It’s all clean air and long walks at Nipstone Camping, a back-to-basics campsite tucked in the north of the Shropshire Hills. Ideal for families seeking a quiet break from commercial sites, pitch your tent wherever you like in this expansive field, with westerly views into Wales. Nipstone is a place for adventure (and it's no surprise it's a popular base for Duke of Edinburgh expeditions). Wake up. Light the campfire. Heat a brew. Whack on the walking boots and explore. There's any number of good walks from the campsite, including nearby access to the Shropshire Way and a good hike up to the Devil's Chair.
It’s tents-only here, and the flat grass on which you’ll set up also doesn’t allow cars – ideal for ensuring the kids can play safely. The facilities are simple and clean; there’s running water and a toilet located in an on-site cabin, but no showers (bathe in the nearby lake if you want that true wild camping experience!). A spade can be provided to dig your own firepit for a small extra fee – worth it for a classic evening around the campfire.
You’re within reach of a number of popular walks, so bring appropriate footwear and warm clothes for scaling up some windy hills and craggy tors. A tree-lined footpath on the western edge of the campsite leads to The Bog Visitor Centre, a unique gas-lit relic of what was once a thriving mining community dating back to the 18th century. Take a walk around its remains, and pop into the Visitor Centre for a slice of delicious homemade cake. In the other direction (east of the campsite, back down the driveway) is the dramatic crag of Nipstone Rock, from which the campsite takes its name. Clamber up for an expansive view of the Shropshire countryside and the surrounding Stiperstones National Nature Reserve. Continue along the ridge, taking in the well-named Devil's Chair, before dropping down to the homely Stiperstones Inn for a well earned break.
Our camping field covers a large area. You can choose your own pitch, then sit back and admire the spectacular view. You can walk from the campsite without going on any road and the choice of walks is immense. There are expansive views into mid Wales with many tourist destinations close by. The local pub does excellent food and runs a small shop too.The Bog Visitor Centre is just over a 30-minute walk away and can be accessed via a footpath from the campsite. Here you can learn about the "hidden history" of the region, with local helpers providing you with information about this once-bustling mining community. There are also refreshments served here, along with a variety of craft items from local sellers. As you're on the edge of the Stiperstones National Nature Reserve, you're in a prime position to explore its wild landscape. Follow the five-mile Stiperstones Stomp path that will let you explore its ridge, and there's plenty of wildlife to spot here that you wouldn't find in the city, from lizards to frogs and emperor moths. If you're travelling with the family, you can also visit Mickey Millers Family Playbarn in a 30-minute drive, a soft play area for the kids with seating for the adults that's sure to keep the little ones occupied.
The Stiperstones Inn is a charming little pub less than a 10-minute drive away, though you can also factor it into your walk through The Bog and the Stiperstones Nature Reserve. This a proper traditional local, beloved in the small Shropshire Hills community after being in the same family for over 50 years. They serve food including vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options, and there's a beer garden for those sunny days. The Bridges Pub is another local that can be reached if you follow the route beyond Devil's Chair, serving locally sourced food that included organic, no-dig vegetables provided by the nearby Linley Market Garden. There's a delicious, unusual menu here that changes daily, and its outdoor seating area is next to a lovely little stream. For the very widest range of options, it's a 35-minute drive to Shrewsbury.
