The Ultimate Beginner’s Guide to Camping in Central England
Our top tips for camping in Central England
Straddling a number of different regions – from the southern splendour of Buckinghamshire to the lush western counties and the diverse landscapes of the Midlands – Central England covers a large area stretching from the North Sea to the Welsh border.
There’s absolutely bucketloads to see and do here, including top scenic spots like the Peak District National Park and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty like the Cotswolds, the Chiltern Hills and the Lincolnshire Wolds.
Before you get out exploring, give a moment’s thought to the kind of holiday you’re after – especially if you’re new to the whole camping thing. Do you want a cheap camping break that takes a more do-it-yourself approach, or would you rather splash out on a Central England glamping break? If you’re somewhere between the two, check out our guide to bagging a budget glamping deal – with a bit of forethought, pre-pitched accommodation can be quite a lot cheaper than you’d think.
Essential Central England Checklist
Once you’ve settled on your location and your accommodation, it’s time to turn your attention to packing. Needless to say, a bell tent stay in the Cotswolds is going to need fairly different gear to a trekking trip in the Peak District, but there are a few things that are always handy to have when spending time outdoors away from home.
With that in mind, the four most important things to bring when you go camping in Central England are:
-
A trusty Ordnance Survey map (or a similarly detailed maps app for your phone) – to help you discover hidden footpaths and rights of way.
-
A dynamo-powered torch or a solar lantern – many of our sites are deep in the countryside and can get very dark at night, and you will not want to be fumbling around in pitch black looking for spare batteries…
-
A picnic blanket for civilised alfresco lunches.
- Cash and some spare change for ice creams, car parks and small on-site purchases like firewood.
Leaving nothing to chance? You’ll find a detailed camping checklist here, plus a special run-down on what to pack when camping with dogs.
Guides to camping in Derbyshire
Home to most of the Peak District National Park and other scenic areas like the Derbyshire Dales, Derbyshire has an excellent range of campsites, glampsites and holiday parks to choose from. Check out every single Pitchup campsite in Derbyshire here, or read on to discover more about this prettiest of counties:
-
Lace up your boots and explore the 9 best walks in Derbyshire.
-
Follow the sound of the water until you find these 6 Derbyshire waterfalls.
-
Check out the best things to do in Matlock, Derbyshire’s family entertainment hub.
- See 9 of the best places to visit elsewhere in Derbyshire.
Guides to camping in Shropshire
With the Shropshire Hills, a location right on the border with Wales and some of Central England’s best castles, the county of Shropshire is an understandably popular destination for camping breaks. Browse our full selection of Shropshire campsites here, or keep reading for more hints and tips for visits to this stunning part of the UK.
-
Explore 8 of Shropshire’s best walks and take in the county on foot.
-
Plan tasty meals out and pub garden trips with our list of Shropshire’s top 10 pubs.
-
Get to grips with this area’s rich medieval history with our selection of the best castles in Shropshire.
- Find other attractions, including family-friendly options, in our list of 10 things to do in Shropshire.
Guides to camping in Lincolnshire
Seals, sausages and sandy beaches – it’s got to be Lincolnshire. Click here to seek out somewhere to stay in Lincolnshire straight away, or browse the articles below to find out more about this top county on England’s east coast.
-
If you're a newcomer, start with this guide to 11 things to do in Lincolnshire.
-
Don your hiking boots and read about 6 of the best country walks in Lincolnshire.
-
Hit the coast with this list of half a dozen of Lincolnshire’s best beaches.
- Pack a little history into your break at Lincolnshire castles you need to visit.
Guides to camping in Herefordshire
Herefordshire’s claims to fame include sweet cider, hardy cattle and one of Europe’s best-preserved medieval Mappa Mundi, but there’s a lot more to see and do here:
-
To start with, explore our list of 11 things to do in Herefordshire for some inspiration.
-
Follow up with a relaxing couple of hours in one of Herefordshire’s best gardens…
-
…or a trip to one of these stunning Herefordshire castles…
- …before winding down with a relaxing Herefordshire walk (perhaps stopping en route to refuel at a pub).
Ready to find a place to stay? Find Herefordshire campsite accommodation with availability for your dates.
Guides to camping in Worcestershire
With the Malvern Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, smart spa towns and the legacy of Edward Elgar, there’s more to Worcestershire than just its trademark sauce – although while you’re here, it’s also worth strolling past the factory where it has been made for around a century…
-
Stroll through the county’s finest scenery with these top-rated Worcestershire walks.
-
Find entertainment for all the family with our list of 8 recommended things to do in Worcestershire.
-
Seek out solace or a picnic spot in these 7 Worcestershire parks.
-
Looking for places to eat? Disclaimer: this list of our 5 favourite Worcestershire pubs may cause stomachs to rumble…
- See all Worcestershire’s campsites here.
Guides to camping in Warwickshire
Nothing beats a bit of the Bard, and Warwickshire has enough Shakespearean connections to keep literary types amused for days on end. As well as Shakespeare’s birthplace in Stratford-upon-Avon, this green and grassy county is home to part of the Cotswolds and is criss-crossed by streams, rivers and canals – all of which help make camping holidays in Warwickshire such a pleasant experience.
-
Explore the backcountry with these worthwhile Warwickshire walks.
-
Find the best things to do in Warwickshire and add them to your itinerary.
-
Not only interested in the countryside? Pitch up within reach of one of these top Warwickshire towns.
- Pull up in one or more of these leafy Warwickshire parks for some well-deserved R + R.
Guides to camping in Gloucestershire
Thatched cottages, fine views and Cheltenham’s Regency-era splendour are just some of the reasons to book a camping trip to Gloucestershire. Explore more below:
-
Find out more about our recommended things to do in Gloucestershire.
-
Blow away the cobwebs with these great Gloucestershire rural walks.
-
Prep your palates for the finest flavours with our list of the best restaurants in Gloucestershire.
- Spend time around turrets and towers at some of our favourite Gloucestershire castles.
Guides to camping in Leicestershire
When you’re not quaffing ales and scoffing Melton Mowbray pork pies, Leicestershire’s gorgeous green countryside is full of things to do and places to stay.
-
Work up an appetite on Leicestershire’s best walks.
-
Pitchup’s favourite things to do in Leicestershire.
-
The prettiest parks in Leicestershire.
- Step back in time at Leicestershire’s best historic castles.
Guides to camping in Buckinghamshire
Sitting on the edge of South East England and close to Greater London, Buckinghamshire is centrally located for varied breaks and day trips to town and country.
-
Fill your days with Buckinghamshire’s best tourist attractions.
-
Discover walks around Buckinghamshire.
-
Have a peek at these top Buckinghamshire parks.
-
Get green-fingered with our list of the best Buckinghamshire gardens.
- Browse Pitchup’s full range of campsites in Buckinghamshire.
Ready to start exploring Central England? Once you’ve done your research, pick your travel tribe from the list below and find camping deals with availability for your dates.