Camping in Appleby-in-Westmorland

Camping around Appleby-in-Westmorland means gentle Eden Valley farmland and riverside pitches rather than the rugged fellside camping associated with the central Lake District, making it a good choice for those who want proper countryside without steep terrain. As in the rest of England, wild camping is not legally permitted without the landowner's permission, so pitching up in the surrounding fields or fells requires either a proper campsite or advance agreement with whoever owns the land; Cumbria's access laws do not carry the same "right to roam" camping allowances found in Scotland. Fortunately the area has a decent spread of small, family-run touring and camping parks along the River Eden and out towards the Pennine escarpment, several with direct river access for swimming, fishing or simply cooling off after a day's walking.

The terrain here is kinder than much of Cumbria: rolling farmland, quiet lanes and the broad, easy valley of the Eden mean campsites tend to be flatter and more sheltered than their Lakeland counterparts, though the open fells above the valley can still bring quick-changing weather, so it pays to come prepared for rain even in summer. Late spring through early autumn is the most reliable camping season, with June also being the busiest thanks to Appleby Horse Fair, when accommodation of all kinds in and around the town fills up fast and campsites should be booked well in advance if you want to combine a trip with the fair. Outside that peak week, the valley is markedly quieter than the Lake District, making it a good option for campers who prefer solitude to crowds. For those who would rather not pitch a tent themselves, a growing number of glamping options, including shepherd's huts and safari tents, have appeared on farms around Appleby and the wider Eden Valley, giving a taste of the outdoors with proper beds and, often, a wood-burning stove for chilly Pennine evenings.