Wildlife-watching campsites in Charnwood Forest

Easily reached from major Midlands towns, Charnwood’s walks, narrowboating, and camping attract.

95% (526 reviews)
95% (526 reviews)

Popular camping styles for Charnwood Forest

Dog-friendly getaways

Under £50

12 top campsites in Charnwood Forest with wildlife watching

100%
(17)

Spring Field Dark Skies Eco Camp

31 units · Motorhomes, Tents5 acres · Shrewsbury, England
Secluded Eco Campsite, blessed with elevated views over the Shropshire Hills AONB. Red Kites, Buzzards and Kestrels soaring overhead and Sparrow Hawks flashing by. Owls are very active at night. Wild Deer, Pheasants, Rabbits and Hares, all regular visitors to our fields. Nature is very close here. We are in a "Dark Skies" area so star watching is a must. We now offer Pre-Booked options of early arrival from 11am on your day of arrival and late departure on your last day up to 6pm. A micro "Eco Friendly Site" with a low carbon target. Back to basic camping with some modern touches. FREE WiFi. All power here is generated from Solar-PV and distributed to our camping field. The camp has open plan pitches and you can generally choose your preferred spot. Families and children very welcome. Well behaved dogs must be on leads at all times. Flushing clean toilet pods and sinks, sanitizer and soap with hot water, air driers. Large communal wash-up sinks. Disposal for Elsan chemicals and Grey water. Drive on service Aire for Motorhomes. Fresh water and Solar Generated Eco 6A and 16A points around the field. FREE WiFi broadband covers the site. A few All Weather Hardstanding pitches with hard road access. Great for winter or bad weather. If the weather turns bad you can upgrade after arrival (subject to availability) Bring your own shower tent for FREE. Water hookup points all round the field. The entire campsite may be booked for private parties, filming and events.
Pets
Potable water
Campfires
Showers
Trash
from 
£23.75
 / night

Available this weekend

Star Hosts in Charnwood Forest

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Value Prop
Happy farmer sitting in a truck in a grassy field
Happy farmer sitting in a truck in a grassy field

Wildlife-watching campsites in Charnwood Forest guide

Overview

This surprisingly wild, craggy, and forested area of countryside sits roughly between Leicester, Loughborough, and Coalville. It encompasses several popular outdoor spaces including Bradgate Park and parts of Middle England’s major reforestation project, the National Forest. Take a walk in Bradgate Park, try your hand at narrowboating, or relax at a waterside country pub on the Grand Union Canal, then visit historic spots like the Battle of Bosworth Field battle site. The region’s best camping is around the parish of Quorn, where pitching places include Broome Island—only accessible by boat.

Where to go

Bradgate Park & Swithland Wood

The big go-to outdoor playground for citizens of Leicester, Bradgate Park is a delightful old deer park and a montage of moors, crags, and woods seeming more similar to the Peak District than to the suburb-adjacent country park it is. Come to walk, explore wildlife-reclaimed industrial land, bird-watch in Swithland Woods, and visit the former home of Lady Jane Grey, Britain’s shortest-reigning monarch.

Moira & The National Forest

The area around Moira was heavily scarred by its former coal mining industry, which was why it was chosen as the location for the National Forest. This major reforestation project straddles parts of Leicestershire, Derbyshire, and Staffordshire, combining existing old-growth forest with newer plantations, and has rejuvenated the area as an outdoor destination for walkers, cyclists, and horse-riders. Ex-mining village Moira now hosts the National Forest Discovery Centre, some restored mining attractions, and camping options nearby.

Ashby Canal

The Ashby-de-la-Zouch Canal links Leicestershire’s Moira and Warwickshire’s Bedworth, with the section between Bedworth and Snarestone navigable. Interesting sights along its course include the Battlefield Line heritage railway between Shackerstone and Shenton, plus the Bosworth Field battle site. The canal winds close to several campsites catering to tent campers, caravanners, and glampers.

Grand Union Canal

The UK’s longest canal brushes the northeast of Charnwood Forest at villages like Mountsorrel and nearby Sileby, with its convenient railway station. The 137-mile waterway, connecting Birmingham and London, is full of surprises, showing off a greener, quieter side to the big towns it passes through and crossing some pretty countryside too. Narrowboat, walk, or cycle the towpath, visit idyllic canal-side pubs and camp at unique waterside sites like Broome Island near Quorn—accessible only by boat.

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