Camping in Bolton-By-Bowland

Bolton-by-Bowland sits at the edge of the Forest of Bowland National Landscape, and camping here means fells, drystone walls and quiet farmland rather than a seaside crowd. As with anywhere in England, wild camping without the landowner's express permission is illegal, so stick to licensed sites - there are several working farm campsites and touring caravan parks in the immediate area, offering grass pitches for tents alongside hardstanding for tourers and motorhomes, typically with basic facilities such as electric hookups, showers and washing-up points rather than resort-style extras.

The terrain around the village is classic Bowland: rolling sheep pasture giving way to open moorland and gritstone fells such as Pendle Hill a little further south, cut through by Skirden Beck and the River Ribble. Ground can be soft after rain even in summer, and the higher moorland paths are exposed to wind and low cloud, so it is worth choosing a pitch with some natural shelter and packing for changeable weather whatever the season. The best months for camping are from late spring to early autumn, roughly May to September, when daylight hours are longest, paths are drier underfoot, and the evenings are mild enough to sit out - though the Ribble Valley's relatively low rainfall by Lancashire standards means shoulder-season trips in April or October can also work well for those prepared for cooler nights.

For anyone who wants the Bowland scenery without the tent-pitching, a small but growing number of glamping options - shepherd's huts, safari tents and static camping pods - have appeared on farms around the wider Ribble Valley, giving a warmer, more sheltered alternative with proper beds while keeping the same views over the fells and farmland that make this corner of Lancashire worth visiting. Dark skies and minimal light pollution also make it a rewarding spot for stargazing on a clear night, whichever type of pitch you choose.