Camping in Bishopthorpe

Bishopthorpe sits in the flat, fertile Vale of York, with the River Ouse forming its eastern edge, and this gentle, low-lying landscape shapes what camping here looks like. As in the rest of England, wild camping without the landowner's permission is illegal, so any stay in the area needs to be at a recognised campsite, caravan park or with a landowner's express agreement.

There is no formal campsite within Bishopthorpe village itself, but the surrounding Vale of York and the wider York area have a reasonable choice of caravan and camping parks, generally set within easy reach of the river or the cycle routes into the city. These range from simple touring and tent pitches to sites with electric hook-ups, and increasingly, glamping options such as pods, safari tents and static caravans for visitors who want the countryside setting without bringing their own kit. Given the flat terrain and riverside paths, a bike is a genuinely useful way to get between a campsite, Bishopthorpe and York itself.

The best time to camp in this part of North Yorkshire is late spring through to early autumn, when the Ouse towpath and surrounding countryside are at their most walkable and the long evenings suit sitting out. Riverside ground can be soft and low-lying areas prone to flooding after heavy rain, so it is worth choosing a site on slightly higher ground and checking recent weather and river levels, especially outside the summer months. Midweek and shoulder-season stays are generally quieter than weekends and school holidays, when demand from York visitors is at its highest.

For those without their own tent or caravan, glamping sites in the wider area offer a comfortable alternative, often within a short drive or cycle of both Bishopthorpe and York, combining an outdoor stay with easy access to the city's restaurants, museums and historic sights.