We road-tested 3 seaside camping sites with terrific beaches ideal for household break

SPAIN– Playa Montroig, Costa Dorada

Editorial Director Sinead McIntyre, other half Alistair and their teenage twins discovered a coast with the most, consisting of a field trip to Barcelona.

THE PAD

Set on the sensational Costa Dorada shoreline and a fast 25-minute drive from Reus airport, the star of the program here is the sandy beach, with its dynamic bar and drifting dive pontoon.

One early morning, my child Riley and I woke early to swim out and had everything to ourselves while viewing a yoga class– simply among the activities available.

Our premium three-bed lodge was likewise minutes from the 3 pool, slides and a swimming pool bar.

WAIL OF A TIME

I drove Irish Path 66 with deserted golden beaches and pirate-like islands

LURED?

Tiny ‘Bali of Europe’ town with sensational beaches, EUR3 mixed drinks and ₤ 20 flights

You’ll likewise discover a well-stocked grocery store, bakeshop, fishmonger’s and pizza takeaway on-site.

Tennis and padel courts are a win, too.

CHECK OUT

The seaside town of Miami Platja simply 5km away is flanked by attractive hills and mountains, and boasts golden beaches.

A brief drive from here is Llaberia Nature Park, ideal for walkings through sensational plants and animals.

On The Other Hand, Barcelona is under 90 minutes by train from close-by Cambrils.

Reserve well ahead to go to Gaudi’s Sagrada Familia– the biggest incomplete Catholic church worldwide– and appreciate its amazing architecture.

Tickets expense from ₤ 23 each (Sagradafamilia.org).

Or visit Barcelona’s well-known Camp Nou football arena– though presently under remodelling, you can still visit its outstanding museum.

Entry expenses ₤ 25 per individual (Fcbarcelona.com).

REFUEL

Get your tapas repair and go into calamari, ₤ 12.60, garlic shrimp, ₤ 10.90, and Iberian ham croquettes, ₤ 1.75 each, on-site at Terrassa dining establishment.

Couple with a rejuvenating carafe of sangria with cava, ₤ 14.70.

Or attempt beachside Tucanamar, with its sensational sunset views and magnificent spaghetti with clams, ₤ 10.90.

A walk along the coastline is Dining establishment Pals, providing specialized extra ribs, ₤ 17.25, and grilled sea bream, ₤ 15.20 (Friendsplaya.com).

In Barca, struck Catalanian restaurant La Nueva Marquesa for thrills such as fried eggs with Iberian ham shavings and monkfish skewers with prawn and crab sauce.

End up with melt-in-the-mouth tiramisu.

Three-course set menus expense from ₤ 13 (Lanuevamarquesa.com).

DON’T MISS

Mas Miró– the household home of Joan Miró, famous Catalan artist and buddy of Picasso– neighbors.

Check out the structures he brought to life and see his sketches first-hand.

Entry costs ₤ 8.70 per individual (Masmiro.com).

BOOK IT

Seven-night stays for 4 individuals at Playa Montroig throughout Might half-term 2026 expense from ₤ 586 (Eurocamp.co.uk).

FRANCE– Le Garangeoire, Vendee

Deputy Editor Ellie O’Mahoney, other half Mark and their 2 young kids succumbed to crêpes and getting on the west coast of France.

THE PAD

This luxury, family-run campground, simply 15 minutes’ drive from the gorgeous beaches of France’s Atlantic west coast, has 200 hectares of forest and a sensational 17th-century château, total with totally free pedalo and canoe hire on the boating lake.

There are tennis courts, insane golf, a horse-riding steady and 2 kids’ clubs.

Of the 4 swimming pools, the primary one boasts 3 slides, and is our kids’ preferred.

For some peaceful time, head to the natural lagoon surrounded by a sandy beach.

There are lots of activities, consisting of aromatherapy and night strolls, and our three-bed lodge was completely designated with a terrace for alfresco banquets.

CHECK OUT

Kids will enjoy swinging through the branches at Le Grand Défi, the world’s biggest tree-climbing park simply down the roadway, plus there’s a substantial aqua park and pony trips.

Treeclimbing expenses from ₤ 10.70 for kids, ₤ 20.90 for grownups (Grand-defi.com).

Historic amusement park Puy du Fou, an hour’s drive away, places on eye-popping efficiencies.

View gladiators battle in the “Roman” coliseum and experience rainy seas aboard an 18th-century-style explorer’s ship.

Tickets cost ₤ 39 for grownups, ₤ 28 for kids (Puydufou.com).

Or head to the beach town of Brétignolles-sur-Mer– you’ll discover quite Breton Tee shirts and wood toys at its hectic market on Thursdays and Sundays.

REFUEL

At close-by lakeside dining establishment L’Auberge du Jaunay, we destroyed a stack of cheese galettes for a deal ₤ 3.25 with a half-carafe of red white wine, ₤ 8.90.

A sugar and lemon crêpe, ₤ 4.70, finished the kids’ preferred banquet of the journey.

On a beach day, we caught a table on the white sand at Crêperie La Normandelière.

We didn’t get the hottest of invites, however the food offseted it– I enjoyed the smoked salmon salad, ₤ 12.70, and Nutella and banana crêpe, ₤ 5.20 (La-normandeliere.eatbu.com).

In the nearby town of Saint-Julien-des-Landes, simply minutes’ drive away, you’ll discover Rest’ O Landes, which does the most tasty honey and goat’s cheese takeaway pizza, ₤ 9 (Restolandes.com).

DON’T MISS

Area star constellations throughout the ferryboat crossing with the totally free SkyView app.

BOOK IT

Seven-night remain at La Garangeoire in Might half-term 2026 expense from ₤ 363 for as much as 6 (Eurocamp.co.uk).

An over night ferryboat from Portsmouth to St Malo with Brittany Ferries for 4 individuals with a vehicle expenses from ₤ 351 (Brittany-ferries.co.uk).

ENGLAND– Daleacres, Kent

Deputy Chief Sub-Editor Danielle Woodward, other half David and their 2 teenagers looked for safaris and steam trains in the South East.

THE PAD

In the heart of the Kent countryside, near the seaside town of Hythe, you’ll discover Daleacres Camping area, total with a play ground for more youthful kids and a common firepit for glampers.

Safari camping tents use kitchen areas with a refrigerator and microwave, and the kids took turns to fill the water dispenser, a brief leave.

With irregular totally free Wi-Fi, they likewise “delighted in” screen-free time!

We woke to cock-a-doodle-dos from a close-by farm, before refurbishing in the pristine shower and bathroom block.

CHECK OUT

Feeling beachy? Select in between Hythe’s shingle or close-by Dymchurch’s 3 miles of sand and theme park with timeless trips and a game (Dymchurch-amusements.co.uk).

On the other hand, area apes and tigers at Port Lympne Safari Park.

Day tickets consisting of safari expense ₤ 32 for grownups, ₤ 28 for kids (Aspinallfoundation.org/port-lympne).

Or get on the mini steam train on the Romney, Hythe & & Dymchurch Train.

Tickets expense from ₤ 10 return (Rhdr.org.uk).

The kids were likewise amazed by the crypt in St Leonard’s Church, home to the biggest, best-preserved collection of ancient human skulls and bones in Britain (Slhk.org/theossuary.htm).

REFUEL

In Dymchurch, struck Lamby’s Seafood stall beside the Ocean Inn club for a pot of brown shrimp, ₤ 4 (Oceaninn.co.uk/lambys).

At Port Lympne, scoff yummy wood-fired prosciutto, buffalo mozzarella and rocket pizza, ₤ 15, followed by fig and pistachio frangipane tart, ₤ 5, in Babydoll’s dining establishment.

While the 400-year-old cosy Botolphs Bridge Inn club, a brief walk from Daleacres, provides fabulous pies of the week with mash, veg and gravy, ₤ 13.50 (Botolphsbridgeinn.co.uk).

DON’T MISS

The Fight of Britain Memorial in Folkestone has an interactive Scramble Experience, which brings WW2 to life.

SOAP LOVE

Max Bowden snogs ex-Corrie starlet Katie McGlynn on ‘really intimate’ night out

SCARY EXPERIENCE

I have not peed for 18 months & & NEVER will after UTI left me feeling self-destructive

Entry is ₤ 7 for grownups, ₤ 4 for kids (Battleofbritainmemorial.org).

BOOK IT

A safari camping tent at Daleacres sleeping 5 expenses from ₤ 59 per night (Experiencefreedom.co.uk).