Puddlemire

Camp by the beck at Puddlemire and you’ll easily discover the joy of the great outdoors and may just feel like you’ve been transported back in time. The camping field is car free, off grid, and without WiFi. It offers good old-fashioned camping for folk with tents and there are three furnished bell tents too. Stay here and campfires by the stream provide the entertainment, hammocks provide relaxation, and the surrounding fells provide a lovely view. And, as it’s situated on a working farm, there are cows for neighbours as well. It’s an all-round lovely site in an all-round lovely location that positions you not far from Kirby Lonsdale, between two of England’s best-loved national parks: the Lake District and the Yorkshire Dales.

While things are kept simple at Puddlemire, there are a few thoughtful touches that make life on site a little easier. The first of these are the furnished bell tents—a blessing for anyone who doesn’t fancy pitching a tent. The second is the provision of private compost loos and showers for the glampers and five of the 25 camping pitches (the others have shared facilities). Perhaps the best of all, though, is the friendly welcome you get when you first arrive from the family behind the farm. Shirley, Robin, or Josh will meet you in the car park and then transport you and your gear down the hill to your pitch or bell tent, via all-terrain gator. It’s a handy service that's a big highlight for the kids.

The short journey gives you a chance to take in the view and an insight into where’s within visiting distance. You can see Lake District fells, the Howgill Hills of the Dales, and Ingleborough, where the folds in the landscape hide Ingleton waterfalls. Immediately behind you are Newbiggin Crags, which provide a lovely local walk and a buffer between you and the M6, which is closer than you can imagine while you’re camping in this peaceful spot. Its proximity makes it easy to get here and easy to get away at the end of your stay… if you can persuade your kids to leave, that is.