Camping in North Pennines AONB

Discover heathlands, cascades, and rock formations in the northern reaches of the Pennines.

97% (583 reviews)

United Kingdom
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England
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North Pennines AONB

97% (583 reviews)

Popular camping styles for North Pennines AONB

Community favorites in and near North Pennines AONB

Stories from the community

Daniella

5 days ago

Tent

Weekend Trip to The Old Chapel Campsite

The campsite is situated on a beautiful little piece of land off the side of Ted’s house. The campsite is enclosed by a stone brick wall and had access via a gate. There are geese, sheep, lambs, ducks and a turkey that roam around the site - all are very friendly and Ted very kindly let us bottle feed the lambs! There is a porter loo for campers to use, it was fully supplied with toilet roll, soap, running water and hand tissues. Ted has fresh hen and duck eggs for sale on the land. We brought a raised pit fire with us, but Ted also has them available to rent for your whole stay along with bags of firewood. Ted was very kind and made us feel very welcome. We’d definitely return! The only issue we ran into was a nearby camping group playing music throughout their stay and loudly into the night - we messaged Ted and he kindly popped out to ask them to turn it down.

2 nights at The Old Chapel Campsite

We had an amazing time here. We stayed for two nights and had beautiful weather. There was just us and another couple with their dog. Ted was very accommodating and well informed about the area and gave us some ideas to fill our days. It was lovely watching his little ducks on the field and to hear the sheep in the morning too. It’s back to basics camping, no burger vans/shower blocks etc but it was absolutely perfect for what we wanted. ‘Proper camping’ Lovely quiet location, spotless portaloo and a friendly host.

Weekend Trip to Howdy Glamping

Very relaxed and welcoming. Had a lovely stay and a great recommendation for a hike the following day 😀

1 night at Beirhope Alpacas

Amazing wild camping experience (with luxuries), not far from Kelso. Peaceful spot with a handful of pitches ideal for families and couples, Lynne and staff are warm and welcoming, super friendly. Firewood and groceries can be accessed anytime you need, just pay in the morning. Eco toilets are cleaned regularly. Great stargazing area and a picnic area too, plenty of space and idyllic scenery...and there are the alpacas. Beautiful spot... Just don't tell everyone!

Weekend Trip to Beirhope Alpacas

Absolutely loved it definitely be going back with the kids lynne was a great host the views are amazing

Weekend Trip to Beirhope Alpacas

Beirhope was a beautiful, peaceful place to stay and Lynne was super welcoming. The kids loved it and have demanded that we return as soon as possible!

Weekend Trip to Walkmill Campsite

Excellent honesty shop, great facilities - felt like a home away from home! Lovely little villages by the sea nearby. As seen on the bbc television series "villages by the sea" hosted by Ben Robinson.

Weekend Trip to Kestrel Lodge Campsite

Clean, peaceful campsite. Very friendly staff. Loved the fire pit.

Weekend Trip to Kestrel Lodge Campsite

We absolutely loved our stay at Kestrel Lodge! The facilities were always spotless and clean. Pitch was great with the fire pit included and hosts were very helpful! We will 100% be back to explore more of the lakes.

Weekend Trip to Beirhope Alpacas

A very well organised campsite. Lynne was friendly and very accommodating. She gave a brief tour and explanation of the facilties, which was plentiful, then allowed us to set up our pitch. There are a number of pitches available, each one catering for a range of campers. I would wholeheartedly recommend this campsite to others.

Weekend Trip to The Old Chapel Campsite

A lovely little campsite. Just what we want in a campsite: quiet, dark, easy access to the hills, great host with a supply of fresh eggs. It’s in a great location within easy reach of High Cup Nick, Dufton and its beautiful glen etc. Ted is a great host who clearly enjoys having people passing through.

Weekend Trip to Baystone Bank Farm Campsite

We visited this campsite with a group of friends and 2 dogs and it was amazing! Very private and relaxed camping with lovely facilities. We will definitely be back.

1 night at Howdy Glamping

I stayed on the campsite. Gorgeous site with really good facilities. Close To Ullswater. Hosts were the best. I’ll definitely be back.

Weekend Trip to Hazel Mount Fellside

Beautiful close to nature small site, not a vehicle in site. Wonderful views. The owner,Ruth, is a wonderful host with a real concern and plans for the natural surroundings.

Weekend Trip to Tyne View Camping

Simple, laid back site with great views. David and Richard were super helpful and friendly. Basic in terms of amenities but portaloos were spotless and plenty of water taps. Exactly what we expected

Weekend Trip to The Old Chapel Campsite

Great wee stay at Ted’s land. My daughter and I had a lovely time at the old chapel campsite. Peaceful and quiet, lovely views. A nearby hike up Murton pike is also recommended and in close proximity. A less traveled part of the lakes but with all the sights and sounds your looking for. We hired a firepit and got some wood from Ted and that kept us busy enjoying the night. We were also very lucky to have met/fed two of the lambs that were on the land. My daughter loved that. Highly recommended -

1 night at Woodsworth Exploring

Perfect stay, no hassle. Super quiet. Great for anyone who wants the feeling of wild camping with a safety net 😊

1 night at Howbeck Lodge

Fantastic rural location but only 15 mins for M6 set on a working farm in a valley. So quiet and scenic Walking distance to village with community pub!

7 nights at Kestrel Lodge Campsite

Amazing campsite, super friendly owners. Quiet and well located with your own fire pit.

A small dog-friendly campsite in the Vale of York that's open all year

Wanderlusts Gypsy Caravans

3 units · Glamping4 acres · Melmerby, England

Travelling from site to site in a bow-top gypsy caravan, through Cumbria's stunning scenery

Masons Campsite

27 units · Motorhomes1 acre · Skipton Bd23 6 Dd, England

On the banks of a river, with open views over the Yorkshire Dales and lots of space for games, with a pair of great pubs nearby

Top camping destinations

12 top campsites in North Pennines AONB

97%

(30)

Puddlemire

22 units · Glamping, Tents5 acres · Kirkby Lonsdale, England

Camping in countryside between the Lake District and the Yorkshire Dales

100%

(3)

Castle Howard Lakeside Holiday Park

130 units · Motorhomes, Tents20 acres · England

Located in North Yorkshire on the Castle Howard Estate, Castle Howard Lakeside Holiday Park is just across The Great Lake from Castle Howard itself. A selection of hardstanding and grass pitches, with and without electric hook up. Pet friendly, open March - December. On-site shop. The perfect base to visit Castle Howard and explore the surrounding area.

96%

(133)

Baystone Bank Farm Campsite

47 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

98%

(66)

The Old Chapel Campsite

30 units · Tents1 acre · Murton, England

Nearly wild camping in the North Pennines

100%

(9)

Howdy Glamping

10 units · Glamping, Motorhomes, Tents14 acres · Penrith, Cumbria, North West England

Sociable, eco-friendly glamping in the woods, 10 minutes' drive from the Lake District.

99%

(37)

Moss Rose Campsite

19 units · Glamping, Motorhomes, Tents8 acres · Pilling, Preston, England

We have a family friendly Quiet campsite in the heart of Lancashire on our family run farm. Our site is situated in a species rich meadow field with large mown Pitches surrounded by wild flowers and meandering pathways linking the site together. We are surrounded by a young trees & woodland with the back drop of the Pennines. We offer both glamping and traditional non EHU camping on our site and we have lovely hot showers, clean toilet facilities, fresh water point, pot wash area, phone charger lockers, communal freezers and our little honesty shack with all little camping essentials to might need whilst staying with us. We also hire out picnic benches and fire pits to help enhance your camping experience. We are a Quiet family site, with a Reduced Noise policy from 9 pm, and Quiet Time from 10 pm to 8.30 am. Our site has close links to the A6 and m6 J33. We are only 13 miles from the Historic city of Lancaster, the Bright lights of Blackpool and the jubilee city of Preston. 4 miles from the first fair trade market town of Garstang and 45 mins into the Lake District. There is also lots of interesting activities to do locally.

Beirhope Alpacas

11 units · Tents1 acre · Kelso, Scotland

A small, off-grid campsite with alpacas in the historically rich southern Scottish borders

95%

(55)

Stanley Villa Farm Fishing& Camping

36 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

94%

(62)

Social District

30 units · Tents55 acres · Grizedale, Cumbria, North West England

Lake District camping on the banks of Lake Windermere, with direct access to the water.

100%

(9)

Tyne View Camping

15 units · Motorhomes, Tents10 acres · Chopwell, England

Tyne View Camping is a peaceful spot in Tyne and Wear, not far from Hedley on the Hill village. It's on a farm run by David and his family, who welcome guests to enjoy the beautiful countryside views. You can see the Tyne Valley from the camping pitches, which is great for stargazing at night. The site is basic with just water taps and toilets, no showers, but there's lots of space for kids and dogs to play. You're allowed to bring a barbecue or firepit for cooking, and you can buy supplies in Prudhoe nearby. Or, you can walk to Hedley on the Hill for a meal at a top-notch pub. There are plenty of things to do nearby, like walking in the woods, playing golf, or trying gliding. You can also visit Hadrian’s Wall, Newcastle upon Tyne, or explore the North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty for a varied and enjoyable break.Also this June we will be open for the Sam Fender weekend ie June 12 til the 16th if anyone wants to camp £20 a night plus a taxi for £20

93%

(126)

Moss Side Farm Campsite

33 units · Tents4 acres · Cumbria, North West England

Small-scale farm camping in the South Lakes, with campfires, wildlife and fine views

97%

(18)

Ruberslaw Wild Woods Camping

53 units · Glamping, Tents500 acres · Hawick, Scottish Borders

Pick between the woods and the walled garden at this stunning Scottish Borders site

Happy farmer sitting in a truck in a grassy field

Camping in North Pennines AONB guide

Overview

Not only a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, the North Pennines are also an UNESCO-listed Global Geopark, making this vast region of moorland, meadow, woods, and waterways a must-see for any outdoor enthusiast. Home to one of England’s largest waterfalls, High Force, plus an array of native fauna, including black grouse, red squirrels, and short-eared owls, there’s plenty here for hikers, bikers, and wildlife watchers—especially during the bird breeding season of March to August. From wild-style sleeping beneath the stars to convenient caravan parks, here are our top camping spots for the region.

Where to go

Consett and the Derwent Reservoir

On the eastern edge of the North Pennines, this rural region is a convenient launch point for wider Pennine exploration, with spacious, frill-free campgrounds and family-friendly holiday parks aplenty. Watersports enthusiasts can find plenty to do on the enormous reservoir, while Derwent Gorge and Muggleswick Grange are popular stops on the region’s rambling and riding trails.

Carlisle

Just beyond the western border of the North Pennines, the county town of Carlisle is an important railway hub, offering direct connection to London, Edinburgh, and beyond. The surrounding countryside is home to caravan parks, glamp sites, and working farms aplenty, ensuring easy access to the city, as well as AONB attractions such as the RSPB Geltsdale Nature Reserve and Cold Fell Mountain.

Haltwhistle

Nestled between the North Pennines and Northumberland National Park, and within a stone’s throw of Hadrian’s Wall, this rural parish is an ideal camping location for any outdoor enthusiast. A walking festival takes place bi-annually, ensuring an intimate glimpse of the historic region. Caravan parks, no-frills farmland, and exclusive glampsites provide plenty of accommodation options.

Barnard Castle and the Tees Valley

Overlooking the River Tees, this castle town just outside the Pennines is a popular destination for canoeists and anglers, as well as history lovers. From here, riverside rambles and waterside bike rides can take adventurers deep into the heart of the AONB via its intense waterfalls, while touring parks and farm sites provide plenty of overnight options. The area is also home to several adults-only sites.