Blog - Seasonal Camping

Camping in Spring: Why you should go and our favourite places to camp at springtime

For months, frost has slithered its way over branches and treetops, and animals have burrowed themselves away, waiting patiently for warmth to resurface.

But, at last, the new season is here, bringing life and colour to our beloved forests. With the arrival of spring and brighter mornings, camping is back on the menu for warmer weather campers across the UK.

So that you can start planning your first spring camping trip of the year, we’ve compiled a guide to what you can look forward to as the weather begins to brighten, as well as the best places to camp during spring.

We have 16 campsites located in some of the most beautiful and secluded locations in the UK.

New Forest Spring (Shutterstock, symbiot)

5 reasons why camping in spring is a great idea

1. Pack lighter provisions

If you’re a hardcore camper, you might not shy away from chilly conditions, since you’ve experienced everything under the winter sun. However, that still means preparing a suitable collection of coats, blankets and thermal wearables for your jaunt.

When spring emerges, you can enjoy basking in the warmth of a sunny day, perhaps on one of many beautiful grass pitches at the Savernake Forest. Consider packing a few camping chairs and t-shirts in the hope of good weather.

However, don’t forget to bring waterproofs in case April showers come your way. And remember that, in an evening, the temperatures can still be pretty chilly; we recommend packing a 3-season sleeping bag to keep you warm at night.

2. Marvel at the visual splendour of spring

The UK is a treat in springtime. As spots of rain align with those first, shafting yellow rays from the sky, our flowers yawn and stretch from their slumber, blooming to gorgeous proportions beneath the trees.
We’re lucky to have a veritable feast of colours on our doorstep. Bluebells will nod and fill the breeze with pollen. Coralroot – with a stunning head of lilac petals – will colonise areas that manage to stay in the shade.

Our Bracelands campsite is situated some way into the Forest of Dean, which has some of the finest bluebell sight-seeing opportunities in the country. Get yourself there between April and May for a peak floral tribute!

Spring-camping (Shutterstock, Solis Images)

Spring-camping (Shutterstock, Solis Images)

3. Witnessing new life

Animals are a saving grace for the frazzled, 21st-century human brain. In comparison to the madness of everyday life, the mere sight of a young lamb, bouncing around its mother, can bring things into perspective. The grounds around our campsites will welcome plenty of creatures great and small in the spring months.

Take the New Forest, for instance, renowned for its wild ponies. This camping hotspot will have a deluge of foals roaming the hills from March to August. They’re allowed to trot freely around sites like the Matley Wood grounds so that you can see the miracle of nature first-hand.

Whilst observing the ponies from a distance is a joy for spring campers, it’s essential to respect the ponies whilst they’re in their natural setting.

4. Experience easier outdoor pursuits

Generally, winter makes trail walks difficult, or at least tougher than they should be. The soil is dense and unyielding, whilst mud, ice or a combination of both lie in wait for an unsuspecting foot. Spring thaws out those routes, so they’re far more comfortable to traverse.

The surroundings of our Cashel campsite are a real treat when March rolls around. There’s less chance of a gale spoiling your strolls by the loch. Activities like kayaking, windsurfing and archery are a short drive away too.

We can’t wait for the warmer weather camping season to begin. Find a campsite today and book ahead to greet the trumpeting entrance of spring.

5. Look out for returning birds

One of the first signs of spring is the welcomed sound of birds as they flutter and sing through early sunrises and warmer temperatures. Keep an eye on the sky, and you’re bound to spot one of Great Britain’s native birds swooping and soaring through the clouds.

Located in the heart of Queen Elizabeth Forest, around 13 miles east of Ben Lomond, our Cobleland campsite is the ideal place to spend the afternoon birdwatching. Grab your binoculars and look to the skies for birds of prey such as the Osprey, Merlin and Red Kite.

To get even closer to the local birdlife, head to the famous Loch Lomond Bird of Prey Centre. Accessible from both of our campsites near Loch Lomond, the centre offers the unique opportunity to come face-to-face to Golden Eagle, as well as 34 other species of birds.

5 of the best places for spring camping

1. New Forest National Park, Hampshire

With open heathland, expansive coastline and diverse wildlife, the New Forest National Park is the ideal location for a spring camping trip. We have ten campsites dotted around the New Forest, allowing you to explore different parts of this historic area.

2. Sherwood Forest, Nottinghamshire

Known around the world as the backdrop for the legendary Robin Hood stories, Sherwood Forest encompasses over 1,000 acres of ancient trees, meandering trails and bustling birdlife. Situated in Nottinghamshire, this royal woodland is at its most vibrant during springtime.

3. Cairngorms, Highlands

Covering over 4,500 square km of untamed moorland, winding rivers and soaring mountains, the Cairngorms National Park is the largest national park in the United Kingdom. During spring, the Cairngorms’ abundant plant life and wildlife bursts into life and vibrant colours. Keep an eye out for bumbling baby lamps and shaggy highland calves.

4. Loch Lomond, Scotland

Stretching over 35 kilometres long, Loch Lomond is the largest lake in Great Britain and the ideal place to take a spring camping trip. Lending its name to the Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park that it sits within, the lake and surrounding countryside are inhabited by a wide array of wildlife including red deer, mountain hares and golden eagles.

5. Savernake Forest, Wiltshire

With a history stretching back over 1,000 years, the Savernake Forest is a historic park best known for its array of ancient trees – including the Big Bellied Oak, one of the oldest trees in the country. Located in rural Wiltshire, just south of Marlborough, the Savernake Forest is most beautiful during springtime, when its towering trees burst into life.

6. Forest of Dean, Gloucestershire

Lying on the Anglo-Welsh border, the Forest of Dean bounded by two of the longest rivers in the United Kingdom, the Wye and Severn. With over 110 square kilometres of sprawling woodland, meandering rivers and picturesque villages, the Forest of Dean is the ideal place for a springtime camping holiday.

If you are looking for more reasons to go camping, read our guide to romantic getaways in our calming forest locations—alternatively, find more holiday inspiration on our blog.

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