The Best Ways to Find Cheap Campsites in the UK

Want to explore the UK without paying £50+ a night for a muddy field? You’re in the right place. Whether you’re full-time in a van, planning a summer road trip or just fancy a low-cost weekend escape, we’re here to show you exactly how to camp across the UK for less — often under £10–£20 a night, and in some cases, even for free


Why We're Obsessed With Budget-Friendly Campsites

Vanlife isn’t a holiday for us — it’s our lifestyle. That means we’re not paying £60 a night just to park on a square of grass. That’s just not sustainable. But we also still want the beauty, peace and access to nature that makes camping worthwhile. So after seven years on the road, we’ve cracked it — a system of finding stunning, quiet, low-cost campsites across the UK, with tools and tips that any traveller can use.


What Counts as “Low-Cost” Camping?

Let’s set the benchmark:


✅ Under £20/night is our sweet spot
✅ £10–15/night is even better
✅ Anything under £10? Probably a hidden gem.


And here’s the kicker: many of the lowest-priced sites are actually the most peaceful, scenic and authentic.

“We’ve stayed in farmers’ fields with sea views, in woodland glades, and beside rivers — all for less than a takeaway pizza.”


Our 4 Favourite Tools to Find Cheap UK Campsites

Let’s get into the good stuff. Here are the four websites and apps we rely on to uncover budget campsites across the UK.


🔎 1. Park4Night: The Campervan Travel Essential

Visit: park4night.com

Perfect for: Wild-ish spots, farmers’ fields, secret low-cost pitches
 Average cost: FREE to £15/night

You might think Park4Night is just for wild camping — but it’s so much more than that. This community-powered app is a goldmine for hidden sites, especially if you know what symbols to look for:

  • 🛻 Tractor symbol: Indicates a small field or rural pitch

  • ⛺ Tent symbol: Usually basic campsites or allowed overnight spots

  • 📸 Photos and reviews: Added by real travellers like you

Many of the best budget spots are private pitches that don’t appear on Google. Think of it like the insider's guide to UK camping.


🗺️ 2. Google Maps: The Budget Search Hack

Perfect for: Visualising locations, checking surroundings, spotting hidden gems
 How to use it:

  1. Zoom in on your destination

  2. Search “campsites” or “touring parks”

  3. Click on map pins for ratings, photos, and links

  4. Look for non-chain sites with fewer reviews — these are often cheaper and less crowded

Want to camp near a beach, forest or local trail? Google Maps makes it easy to see what’s around, whether you want a coastal sunset or morning woodland walks.

Pair it with AllTrails and you’ve got the ultimate visual planning tool.

Pro tip: Enter the location you find from park4night, this will give you more images of the area and its surroundings


💻 3. Pitchup.com: Budget Filtering Heaven

Visit: pitchup.com

Perfect for: Filtering by price, facilities, pet-friendliness
 Key features:

  • Add your travel dates to see accurate pricing

  • Filter by cost, hook-up, dog-friendly, tent/campervan types

  • Sort by price (low to high)

Watch out: That tempting £10/night price? It’s often off-season or per person. So always:

  • Input your travel dates

  • Add the number of people and pets

  • Double-check what’s included

Pitchup lists thousands of UK sites, from pop-up glamping fields to no-frills farmer-run sites. With a bit of filtering, it becomes a fantastic tool for budget travellers.


🧭 4. SearchForSites: A Hidden Gem for Campervan Travel

Visit: searchforsites.co.uk

Perfect for: Motorhomes, certified Aires, off-grid stays
 Average cost: £0–£15/night

This lesser-known site is a vanlifer’s dream. With access to certified Aires, small certified locations, and no-frills stopovers, it offers a brilliant selection of low-cost and often unique places to stay.

Some advantages:

  • Excellent filters (dog-friendly, near coast, etc.)

  • Honest, user-generated reviews

  • Frequent updates from real campers

Whether you’re planning a road trip or just looking for a peaceful weekend pitch, Search For Sites is an underused but powerful ally.


Campsite Tips for Budget Travellers

Here’s what we’ve learnt after six years on the road:


🐶 Bring pets? Always check if they’re free

Some sites sneak in dog fees. Others welcome them openly.

🕓 Stay longer, pay less

Ask if they offer weekly discounts — many do, especially at quieter sites.

🌧️ Be flexible with weather

Budget sites don’t always have perfect drainage — bring wellies and a good sense of humour!

📆 Avoid weekends and bank holidays

Prices spike fast — midweek stays are often cheaper and quieter.

🛻 Consider joining a club

The Camping & Caravanning Club or Caravan and Motorhome Club give access to certified, low-cost CL sites across the country — often under £10–15/night.


Planning Tools We Use

Additional Linked Blog Posts:

Discover our list of low cost campsites in the UK


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