Camping in Crockey Hill

Crockey Hill sits in the flat, gently drained farmland of the Vale of York, a landscape of arable fields, dykes and hedgerows rather than dramatic scenery, but one that suits a simple, low-key camping trip within easy reach of a major city. As everywhere in England, wild camping without the landowner’s permission is not legal, so a proper campsite or a caravan club Certificated Location is the way to go, and Crockey Hill itself is home to one: a small, peaceful Certificated Location on Wheldrake Lane with a large flat field, electric hook-ups, well-draining sandy ground suited to early and late-season pitches, and a rural setting screened by mature trees and hedges, though it has no shower or toilet block, so a self-contained motorhome or caravan is the practical choice here. Its big selling point is location: only around ten minutes from York city centre, with direct bus links into town and member discounts at attractions such as Clifford’s Tower and the JORVIK Viking Centre, so campers can spend the day exploring the Minster and the Shambles and come back to a quiet, rural pitch in the evening rather than paying for accommodation inside the city walls. The flat terrain and easy A19/A64 access also make it a convenient overnight stop for longer tours up and down the eastern side of England. Spring through autumn is the most comfortable window, when the ground is firmer and the long evenings suit sitting out; the well-draining sandy land does, however, extend the useful camping season into early spring and late autumn compared with heavier clay sites nearby. Campers wanting more comfort, including showers and toilets, should look to the larger commercial sites and glamping options dotted around York and the Vale of York, several of which offer pods, safari tents or static caravans with full facilities, useful if you are travelling without your own toilet and shower set-up. Whichever option you choose, book ahead for the summer months and during major York events, when both campsites and the city itself get busy.