Real camping with real fires – the ultimate camping experience
Are you inclined to scoff when someone tells you they’ve camped somewhere that doesn’t allow campfires? Would you retort with something along the lines of, “how can that even be considered to be real camping?”. If so, and Neanderthal is your man, our guide to campsites that permit campfires could be right up your footpath.
We’ve come up with our suggested campsites from across the UK that allow camping with campfires so that you can glow in the dark while you keep warm and take in all the smells and sounds of the countryside!
Labourham Drove, Cheddar, Somerset, BS27 3XW
https://www.petruthpaddocks.co.uk
Self-styled as “free range camping”, this beautiful campsite located on the doorsteps of Cheddar Village has very relaxed owners. The site has unique quirks such as a dilapidated Land Rover at the centre of the playground and a “chill-out field”. Music and ball games are welcomed, providing welcome alternatives to playing on devices and computer games.
Campfires are very much encouraged. In fact, a quad bike does its rounds in the evening offering more firewood and kindling for anyone who needs it, and giving a ride to any child who might want one!
Smarden Road, Pluckley, Kent TN27 0RE
www.gooseberryfieldcampsite.com
Yes, you read that correctly – glamping! Too posh to campfire? Of course not. OK, so this site has its own vineyard, 150 apple trees, hot tubs and eight luxury glamping bell tents, but campfires are very much encouraged.
Campers are supplied with logs and a fire pit so all you need to bring is your food. There is even a cast iron frying pan for each tent to use on the fire, as well as all the utensils that would be needed to create something fabulous.
Steeped in family history, this campsite in the county of Rutland overlooks woods and fields and is just a short walk from Rutland Water, a 3100 acre reservoir that is a haven for wildlife and leisure activities.
The great-great granddaughter of Robin Curley who built Wing Hall in 1891 lives on the estate along with her children who manage and develop the site. Campfires are allowed in firepits. You can bring your own or rent them for £2 per night and the shop sells bags of firewood so you don’t have to run out. The general ambience of the site is peace and relaxation, helped along by the no-music policy, which is particularly popular with families and helps to maintain an air of peace and tranquillity.
Baxby Manor, Low St, Husthwaite, York YO61 4PW
https://www.thehideawayatbaxbymanor.co.uk
The Hideaway describes its offering as “Church spires, campfires and local food suppliers – proper camping”. Who’s to argue with that? There is a no noise after 11pm policy but otherwise this is a very relaxed site offering campfire enthusiasts the freedom to light their supplied firepit and enjoy the great outdoors.
Set in the grounds of 14th-century Baxby Manor on the edge of Husthwaite village, The Hideaway is perfectly located for history enthusiasts, walkers, cyclists, families, groups and couples. Firewood can be bought on the site.
Lanefoot Farm, Thornthwaite, Keswick, Cumbria CA12 5RZ
https://stayinthornthwaite.co.uk/camping/
Lanefoot Farm has a variety of pitch options, depending on your preference. For those wanting a pitch with a view there is the open field with a stunning view of Skiddaw. The cosy family field is great for parties with children, and if you need some shelter there is the back garden of the farmhouse among the wildflowers and trees.
Located in the Lake District National Park with its staggeringly beautiful landscape, this is a very relaxed campsite with a range of facilities where campers are free to light their campfires. With affordable camping accommodation already set up on site, campers can either bring their own tent or rent one from the site.
Braincroft, Crieff, Perthshire PH7 4JZ
http://www.comriecroft.com
On offer at Comrie Croft is “communal eco-aware living under canvas in charming Highland Perthshire”. Historically, crofts were small holdings of land where communal living was all the rage. Today, Comrie Croft is run by a group of likeminded, environmentally aware people who supply tents, Norwegian Katas (tipis), a tea garden and bike shop.
Secluded pitches with their own campfires are found in the forest, while the katas have wood burning stoves. The amenities block is solar and wind powered, with compost toilets in the upper meadow.
Outer Bounds Camping, Bwlch y Gwynt, Llanrhystyd, Ceredigion, SY23 5EH
http://www.campouterbounds.com
As the name suggests, Outer Bounds is very much about going back to basics on a remote site where home comforts are a dim and distant memory. The tiny site of six plots describes itself as a ‘small, traditional down-home rural retreat’. There are sizeable pitches and a recently built shower block with hot water all day during summer, and electrical hook-ups on some pitches, but that is about as glam as it gets.
Campfires are permitted, and firewood logs and kindling can be bought at the shop. Being so close to nature with little modern influence makes the campfires authentic add-ons to the outdoor experience.
As well as all these fun, home-making items we supply the more practical products such as waterproofing equipment, lighting, toilets and chemicals products.
If you’re unsure about any of the items that you may need for your real camping trip, get in touch and we’d be happy to guide you. Please light any fires responsibly and enjoy your real camping experience!
We’ve come up with our suggested campsites from across the UK that allow camping with campfires so that you can glow in the dark while you keep warm and take in all the smells and sounds of the countryside!
South West England - Petruth Paddocks in Cheddar
Labourham Drove, Cheddar, Somerset, BS27 3XW
https://www.petruthpaddocks.co.uk
Self-styled as “free range camping”, this beautiful campsite located on the doorsteps of Cheddar Village has very relaxed owners. The site has unique quirks such as a dilapidated Land Rover at the centre of the playground and a “chill-out field”. Music and ball games are welcomed, providing welcome alternatives to playing on devices and computer games.
Campfires are very much encouraged. In fact, a quad bike does its rounds in the evening offering more firewood and kindling for anyone who needs it, and giving a ride to any child who might want one!
South East England – Gooseberry Field Glamping
Smarden Road, Pluckley, Kent TN27 0RE
www.gooseberryfieldcampsite.com
Yes, you read that correctly – glamping! Too posh to campfire? Of course not. OK, so this site has its own vineyard, 150 apple trees, hot tubs and eight luxury glamping bell tents, but campfires are very much encouraged.
Campers are supplied with logs and a fire pit so all you need to bring is your food. There is even a cast iron frying pan for each tent to use on the fire, as well as all the utensils that would be needed to create something fabulous.
Central England – Wing Hall
Wing Hall Estate, Wing, Oakham, Rutland LE15 8RY
http://www.winghall.co.uk/camping.htmlSteeped in family history, this campsite in the county of Rutland overlooks woods and fields and is just a short walk from Rutland Water, a 3100 acre reservoir that is a haven for wildlife and leisure activities.
The great-great granddaughter of Robin Curley who built Wing Hall in 1891 lives on the estate along with her children who manage and develop the site. Campfires are allowed in firepits. You can bring your own or rent them for £2 per night and the shop sells bags of firewood so you don’t have to run out. The general ambience of the site is peace and relaxation, helped along by the no-music policy, which is particularly popular with families and helps to maintain an air of peace and tranquillity.
North East England - The Hideaway at Baxby Manor
Baxby Manor, Low St, Husthwaite, York YO61 4PW
https://www.thehideawayatbaxbymanor.co.uk
The Hideaway describes its offering as “Church spires, campfires and local food suppliers – proper camping”. Who’s to argue with that? There is a no noise after 11pm policy but otherwise this is a very relaxed site offering campfire enthusiasts the freedom to light their supplied firepit and enjoy the great outdoors.
Set in the grounds of 14th-century Baxby Manor on the edge of Husthwaite village, The Hideaway is perfectly located for history enthusiasts, walkers, cyclists, families, groups and couples. Firewood can be bought on the site.
North West England – Lanefoot Farm
Lanefoot Farm, Thornthwaite, Keswick, Cumbria CA12 5RZ
https://stayinthornthwaite.co.uk/camping/
Lanefoot Farm has a variety of pitch options, depending on your preference. For those wanting a pitch with a view there is the open field with a stunning view of Skiddaw. The cosy family field is great for parties with children, and if you need some shelter there is the back garden of the farmhouse among the wildflowers and trees.
Located in the Lake District National Park with its staggeringly beautiful landscape, this is a very relaxed campsite with a range of facilities where campers are free to light their campfires. With affordable camping accommodation already set up on site, campers can either bring their own tent or rent one from the site.
Scotland - Comrie Croft
Braincroft, Crieff, Perthshire PH7 4JZ
http://www.comriecroft.com
On offer at Comrie Croft is “communal eco-aware living under canvas in charming Highland Perthshire”. Historically, crofts were small holdings of land where communal living was all the rage. Today, Comrie Croft is run by a group of likeminded, environmentally aware people who supply tents, Norwegian Katas (tipis), a tea garden and bike shop.
Secluded pitches with their own campfires are found in the forest, while the katas have wood burning stoves. The amenities block is solar and wind powered, with compost toilets in the upper meadow.
Wales – Outer Bounds
Outer Bounds Camping, Bwlch y Gwynt, Llanrhystyd, Ceredigion, SY23 5EH
http://www.campouterbounds.com
As the name suggests, Outer Bounds is very much about going back to basics on a remote site where home comforts are a dim and distant memory. The tiny site of six plots describes itself as a ‘small, traditional down-home rural retreat’. There are sizeable pitches and a recently built shower block with hot water all day during summer, and electrical hook-ups on some pitches, but that is about as glam as it gets.
Campfires are permitted, and firewood logs and kindling can be bought at the shop. Being so close to nature with little modern influence makes the campfires authentic add-ons to the outdoor experience.
What will you need to take with you on your real camping experience?
At BCH Camping we supply the full range of camping equipment, accessories and clothing needed for a successful camping trip.Tents
You may be visiting a site that has tents, yurts, tipis and the like already set up and ready for you, but if you are taking your own tent you need to make sure you buy the right tent for you. You must consider how many people it needs to house, whether you want room for storage, eating or getting dressed, and whether you want a standard or inflatable tent. We supply all sizes from backpacking tents to 8 berth tents along with poles, pegs and spares.Beds
Depending on how adventurous you are, you will either be content with a sleeping bag on a self-inflating mat, or want the added luxury of an airbed or camp bed. We supply an extensive range of brands for all of the above, such as Dreamboat, Outwell, Coleman and Kampa.Cookers and stoves
If you intend to “eat in”, getting takeaways or eating cold dishes may become rather boring after a few days. By using a portable cooker or stove you can come up with all sorts of cuisine to keep the family well fed during your holiday. We supply gas burners, electric cookers and grills, BBQs and Kelly Kettles.Kitchen equipment
We stock a wealth of pans, crockery, kettles, utensils, glassware, cups and accessories in the BCH Camping Kitchen range. Discover whether you’re a secret glamper or happy basic camper through your crockery choices!As well as all these fun, home-making items we supply the more practical products such as waterproofing equipment, lighting, toilets and chemicals products.
If you’re unsure about any of the items that you may need for your real camping trip, get in touch and we’d be happy to guide you. Please light any fires responsibly and enjoy your real camping experience!
