Take the family camping

When lockdown lifts, spend your next family holiday getting reacquainted with the great outdoors

Best for… Sun and sea

Spain is home to some of the best family campsites, and Cala Llevado is no different. Located an hour north of Barcelona on the Costa Brava, it makes a fabulous getaway. Perched above a glistening bay, with ocean views, a stone staircase descends to the sandy beach where you can try snorkelling or sea kayaking. Accommodation ranges from basic pitches to fully-equipped chalets, while there’s an on-site restaurant, pool, and kids playground.

Prices from £74 for seven days, book at calallevado.com/en. Easyjet flies daily to Barcelona from most UK airports.

Best for… Animal lovers

Balloch O’dee campsite in West Scotland is a camping experience that animal-obsessed children will adore. Chickens, dogs, and 10 Shetland ponies roam freely on the site, and kids are invited to groom and pamper the animals, or help muck out the stables. The site sits beside Galloway Forest Park, with wild woodland, dramatic hills and sweeping glens. It is one of Europe’s only zero light pollution zones – perfect for fireside stargazing! Mountain biking tracks wind through the forest, while hiking trails explore the stunning landscape too.

Prices start from £15 per tent, per night. Book at ballochodee.com.

Best for… Endless activities

For the ultimate family holiday camp, head for Domaine des Ormes, set in wooded parkland in Brittany. The park hosts a huge pool complex – complete with wave pool and water slides – horse riding school, pedalo hire, tennis courts and golf course. There are also kids clubs, with zorbing and hoverkarting.

Prices vary by season, book at eurocamp.co.uk. Take the ferry from Portsmouth to St Malo, for a 40-minute drive to the campsite.

Best for… Back to basics

Apicture-perfect campsite nestled in the charming Norfolk countryside, Canal Camping is the ideal outdoor escape. At one corner of the site, a wooden gate leads down to a winding canal, where canoes can be rented to paddle off for hot chocolates at the local pub. There are toilets and showers, but with no electricity, it’s a back-to-nature experience. For a more luxurious stay, a secluded adjacent field houses three large bell tents, which are equipped with kitchens, framed double beds and single mattresses for kids.

Campsite costs £12 per night, per adult (£6 for kids), and bell tents from £120 per night. More info: canalcamping.co.uk.

Always check the latest travel advice before booking a trip