Camping in Brompton

The North York Moors on Brompton's doorstep make this a promising area for campers, though it is worth remembering that wild camping without the landowner's permission is illegal in England, including on the open moorland nearby — so stick to licensed sites. Dalby Forest, a few miles north of the village, has a handful of campsites and glamping options within the forest itself, letting you wake up among the pines with the mountain-biking trails and forest drive right on your doorstep. Further into the moors, sites around Goathland, Rosedale and the Esk Valley offer a wilder, higher-altitude camping experience with dramatic views, while the Vale of Pickering below Brompton has gentler, more sheltered farm campsites better suited to family stays or those new to camping.

Glamping has taken off across this part of North Yorkshire, with shepherd's huts, safari tents and converted farm buildings offering a step up in comfort without losing the sense of being out in the landscape — a good option if the British weather turns, which it often does even in summer. Scarborough's coastline, a short drive east, adds clifftop and coastal campsites to the mix for anyone wanting sea air alongside their moorland walks.

Late spring to early autumn is the best window for camping here: the ground is drier, days are longer, and Dalby Forest's trails and the moorland paths are at their most inviting. July and August are busiest, particularly around school holidays, so booking ahead is wise. Spring brings bluebells to the forest floor and quieter trails, while a well-equipped autumn trip can catch the moors turning gold and purple before the weather closes in. Whatever the season, warm, waterproof kit is essential — North Yorkshire's weather can turn quickly, especially up on the higher moorland around Goathland and Rosedale.