100 Top Campsites: Island Life

Camping on islands can be magical – here are some great island-based sites to pitch your tent

WHITE LODGE
ANGLESEY
Penlon, Newborough, Isle of Anglesey LL61 6RS
01248 440230
whitelodgecaravanpark.com
Fine dining and fine views combine to make this island site a must-visit. Anglesey lies off the north-west coast of Wales within sight of the awesome summits of the Snowdonia National Park. And from White Lodge you can enjoy stunning views across the Menai Straits towards Mount Snowdon itself. But what sets the site apart from others on the island is its Marram Grass restaurant. Here you can enjoy beautifully prepared, local-produced food in cosy and inviting surroundings just a couple of minutes’ walk from your tent. It has won a string of culinary awards, made numerous TV appearances and has even been awarded a much sought-after place in the Good Food Guide. Not bad for a former cow shed! Site owners Christine and Kevin Barrie have created a real Continental atmosphere to the place, with live music in a pop-up bar serving cocktails and local beers. As darkness falls, there’s a lovely atmosphere as campers get together to shoot the breeze and enjoy the entertainment.

THE ORCHARDS
ISLE OF WIGHT
Main Road, Newbridge, Yarmouth, Isle of Wight PO41 0TS
01983 531331
orchards-holiday-park.co.uk
The Isle of Wight is a wonderful camping destination and is blessed with great sites. The Orchards is one of the best, with panoramic views of the downs, boasting an indoor and outdoor pool. Facilities are top notch, with eco-friendly toilets and showers, a bathroom and laundrette. Play area, table tennis, shop and takeaway. Even the washing up sinks have great views. The camping fields are set in paddocks with views of the surrounding countryside. The Orchards is close to a National Nature Reserve, with beaches and the famous Needles and Alum Bay a short drive away.

ROZEL CAMPSITE
JERSEY
La Grande Route de Rozel, St Martin, Jersey JE3 6AX
01534 855200
rozelcamping.com
The best way to describe Jersey is that it’s a bit like being abroad, but without any of the hassle. The place names sound French and the weather’s a bit better than at home, but there’s no language barriers and no need to exchange currency. At Rozel, the biggest site on the island, there are around 170 pitches in total, with the main camping area looking out onto France. The two amenities blocks – one in the main camping field, the other adjacent to the swimming pool – are immaculate and there’s also a full-scale laundry room, with coin-operated washing machines and tumble driers, as well as ironing facilities. The swimming pool is a decent 16.5m x 8m with separate paddling pool for youngsters. It’s outdoor and all solar heated. The reception is also the shop – where you can order your fresh bread and or croissants. For kids there are TV and games rooms, plus a children’s play area.

PEEL CAMPSITE
ISLE OF MAN
c/o Town Hall, Derby Road, Peel IM5 1RG
01624 842341
peelonline.net
The seaside town and fishing port of Peel sits on the Isle of Man’s west coast and is known as Sunset City because of the impressive views you can enjoy as the sun goes down in the evening. It also boasts two of the best beaches on the island and a historic castle. The campsite is on the outskirts of Peel, and is a large well-equipped site with flat pitches for tents, electric hook-ups a modern shower and toilet facilities and a television room. There’s a swimming pool next door and a supermarket 400 metres away.

SEAL SHORE
ISLE OF ARRAN
Kildonan, Isle of Arran, North Ayrshire KA27 8SE
01770 820320
campingarran.com
Often called ‘Scotland in miniature’, Arran is an island camper’s dream destination. Seal Shore is a great base for the island and for water sports enthusiasts it is also located right on the beach - kayaking lovers will find the rocky shore line great for exploring. And there are also otters that appear on the rocks too! The views are fantastic and it even has its own private beach.

TROYTOWN FARM
ISLES OF SCILLY
St Agnes, Isles of Scilly, Cornwall TR22 0PL
01720 422360
troytown.co.uk
Troytown Farm is located at the edge of England, on the remote island of St Agnes. You pitch-up right by the white-sand beach, with panoramic views across the Atlantic. St Agnes island is part of the Scilly Isles, and what makes the islands perfect for families is the lack of cars. You leave your car on the mainland and travel first to St Mary’s island by ferry from Penzance (or small plane from Newquay and Land’s End), and then use the inter-island boat service. This may seem like a trek but it is certainly worth it for the scenery and the complete escape from the rat race. St Agnes is only one mile across so exploring on foot is easy and a pub, café and shop are a short walk away.

FAUXQUETS VALLEY CAMPSITE
GUERNSEY
Rue du Candie, Guernsey GY5 7QL
01481 255460
fauxquets.co.uk
Its Channel Islands neighbour Jersey, might be better known, but Guernsey is just as appealing for a camping visit. Run by Roland and Teresa Guille, Fauxquets Valley is situated in the heart of Guernsey but is just over a mile from the nearest beaches. There’s a choice of four pitch types – Standard, Extra Large, Outback and Terrace. You can also hire ready-pitched Cabanon frame tents here. The reception is also a licensed shop that stocks a good range of local produce on top off the usual essentials. For kids there’s an extensive  play area, TV and games room and an outdoor, heated swimming pool.

BALINOE CAMPSITE
TIREE
Burnside Cottage, Cornaig, Isle of Tiree, Inner Hebrides
PA77 6XA
01879 220399
wilddiamond.co.uk
Tiree is the most westerly of the Inner Hebrides and is a low-lying island with a population of only around 650. Balinoe Campsite is currently Tiree’s only formal campsite. This is a great place to come and pitch a tent and has neat and clean toilets and showers as well as campers kitchen with lots of facilities. The site offers sheltered camping and has washing and drying facilities for clothes and some other gear too in a basic laundry. The owners are very friendly and know the island well and the site even offers a few ‘indoor’ camping pitches for those who find bad weather a bit much. There are electric hook-ups available for campers.

ORKNEY CARAVAN SITE
ORKNEY
Pickaquoy Road, Kirkwall, Orkney Islands KW15 1LR
01856 879900
orkneycaravanpark.co.uk
The Orkney Islands are a special place with a very remote feel about them. This is the largest site and forms part of the Pickaquoy leisure complex. Located in Kirkwall (quite near the town centre) the site has a four-star rating and can accommodate 80 tents, caravans and campervans. Tent pitches are fairly sheltered and there is a limited number of electric hook-ups available. The site is pretty and well maintained and has a modern toilet and shower block (with disabled facilities) and makes a perfect spot to explore Orkney’s mainland.

PIEL ISLAND CAMPSITE
CUMBRIA
Piel Island, Barrow-in-Furness Cumbria
07516 453784
pielisland.co.uk
For just £5 a night per tent, you can enjoy a true island adventure.  Piel Island has nothing more than a ruined castle and the lovely Ship Inn, where you can pitch your tent. It is located at the mouth of the harbour of Barrow-in-Furness. Cars are left on nearby Roa Island and a ferry is caught over to the island itself. The Ship Inn allows camping but the island has no electric which is a small price to pay for such a great location. The pitches are flat and the grass well cut and there is a toilet and shower block (cold showers only).