Campgrounds for backpackers in Central England

Woodleigh

• Wild camping with spectacular views of Gloucestershire’s Severn Vale
• A 25-minute drive to Highgrove Gardens, and 45 minutes to Bristol
• Access to the Cotswold Way, pubs, shops and neolithic ruins nearby

YHA National Forest

• Family-sized bell tents five minutes' drive from Swadlincote
• Next door to an adventure park, with easy access to National Forest
• Restaurant on site for breakfast and supper, plus well-stocked bar

YHA Wye Valley

• Scenic setting in the Forest of Dean, 5 miles from Symonds Yat Rock
• Orienteering course on site; miles of paths and bike trails close by
• Bar, restaurant, kitchen, lounge, firepit and canoe landing station

The Holmes

• Peaceful Lincolnshire countryside site close to the River Witham
• A 10-minute drive to Woodhall Spa; 20 minutes to Lincolnshire Wolds
• Great for wildlife and stargazing; pub and tearoom within a short walk

Ash Hill Camping

• Traditional Oxfordshire farm on the edge of the Cotswold Hills
• Blenheim Palace 20 minutes' drive; central Oxford 40 minutes
• Well-behaved dogs allowed; half a mile from the village pub

Ye Olde Swan

• Lively family-friendly island site on the Thames
• A 20-minute drive from hikes, bikes and sights of the Cotswolds
• Easy stroll from traditional English pub-restaurant on the Thames

Meadowtown Farm

• Back to basics wild camping on a 32-acre Shropshire Hills farm
• In the hamlet of Meadowtown; Shrewsbury town centre 35 minutes' drive
• Dog-friendly campsite; barbecues and campfires welcome

Millbrook Campsite

Wildwood Adventure Camps

• Wild camping in a 100-acre Derbyshire woodland
• A 20-minute drive from Matlock and Carsington Water
• Bushcraft class included; stag and hen parties are welcome

Willey Estates Camping

• Shepherd's huts in an old walled garden in a small Shropshire village
• In Willey, 10 minutes drive from Ironbridge; Blists Hill 15 minutes
• Private barbecue and woodburning stove for each hut

Fiveacres

• Small friendly site within 20 minutes' drive of Grimsby and Ceethorpes
• Within easy reach of The Deep aquarium and Cleethorpes' Jungle Zoo
• Plenty of wide open space for strolls among Lincolnshire countryside

Witham Rest

• Small, secluded and peaceful site for relaxed and laidback breaks
• Close to the shops and services of the Fairtrade town of Woodhall Spa
• Cosy pods with electricity, heating, kettle and firepits

Thames Meadow Camping

• Back to basics grass pitches half a mile from the Thames Path
• A 20-minute drive from Witney and 25 minutes from the Cotswolds
• Working farm within walking distance of three pubs; campfires welcome

Brandend Camping

• Basic but peaceful campsite in the Peak District National Park
• A 10-minute drive from Buxton; Bakewell 30 minutes
• A short walk from the river Dove; spectacular views from the pitches

Pentreheylin Park

• Dog-friendly wild camping meadows on a working livery farm
• A 25-minute drive from Llangollen and 40 minutes from Chester
• Walks, shops, restaurants and pubs in Ellesmere, five minutes’ drive

Bidston Farm Camping

• Peaceful dog-friendly site at a farm on the Lincolnshire coast
• A 10-minute drive to Mablethorpe; 15 minutes to Donna Nook seals
• Back to basics pitches 10 minutes' walk from the nearest beach

Huckleberry Farm

• Pop-up campsite on a family-run smallholding in rural Oxfordshire
• A 10-minute drive to Bicester Village and Blenheim Palace
• Farm animals and pony rides on site; five minutes’ drive to a pub

Longridge

Standen Lodge Farm

• Rural farm in a wildlife haven a mile from Mablethorpe
• Access to both countryside and seaside activities
• Quiet site: no frills but clean and welcoming