Camping in Bath

Camping around Bath means camping in and above a river valley, which shapes almost everything about a stay. The valley floor sites along the Avon and the Kennet and Avon Canal are flat, sheltered and green, with soft ground that drains slowly after heavy rain; the sites up on the limestone plateau to the south and west are firmer and better drained but noticeably more exposed to wind. Neither is dramatic terrain, so pitching is straightforward, but a groundsheet and a decent set of pegs for both soft turf and thin soil over stone will cover you either way.

The weather is mild by British standards. Rainfall is spread through the year rather than concentrated, and valley mornings often start under mist that burns off by mid-morning, so expect condensation on the flysheet even in July. Nights in spring and autumn can drop close to freezing on the higher ground while the city below stays several degrees warmer. A three-season sleeping bag is sensible from April to October, and a warmer one either side of that.

Wild camping is not legal in England without the landowner's permission, and that includes the fields, canal banks and woodland around Bath. There is no Scottish-style right to roam here, so plan on booked pitches. The practical season runs from Easter to the end of October, with May, June and September the sweet spot for weather and availability. Several sites near Bath stay open all year, which suits caravanners and motorhomers wanting a cheap winter base for the Christmas Market.

What to bring: a bike or good walking shoes, because the towpath into the city is flat and fast while the road route is not; midge repellent for still evenings by the water; and cash, as one or two of the smaller farm sites still prefer it. Glamping pods and ready tents are worth the premium in shoulder season, when a heated pod turns a marginal weekend into a comfortable one. Tent campers wanting the quietest night should ask for a meadow or riverside pitch away from the hard standings.