Machrihanish Holiday Park on the Kintyre Peninsula in Argyll has been crowned the best coastal campsite in the UK for summer 2026, according to a new ranking by price comparison platform Idealo. The park earned an overall rating of 8.85 out of 10, praised for its affordability, proximity to a stunning beach, and excellent facilities.
Top-Ranked Coastal Campsite
Idealo analysed popular coastal campsites across the UK, ranking them based on affordability, guest reviews, beach proximity, and on-site facilities. Machrihanish Holiday Park came first, followed by Beryl's Campsite in Devon (8.21), The Hollies Leisure Resort in Kessingland (7.64), Llanungar Caravan and Camping in Solva (7.63), and Watermouth Valley Camping Park in Ilfracombe (7.52).
The park is the closest campsite to a beach in the top 10, with Machrihanish Bay Beach just 0.6 kilometres away. It also scored highly for facilities, including hot showers, flushing toilets, electric hookups, Wi-Fi, and an on-site shop.
Accommodation Options and Pricing
Machrihanish Holiday Park offers a range of accommodation, from luxury caravan holiday homes and hot tub lodges to camping pods and touring pitches. The holiday homes come in two- and three-bedroom options with fully equipped kitchens, shower rooms, TV and DVD players, Wi-Fi, and outdoor seating. The hot tub lodges sleep up to four and feature private hot tubs with views over Machrihanish Golf Club towards Islay and the Paps of Jura, using energy-efficient heat pumps.
According to Idealo, the cost to pitch per night for a two-person pitch is £26 without a hookup and £29 with a hookup. The park is dog-friendly, with four-legged friends staying for free this summer.
Growing Demand for Staycations
With more people choosing staycations over international holidays, demand for camping has risen. Industry research shows campsite bookings for summer 2026 are up 12 per cent compared with last year, with some coastal destinations already at 90 per cent capacity.
Adenike Herzog-Osikominu at Idealo commented: 'Many of the campsites in this study apply dynamic or seasonal pricing, meaning a pitch in late May or early September can cost considerably less than the same spot in late July or August. If school holiday dates are not a constraint, travelling in the shoulder season is one of the most reliable ways to reduce the overall cost of a trip.'
She added: 'A durable, weather-appropriate tent suited to coastal conditions where wind and damp can be more of a factor reduces the risk of having to replace or repair equipment mid-trip. Checking Idealo's range of tents and camping gear before you book means you can compare prices across retailers and find the best deal before the peak season rush drives prices up.'
Full List of Top Coastal Campsites 2026
- Machrihanish Holiday Park, Argyll
- Beryl's Campsite, Devon
- The Hollies Leisure Resort, Kessingland
- Llanungar Caravan and Camping, Solva
- Watermouth Valley Camping Park, Ilfracombe
- Manor Farm, Runton
- Beadnell Bay Camping, Beadnell
- Burnbake Forest Lodges and Campsite, Dorset
- Watertop Farm, Ballycastle
- Treveague Campsite, Gorran
