New research has uncovered the UK’s top 10 "hidden gem" camping destinations with two Dorset locations taking first and second place.
Trigon Farm in Wareham took the top spot with Dewflock Farm in Dorchester following closely behind.
British camping has boomed in the last two years, with 4.5m Brits going camping or caravanning for the first time since the start of the pandemic, according to Mintel.
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To uncover the country’s hidden gems, tyre and vehicle services provider, ATS Euromaster, researched the top camping destinations social media doesn’t know about, by revealing the number of reviews on online camping sites with fewer than five Instagram tags.
These hidden gems won’t break the bank either, with prices starting at only £8 a night for two adults.
The highest reviewed UK locations that have flown under the social media radar are:
1. Trigon Farm, Wareham: 6534 reviews, 5 hashtags
2. Dewflock Farm, Dorchester: 6071 reviews, 4 hashtags
3. Newfold Farm, Peak District: 5213 reviews, 0 hashtags
4. Callestick Camping, Truro: 5050 reviews, 3 hashtags
5. Eco Caerhys Camping, Abereiddy: 3622 reviews, 1 hashtag
6. Newlands Valley Campsite, Dodd: 3109, 0 hashtags
7. East Crinnis Camping and Caravan Park, St Austell: 2668 reviews, 0 hashtags
8. Three Fields Campsite, Haverfordwest: 2223 reviews, 1 hashtag
9. Birchwood Fishing and Camping, Skegness: 1986 reviews, 1 hashtag
10. Kings Acre Glamping, Chester: 1711 reviews, 3 hashtags
The 10 best hidden gem destinations for campers
Here’s what ATS Euromaster had to say about the top 10 camping hidden gems and why they think you should give them a visit.
![Bournemouth Echo: Trigon Farm in Wareham, Dorset. Picture: ATS Euromaster]( "Bournemouth Echo: Trigon Farm in Wareham, Dorset. Picture: ATS Euromaster")
Trigon Farm in Wareham, Dorset. Picture: ATS Euromaster
A pretty market town close to the South coast, Wareham is situated where the rivers Frome and Piddle meet and offers lots to do.
Hidden gem: Trigon Farm is set in a rural field near Wareham, with views of Trigon Manor house and arable fields to the left and beyond. This is a great site for families, with great facilities and it’s also dog friendly.
Prices from: £17 per night, for a tent or trailer pitch.
Dewflock Farm, Dorchester
The historic market town on the banks of the River Frome, to the south of the Dorset Downs, Dorchester is a vibrant place ideal for sightseeing. Some of the UK’s best-preserved Roman ruins are situated moments away from the thriving high street.
Hidden gem: Dewflock Farm is a working farm where people can camp and glamp, just 5 minutes from Dorchester. It’s a great base for people to explore Dorset, including the lovely beaches nearby.
Prices from: £100 per night in a Shepherd’s Hut.
Newfold Farm, Peak District
An impressive limestone gorge in the White Peak area of the Peak District, Winnats Pass is a perfect spot for camping. The limestone is full of fossils of sea creatures which lived here over 350 million years ago.
Hidden gem: Newfold Farm is a family-run campsite at the start of the Pennine Way. It’s great for hikers and cyclists. It’s also half a mile from a pub and railway station.
Prices from: £20 per night, tent pitch.
Callestick Camping, Truro, Cornwall
The only city in Cornwall, Truro is a foodie destination surrounded by beautiful gardens and rivers. The cathedral city offers a perfect blend of historic charm and modern retailers, while tranquil camping among pristine nature is never far away.
Hidden gem: Callestick Camping is a dog-friendly wild camping field with spectacular views over the Cornish countryside, and only 10 minutes’ drive from the beach.
Prices from: £17.50 per night, tent or trailer pitch
Eco Caerhys Camping, Abereiddy, Pembrokeshire
Abereiddy, a small hamlet in Wales, is a perfect place to get away from it all and immerse yourself in the beauty of the Pembrokeshire coast.
Hidden gem: Eco Caerhys Camping in St Davids offers wild meadow camping at an organic farm on the Pembrokshire coastline. It’s a great place for active people, with surfing nearby.
Prices from: £30 per night, tent pitch
Newlands Valley Campsite, Dodd, Cumbria
A fantastic place to get stunning views of Cumbria’s lovely Lake District, Dodd is just a few miles north of Keswick.
Hidden gem: Newlands Valley Campsite is close to Keswick and Derwentwater. It’s a great place for outdoorsy people, with mountain biking, boating and quad biking offered nearby.
Prices from: £23 per night, tent pitch.
East Crinnis Camping, St Austell, Cornwall
A striking curve of spectacular coastal scenery and an area rich in cultural heritage, St Austell is one of Cornwall’s biggest towns, boasting many gorgeous beaches.
Hidden gem: East Crinnis Camping in Heronbank is a working farm and wildlife haven half a mile from the Cornish coast with easy access to destinations like Fowey, Mevagissey and the Eden Project.
Prices from: £16 per night, tent pitch
The Three Fields Campsite, Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire
Haverfordwest is the attractive and ancient county town of Pembrokeshire, steeped in history with a castle and museum, which used to be the prison governor’s house.
Hidden gem: The Three Fields Campsite is a spacious site with a private toilet, shower and firepit at each pitch, situated just 10 minutes from Haverfordwest.
Prices from: £26 per night, touring pitch
Birchwood Fishing and Camping, Skegness, Lincolnshire
Skegness is a seaside town in the East Lindsey District of Lincolnshire, offering lots of family-friendly attractions.
Hidden gem: In a countryside setting only two miles from Skegness, Birchwood Fishing and Camping offers fishing on a large lake in the lovely Lincolnshire countryside.
Prices from: £8 per night, tent pitch
Kings Acre Glamping, Chester, Cheshire
Arguably the richest city in Britain for archaeological and architectural treasures, Chester boasts the most complete city walls, the oldest racecourse and the largest Roman Amphitheatre in the UK.
Hidden gem: Kings Acre Glamping is deep in the Cheshire countryside, yet only 10 minutes’ drive from Chester. Barbecues are allowed, with firepits and professional pizza ovens available to hire.
Prices from: £25 per night, tent pitch
Dorset’s untapped camping destination
Often it can be the hidden gems providing the best camping experience. They’re a great way to escape the crowds while enjoying a serene setting in some of the UK’s most popular camping destinations.
Using review data from a range of websites and online communities, ATS has also found 10 untapped camping locations in counties well-known for pitching a tent or pulling up a caravan.
Tucked away in Dorset is Highlands End Holiday Park in Bridport.
According to Pitch up, the campsite certainly lives up to its name, situated at clifftop level on the Jurassic Coast. Describing it as “most uplifting” it states it overlooks the spectacular blue waters of Lyme Bay and benefits from bridleway access to the walks of the World Heritage Coast.
To find out more about the UK’s best hidden gem camping destinations and start planning your next trip, visit the ATS website.
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