Lake Camping in East Midlands

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.

97% (26)

Top-rated campgrounds

A waterside shepherd's hut at Purple Badger Camping in Leicestershire.

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.

97% (26)

Top-rated campgrounds

1. Purple Badger Camping&Fishing Lakes

97%

(66)

12 units · Tents, Glamping · Beeby, England

Glamping and campfire-friendly camping by a pair of fishing lakes in the Leicestershire countryside

2. Bell Tent Village Parks

100%

(11)

12 units · Glamping · Nottingham, Nottinghamshire, East Midlands

Glamping on an established campsite next door to the National Watersports Centre in Nottingham

3. Broadleaves Glamping

100%

(2)

3 units · Glamping · England

Rupert and Kerry welcome you to our Derbyshire family farm nestled in the heart of the National Forest adjacent to Foremark Water. Our countryside location offers far reaching views and is surrounded by our own, and Foremark Water’s woodlands offering many miles of enriching walks, rides or runs directly from your own sustainable luxury accommodation. Our beautiful bell tents are appointed with high quality beds and linens and fluffy towels. Our bathrooms are designed to feel like home from home. Three family bathrooms (plus additional toilets) all housed in their own bespoke building service just 6 tents.

4. Lakeside Fishing Cabins

3 units · Glamping · Lincolnshire, East Midlands

Beautiful Adults only peaceful site, open all year round. We purchased this peaceful secluded 15 acre piece of land, consisting of a 3 acre lake, in early 2015. Our beautiful Log Cabin (KINGFISHER) was completed in May 2017 and the static homes style lodges, (LAVENDER AND SUNFLOWER) in April 2021. Kingfisher is a more rustic vibe with log burner and oil filled radiators for heating and Lavender and Sunflower are more modern vibe with gas central heating. Lavender and Sunflower both have ramp access. They all have their own personal jetty and veranda to fish from. You can also fish anywhere around the lake as we do not allow day tickets. Kingfisher has 3 bedrooms, so sleeps 3 singles or 3 couples. The other two have 2 bedrooms, so sleeps just 2 singles or 2 couples. It is such a peaceful haven. All your troubles just disappear when you arrive. The calming beauty of the lake is inspiring. We want this to become our very own nature reserve, encouraging nesting of all kinds to mature to full potential. We want you to share on our journey and progress along the way. We don’t look on this as a business, but a ‘home from home’. It is our secretive safe haven, nestled nicely in-between Boston and Skegness in a peaceful surrounding – there is no traffic apart from the occasional Spitfire or Lancaster flying by! Also, depending on what time of year, the occasional combine harvester or tractor working the surrounding fields. Please note that our fishing village and cabin site are for adults only, no children or pets are allowed. We may welcome well behaved and experienced fishing people from the age of 15 years upwards. Please ask beforehand. SITE ADDRESS: LAKESIDE FISHING LODGES, COWBROADS LANE, OLD LEAKE, BOSTON. LINCOLNSHIRE. PE22 9RD.

Stories from the community

D

Duco

September 2025

Tent

1 night at Purple Badger Camping&Fishing Lakes

Nice pitches at a pretty little campsite in a surprisingly beautiful environment. And the coffee cart is nice.

R

Richard

August 2025

Tent

With kids

2 nights at Purple Badger Camping&Fishing Lakes

Great stay at Purple Badger. The facilities were great, and the shower and toilets some of the best i've experienced camping. As a family we enjoyed the space for eating and spending time together under shelter, when not at our tent. The kids enjoyed the Fusball tables and books. Very enjoyable stay and look forward to returning again.

S

Simon

July 2025

With kids

Weekend Trip to Purple Badger Camping&Fishing Lakes

Fenton was a lovely shepherds hut. Fantastic location and surrounded by beautiful nature. Hosts were fantastic, great to have breakfast, coffees and pizzas within 2 mins walk. Loved it.

K

Kate

June 2025

With pets

Weekend Trip to Broadleaves Glamping

We had a fantastic stay at Broadleaves. Kerry and Rupert have thought of every small detail to make the stay so comfortable. They were there to greet us and made us feel so welcome. We stayed for 2 nights as a family of 4 with a dog and will definitely be returning. The facilities are great quality and the location is stunning. I have already been recommending them to family and friends.

L

Lee

May 2025

Tent

Weekend Trip to Purple Badger Camping&Fishing Lakes

Absolutely loved this location. Just perfect for a weekends get away. Peaceful and tranquil and great campers who respected the rules. Highly recommend and we will certainly be coming again.

j

joanne

May 2025

Weekend Trip to Purple Badger Camping&Fishing Lakes

I booked a fishing retreat for my husbands birthday , it was perfect, Fenton hut was gorgeous and the pitch ,privacy and space we had was perfect . The hosts were just lovely, they literally couldn’t do enough for us including a fabulous dinner recommendation at JB Kitchen. Truly wonderful stay .. would highly recommend

V

Vail

April 2025

With pets

Weekend Trip to Broadleaves Glamping

The camping was very well thought out with all necessary equipment. Plus point easy access from main road, enough parking space, plenty of walks around, spacious and all the required facilities in top notch quality. The host were extremely lovely couple always willing to help and accommodate to the guest needs. Highly recommend it as place away from home.

Happy farmer sitting in a truck in a grassy field

Lake camping in East Midlands guide

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.