Camping in Barrow Upon Trent

Camping around Barrow upon Trent means using licensed sites in the surrounding South Derbyshire countryside rather than the riverbanks themselves. Wild camping without the landowner's permission is not legal in England, so pitching up unofficially along the Trent or the Trent and Mersey Canal towpath is not an option, however tempting the water meadows might look. Fortunately the wider area, sitting as it does on the northern edge of the National Forest, has a reasonable spread of small farm campsites, caravan parks and glamping operations within a short drive of the village, many aimed at exactly the kind of quiet, low-key countryside stay that this part of Derbyshire is suited to.

The flat terrain of the Trent Valley makes for easy, gentle camping country rather than the rugged pitches of the Peak District further north. Sites tend to be set among farmland, orchards or paddocks, with the river, the canal towpath and country parks like Elvaston within comfortable cycling or walking distance. The ground here is genuinely low-lying and can turn soft after wet weather, so an early-season pitch is worth checking with the site owner if the weather has been poor. Some fields also flood in the depths of winter, which is part of why most sites in the area operate on a seasonal basis.

Late spring through to early autumn is the best window for camping here, when the meadows are dry underfoot, the days are long enough for proper exploring, and the hedgerows and riverside paths are at their best. Midsummer weekends near Derby and the more popular National Forest attractions can get busy, so booking ahead is sensible if you have a particular site in mind. For a more comfortable option, several nearby farms and rural businesses offer glamping in shepherd's huts, pods or bell tents, which suit anyone wanting the setting without the full kit, and are a good option for a short break rather than a longer stay.