Carving its way through the south-eastern edge of the Yorkshire Dales, The Washburn Valley is home to four reservoirs, lots of footpaths, and countless farmer’s fields. And it’s in one of those fields, in August, that Scow Hall Farm campsite appears. It’s a campsite that’s as simple as campsites get: just a meadow on a farm with the most basic facilities. It’s designed to fit in with the farming schedule, and opens up a beautiful spot with views to the likes of you and I. From here, you look over the Swinsty Reservoir and right across Nidderdale. And with footpaths straight from the farm, it’s easy to get out and explore.
This is a tents-only campsite offering the kind of no nonsense experience you might expect on a Yorkshire farm. Campers are directed into the camping field by simple signs and when you get there, you’ll find plenty of space to pitch your tent. Up to 15 tents are allowed at a time and you can pitch wherever you want within this five-acre field’s stone walls. Apart from acres of space and those incredible views, what you get for your pitch fee is use of a tap, a portable toilet and a cold water shower. It’s not much but it’s enough for the proper tents-only campers who will enjoy this place.
They’ll be the type to bring boots and bikes and to be happy with cooking dinner on a camping stove (no campfires are allowed here) after walks round the reservoirs. Those are accessed on footpaths which lead directly through fields from the farm. The area is popular with folk escaping Harrogate which, by the way, is only eight miles away. They come for scenic walks and pub lunches. Camp here and you can enjoy the same things for longer.
Pitch your tent and enjoy camping on our farm! Pitches are flat and grassy over looking Swinsty reservoir. Cold showers, drinking water and toilets are provided. Honesty freezers are located at the farm where meat reared on farm can be bought. The Sun Inn is a great pub that is only a 20 minute walk away or a 3 minute drive away. There is access to walk around both Swinsty and Fewston reservoir.The campsite at Scow Hall Farm overlooks the Swinsty Reservoir and you can walk down to the banks on footpaths directly from the camping field. There’s a three-mile walking route around the reservoir with a few picnic stops (and public toilets along the way). For a longer walk, continue on to the adjacent Fewston Reservoir where there’s a small visitor centre about the Washburn Valley at Fewston Church. This is Nidderdale, the edge of the Yorkshire Dales National Park so there’s plenty more walking, cycling and outdoor activity in the area as well as some lovely towns and villages to visit. The pretty market town of Pateley Bridge is 11 miles from site and one of the most popular places in Nidderdale. Bolton Abbey is about the same distance. Harrogate is even closer, just eight miles from site.
The best place to buy meat is right here on the farm. There’s farm-reared lamb and beef for sale from the farm’s honesty freezer. For more than that you’ll have to come prepared or pop to the shops in Otley (six miles) or Harrogate (eight miles). Or you could just head out for a giant Yorkshire pud or other pub meal from The Sun Inn at Norwood, less than two miles from the campsite. It’s walkable in about 20 minutes (or just three minutes in the car). Hot drinks and homemade cakes are available from a tea room at the Washburn Valley visitor centre at Fewston Reservoir.
