Best camping, glamping, and outdoor stays in East Midlands
Camp beachside, along the moors, or in Robin Hood’s forests in this often-overlooked region.
- East Midlands
Popular camping styles for East Midlands
Available this weekend
Top camping destinations
Star Hosts in East Midlands
12 top campsites in East Midlands
Under £50
Dog-friendly getaways
Best camping, glamping, and outdoor stays in East Midlands guide
Overview
East Midlands is the UK’s unassuming heartland, where industrial cities and historic market towns are hemmed together by a patchwork of farmlands and river valleys. Mild temperatures make this a year-round destination for outdoor adventures, and campers can sleep in tents, yurts, tipis, and glamping pods. Hike through the valleys in the Peak District National Park, stroll around stately homes, or explore woodland trails in the footsteps of local legend Robin Hood. In summer, the sandy shores of Skegness offer a traditional English seaside experience, while fall is the time for forest walks and bike rides, ablaze with autumnal colours.
Where to go
Nottinghamshire
The stomping ground of Robin Hood, it’s little surprise that Nottinghamshire is famed for its forests. Campers can pitch up in the heart of Sherwood Forest, enjoy walks and bike rides through the woodlands, or go zip-lining through the trees. Nearby, stroll through the bluebell woods of Clumber Park, which are magnificent in springtime; spot wild deer in Wollaton Park; or take a canal boat cruise along the Trent River.
Derbyshire
Derbyshire is hiking country and the gateway to the Peak District National Park, where moorlands, dales, and gritstone cliffs blanket the landscapes. Hiking, mountain biking, and rock climbing are all popular activities within the park, while a pitstop in Bakewell (home of the Bakewell Tart) and a visit to Chatsworth House are also regional musts. Campers have options, whether you want to park up your caravan on the Chatsworth Estate or pitch your tent on the moors.
Lincolnshire
Lincolnshire’s headline act is Lincoln Cathedral, but there's more to discover than history and heritage in this rural county. Come in spring to see the region's renowned tulips in full bloom, then escape to the lowland forests and valleys of the Lincolnshire Wolds, where walking trails and camping sites line the hillsides. Along the coast, Skegness is the quintessential beach resort of the Midlands, where summer campers can pitch up right by the seaside.
Leicestershire
Heritage towns, deer parks, and 15th-century battlefields dot the countryside of Leicestershire. Simple pleasures await campers, whether walking amid fields of snowdrops in the Dimminsdale Nature Reserve (visit in late winter), glamping in the shadows of Belvoir Castle, or checking into a tranquil caravan park in the middle of the countryside.
