Flanked by the Lake District on one side and the hills of North Wales on the other, there’s no shortage of amazing places to pitch up for a night or two near Liverpool, on Merseyside. Here are a few examples to whet your appetite.
Within easy reach of many activities, Manorafan, just off the A55 near Chester, is a 10-minute walk away from Abergele beach and caves, and just a bit farther from the seaside town of Rhyl. The site features a modern shower and amenity block, as well as a farm trail that’s great for keeping kids entertained. It takes about an hour by car to get here from Liverpool.
Two hours by car from Liverpool, just south of the Lake District and off the coast near Barrow-in-Furness, Piel Island is just 50 acres (20ha) in size, with a ridiculously cheap campsite worth visiting. Ancient Piel Castle sits proudly in the centre and there’s an 18th-century pub here, the Ship Inn. But that’s more or less it – there isn’t room for much else. So just sit back and take in the views.
Just creeping into the Lake District, Wyreside Lakes is a great option if you’re looking to camp in style. As well as vast space for tents and caravans, there are glamping pods, and the site comes complete with a bar, restaurant and even a stretch of lake reserved for visitors who want to fish. Just an hour north of Liverpool on the M6, it offers a little slice of Lake District landscape without having to venture far.
An hour straight up the M6, Dolphinholme might disappoint anyone in search of actual dolphins, but for campers, it’s a dream. It sits across the River Wyre and offers visitors a truly immersive experience surrounded by beautiful plants and wildlife. As well as pitching a tent, you can opt to stay in a bespoke canvas lodge and relax in style.
Amazingly, you can reach Snowdonia from Liverpool in less than two hours. And the rewards are huge. Llyn Gwynant campsite sits in the shadow of Mount Snowdon, so you can guess how good the scenery will be. About a two-hour drive down the A55 leads you to a vast site fit for tents and campers. No need to drive anywhere after that – just park the car and start walking.