Rural campsite 45 minutes from Liverpool with alpacas and castle views The site was named among the best in the UK and it's only a short drive away Guests can get up close to a range of animals (Image: John Myers ) A campsite has been named among the best in the country for families and children to visit. With the warm weather starting to appear it means a camping trip will be on the cards for many. Whether you're looking for a fun-filled family staycation, or a relaxing couples weekend away, there are plenty of places to choose from. Luckily, you won't have far to travel to visit one of the best in the UK. ‌ To celebrate the beginning of the camping season, Pitchup, a booking platform for outdoor accommodation around the world, has announced its top-rated sites for families. Each of the sites has been tried, tested and confirmed as topping the ratings specifically for child-friendliness. Article continues below A rural camping site in a secluded south-facing field has come out on top for families - and it's only a 45 minutes drive from Liverpool. Cheshire's Swallow Farm Campsite allows kids to spend hours feeding and petting the resident alpacas, goats, sheep, chickens and rabbits, all ably kept in line by Pips the friendly collie. Should the animal magic wear off at any point, there’s also a handy secure children’s play area with tennis rackets, space hoppers, footballs and nets. Swallow Farm Campsite (Image: UGC ) ‌ Located around 20 minutes south-east of Chester, it’s also close to a host of family-friendly attractions. The Ice Cream Farm combines the world’s largest ice cream shop with indoor and outdoor play attractions, while the Crocky Trail is a mile-long adventure path with additional slides and rides to boot. Both are within 10 minute drive of the campsite. Staying with the animal theme, Chester Zoo and an extensive collection of exotic animals is under half an hour’s drive. The Pitchup listing for the site says: "A stay here is certainly a scenic option – parts of the grounds have views out across to Beeston and Peckforton castles (both under a 15-minute drive away), and a little further on is Chester, which you can reach on an hourly public bus from near the park (20 minutes’ ride). The famed Chester Zoo is just north of the city (25 minutes’ drive) and the Chester Racecourse takes about the same time to reach." ‌ Pitchup offers over 3,600 sites across the UK to book, but only 26 of these have achieved 'gold status'. This means they have scored a full 10/10 in the previous year's customer reviews. The list includes 20 in England, five in Wales and one in Scotland. Luckily, one site within easy reach of Merseyside has achieved the status thanks to its incredible coastal views. Scar Close Camping and Glamping site (Image: Publicity Picture ) ‌ Scar Close Camping and Glamping is tucked away in the grounds of a 36-acre hobby farm in the Arnside and Silverdale Area National Landscape, providing breathtaking views across Morecambe Bay. The campsite is surrounded by sloping hills, grassland and woodland, making it the perfect rural retreat, while the coast is just a 20-minute drive away. The site features pitches for five tents, as well as three glamping units and two cottage units. The campsite is ideally situated to explore the Morecambe Bay area. It's also within easy reach of the Lake District, with Lake Windermere a 40-minute drive away.