Camping in Drigg

Drigg's big draw for campers is its setting: the village backs directly onto Cumbria's largest dune system, a Site of Special Scientific Interest that gives a genuinely wild, big-sky feel rare on this part of the coast. As with the rest of England, wild camping is not legal here without the landowner's permission, so pitch at one of the established sites along this stretch of coast rather than on the dunes or reserve land, which is protected for its natterjack toads, ground-nesting birds and rare wildflowers. Several campsites and touring caravan parks are dotted between Drigg, Seascale and Ravenglass, making the most of the flat coastal ground, sea views and easy access to the beach.

Late spring through summer is the best window, when the dunes are at their most colourful with sea holly, thrift and orchids, evenings stay light for walks along the shore, and the toads and seabird colonies are most active — though this also means keeping to marked paths and campsite grounds rather than wandering the reserve itself. The coast here catches the full force of Irish Sea weather, so a well-pegged tent or a campervan is a safer bet than an exposed pitch, and shoulder-season stays can be blustery. For a softer landing, a handful of glamping pods and static caravans in the area offer heating and proper beds while keeping the same dune-backed, away-from-it-all setting, useful if the forecast turns or you simply want a warm base after a day on the Eskdale fells.