- Camping with Swimming
Campsites with swimming in Forest of Bowland AONB
98% (217) • 63 campsites
Top-rated campgrounds in Forest of Bowland AONB
Hazel Mount Fellside
1. Hazel Mount Fellside
98%
(49)
Eskdale, England · 5 units
Nearly wild camping on the western edge of the Lake District overlooking the Duddon Estuary
Pets
Campfires
Potable water
from
£25
/ night
Breaks Fold Farm Glamping & Camping
2. Breaks Fold Farm Glamping & Camping
98%
(61)
Darley, England · 10 units · Tents, Motorhomes
Camping in Nidderdale with excellent facilities, dogs and campfires welcome, and views over Thruscross Reservoir.
Pets
Electrical hookup
Campfires
from
£12
/ night
White House Farm Campsite, Wardlow
3. White House Farm Campsite, Wardlow
91%
(93)
Wardlow, England · 61 units · Tents, Motorhomes
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.
Pets
Campfires
Showers
from
£24
/ night
Woodman's Huts
4. Woodman's Huts
99%
(58)
Haverthwaite, England · 3 units
Beautiful handmade shepherd's huts in the heart of the picturesque South Lakes
Pets
Showers
Campfires
from
£135
/ night
Northcote Pods - Yorkshire Dales
5. Northcote Pods - Yorkshire Dales
100%
(11)
Grassington, England · 2 units
We are ideally located in the picturesque Yorkshire Dales National Park, with our stunning Northcote Pods situated near Kilnsey Crag. Here, you’ll find spectacular views across Upper Wharfedale. Couples and families alike love to escape to our spacious, comfortable pods; there’s no better place for a holiday getaway.
Parking outside the pod leads to a paved patio area with a private wood fired hot tub (Pheasant Pod ONLY), seating, BBQ. Inside offers double bed and sofa bed to accommodate up to 2 children and a hanging rail for clothes. Smart TV with a Netflix account connected, wifi and bluetooth ceiling speakers. Shower room with sink, toilet, shavers socket and heated towel rail. Fully fitted kitchen with sink, fridge, microwave, 2 ring induction hob, toaster and kettle. Dining table and chairs. Electric heating, USB sockets.
Showers
Campfires
Hot Tub
from
£104
/ night
The Damson Shepherd's Hut
6. The Damson Shepherd's Hut
98%
(60)
Near Kendal, England · 1 unit
A shepherd's hut for two in the lesser-known Lyth Valley, four miles from Lake Windermere
Showers
Campfires
Potable water
from
£110
/ night
Fairy Bell Wood
7. Fairy Bell Wood
100%
(10)
Lambrigg, England · 1 unit
An off-grid yurt in a private woodland between the Lakes and the Dales
Showers
Campfires
Potable water
from
£119
/ night
Chilled Out Adult Only Glamping
8. Chilled Out Adult Only Glamping
100%
(32)
Mouldsworth, England · 8 units
Lakeside glamping on the edge of Delemere Forest and a 10-minute train ride from Chester
Showers
Campfires
Potable water
from
£96
/ night
Cherish Glamping
9. Cherish Glamping
100%
(5)
Hawes, England · 7 units
Yurts with private bathrooms, hot tubs, and breakfast included, set in beautiful Wensleydale
Pets
Showers
Campfires
from
£245
/ night
Little North Field Glamping
10. Little North Field Glamping
100%
(12)
North Yorkshire, England · 3 units
Luxury safari tent glamping within striking distance of North Yorkshire's most historic attractions
Pets
Showers
Campfires
from
£160
/ night
98% (217) • 63 campsites
Top-rated campgrounds in Forest of Bowland AONB
Hazel Mount Fellside
1. Hazel Mount Fellside
98%
(49)
Eskdale, England · 5 units
Nearly wild camping on the western edge of the Lake District overlooking the Duddon Estuary
Pets
Campfires
Potable water
from
£25
/ night
Breaks Fold Farm Glamping & Camping
2. Breaks Fold Farm Glamping & Camping
98%
(61)
Darley, England · 10 units · Tents, Motorhomes
Camping in Nidderdale with excellent facilities, dogs and campfires welcome, and views over Thruscross Reservoir.
Pets
Electrical hookup
Campfires
from
£12
/ night
White House Farm Campsite, Wardlow
3. White House Farm Campsite, Wardlow
91%
(93)
Wardlow, England · 61 units · Tents, Motorhomes
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.
Pets
Campfires
Showers
from
£24
/ night
Woodman's Huts
4. Woodman's Huts
99%
(58)
Haverthwaite, England · 3 units
Beautiful handmade shepherd's huts in the heart of the picturesque South Lakes
Pets
Showers
Campfires
from
£135
/ night
Northcote Pods - Yorkshire Dales
5. Northcote Pods - Yorkshire Dales
100%
(11)
Grassington, England · 2 units
We are ideally located in the picturesque Yorkshire Dales National Park, with our stunning Northcote Pods situated near Kilnsey Crag. Here, you’ll find spectacular views across Upper Wharfedale. Couples and families alike love to escape to our spacious, comfortable pods; there’s no better place for a holiday getaway.
Parking outside the pod leads to a paved patio area with a private wood fired hot tub (Pheasant Pod ONLY), seating, BBQ. Inside offers double bed and sofa bed to accommodate up to 2 children and a hanging rail for clothes. Smart TV with a Netflix account connected, wifi and bluetooth ceiling speakers. Shower room with sink, toilet, shavers socket and heated towel rail. Fully fitted kitchen with sink, fridge, microwave, 2 ring induction hob, toaster and kettle. Dining table and chairs. Electric heating, USB sockets.
Showers
Campfires
Hot Tub
from
£104
/ night
The Damson Shepherd's Hut
6. The Damson Shepherd's Hut
98%
(60)
Near Kendal, England · 1 unit
A shepherd's hut for two in the lesser-known Lyth Valley, four miles from Lake Windermere
Showers
Campfires
Potable water
from
£110
/ night
Fairy Bell Wood
7. Fairy Bell Wood
100%
(10)
Lambrigg, England · 1 unit
An off-grid yurt in a private woodland between the Lakes and the Dales
Showers
Campfires
Potable water
from
£119
/ night
Chilled Out Adult Only Glamping
8. Chilled Out Adult Only Glamping
100%
(32)
Mouldsworth, England · 8 units
Lakeside glamping on the edge of Delemere Forest and a 10-minute train ride from Chester
Showers
Campfires
Potable water
from
£96
/ night
Cherish Glamping
9. Cherish Glamping
100%
(5)
Hawes, England · 7 units
Yurts with private bathrooms, hot tubs, and breakfast included, set in beautiful Wensleydale
Pets
Showers
Campfires
from
£245
/ night
Little North Field Glamping
10. Little North Field Glamping
100%
(12)
North Yorkshire, England · 3 units
Luxury safari tent glamping within striking distance of North Yorkshire's most historic attractions
Pets
Showers
Campfires
from
£160
/ night
Recent reviews from the Hipcamp community
D
Duco
September 2025
Tent
We loved camping at Hazel Mount Fellside. The view was stunning and it felt more like a piece of nature with some scattered campsites than the opposite, which you most often find. Ruth was a very nice and welcoming host.
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I
Ian
September 2025
Tent
Really well laid out site. Quite steep in places with rough ground but fine if you are mobile. Toilet and shower facilities are excellent, as is the wash up area with phone charging facilities and shared fridges.
Fantastic base to explore the area, right next to the Thurscross reservoir.
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n
natasha
September 2025
Weekend Trip to Fairy Bell Wood
We stayed in the yurt at Fairy Glen Wood and it was just perfect. It had everything we needed for a relaxing little retreat peaceful, comfortable, and surrounded by nature. We really enjoyed our stay and would definitely love to come back!
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K
Kerry
September 2025
3 nights at The Damson Shepherd's Hut
I absolutely loved it here . It was my own piece of heaven ❤️
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F
Filip
August 2025
Tent
With kids
Really nice camping site. Very tidy toilets and showers. Highly recommended.
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Nova
August 2025
Tent
We were lucky enough to get the site for ourselves for this trip and it was absolutely magical. the land and its views are so beautiful, it’s the first campsite i’ve been to that felt connected to the land it was on :’) ruth’s passion for the place shone, and all of the animals are so cute and special and it was so peaceful being there
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S
Stryczek
August 2025
Tent
With kids
Loved camping at snowdrop. Easy to park up and the pitch was ready for us on arrival. Very quiet and peaceful. Would highly recommend!
See moreL
Lisa
August 2025
Weekend Trip to Fairy Bell Wood
This is a truly beautiful space. We've stayed in lots of yurts and this is the nicest by far. It's fab to have somewhere to sit inside if you need. But lovely spots outside too. The kitchen area is really useful and has everything you'd need. We followed the instructions for the shower and it worked perfectly. I loved the full length window to lay in bed and watch the sunset. Best of all if you're as anti social as me..... It's totally on it own! We re already planning our next visit.
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K
Kathryn
August 2025
2 nights at Chilled Out Adult Only Glamping
Had an incredible few days at lloyds meadow, my husband did some fishing while I relaxed and crocheted, the campsite was clean and quiet, we even caught the meteor shower on Tuesday evening along with the northern lights. Sarah was an incredible host, always checking we had everything we needed, and very friendly.
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J
Jessica
August 2025
Tent
Lovely campsite! The pitches are extremely spacious - it felt like we were wild camping. Ruth is extremely welcoming. She’s built something special. Would definitely recommend!
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T
Ted
August 2025
Tent
With pets
Camping was beautiful here lovely walks with dogs very clean showers.
Host were great.very friendly. And informative
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K
Keerti
August 2025
Tent
With kids
Ruth was a wonderful, kind and fascinating host. Her land is stunning and with an ecologist background Ruth is determined to ensure and enable that her land thrives with life diversity as nature intended.
It’s a really beautiful natural space and well connected to Millom, Lake Conniston, the stone circle and many other beautiful places to visit and for convenience.
Thank you Ruth for accommodating us and for all your tips!
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F
Fil
August 2025
Tent
With kids
Excellent facilities. Very welcoming, helpful owners. Very quiet site which suited us.
Lots of space even for our large bell tent.
See morea
amy
August 2025
Tent
With kids
A lovely place to stay for camping with the kids, even with the midges :). The toilets were immaculate and plenty of shower rooms. We had a mix up with our pitch (i thought i had booked an electric pitch but it hadn't went through on hipcamp), the owner was brilliant and very accommodating. I wouldn't hesitate to book again if we are down that way.
See moreT
Tom
August 2025
6 m Class A
Facilities were clean, showers had hot water. Amazing views
See moreL
Lynn
July 2025
Tent
The site was really peaceful with amazing views of the fells and estuary. Ruth showed me around and explained the little extras like the lending library and tiny snack shop. It was so nice to get away from it all and relax in the serene surroundings. Bluebell pitch was exactly as described with some amazing trees. The wildlife (including a tawny owl, woodpecker and a frog) were an unexpected bonus.
I would definitely recommend the site to everyone. Thank you Ruth for a lovely stay.
See moreL
Luke
July 2025
Tent
With pets
Great open clean space, lots of camping areas to choose from.
Only criticism is that the shower floors don't drain so ends up collecting in the drying area
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T
Tim
June 2025
Weekend Trip to The Damson Shepherd's Hut
It was an outstanding stay at Jo's place. It was everything we wanted - quiet, peaceful, and very pretty. This was the ideal Lakes location.
See moreB
BARRY
June 2025
Tent
Lovely site. Clean facilities. Good location. Friendly
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C
Craig
June 2025
Tent
With pets
We loved our stay on primrose pitch. Listening to Osprey, looking onto beautiful views and we were lucky to have a clear night to see the stars. Ruth was so welcoming and has created a haven to restore nature and allow space for the mini beasts as well as sheep, chickens, geese and a horse. We were lucky to stay on the summer Solstice weekend and visit the amazing stone circle close by. We will definitely be back.
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Campsites with swimming in Forest of Bowland AONB guide
Tips for snagging a campsite
- 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.
- Larger groups may need to book by phone, although couples and single travellers can generally arrange their stays online.
- 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.