternative to the full-facility park experience. For more farm-based camping ideas in the region, the Best farm campsites Yorkshire Dales: top scenic spots guide offers further options.

Quick facts:

  • Distance: Approx. 10 miles from Halifax, 20 miles from Bradford

  • Best for: Solo travellers, couples, eco-conscious campers

  • Key facilities: Off-grid pitches, bothy, compost toilets, rewilding land

  • Book ahead: Summer weekends and the Hebden Bridge arts festival period

Can't tow? Get a campervan delivered to Heggs Farm Off-Grid Bothy, Wild Camping & Rewilding Project.

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Campsites in Yorkshire near Harrogate, York, and the Vale of York

Rudding Holiday Park

Rudding Holiday Park sets a high standard among Yorkshire campsites. The park is part of the Rudding Park estate near Follifoot, just south of Harrogate, and the touring and motorhome areas are managed with the same attention to detail as the hotel and spa on the same grounds. Pitches are well-spaced, hardstanding options are available, and the facilities are among the best you will find at any campsite in Yorkshire.

The spa is open to day visitors from the touring park, which makes this a popular choice for couples looking to combine outdoor travel with a treat or two. Camplify's community of owners and hirers consistently flags Rudding as one of the best campsites Yorkshire has to offer for those who want quality without sacrificing the touring experience. The grounds themselves are worth exploring, and the hotel's bar and restaurant are accessible to park guests.

Harrogate is around 3 miles away, and the park's position gives easy access to both the town and the surrounding countryside. Demand peaks around bank holidays and the summer months, so booking well in advance is practical rather than optional. Camplify trip data shows that stays here skew towards couples and small groups, often combining a night or two at Rudding with wider touring across the Dales.

Quick facts:

  • Distance: Approx. 3 miles from Harrogate, 18 miles from Leeds

  • Best for: Couples, retirees, those wanting premium facilities

  • Key facilities: Electric hook-up, hardstanding pitches, spa access, motorhome service point, on-site restaurant and bar

  • Book ahead: Bank holidays, summer weekends, and any school holiday period

Can't tow? Get a campervan delivered to Rudding Holiday Park.

York Meadows Touring & Camping Park

York Meadows Touring & Camping Park is a calm, well-maintained site near Sheriff Hutton, north of York. The location puts you within easy reach of the city while keeping the commercial bustle at a comfortable distance, which is a balance that experienced tourers value. Camplify travellers recommend it as one of the more practical campsites in Yorkshire for those planning a city break by campervan or caravan.

York itself is one of England's great historic cities: the Minster, the Shambles, the city walls, and a museum culture that rewards more than a single afternoon. Having a peaceful touring base nearby means you can dip into the city for a day and return to open countryside in the evening. Electric hook-up pitches are available and the site is dog friendly, which matters on longer touring trips. Hirers who've stayed here note the quiet atmosphere and the helpfulness of the site team.

The surrounding Vale of York offers flat, accessible cycling, and the North York Moors are reachable within an hour. For those making Yorkshire campsites a multi-stop tour, this park works well as a York chapter before heading to the coast or the Dales.

Quick facts:

  • Distance: Approx. 10 miles from York city centre

  • Best for: City break tourers, dog owners, cycling enthusiasts

  • Key facilities: Electric hook-up, dog friendly, modern facilities block

  • Book ahead: York races weekends, bank holidays, and summer school holidays

Can't tow? Get a campervan delivered to York Meadows Touring & Camping Park.

Best campsites in Yorkshire for the Dales and the Wharfedale area

Catgill Farm: Camping and Glamping Accommodation in Yorkshire

Catgill Farm: Camping and Glamping Accommodation in Yorkshire is a working farm near Bolton Abbey in Wharfedale, in some of the finest countryside the Dales have to offer. The Bolton Abbey estate itself is managed by the Duke of Devonshire and includes riverside walks, the ruined Augustinian priory, and the famous Strid, a dramatic gorge on the River Wharfe. Having a campsite this close to that landscape is a genuine advantage.

The farm offers both camping pitches and glamping accommodation, making it flexible for groups where not everyone is committed to the full outdoor experience. Camplify travellers rate it highly among Yorkshire campsites for its farm character and proximity to the Bolton Abbey walking network. The site is pet friendly and suits families as well as couples looking for a slower pace of travel. Camplify owners who know the Wharfedale area suggest arriving mid-week in summer if you want the Bolton Abbey riverside to feel less crowded.

Skipton is around 6 miles away, with a well-regarded market, a castle, and a good range of local pubs. The park pairs well with a wider Dales itinerary, and the Best Yorkshire Dales National Park campsites guide covers additional sites for those spending more time in the area.

Quick facts:

  • Distance: Approx. 6 miles from Skipton, 25 miles from Leeds

  • Best for: Families, couples, Dales walkers and ramblers

  • Key facilities: Camping and glamping pitches, farm setting, pet friendly

  • Book ahead: Bank holidays, summer weekends, and school holidays

Can't tow? Get a campervan delivered to Catgill Farm: Camping and Glamping Accommodation in Yorkshire.

Low Greenside Farm Campsite

Low Greenside Farm Campsite is a quiet farm site in the Yorkshire Dales, offering a stripped-back camping experience in one of England's most visited national parks. The setting is classic Dales: dry stone walls, upland pasture, and big skies that reward early risers. It is among the more character-rich top campsites in Yorkshire for those who prioritise landscape over facilities.

The site is deliberately small-scale, which keeps the atmosphere calm and avoids the crowded feeling that can affect more commercial Yorkshire campsites during peak season. Based on feedback from Camplify's community, this is the kind of place that brings people back year after year, often with the same group of friends or family. Dog friendly and suited to those who want a base for hillwalking and rambling, it sits within reach of several classic Dales routes. Electric hook-up may be limited, so checking current pitch availability before booking is sensible.

Across thousands of Camplify trips, the smaller farm sites in the Dales generate some of the highest satisfaction among hirers who value quiet over convenience. If this style of camping appeals, the Best farm campsites Yorkshire Dales: top scenic spots guide is a natural companion read.

Quick facts:

  • Distance: Within the Yorkshire Dales National Park; approx. 20 miles from Skipton

  • Best for: Couples, solo travellers, hillwalkers and ramblers

  • Key facilities: Farm pitches, dog friendly, basic but clean amenities

  • Book ahead: Bank holidays and summer weekends

Can't tow? Get a campervan delivered to Low Greenside Farm Campsite.

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More camping destinations nearby

Yorkshire sits at the heart of northern England's touring network, and a number of other regions make natural extensions to a campervan or caravan trip across the county. If you are planning a longer journey south or want to compare notes on other parts of England, these guides cover the ground.

  • Best campsites in England — a broad overview of the country's standout camping destinations, useful for planning a multi-region tour

  • Best campsites in Cornwall — for those heading to the far south-west after Yorkshire, Cornwall offers a completely different coastline and camping culture

  • Best campsites in Devon — Devon's mix of moorland, estuaries, and seaside towns makes it a strong destination for those touring down the west side of England

  • Best campsites in Dorset — the Jurassic Coast and rolling countryside give Dorset a distinctive appeal for touring caravans and motorhomes alike

  • Best campsites in Somerset — from Exmoor to the Levels, Somerset rewards slower travel and careful campsite selection

  • Best campsites in the New Forest — ancient woodland, open heathland, and a well-managed camping network make the New Forest one of England's most reliable touring destinations

  • Best campsites on the Isle of Wight — a short ferry crossing unlocks a compact island with a surprising range of campsites and coastal scenery

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Ready to explore the best campsites in Yorkshire?

Yorkshire rewards those who take time to move slowly through it, whether you are tracing the coast from Flamborough to Filey, dropping into spa towns, or following the Wharfe through the Dales. Browse available campervans and caravans on Camplify and find a vehicle that suits your group, with pickup available across Yorkshire or delivery direct to your chosen site for caravans.

The information in this blog is accurate and current as of the date of posting. Please be aware that information, facts, and links may become outdated over time.