Serenity on the Swale

View prices & book 9.6 21 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
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New
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.
  • The site does not accept breeds/crossbreeds listed in the Dangerous Dogs Act (i.e. XL Bully, Pit Bull Terrier, Japanese Tosa, Dogo Argentino, and Fila Brasileiro) and/or any of the following: Staffordshire bull terrier, American Staffordshire terrier, Rottweiler, any Mastiff or Tosa.
  • Facilities/activities including fishing are subject to extra charges payable on arrival.
  • Guests under the age of 18 are not allowed on site.
  • Units longer than 6 meters metres are not allowed.
  • No charcoal barbecues allowed.
  • Swimming in the lake is not allowed.
  • 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.
  • Fishing is subject to availability (between dawn and dusk only) as only one person may use the fishing platform at a time.

Languages spoken

English

No availability here for your search criteria

Reviews

9.6

Overall rating from 21 Pitchup.com customers

  • 85%
    10
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    9
  • 4%
    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
 6
Customer service
 10
Child friendliness
 6
Cleanliness
 9
Wifi
 7
Peaceful

100% would recommend this site to a friend

100% would stay here again

What customers say

Serenity on the Swale offers a peaceful, beautiful riverside setting with excellent privacy and spacious pitches. Guests consistently praise the stunning views, well-maintained grounds, and abundant wildlife. The owner is frequently highlighted for being welcoming, helpful, and communicative. While the site is self-contained with no facilities, its tranquil atmosphere and proximity to Topcliffe village (a short walk for pubs) make it a highly recommended getaway for those seeking relaxation in nature.

Summary AI-generated from Pitchup.com customer reviews

Reviews page 1 of 3
Arrival date (latest first)

Tranquility Cleanliness Great communication with Jacqui.…

Overall

10 out of 10
Location
 10
Value for money
 10
Accommodation
 No rating
Facilities / Activities
 No rating
Customer service
 10
Child friendliness
 No rating
Cleanliness
 10
Wifi
 10
Claire I.

Non-electric grass motorhome pitch

Liked Tranquility
Cleanliness
Great communication with Jacqui.

Disliked Nothing

Recommend to friends Visit again

From the manager: So glad you had a nice stay over and look forward to welcoming you back again. Love the photos too, they’re such a help for future guests to see. 🥰

Excellent price and beautiful setting…

Overall

10 out of 10
Location
 10
Value for money
 10
Accommodation
 No rating
Facilities / Activities
 1
Customer service
 10
Child friendliness
 No rating
Cleanliness
 10
Wifi
 No rating
Simon R.

Non-electric grass motorhome pitch

Liked Excellent price and beautiful setting entrance was a bit tight but doable. Short walk by the river to local friendly pub. Peaceful night will definitely return

Recommend to friends Visit again

Lovely peaceful spot right by the…

Overall

8 out of 10
Location
 8
Value for money
 10
Accommodation
 No rating
Facilities / Activities
 7
Customer service
 7
Child friendliness
 No rating
Cleanliness
 1
Wifi
 No rating
Anonymous

Non-electric grass motorhome pitch

Liked Lovely peaceful spot right by the river. Great value at £10 a night

Disliked Absolutely no facilities. Can hear slight road and aircraft noise at times.

Recommend to friends Visit again

Great spot to unwind and relax

Overall

10 out of 10
Location
 10
Value for money
 10
Accommodation
 No rating
Facilities / Activities
 10
Customer service
 10
Child friendliness
 No rating
Cleanliness
 No rating
Wifi
 No rating
Martin A.

Non-electric grass motorhome pitch

Liked Very nice site very quiet and an amazing setting

Disliked Nothing

Recommend to friends Visit again

Excellent for a one night stopover

Overall

10 out of 10
Location
 10
Value for money
 10
Accommodation
 No rating
Facilities / Activities
 No rating
Customer service
 No rating
Child friendliness
 No rating
Cleanliness
 No rating
Wifi
 No rating
Victoria P.

Non-electric grass motorhome pitch

Liked Small, secluded and right on the riverbank.
Helpful, friendly owners. Good value. Peaceful and quiet, surrounded by nature. Behind locked gate.

Recommend to friends Visit again

Field next to river.

Overall

10 out of 10
Location
 10
Value for money
 10
Accommodation
 10
Facilities / Activities
 1
Customer service
 10
Child friendliness
 No rating
Cleanliness
 10
Wifi
 No rating
Tony G.

Non-electric grass motorhome pitch

Liked Quite and peaceful place to chill out

Disliked Nothing

Recommend to friends Visit again

Amazing little spot right next to…

Overall

10 out of 10
Location
 10
Value for money
 10
Accommodation
 10
Facilities / Activities
 10
Customer service
 10
Child friendliness
 6
Cleanliness
 10
Wifi
 No rating
James W.

Non-electric grass motorhome pitch

Liked Amazing little spot right next to the river swale. Stayed on a Sunday so had the whole place! Exactly as advertised, no facilities but no problem, information for access given in good time. Can't give this place enough credit for £10. It might get a little bit crammed if all the bays are in use but again no problem

Recommend to friends Visit again

From the manager: Lovely to hear and thank you so much for visiting. 😊

Excellent

Overall

10 out of 10
Location
 10
Value for money
 10
Accommodation
 10
Facilities / Activities
 10
Customer service
 10
Child friendliness
 10
Cleanliness
 10
Wifi
 10
Mark S.

Non-electric grass motorhome pitch

Liked Peaceful,clean,lovely view of river next to field,will go back ideal stop over for York

Recommend to friends Visit again

From the manager: Perfect & thank you for visiting 😊

A lovely, peaceful spot right next…

Overall

10 out of 10
Location
 10
Value for money
 10
Accommodation
 10
Facilities / Activities
 8
Customer service
 10
Child friendliness
 No rating
Cleanliness
 10
Wifi
 10
Anonymous

Non-electric grass motorhome pitch

Liked A lovely, peaceful spot right next to the river. I could not have chosen better and I will definitely come back.

Recommend to friends Visit again

Lovely little intimate site, close to local pubs

Overall

7 out of 10
Location
 7
Value for money
 10
Accommodation
 6
Facilities / Activities
 4
Customer service
 10
Child friendliness
 No rating
Cleanliness
 8
Wifi
 5
Leanne H.

Non-electric grass motorhome pitch

Liked Location, site size, privacy.

Disliked Nothing

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

Land west of former Topcliffe Mill

Catton Lane

Topcliffe

North Yorkshire

England

YO7 3RZ

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

  • Harrogate Autumn Flower Show (Friday 19 September 2025 – Friday 19 September 2025)

    Ripon, North Yorkshire 15 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 £10 (for 1 night, 2 adults) - prices may change depending on your dates and party.