Farm campsites in Forest of Bowland AONB

Find rivers, rugged moorland, and skies suitable for stargazing, birdwatching, and more in the Forest of Bowland.

96% (257 reviews)
96% (257 reviews)

Popular camping styles for Forest of Bowland AONB

Available this weekend

12 top farm campsites in Forest of Bowland AONB

94%
(127)

Catgill Farm Camping & Glamping

153 units · Glamping, Tents1 acre · North Yorkshire, England
Family camping and glamping on the edge of the Yorkshire Dales and a stone's throw from famous Bolton Abbey
from 
£14
 / night
100%
(24)

Peaks and Pods

5 units · Glamping1 acre · North Yorkshire, North East England
Luxury pods with extra special touches, sandwiched between the Forest of Bowland and the Yorkshire Dales National Park
from 
£130
 / night
96%
(37)

Stanley Villa Farm Fishing Camping

34 units · Glamping30 acres · Preston, Lancashire, North West England
Lakeside rural tranquility and the 'kiss-me-quick' fun of the seaside – you can have the best of both worlds at Stanley Villa Farm's cute camping pods
from 
£65
 / night
96%
(41)

White House Farm Campsite, Wardlow

60 units · Motorhomes, Tents4 acres · Wardlow, England
What a little Derbyshire gem: back to basics Whitehouse Farm Campsite is a simple site in a most scenic setting five minutes’ drive from the pretty village of Tideswell. The site’s central location in the Peak District National Park means it’s a top spot for those who want to ramble or ride bikes – several circular trails leave from Tideswell and the traffic-free Monsal Trail is a five-minute drive away. And there’s plenty more activity if you require it too, as activity centres nearby can sort you out days of horse riding, abseiling, climbing and caving. All this activity isn’t mandatory, of course – this is an equally fine location for days pottering off to local pubs, pigging out on pudding in Bakewell or taking a leisurely stroll around the Chatsworth Estate, 20 minutes away. And if even that’s too much, you’d be welcome to spend some time loafing about on site: there’s heaps of space here, and as facilities have been kept quite minimal (just showers and toilets) there should be a good serving of peace and quiet to go with it all. Guests are welcome to light up a barbecue or campfire for cookouts and keeping warm; Tideswell’s the place for supermarket supplies, and it’s also handily got a fish and chip shop and a couple of pubs for days when your firelighting skills aren't up to much.
from 
£23
 / night

Nearly-wild camping @ Heggs Farm

1 unit · Tent136 acres · England
Get back to basics and immerse yourself in the joy of simple 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 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. 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 dinner. 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 and Langthwaite, 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 camping area is all part of the magic of our tucked-away site. Free bag transfer is available from the nearest on-road parking spot to the farmhouse; and the camping area lies a further 200m along a rough grass track. 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 on-road parking place on arrival and departure. Please pack everything else you need to sleep, cook, eat, and keep yourself and your equipment safe. 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 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 five pubs within easy-ish walking/cycling distance: The CB Inn, The Bridge Inn, The Black Bull, The King's Arms and The Buck. 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 our off-grid annexe 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.
from 
£45
 / night
100%
(35)

White Peak Camping

10 units · Tents2 acres · Buxton, Derbyshire, East Midlands
Camping on a Peak District farm near the Monsal Trail
from 
£15
 / night
100%
(52)

Woodman's Huts

3 units · Glamping1 acre · Cumbria, North West England
Beautiful handmade shepherd's huts in the heart of the picturesque South Lakes
from 
£110
 / night
97%
(19)

Burrs Manor Wild Camping

30 units · Motorhomes, Tents3 acres · England
Nearly wild camping in the Peak District National Park, near Buxton
from 
£10
 / night
100%
(15)

Deerstone Glamping

6 units · Glamping82 acres · Lancashire, North West England
Geodesic domes with a sauna and a dome cinema on site in the Lancashire countryside
from 
£130
 / night
100%
(65)

Copy House Hideaway

2 units · Glamping1 acre · Lancashire, North West England
Luxury shepherd's huts with wood-fired hot tubs and an adjoining log cabin for extra space
from 
£165
 / night
98%
(99)

Baystone Bank Farm Campsite

17 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
from 
£25
 / night
98%
(28)

Intake Farm

7 units · Glamping, Tents5 acres · Alton, Staffordshire, West Midlands
Quirky glamping and nearly wild camping on a farm in Staffordshire
from 
£15
 / night
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Farm campsites in Forest of Bowland AONB guide

Overview

Situated predominantly in Lancashire, on the fringes of the Yorkshire Dales, the Forest of Bowland Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty is defined by deep valleys, fells, and moorland, making it an ideal spot for hillwalking, biking, rock climbing, and even canoeing and angling. Scale Pendle Hill and enjoy views over the lush fields, drystone walls, and the rugged Trough of Bowland, before stopping into historic market towns like Bentham, Clitheroe, and Hornby, home to its very own "castle." Meanwhile, stargazers and birdwatchers will appreciate the clear skies over the Forest of Bowland, as will gliders and paragliders.

Tips for snagging a campsite

  1. Glamping pods typically require advance booking, but camping pitches can generally be reserved on the day. Check the policy of your chosen campsite in advance to be sure.
  2. Larger groups may need to book by phone, although couples and single travellers can generally arrange their stays online.
  3. Campsites closer to towns like Clitheroe and Skipton tend to fill up faster, so book early to snag your spot or head a little further out of town.

When to go

The Forest of Bowland is at its lush best during spring, when wildflowers bloom in the woods and the weather is still pleasant and dry. Summer is great for camping and fair-weather walks, although it's also peak season in the forest and campsites fill up fast. Visit in early autumn, when there are fewer people, to see the trees turn red. Meanwhile, winter can be wet and windy but cool, crisp days are great for woodland walks. 

Know before you go

  • The Forest of Bowland is well-connected by both road and rail, with Clitheroe Interchange serving as the most convenient train station. Manchester Airport is also only an hour away.
  • The Bowland Visitor Centre is a great place to start your exploration of the area, where you can find maps and tips about the forest and surrounds.
  • You can download children-friendly activity sheets and quizzes from the official Forest of Bowland website.
  • To enjoy angling in the rivers and reservoirs of the Forest of Bowland you must first purchase a day fishing ticket. 

Top regions near Forest of Bowland AONB

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