Now, with the lockdown restrictions gradually easing, camping fans will be longing to hit the road again this summer and enjoy some time getting back to nature. Wherever you live in the UK, there are some wonderful locations to pitch your tent or park your caravan.
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There's something about camping that appeals to people of all generations. Whether you want to spend quality time with your family and children, enjoy a countryside break with friends, or spend your retirement sitting in beautiful surroundings outside your caravan; the warm summer weather lifts everyone's spirits.
It's a chance for everyone to leave behind the hustle and bustle of everyday life and experience an adventure. There are plenty of pet-friendly sites, so check before setting off whether your dog can go too.
Read on to find out more about Britain's top camping sites...
Gill Head Farm, Cumbria
If you want a true feeling of escapism, Gill Head Farm, in Troutbeck, is the place to be. A working farm beneath the 1,512 ft Blencathra, the campsite is much more than a nice family spot.
If you ask to stay in the Hidden Field, you will find yourself walking over a bridge and into a pleasant, secluded riverside nook, surrounded by trees. It even has its own waterfall and you can feel at one with nature. Choose from high-quality farmhouse self-catering, camping or caravan holidays, all set against the spectacular backdrop of the northern fells of the Lake District National Park.
Lakeside Wild Glamping, Romsey, Hampshire
Lakeside Wild Glamping is a peaceful site where you can immerse yourself in nature. Visitors can often spot wildlife such as deer, hares, birds and even an elusive otter. Located near the popular visitor attractions of Sir Harold Hillier Gardens, Paultons Park theme park and Winchester; it's within easy distance of plenty of places of interest.
There is a fishing lake available and it's less than a mile to the nearest pub. The site is also near the quaint village of Braishfield. There are many footpaths, either to enjoy a walk at a leisurely pace or to reach the nearby villages.
Canal Camping, Norfolk
People tend to think of canals in England as being straight and narrow, but in this area of the Norfolk Broads, the North Walsham and Dilham Canal is a route that has been abandoned and has gone back to nature.
Canal Camping is set along its banks. A relatively new camping location for off-grid experiences for all the family; it offers the added bonus of being able to walk out of your tent and launch your canoe to paddle along one of the UK's most beautiful canals.
Abbey Home Farm, Gloucestershire
Renowned for its beautiful surroundings, Abbey Home Farm is an organic Cotswolds farm that has hosted camping for some years. While it has showers, its ethos of living a natural and sustainable lifestyle remains in place. Visitors can still heat water over a fire and wash using a bucket and watering can-head if they really want to get back to nature!
A mile away from the main camping field is a glade with a few tent pitches that are truly away-from-it-all.
Cilrath Wood Camping, Pembrokeshire
For untouched natural beauty, Cilrath Wood Camping takes guests on a trip back in time. It is an isolated site located around an 18th-century farmhouse near Narberth. The pitches are in a hay meadow and there is plenty of woodland around for exploring.
There's a true sense of remoteness and getting away from the hustle and bustle of modern living.
Always be prepared
In the words of the Boy Scouts' famous motto, always "be prepared". As with every holiday, you need to take the relevant items with you to ensure your trip is a success.
You will need to be pretty much self-sufficient when you go to a campsite, especially if you're using a tent rather than a caravan, so take advantage of some smart storage ideas.
So, what should you take with you to make sure your holiday is just what you hoped for?
Food and drink
While the odd meal at a restaurant can be enjoyable, half the fun of camping is cooking.
Whether you intend to cook on a gas camp stove, or on an open campfire, make sure you have enough fuel to keep you going for the duration of your holiday.
Plan your meals in advance so you can take enough food with you. Unless you're going just for a weekend, you are best sticking to tinned food, non-perishable items and dried foods. Don't forget to take a large supply of drinking water.
Keep all your food in secure boxes where the elements and insects can't get to it before you do. Always keep the lid on the boxes.
If you're planning on having a campfire, first check your campsite allows you to light fires and don't forget to take matches or a lighter with you.
Cooking essentials
Always take enough cooking utensils, plates, bowls, cups and cutlery such as knives, forks and spoons. You should plan a kitchen essentials box that is large enough to pack your stove, kettle and pans too. Keep your smaller cutlery items in individual clear plastic boxes so you can see at a glance what's in each container.
Sleeping
Plan ahead when it comes to sleeping arrangements. If you're going in a caravan, the chances are you will have your bed and bedding in place. However, if you're going in a tent, it takes a little more organisation. A sleeping bag each is a must, even in warm weather. If it turns cooler at night, or there's a sudden downpour, you don't want to be left out in the cold!
Clothing and footwear
If you're going away for a weekend, you won't need a massive amount of clothing and footwear. Plan for clean clothes daily, something dressier for a night out if this is what you aim to do, suitable shoes or boots and a change of clothes should you get wet.
If you're short of storage space in your caravan, put your clothes in purpose-built storage containers that will easily stack to make the most of limited space.
Games and entertainment
When you're going away for a few days, especially if you're taking the kids, you'll need some type of entertainment as backup when the weather's wet, or you've been out all day and fancy doing something a bit quieter in the evening.
If you're a family who relies on social media or gaming on a mobile device, you'll be okay for charging them if you're in a caravan or motor home. If you're camping, it's an idea to take some fully charged, portable power-packs with you to top up your electronic devices. Also, make sure you have somewhere dry to keep your devices at night, especially in the event of a downpour. You wouldn't be the first person to awake to a leak in the tent!
Check whether your campsite has plug sockets or USB ports, as these will come in useful. Also, find out whether it has WiFi. If not, top-up mobile phones if they are PAYG, not only to keep your social media up to date, but also to keep in touch with friends and family back home, or in the event of an emergency.
Camping essentials
There are certain things you should always take camping. One is a first aid kit. If you don't want to spend a fortune buying a ready-made one from a pharmacy, it can be cheaper to make up your own.
Use a suitable container and buy essential items such as elastic bandages, butterfly stitches, gauze pads, medical adhesive tape, scissors, antiseptic wipes, nail clippers, tweezers, painkillers such as paracetamol or aspirin and any personal medication.
Always take a torch with you and sufficient batteries – essential if the toilet block is away from your tent and you need to go after dark, or in the event you have to walk down any unlit lanes or paths after a night out.
Finally, take a supply of bin bags – it is important that we Keep Britain Tidy! If there isn't a bin in the vicinity, take your waste with you and dispose of it when you get home.