Woodland campsites in Hamsterley Forest
This mountain-biking hotspot also has woodland walks and Viking-theme playgrounds.
100% (132 reviews)
- Hamsterley Forest
100% (132 reviews)
Popular camping styles for Hamsterley Forest
Under £50
Available this weekend
12 top forest campsites in Hamsterley Forest
98%
(109)
Baystone Bank Farm Campsite
47 units · Motorhomes, Tents1 acre · Millom, England
Lake District camping on a working farm with a stream to splash in, campfires encouraged and a horse-riding centre on the doorstep
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£25
/ night
97%
(34)
Breaks Fold Farm Glamping & Camping
14 units · Tents2 acres · Pateley Bridge, North Yorkshire, North East England
Camping in Nidderdale with excellent facilities, dogs and campfires welcome, and views over Thruscross Reservoir.
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£12
/ night
97%
(38)
Woodsworth Exploring
10 units · Tents10 acres · Ilkley, West Yorkshire, North East England
Nearly wild woodland camping in West Yorkshire’s Bronte country
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£29.50
/ night
100%
(23)
Camping at Cardewlees
37 units · Glamping, Motorhomes, Tents1 acre · Carlisle, England
A welcoming, family-run farm campsite between the Lake District and Hadrian's Wall
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£20
/ night
98%
(78)
Beirhope Alpacas
11 units · Tents1 acre · Kelso, Scotland
A small, off-grid campsite with alpacas in the historically rich southern Scottish borders
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£18
/ night
93%
(116)
Moss Side Farm Campsite
33 units · Tents4 acres · Cumbria, North West England
Small-scale farm camping in the South Lakes, with campfires, wildlife and fine views
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£25
/ night
97%
(33)
Hazel Mount Fellside
5 units · Tents5 acres · Eskdale, Cumbria, North West England
Nearly wild camping on the western edge of the Lake District overlooking the Duddon Estuary
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£25
/ night
98%
(93)
Ewe Love Camping Pods
3 units · Glamping120 acres · Penrith, Cumbria, North West England
Modern Lake District glamping pods among the trees, with exceptional views of Blencathra
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£85
/ night
100%
(6)
Ruberslaw Wild Woods Camping
53 units · Glamping, Tents500 acres · Hawick, Scottish Borders
Pick between the woods and the walled garden at this stunning Scottish Borders site
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£33
/ night
100%
(5)
Kip & Nook
6 units · Motorhomes250 acres · Darlington, England
Adult-only campervan site with hot tub pitches in North Yorkshire
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£40
/ night
100%
(2)
Primrose Cottage Camping
13 units · Glamping, Motorhomes, Tents8 acres · Chorley, England
A quiet adult-only site (this site does not cater for children), with tents and campervans only, nestled below Healey Nab in the Lancashire Countryside. Rustic and back to basics is what this site is all about. Set amid spectacular countryside, grassy fields, woodland and streams to boot! Well behaved four legged friends are more than welcome. Campfires and good times allowed. *Please note loud music is not allowed.*
Flat walks are a plenty along the Leeds and Liverpool canal or maybe a circular walk to white White Coppice might float your boat? For the hill walkers amongst us there is Great Hill and Rivington Pike to climb.
Within walking distance or a few minutes drive there is pub at the end of the lane and local shops within the vicinity for those last minute snacks. Chorley town centre is 10 minutes drive away and we are close to the M61 which can take you to the Lake district in less than an hour, Manchester or Blackpool are roughly 30 Minutes away.
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£25
/ night
100%
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Nearly-wild camping @ Heggs Farm
1 unit · Tent136 acres · Reeth, England
Get back to basics and immerse yourself in the joy of simple outdoor living with a nearly-wild camping experience @ Heggs Farm, Arkengarthdale--part of a collaborative, 200-acre renaturing project, spanning the northern tip of the Yorkshire Dales National Park.
Stretching from the wooded banks of the Arkle Beck, up to the dizzying heights of Fremington Edge, our undulating, south-facing site is a wonderfully biodiverse and off-the-beaten path spot, offering adventure-loving families and small groups the chance to unplug completely, and get a taste of no-frills camping, the way mother nature intended.
What's more, every booking is for exclusive use of the camping area by you and your group, guaranteeing you a truly unique (and undisturbed) experience.
NB Due to the undulating nature of the terrain, our site is most suited to tents with a smaller footprint.
Why Heggs?
Get a taste of 'wild-camping' with a few bare bones facilities: Pitch up where you like, make the most of a private firepit cooking area, and enjoy our compost loo with a view. Our remote, no-frills site is the perfect intro to simple living; yet sits close enough to 'civilisation' to hike out for picnic supplies, and/or a pub meal.
Reconnect with nature through wholesome, unplugged activities: Fill your days with poo sticks, pebble skimming, and foraging for kindling. Spend your evenings playing scrabble by torchlight, identifying owl calls, and marvelling at the constellations in our Dark Skies conservation area. No wifi = no distractions.
Explore endless routes right from the doorstep: Arkengarthdale is one of the Dales' most beautiful yet undiscovered valleys. Multiple bridleways and footpaths connect Heggs to Reeth (2 miles) and Langthwaite (1.5 miles), running along both sides of the Arkle Beck, and up the slopes of Fremington Edge.
Part of the adventure is getting here: Our walk/cycle-in-only camping area is all part of the magic of our tucked-away site. Free bag transfer is available to our farmhouse from the nearest roadside parking spot (20 mins walk); or from the public parking areas in Reeth or Langthwaite (40 mins walk). From the farmhouse, the camping area lies a further 200m along a rough grass track.
NB Limited parking for 4WD vehicles is available on site, 7-8mins walk from the camping area along the public footpath. Please note we cannot accept campervans or trailer tents.
Every stay plants trees, literally: All profits from nearly-wild camping support our ongoing habitat restoration as part of the Heggs-Castle renaturing cluster. Enjoy the 'feel-good' factor as you roam free across the site and explore our latest woodland creation areas. Find out more at heggscastlecluster.org.
What's included/provided with my booking?
-Exclusive use of the camping area for you and your group (up to a max of 8 people), including compost loo and firepit with grill.
-Access to weatherproof cow byre HQ for storage of camping equipment, including bikes.
-1 x wheelbarrow load of firewood, with kindling and natural firelighters (more can be bought on site).
-Unlimited potable water in canisters with taps.
-Large Ghillie Kettle, firepit cooking utensils and heatproof gloves, biodegradable washing up liquid, washing up bowl, tea towels, first aid kit, fire extinguisher.
-Bag transfer from/to the nearest roadside or public parking place on arrival and departure.
Please pack everything else you need to sleep, cook (your own portable gas stove and/or charcoal is welcome), eat, and keep yourself and your equipment safe; remembering that you’ll have to carry your own gear for at least the last 200m down to the cow byre...and then beyond to wherever you pitch up!
Note too that the site is completely unlit after dark, there are no charging facilities, and phone signal can be spotty. Headtorches, camping lanterns, and portable battery/solar chargers are all strongly recommended.
Where can I stock up?
Our local businesses would love your support! Award winning bread, cafe-quality ready meals, and Thursday night pizzas can be pre-ordered for collection at Two Dales Bakery; the Bike Centre is known for its incredible cake selection (and excellent rental service); Reeth Post Office sells the usual camping cupboard staples, as well as local milk, cheese and sausages; and Reeth's Friday morning market has all your meat, cheese, and fruit and veg supplies covered.
For dining out, there are four pubs within a two-mile hike/cycle: The CB Inn, The Bridge Inn, The Black Bull and The Buck (the only to offer all-day dining 12-8pm). Ramsay’s Fish and Chip Van also visits Reeth between 4-6pm every Friday evening; you’ll find it parked up in Langhorne Drive.
Finished reading and not sure it's for you?
Search for The Annexe @ Heggs Farm on AirBnB for simple, off-grid living with a few creature comforts e.g. hot running water, a bed and a bath. This can also be booked in tandem with our nearly-wild camping area, subject to availability.
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£45
/ night
Dog-friendly getaways
Star Hosts in Hamsterley Forest
Woodland campsites in Hamsterley Forest guide
Overview
With more than 2,000 hectares of wooded valleys and miles of forest trails to explore, Hamsterley Forest has outdoor adventures for all ages. Mountain bikers can choose from red, blue, and black grade trails, while kids will love the Gruffalo trail and Viking-themed playground. Look out for roe deer and woodland animals as you walk or horseback ride along the nature trails, put your map-reading skills to use on an orienteering course, or enjoy a picnic or barbecue beneath the trees. There’s no camping in the forest itself, but you’ll find plenty of options in the neighbouring North Pennines AONB.
When to go
Summer is the most popular time to visit Hamsterley Forest, but it can get busy. Set out early to snag a parking spot and get a jump on the crowds. Outdoor activities are possible year-round, and it’s worth revisiting to make the most of each season. Come in spring to stroll through the bluebell woods, in fall to admire the changing leaves, or in winter for crisp walks through the snow.
Know before you go
- Haldon Forest is located on the eastern edge of the North Pennines AONB, about a 30-minute drive from Durham.
- You will need your own transport, as there are no public transport links to the park. Paid parking is available.
- There are restrooms and a café in the park.
- Some of the park’s trails are wheelchair accessible.
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