LOUNGE AT THE LIZARD

Buy free-range eggs when you stay at Henry's Campsite, a two-acre plot on Cornwall's Lizard Peninsula run by Ron and Jo Lyne for 20 years. Henry's is more a network of gardens sectioned off by dry-stone walls than the usual image of a conventional site.

The on-site shop also sells fresh fish, bread and jugs of Old Rosie Cider that's drunk at singsongs every Wednesday around the Big Fire Pit. For other provisions it's a short stroll into Cadgwith. There are showers, toilets and power hook-ups. Dogs are welcome now the school holidays are over and, if a campfire isn't your thing, there are metal braziers for hire and logs and kindling for sale.

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The Lynes love music and often host bands for concerts. From September 23 to 26 they're holding Henry's Little Big Gig acoustic weekend mini festival.

Walks on the Lizard's coastal paths are bracing; don't miss the amble to the National Trust beach at Kynance Cove.

Henry's Campsite (01326 290 596/henryscampsite.co.uk). Adults £9.60 per night, children (5-18) £4.80, under-5s free.

SQUIRREL YOURSELF AWAY

The great outdoors doesn't get any better than Glencoe, at the gateway to the West Highlands.

In the centre of this majestic landscape is the 22-acre Red Squirrel Campsite, a location for the Harry Potter movie The Prisoner Of Azkaban, with pitches on the banks of the River Coe. Ben Nevis is 15 miles away.

The washhouse and toilets are basic and there is an information shed with maps and details of things to do, including climbing paths and the indoor rock wall at Kinlochleven. There is a village shop and a pub, the Clachaig Inn.

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Firewood is free; the only proviso is you use an existing "fire spot". Dogs are welcome.

Red Squirrel Campsite (01855 811 256/redsquirrelcampsite.com). No advance booking, just turn up. Adults £7.50 per night, children under 12, 50p.

FUN ON THE FARM

Breck Farm in Weybourne, North Norfolk, has a ready supply of free-range eggs and sacks of its Norfolk "pink" potatoes, delicious boiled or baked in a campfire.

In season there are also fruits and tomatoes on sale. The six-acre site is a short distance from the Norfolk coast with miles of sand dunes and abundant birdlife.

There is a toilet and shower block and laundry facilities. Dogs are welcome but must be on a lead.

Safe and secure, this is the sort of place to get back to basics and enjoy some early autumnal cheer around the campfire.

Stock up on supplies at the nearby village of Weybourne where there is horse riding, a tourist steam train and fishing. Or make for Cromer, seven miles away, famous for crab.

Breck Farm (01263 588236/breckfarm.co.uk). Tents £8 per night, plus £2 per person, under-2s free.

GARDEN OF ENGLAND

Covering 350 acres of woodland, cornfields and pasture stretching to the River Medway, with both Hever and Sissinghurst Castles within striking distance, Manor Court Farm is the perfect base to explore the Garden of England.

Located in the High Weald Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, the landscape is full of hop gardens and distinctive oast houses. There's horse riding in Ashdown Forest, climbing in Groombridge and sailing on Bewl Water.

The former cowshed is now a shower and toilet block and there's a coin-operated washing machine and microwave.

Firewood can be bought at the farmhouse with general supplies from Groombridge. There are picnic tables and benches and dogs must be on leads at all times.

Manor Court Farm (01892 740 279/manorcourtfarm.co.uk). Adults £8 per night, under-14s £4.50.