Hotels are nice and all, but nothing quite compares with the adventure of camping. Whether you choose a coastal pitch with glorious sea views, or something more wild in the depths of a thick forest, sleeping with just the canvas between you and nature can be the most thrilling experience. Kids will love it, and so will your bank account if you're on a budget. And now, all of Britain's best campsites can be found in one place thanks to the new Cool Camping Britain book, with useful maps and beautiful photos. We've scoured its pages to find 30 of the most exciting campsites in Britain.

Imaginative camping in a wild setting, with a fairy glade, stone circle and quirky glamping options, Hideaway is truly special. There are tent and campervan pitches (no caravans), but the highlight is the glamping in gypsy caravans and shepherds' huts. There's a communal cabin with books and games, and each pitch has a firepit. The nearest pub is the Clovelly Inn, around four miles away, but nearby Okehampton has a great fish and chip shop and supermarkets for self-catering. Okehampton is also home to the largest castle remains in Devon, and there's walking/cycling on the bridleway that goes through the campsite or further into Dartmoor National Park.

Set on a grassy one-acre meadow with just 15 pitches in total, Ten Acres Vineyard is a real rural gem – a secluded camping patch in the midst of a working vineyard. Stroll through the vines before popping into the winery to watch the grapes being pressed, and sample some of the vineyard's best plonk at the weekend when there's a bottle open for tasting. If you don't want to bring your own tent, hire one of the bell tents (two unfurnished, one furnished). Nearby Winkleigh has all the facilities you need, and local attractions include the National Trust's Finch Foundry, as well as cycling on the purpose-built-for-bikes Granite Way.

Anyone lucky enough to secure a pitch at this long-running site will understand why owners Benny and Lou chose the name. As you drive here through a landscape dotted with campsites it’s not until you reach the very closest spot to the sea that this enviably elevated location reveals itself. Surfing is the main attraction at this beach, as Croyde Bay is the undisputed capital of surfing in the UK. There are 33 tent and campervan pitches (no caravans) all with sea views, plus three glamping pods. Surfing Croyde Bay can teach you how to catch a wave, and Roylands Riding Holidays offers exhilarating rides on the sand.

Shielded from the road by trees, Dot’s camping field has 25 flat, unmarked and generously sized pitches, perfect for first-timers and families, plus two furnished glamping tents. The location inside the New Forest National Park is fantastic, and facilities include toilets, a washing up area, a freezer for ice packs, and firepits with logs for hire. The site is only open at weekends, and nearby Paulton's Park and Peppa Pig World are fun days out for the kids, while bringing bikes to explore the New Forest’s endless trails is perhaps the more wholesome option.

If you’re a happy-go-lucky kinda camper who’ll enjoy the craic of a lively pub as much as the countryside scenery, then check in at Ye Olde Swan. Sitting on an island in the middle of the Thames in Oxfordshire, this site is right next door to a pub of the same name. No caravans allowed but tents, campers and dogs are all permitted. There are 30 grass pitches, a shower block and toilets. Right on the edge of the Cotswolds, it's the perfect place from which to explore some of the honey-coloured towns and villages (Witney has the Wychwood Brewery), and walks along the Thames Path are recommended. You could easily take to the river with a rented kayak from the jetty beside the pub.

The ultimate wildlife camping experience, Knepp offers something a little bit different. Herds of free-roaming Exmoor ponies, Longhorn cattle, Tamworth pigs and fallow deer rove the estate’s 3,500 acres, so if you've a naturalist in the family, come camping here. This is a tents-only site, with around 20 pitches and a range of glamping options. There's a shop on site, plus a wood burner and solar powered phone charger. Firepits with barbecue grills are also available. Don't miss a guided safari with an expert ecologist.

You can stay at Blackberry Wood any number of times but each visit is likely to feel different, as owner Tim is so focused on expanding his unique range of glamping accommodation that there’s no anticipating what weird and wonderful structures you might find next. Whether it's a gypsy caravan or a helicopter or a treehouse that looks like it came straight from the pages of a fairy tale, there is something to enthral every member of your family here. With a brilliant pub (the Jolly Sportsman) nearby, and the South Downs National Park all around, this location is fantastic. There are almost 60 pitches as well as the glamping options, and plenty of hot showers and toilets.

Wild camping this close to London seems wholly improbable. Impossible even. Yet, less than five miles from the M25, this hidden collection of 17 riverside pitches is very much the real deal. A composting toilet, cold-water tap and a washing-up area are the facilities. The only artificial lighting is solar powered and motion sensored, and there's a canoe launch and fishing from the riverbank allowed. Get your adrenaline fix at the nearby Lee Valley White Water Centre.

This quirky, Alice in Wonderland-themed fenland site is quickly establishing itself as the place to pitch for a stay near the charming city of Ely. With pitches among tussocky grass and wildflowers, views of the cathedral and a riverside trail into town, it’s little wonder why. Almost 30 pitches, including eight with electric hook-up, plus three bell tents and a cabin make up the accommodation options here. There are toilets, showers and washing up sinks, plus a shared fridge/freezer. Take the 2.5-mile walk into Ely to visit the cathedral, or head to Ely Leisure Village where there's a pool, cinema and restaurants.

At the end of a 656-foot (200m) drive, Ettie’s Field occupies a long, hedge-lined meadow and has a host of options for all manner of campers, including 15 grass pitches (most with electricity), eight hardstandings, six Airstreams and four ‘glawnings’ (stylish, pre-pitched and furnished awnings). The bright clubhouse has a paved terrace and huge, floor-to-ceiling glass doors that slide right back to reveal the hammock chairs and sofas inside, and there's toilets and showers in the 'log pods' as well as a washing up area. The local highlight is Twycross Zoo, and Market Bosworth has a good farmers’ market on the fourth Sunday of every month.

Set in the grounds of 14th-century Baxby Manor on the edge of quaint Husthwaite village, this is a hideaway worthy of its name. Forty grassy pitches, each with a firepit, are spread evenly around and in the centre, opposite a young but flourishing orchard, is the building housing the main facilities and reception. Glamping options include 'Hobbit Houses' and eco pods, and there's a timber washblock with toilets, showers, basins and disabled facilities. Pretty Husthwaite is just a five-minute walk away and the ruins of Byland Abbey are an interesting sight. Active types will enjoy hiking in the North York Moors.

In the heart of the Yorkshire Dales, by the banks of the Wharfe, down the road from two good pubs, Masons is so good that even the owners camp here. There are 40 pitches with electric hook-ups, plus glamping options, and a good number of showers, toilets and washing up sinks. The well-stocked on-site shop is in an Airstream trailer, and nearby you can try fly-fishing on the River Wharfe or stroll on the Dales Way for a swim at Burnsall.

Panoramic views over the sea and the North York Moors make this a spectacular site, with a peaceful, low-key vibe. The owners are famously attentive, ensuring that visitors have everything they need, and there's room for 50 tents and 20 campers or caravans. Clean but basic facilities include three showers, five basins and four toilets in separate blocks for men and women, plus another block with washing-up sinks, a kettle, a microwave, fridge and freezers. The main attraction here is, of course, Robin Hood's Bay, but the 21-mile ex-Scarborough-to-Whitby train line runs through the upper village and makes a great hiking/biking route.

Home to the UK’s first zero-waste campsite shop and generating almost all of its own energy from solar and renewable sources, The Quiet Site has a serious commitment to sustainability. Plus, the on-site bar, which feels more like a quintessential village pub, is housed in a 17th-century barn with low beams, open fires and trinkets adorning the walls. There are more than 100 pitches here, with plenty of glamping options too. You won't need to leave for entertainment, as a playground and dog-walking area will keep the whole family busy. There are excellent facilities including a campers' kitchen with all the mod-cons you could need. The walk to Aira Force Waterfalls is highly recommended.

With 45 pitches, three tipis, a yurt and a shepherd's hut, this campsite has plenty of options among its 14 acres of wild grass meadows. The owners' relaxed approach to camping makes this place a pleasure to stay at, but the nearby attractions are the best part. It’s six miles to the myriad attractions in Stratford-upon-Avon, Shakespeare's birthplace, and the same to Warwick, which boasts one of the finest preserved castles in the country. Showers, a toilet block, washing-up area, small reception, shop and charging facilities will make you feel at home.

Two distinctive peaks – Pike O’Stickle and its neighbour Harrison Stickle – create a distinctive backdrop in the Great Langdale valley, and they loom over the this campsite with some drama. This is, of course, walking country, as there are countless great trails throughout the valley (maps at reception) and the most popular route to tackle the Langdale Pikes starts just a few minutes from the campsite. There are 120 tent pitches, nine pods and eight hardstanding campervan pitches with hook-ups, plus two large shower and toilet blocks, a well-stocked shop, drying room and laundry facilities. Kids will love the play area and bouldering wall, too.

It’s not always clear which is the biggest attraction at Loch Katrine. The water itself – a nine-mile-long S shape in the heart of Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park – or the 100-year-old single screw passenger steamship (the last of her kind) that sails across it. Either way, this campsite is best-placed for adventures in the area. There are eight tent pitches and 13 spots for campervans, plus eight glamping pods for those packing light. There's a washblock with all the usual facilities, and off-site there's a lovely tearoom on the pier and boat tours on the loch.

Ardgualich Farm is one of those rough-around-the-edges anachronisms you cannot help but like. The simple site has been run by the same family since the Second World War came to a close and has somehow managed to rumble on into the 21st century, still enjoying the epic scenery that first lured Queen Victoria to Loch Tummel back in the 19th century. There are grass pitches for tents, some with electrical hook-ups available; caravans and campervans have hardstandings with electrical hook-ups. Decent toilet block, plus showers in a portable cabin (including disabled access shower). Off-site, take a walk through the Allean Forest and don't forget to look up to spot ospreys scouting for fish above your head.

Ever felt like you’ve camped at the edge of the Earth? No? Then come to Port Bàn. This tiny community near Kilberry on the unspoiled Knapdale Peninsula may look like the last stop in Scotland but, of course, that’s the attraction. Thirty flat, well-maintained pitches and truly idyllic views across the North Atlantic to Islay and Jura islands make this place a real gem. There's shower and toilet facilities, plus laundry, a shop and café. The games hall has table tennis, there's crazy golf and a playground for the kids.

Nothing can prepare you for the view at Cleadale. Admittedly, the journey to the Isle of Eigg does a good job of warming you up – especially if you see dolphins, minke whales or an orca on the ferry over. There are two sides to it: on one, a sweep of green land, a white sand beach, a shining Hebridean sound and the jagged crown of the cuillin of Rum. On the other, a vast and curving cliff brooding over the campsite. It's truly spectacular. With just 10 pitches and no electrical hook-up, this site is small and simple. There are two composting toilets, and showers in the main house for £2. The two nearby beaches are the highlight off-site, and there's the crofting museum for rainy days. Here are more of the most wonderful views on Earth.

Some of the roughest, rockiest, most savage scenes on the elemental Isle of Skye sit directly behind this campsite, daring you to dip a toe into their territory and enjoy some of the finest walking in the country. There are 100 grass pitches here, plus hardstandings for campers and caravans. Facilities are rough and ready but adequate with toilets, showers, washing up sinks and laundry. It’s a 10–15-minute drive to the island’s largest town, Portree, which has a collection of cafés, pubs and more sedate coastal walks, while, to its east, Ben Tianavaig is a good hill walk with dramatic cliffs that rise to a coastal peak offering views of the Trotternish coast.

This family-friendly dune setting with serene views of Skye and the Hebrides is unmissable if you're heading to Ross-shire. Right by the ocean, its 200+ pitches, great facilities and incredibly well-stocked shop are all you need for an adventure out here. The beautiful path to Flowerdale Falls, which are located a mile south of Gairloch, offers an energetic family ramble, while the nearby beaches and woodlands are perfect for imaginative adventurers. There's a communal kitchen on-site, a café and an adventure playground. Check out the UK's prettiest small towns and villages.

A thread of a road twists along a valley where red deer slip silently through the forests, a tumbling river forms exquisite pools of water and where, after seven sinuous miles, you will find one of the finest campsites in the country. Glenbrittle campsite has great views of Loch Brittle, the Cuillins and the Milky Way, and a beautiful beach on the doorstep. There are over 100 pitches and 30-odd hardstandings, a decent washblock, washing-up facilities and a laundrette. The on-site shop has all you need, and fishing permits can be purchased from reception. This is a real paradise for outdoor lovers, where bikers, hikers and kite-fliers have space to roam.

With its splendid location on the edge of Loch Sunart, in an unspoiled, largely undiscovered corner of Scotland, Resipole Farm is a brilliant spot for adventure. There's canoeing or kayaking to be done on the loch, mountain biking, hiking and more. Plus, the owners' art studio has exhibitions for those seeking a little culture. There are 60 hardstanding and grass pitches, and decent amenities including hot showers and laundry. The on-site shop sells the essentials, and a good meal can be had at the Salen Hotel nearby.

Occupying some prime beachside real estate behind the grassy dunes of the Gower, Hillend is a big site, with 275 pitches on 14 acres of level meadowland. Beginners and intermediate surfers will find the conditions at Rhossili Bay perfect, and on-foot explorers can walk along the headland to Blue Pool Bay, where you can scramble down to a ginormous tub of a rock pool at low tide, popular for swimming. The site has ample shower and toilet facilities. There's also a washing up block, laundry and a shop selling essentials. Now discover 30 more reasons why we love Wales.

Let us not beat about the bush – this campsite scores highly on the old ‘location, location, location’ rating situated, as it is, in a beautiful spot between the beach and mountains of the Llyn Peninsula, 10 miles south of Caernarfon. But that's not all. There’s all sorts happening nearby, including the historic and rather quaint town of Caernarfon, with its awesome castle, and the Welsh Highland Railway, which steams from Caernarfon all the way to Porthmadog through the mountains. Onsite there are 65 pitches overall, for tents and tourers, clean but basic facilities and a shop for essentials.

With 15 grass pitches, one campervan pitch, nine Pioneer Lodges, four domes and four safari tents set across 27 acres, Top of the Woods doesn't feel overcrowded. Flittering birds enliven every acre and wisps of campfire smoke complete an ambience that holiday parks just can’t contend with, and on the edge of the site, a vast 325-acre forest, much of which is now a designated Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), begs to be explored. There are excellent facilities, with all the usual suspects plus Wi-Fi and a communal barn with picnic benches and hammocks. The campsite sometimes runs events, like guided wildlife walks, and maps are available at reception to natural attractions such as Soo’s Secret Waterfall Trail.

Tucked away down a sleepy country lane, Cwm Tŷ Coed (meaning ‘Wood House Valley’) can be found in one of Carmarthenshire’s more secluded pockets just off the A48. Facilities are exceptional, as you’ll find a firepit, picnic bench and a fully equipped bush kitchen at every single pitch, along with access to the communal cabin with sofas around a wood-burning stove and a stash of family games. There are seven pitches, plus glamping options, and good toilet and shower facilities. Nearby are the ancient standing stones of Mynydd Llangyndeyrn, where you can spot an abundance of rare birds and uncommon invertebrates.

Set between two spellbinding valleys – the Elan and the Wye – Celtic Woodland Holidays enjoys a peerless position among Wales’ most awe-inspiring natural wonders. Six all-weather tent pitches, five elevated glamping pods and a treehouse make up the options here, with a 'hub' of facilities including showers, toilets and a communal kitchen. There's a games room, free Wi-Fi and a communal seating area with a gas-fired barbecue and a pizza oven. Off-site, Builth Wells boasts a pleasing blend of heritage and outdoor adventure, and Hay-on-Wye is great for rainy days. See more of the world's most beautiful natural wonders.

This site is as close as you can get to wild camping in Wales without having to worry about the law. There's no vehicle access to pitches thanks to the site's remoteness, but wheelbarrows are provided for the 328-foot (100m) walk. The three pitches have spectacular sea views, and The Boy John, a converted fishing vessel, is available as a communal space or accommodation, featuring a cabin (sleeps two), piano, log-burning stove, furniture and access to the top deck to enjoy the view. Toilet and shower facilities are near the car park, and for food, nearby Aberdyfi has some decent pubs serving up Welsh favourites. 

Want to plan your next camping trip? Buy a copy of Cool Camping Britain here