Serenity on the Swale

View prices & book 9.7 44 reviews
Open grassed area
Open grassed area
River views
Open public seating area with river views, accessed on approach to village
Spacious riverside pitches
Enjoy a brew with a view by the riverside
Open grassed area
River views
A field of wild flowers
1/80
River views
Open public seating area with river views, accessed on approach to village
Spacious riverside pitches

  • Adults-only North Yorkshire motorhome pitches next to the River Swale
  • Between Thirsk and Ripon, about 15-20 minutes’ drive from both
  • Topcliffe pubs 15 minutes’ walk; great base for Deer Shed Festival
This is one of those sites where the name captures pretty much exactly what the place is all about – Serenity on the Swale is a peaceful adults-only North Yorkshire site in a gorgeous little spot on the banks of the River Swale, just under a mile from the village of Topcliffe. Settling down right on the riverbank, of course, means some lovely views from the pitches, and there’s also the chance to spot some wildlife too. There are just a handful of pitches, so everyone gets a good view – and you’re welcome to use one of the picnic tables for treats you’ve bought from the shops in Ripon or Thirsk (both within 20 minutes’ drive). Fishing day passes can also be arranged directly with the site. This is a site that’s designed for self-contained motorhomes, so it’s well worth noting that there are no toilets, showers or other major facilities here. There is, however, a chemical disposal point at Sleningford Watermill (25 minutes' drive away, in North Stainley) that owner David will let you use in return for a donation. There are also plenty of handy things in the local village – it’s a pleasant 15-minute walk along the river (past the old mill and an attractive weir) to the village centre, which has two pubs, an art gallery and a small post office/shop. If you’re here on a Friday, look out for the visiting fish and chip van too. A little further away (five minutes’ drive/50 minutes’ walk) is The Catton Kitchen, serving up tasty breakfasts and lunches from Friday to Sunday. Topcliffe is a small and usually sleepy place, but it springs to life at the end of July for the Deer Shed Festival at Baldersby Park. The festival location is about a half-hour walk/10-minute cycle from the site, making this a canny choice of place to stay for ticketholders.

Site type

Motorhome pitches 3
Open all year
Opens
Please note
  • This site has no on-site toilet and shower facilities.

Admission

  • For licensing reasons, you must be a member to stay at this campsite. After booking, you will be granted free membership of this campsite's exempt organisation, who may contact you to finalise registration.
  • Guests under the age of 18 are not allowed on site.

Safety

  • No charcoal barbecues allowed.
  • Swimming in the lake is not allowed.

Vehicles

  • Units longer than 6 metres are not allowed.

Languages spoken

English

No availability here for your search criteria

Reviews

9.7

Overall rating from 44 Pitchup.com customers

  • 84%
    10
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    9
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    8
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    7
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    6
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    5
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    1
Location
 10
Value for money
 10
Accommodation
 9
Facilities / Activities
 7
Customer service
 10
Child friendliness
 6
Cleanliness
 10
Wifi
 7
Peaceful

98% would recommend this site to a friend

100% would stay here again

What customers say

This site is praised for its extremely peaceful, tranquil, and private riverside location, offering beautiful views and abundant wildlife. Visitors appreciate the secure, well-maintained pitches and the helpfulness of the owner. The village of Topcliffe, with pubs and a shop, is within walking distance. As a CAMpRA site for self-contained units, there are no on-site facilities, which guests are aware of. Some feedback suggests pitch arrangement may be tight when the site is full, and a cold water tap is being considered.

Summary AI-generated from Pitchup.com customer reviews. Last updated 04/08/2026

Filter by topic

Reviews page 1 of 5
Arrival date (latest first)

Will return, beautiful place if you want a quiet break

Overall

10 out of 10
Location
 10
Value for money
 10
Facilities / Activities
 No rating
Customer service
 10
Child friendliness
 No rating
Cleanliness
 10
Wifi
 No rating
Kirsty J. 9 reviews

Non-electric grass motorhome pitch

Liked Gem of a place, beautiful scenery, very relaxing. As the description stated, being self contained is a must, no access to toilets, water or waste disposal, which, having read the detail, we knew, however there are 2 pubs within a 20 minute walk down a very quiet road.

Disliked Nothing

Recommend to friends Visit again

If quiet, secluded and a little…

Overall

10 out of 10
Location
 10
Value for money
 10
Facilities / Activities
 No rating
Customer service
 No rating
Child friendliness
 No rating
Cleanliness
 10
Wifi
 8
 Jennie P. 3 reviews

Non-electric grass motorhome pitch

Liked If quiet, secluded and a little private escape is what you want this is the ideal place. Well kept little piece of heaven. Feels like it’s completely off the beaten track.

Disliked Nothing, would have liked more rain prior to going so I could have got the paddle board in as the jetty was too high. But this is no criticism of the site.

Recommend to friends Visit again

Pwrfect.

Overall

10 out of 10
Location
 10
Value for money
 10
Facilities / Activities
 10
Customer service
 10
Child friendliness
 No rating
Cleanliness
 10
Wifi
 No rating
Philip T. 5 reviews

Non-electric grass motorhome pitch

Liked We had such wonderful stay at this campsite and couldn't have asked for a more peaceful getaway. The location is absolutely beautiful. The campsite was so quiet. It was an ideal place to switch off from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. We will definitely be returning in the future.

Disliked Nothing to dislike.

Recommend to friends Visit again

Idyllic quiet aire.

Overall

10 out of 10
Location
 10
Value for money
 10
Facilities / Activities
 No rating
Customer service
 10
Child friendliness
 No rating
Cleanliness
 10
Wifi
 No rating
Anonymous

Non-electric grass motorhome pitch

Liked Beautiful, well kept, private pitch right next to the river. Idyllic.

Recommend to friends Visit again

Excellent

Overall

10 out of 10
Location
 10
Value for money
 10
Facilities / Activities
 10
Customer service
 10
Child friendliness
 No rating
Cleanliness
 10
Wifi
 10
Anonymous

Non-electric grass motorhome pitch

Liked Cosy beautiful little place well worth the money set in a nice little village with plenty of wild life and smack bang on the river with a good jetty to fish from Jackie has done well up there nice little set up perfect if you want peace n quiet with a spot of fishing or relaxing it's deffo a must visit .nice village with a few pubs ...plz visit folks

Recommend to friends Visit again

Absolutely beautiful spot, so peaceful. Went…

Overall

10 out of 10
Location
 10
Value for money
 10
Facilities / Activities
 9
Customer service
 10
Child friendliness
 No rating
Cleanliness
 10
Wifi
 No rating
james c. 3 reviews

Non-electric grass motorhome pitch

Liked Absolutely beautiful spot, so peaceful. Went with 2 other friends in our vans to relax and do a spot of fishing... a very tranquil place. 2 quiet pubs within walking distance.

Disliked Not a dislike but it would have been nice if there was a portable chemical toilet or somthing on site... we used the pub for our number 2s 🤣....

Recommend to friends Visit again

From the manager: Thank you for your feedback. As this is a CAMpRA Aire site for self contained motorhomes with on board facilities, is not necessary to provide chemical toilets on site.

Very cozy and peaceful place it…

Overall

10 out of 10
Location
 No rating
Value for money
 10
Facilities / Activities
 10
Customer service
 10
Child friendliness
 No rating
Cleanliness
 10
Wifi
 10
 James M. 1 review

Non-electric grass motorhome pitch

Liked Very cozy and peaceful place it is a wonderful little spot and a must visit if you want to relax and do a little fishing .also Jackie the owner is a brilliant genuine person very polite and helpful .,.go give it a go 10 out of 10 for me

Recommend to friends Visit again

Great location

Overall

10 out of 10
Location
 10
Value for money
 10
Facilities / Activities
 No rating
Customer service
 10
Child friendliness
 No rating
Cleanliness
 10
Wifi
 No rating
Mrs Anne P. 5 reviews

Non-electric grass motorhome pitch

Liked Lovely location, spacious 3 pitches.
secure gated entrance, shop/post office and 2 pubs all with a 15 min stroll.

Disliked Nothing

Recommend to friends Visit again

Serenity on The Swale is good for the soul.

Overall

10 out of 10
Location
 10
Value for money
 10
Facilities / Activities
 No rating
Customer service
 10
Child friendliness
 No rating
Cleanliness
 10
Wifi
 No rating
Jane H. 2 reviews

Non-electric grass motorhome pitch

Liked A very peaceful, secure and beautifully maintained site. Generous pitches. A haven for lovers of wildlife and river watchers.
Within walking distance of the village of Topcliffe which has a general store and two pubs. Great location for accessing local and historical attractions.
Serenity on The Swale is good for the soul.

Disliked Nothing

Recommend to friends Visit again

Top

Overall

9 out of 10
Location
 10
Value for money
 10
Facilities / Activities
 5
Customer service
 5
Child friendliness
 No rating
Cleanliness
 10
Wifi
 No rating
Hans a. 1 review

Non-electric grass motorhome pitch

Liked The most beautyfull place we have been.
A very warm welcome from Jacqui.
Would recomand it to everybody

Disliked Nothimg

Recommend to friends Visit again

Features

Dogs allowed

Adults only

Leisure on site

Bar or club house Cycle hire Evening entertainment Fishing Fitness centre Games room Indoor swimming pool Kids' club On-site restaurant/cafe Outdoor swimming pool Play area TV room Take away Tennis Watersports

Amenities on site

Bath available Composting toilet Dog park Drying room Food shop Free wifi Ice pack freezing Internet access Launderette Parent & baby washroom Pick-up from public transport Picnic table Portable toilet Pub toilets Public telephone Shower available Toilet block Washing-up area Wifi

Groups welcome

Family friendly Motorcycle friendly Single-sex groups welcome Student groups welcome

Rules

Adults only Barbecue provided Barbecues allowed Campfires allowed Commercial vehicles allowed Dogs allowed Dogs allowed all year

Themes

Peaceful Spectacular scenery Walkers' paradise Wildlife haven

Utilities

Charging facilities Chemical disposal Electric car charging point(s) Gas cylinders available No drinkable water point No running water Recycling available Renewable energy

Nearby amenities

Bar nearby Dog walk nearby Nearby farmers' market Public transport nearby Shop nearby

Type

Aire Tiny (1-10 pitches)

Accessibility

Accessible parking at pitch

Nearby leisure

Canoeing/kayaking nearby Cycle hire nearby Cycling nearby Fishing nearby Horse riding nearby Indoor pool nearby Leisure/theme park nearby Mountain biking nearby Restaurant nearby

Location

Serenity on the Swale

Catton Lane

Topcliffe

North Yorkshire

England

YO7 3SA

Directions

Timezone

Europe/London BST (GMT+01:00)

GPS

54.18205°N
1.4033°W

Route directions

What3words location: exile.buggy.incursion. Look for the black metal gate. To access the site, the angle is easier when approaching from the west. Use the wide verges opposite to pull in safely, and then open the gates.

Nearest transport

Coach
4.3 mi Market Place
5.7 mi Bus Station Stand 1
12.3 mi Bus Stn Stand A
Rail
3.4 mi Thirsk Rail Station
10.6 mi Northallerton Rail Station
12.3 mi Knaresborough Rail Station
Ferry
28.7 mi Transporter Bridge South Side
28.8 mi Transporter Bridge North Side
Airport
22.8 mi Durham Tees Valley Airport
24 mi Leeds Bradford International Airport

Please note: All distances on this page are calculated "as the crow flies" - please check actual distance depending on your mode of travel using the Get directions button above.

Local attractions

Attractions and activities nearby include: - Thirsk Hall Sculpture Garden: 10 minutes’ drive - The World Of James Herriot (former home of author James Herriot in Thirsk): 10 minutes - Thirsk Birds Of Prey Centre: 15 minutes - Ripon Cathedral: 15 minutes - Ripon Races: 15 minutes - Boltby Trekking Centre: 20 minutes - Kilburn White Horse: 20 minutes - Sutton Bank National Park Centre: 20 minutes - Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal Water Gardens: 25 minutes - Rievaulx Abbey: half an hour - Harrogate (spa town): 35 minutes - RHS Garden Harlow Carr (RHS gardens with a popular tea room and shop): 40 minutes.

Must see

Fountains Abbey 8.4 mi

Rievaulx Abbey 12.7 mi

Rievaulx Terrace & Temples (NT) 12.9 mi

Beningbrough Hall 13.6 mi

Duncombe Park 13.8 mi

National Trust

Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal Water Garden 8.4 mi

Rievaulx Terrace 12.9 mi

Brimham Rocks 13.4 mi

Beningbrough Hall and Gardens 13.6 mi

Mount Grace Priory 14.1 mi

Cycle routes

Find local routes on the National Cycle Network - over 12,000 miles of cycling routes.

Other

NORTON CONYERS 4.5 mi

Battle of Boroughbridge, 1322 5.8 mi

NEWBY HALL 6 mi

Boroughbridge - River Ure - Myton-on-Swale - Milby 6 mi

Battle of Myton, 1319 6.2 mi

Local events

  • Leeds Festival (Thursday, 27 August 2026 – Thursday, 27 August 2026)

    Wetherby, West Yorkshire 21.6 mi

  • Kettlewell Scarecrow Festival (Saturday, 8 August 2026 – Saturday, 8 August 2026)

    Skipton, North Yorkshire 26.3 mi

Please note: All distances on this page are calculated "as the crow flies" - please check actual distance depending on your mode of travel using the Get directions button above.

Want to know more about camping in North Yorkshire?

Frequently asked questions

  • Does Serenity on the Swale have a swimming pool? No View all features
  • Is Serenity on the Swale dog friendly? Yes View all features
  • What attractions are near Serenity on the Swale? Attractions and activities nearby include: - Thirsk Hall Sculpture Garden: 10 minutes’ drive - The World Of James Herriot (former home of author James Herriot in Thirsk): 10 minutes - Thirsk Birds … Read more
  • When can I check in and check out of Serenity on the Swale?
    Camping and touring
    Arrive:  11:30 a.m. –  8:30 p.m.
    Depart by:  11 a.m.

    The padlock code will be sent via text message prior to your arrival.

    Read more
  • How much does it cost to stay at Serenity on the Swale? From £15 (for 1 night, 2 adults) - prices may change depending on your dates and party.