Family Camping Across Leinster: Our 2026 Season Reviewed

Choosing a Family Camping Tent: Air Versus Poles

Selecting a tent involves weighing sizes, variations, and inflation methods, according to Crummy. Opting for an air tent offers easier pitching and reliable weather performance, though buyers must account for significant size and weight. Crummy’s family uses a Vango Sherwood 600XL, which delivers a front cooking and storage area, a carpeted main living space, and a separate dark sleeping pod that holds heat and blocks morning light. Packing the large air tent requires two people and fills a standard 385-litre car boot entirely.

Roundwood Caravan and Camping Park Experience

Roundwood Caravan and Camping Park in County Wicklow served as a practice site during a two-night bank holiday stay, offering close proximity to village amenities and local walking trails. Campers can access loop walks around the Vartry Reservoir, the Lough Ton hike, and Ballinastoe Woods, according to Crummy. While a small children’s playground helps build a social campsite atmosphere, Crummy reported that the paid toilets and showers were the poorest quality among the four Leinster locations tested.

River Valley Holiday Park Facilities and Activities

River Valley Caravan and Camping Holiday Park in County Wicklow provides upgraded amenities, including a modern paid toilet and shower block, paid cooking hobs, and a dedicated outdoor food trailer area called “The Camp Out.” According to Crummy, the site features a massive children’s playground alongside paid activities such as foot golf, electric go-karts, archery, pedal go-karts, Crazy Bugs, downhill tubing, and safari jeeps. An on-site village entrance also houses a well-stocked shop, a coffee shop, and a food-serving pub where booking is recommended.

Nore Valley Park Pet Farm and Cooking Amenities

Nore Valley Park, Family Camping and Pet Farm in County Kilkenny accommodated a four-night midweek stay from Monday to Friday, providing full pet farm access and a €10 activity wristband covering crazy golf, go-karts, and tractor rides for the entire visit. Crummy noted that the site offers excellent amenities, including a large open kitchen, very good free showers, and multiple large fridges that support independent cooking. Evening pizzas, brown bread, and scones are available on site, while Kilkenny city centre remains a short drive away for alternative dining.

Hidden Valley Activity Range and Space Evaluation

Hidden Valley in County Wicklow features an extensive roster of paid activities, including an aqua park, laser tag, a soft play centre, climbing walls, adventure mini golf, a boating lake, downhill tubing, a games room, a cinema, and arts and crafts. Crummy observed that while the river setting is impressive, the lack of free activities for children and the accumulation of activity costs require careful budgeting. The site offers decent but limited food variety and clean, though surprisingly small, paid shower and toilet facilities for its scale.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are air tents difficult to set up?

Air tents are generally easy to put up once the groundsheet is pegged down, the corners are secured, and the air beams are inflated, according to Crummy. The main challenge is their heavy weight and large packed size.

What amenities are available at Nore Valley Park?

Nore Valley Park features free showers, a large open kitchen, communal fridges, a pet farm, and a €10 wristband system covering unlimited access to activities like go-karts and tractor rides for the duration of a stay.

Do Leinster campsites provide children’s activities?

Yes, sites like River Valley and Hidden Valley offer extensive paid activities including playgrounds, downhill tubing, minigolf, and water parks, though additional fees can increase the total trip cost.