Good things come in small packages. At least that's the premise of this book dedicated to tiny campsites. Featuring more than 80 tiny campsites across the UK (determined by its size being less than an acre in size), this useful holiday guide provides camping lovers with full details for each campsite, so they're armed with all of the information they need to find the tiny campsite that's perfect for them. 

The guide provides a wealth of information including an overview of the facilities, nearby pubs and supplies, contact details, a list of nearby rail stations and recommendations for what to see and do in the local area.

We've rounded up our favourite tiny campsites...

This campsite in a small forest glade in Inverness-shire even comes complete with an outdoor bush shower.  There is also an independent, mountain-hut style hostel sleeping up to 8 people privately, which is great for families and small groups.

www.lazyduck.co.uk
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Located near Hay-on-Wye in Herefordshire, Walkers Cottage Camping boasts a 180-degree view of the  picturesque Wye Valley. Here campers will be able to mix with the local wildlife including a field of sheep and beehives hidden amongst wildflowers.  Given its location on the edge of the Brecon Beacons Dark Sky Reserve, you'll be rewarded with stunning starry nights. 

www.hay-on-wye-camping.co.uk
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At Ten Acres Vineyard guests will be able to camp amongst the vines. Animal lovers will also love the pigs that live on site whose job it is to graze the grass amongst the vines - aww.

www.tenacresvineyardcamping.co.uk

Tiny Campsites by Dixe Wills is published by AA Publishing and is available from Amazon.co.uk  (£11.99 for a paperback).

A.A. Miln

If you’re the type of person who doesn’t want to stay in any ‘ol tent, then you’ll love Cool Camping’s latest edition of ‘Glamping Getaways’. From tree houses to yurts, safari tents to lodges, you’ll be spoilt for choice when it comes to finding your perfect glamping retreat.

​Although all of the recommendations in the book are amazing, we’ve whittled it down to help make your choice even easier.

Here are our top five favourite glamping experiences across the UK...
 
Longlands Glamping, North Devon 
 
Located near the picturesque coastal town of Combe Martin, this glamping location features five luxurious safari tents. Each tent comes equipped with a kitchen with a wood-burning stove, a show room, a separate en-suite bathroom, games to keep you occupied and a private BBQ, so you can cook a rustic meal, weather permitting.  Guests also have access to the Longlands Larder, which is stocked with milk, cheese and chutney, available 24 hours a day.
 
Prices from £575 for a midweek stay to £595 for a weekend stay.  Open mid-March – November.

Wild Luxury, Norfolk

Located in North Yorkshire, with its prairie like flatness and wide, open skies, you’ll find seven luxury safari lodges in a fenced-off field. The lodges are completely off-grid, there’s no electricity and all water is stored on site, but each lodge comes equipped with hot showers and a flushing toilet, making it a great option for those who want to ‘live wild’ but still maintain some of life’s little luxuries.
 
Prices from £269 for a two-night weekend break in the low season to £1,495 for a week during the summer holidays.

​Alde Garden, Suffolk
 
This campsite boasts a diverse variety of camping options including two yurts, one gypsy caravan, one stilted tent, five small tent pitches and a year-round holiday cottage. There is also a ‘jungle shower and an outdoor kitchen with gas cookers, straw-bale seats, cutlery, crockery, pots, pans, tea and coffee.  Conventional loos and showers are also available in an outbuilding nearby.

Prices from £75 for two nights in The Hideout to £125 for two nights in the Bell Tent to £170 for two nights in the gypsy caravan to £180 for two nights in a yurt. Camping is also available from £14 per night.

Roulotte Retreat, Scottish Borders
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This glamping location has seven seriously sexy ‘roulette’s’, which are French gypsy caravans that are bursting with character. Many couples find it difficult to prise themselves away from the romantic caravans, deciding to hole up for a bit of l’amour. Each roulette comes equipped with a power shower, a modern toilet, a cooker, a wood-burning stove, a BBQ and independent heating.
 
Fitness lovers can also book in for a yoga class with the owner, Avril, who hosts one-to-one sessions or group bookings upon request.
 
Prices from £95-£135 per night in the low season to £105-£165 per night in the high season. Eco hot tubs are also available for an additional fee. 

Cool Camping Glamping Getaways is published by ​Punk Publishing and is available from Cool Camping for £16.95.

For more cool glamping options, visit www.coolcamping.co.uk.

A.A. Miln

There's nothing better than escaping the stresses and strains of city life than to make  time to relax in the great outdoors. While my own relationship with camping has typically  been a bit apprehensive, largely due to a fear of non-existent showers and toilet facilities, even I have come round to the joys of embracing the great outdoors - tent and all.

Coolcamping: Europe (Second Edition) is a gorgeous book featuring a variety of hand-picked campsites and for the more precious amongst us (glamping experiences), to provide a wealth of inspiration for your next camping holiday.

From teepees to gypsy caravans and everything in between, you'll be amazed at the sheer amount of fabulous camping experiences that are to be had when you know where to go. Countries (and their stand out campsites) featured within the guide include: Portugal, Spain, France, Luxembourg, The Netherlands, Germany, Austria, Slovenia, Croatia and Greece.

The guide is broken down into helpful sections including 'campsites at a glance', 'campsite locator' and 'useful words and phrases' in a variety of languages,  such as 'sleeping bag' ('saco-cama' in Portugese or 'un saco de dormir' in Spanish) and 'campfire' ('un feau de camp' in French and 'kampvuur' in Dutch), just in case you were wondering.

Each campsite entry is accompanied by a selection of gorgeous images to provide you with a sense of what you can expect to find when you arrive.  Each entry also gives you a low down on the site's 'cool factor', an overview of the types of people that are likely to choose that particular campsite,  camping rates, food and drink options, details on how to find the campsite and recommendations for offsite day trips.

So, which campsites featured within the guide are on our must-visit list? Check out our recommendations below...

Best campsites in Europe - The top 5 campsite holidays we're lusting after...

1. O Tamanco (Casas Brancas, Portugal)
​Rustic charm and a variety of camping options including glamping tubes, tents and yurts, make this campsite truly unique. It's located near the Silver Coast, which boasts fishing villages, castles and monastries.

2.Lima Escape (Ponte de Barca - Viana do Castelo, Portugal)
Located on the edge of the Peneda-Geres National Park, you'd be hard pressed to find a campsite with more stunning natural beauty. Hiking and biking enthusiasts will love exploring the surrounding mountain treks and paths.

3. La Fresneda (Teruel, Spain)
This small but perfectly formed campsite with only 25 pitches is set in a stunning valley. Outdoor lovers will love exploring the rugged canyons and mountainsides as well as the natural rock swimming pools, which are only 15 mins away. Guests will also enjoy the onsite restaurant Bar La Roca, where guests can indulge in local tapas.

​4. Forest Days (Catalonia, Spain)
Poised on a beautiful farmstead surrounded by mountains and fertile farmland, this really is glamping at its best. The site features four fully furnished bell tents, each featuring a super kingsize bed, a woodburning stove, an outdoor dining space and a hammock for two. With a campsite this well equipped,  you'll never want to leave...

5. Il Collaccio (Perugia, Italy)
Deep in the valleys of the Umbrian hills is where you'll find this breathtaking campsite. This camping complex combines a family-owned truffle farm with a modest hotel, a pool, chalets, cabins and teraces for campers, caravans and tents. There is also an on-site restaurant and lots of activities to keep you busy including tennis, volleyball, table tennis and petanque.

For more cool campsites, visit www.coolcamping.co.uk. Cool Camping Europe (Second Edition) is available from Amazon.co.uk for £15.88 (paperback).

A.A. Miln