The White Lodge

Tents, campervans, and caravans are all welcome at The White Lodge, a traditional campsite which sits between the National Trust’s Shugborough Estate and the River Trent. It’s also just up the road from Great Haywood Junction where two canals meet—and there’s a great farm shop and cafe.

The campsite is dog friendly, child friendly, and generally friendly. It offers both hardstanding and grass pitches with or without electric hook up. It’s the kind of place that does a good job of trying to please every type of camper—and, for the most part, it manages it. Kids will be well entertained with acres of space to hoon about in as well as a little play area. Parents will be thrilled if their stay coincides with a visit from the fish and chip van, which means they don’t have to cook.

It’s a laid-back site where things are kept pretty simple. There are a handful of showers and loos which are shared between all campers (around 40 pitches) and washing up is done at an open air sink. It’s just enough for a weekend away and for folk in Birmingham, Stoke, and Derby this place is a very good option for that. It’s not more than 30 miles from each of them and there’s enough to do for a pleasant itinerary over a couple of days. You can go for canalside and riverside walks, explore the Shugborough Estate, enjoy lazy farmshop breakfasts and barbecues in the great outdoors.