Camping in Fylingdales

The heather moorland and coastal cliffs of Fylingdales parish offer some genuinely wild-feeling scenery, but as with everywhere else in England, wild camping remains illegal without the explicit permission of the landowner. The high ground here is largely farmed or managed grouse moor, and the dramatic coastline around Robin Hood's Bay and Ravenscar is protected, so pitching a tent without permission is not an option, however tempting the views. Fortunately, the wider North York Moors area has a good number of official campsites, from simple farm fields to more developed touring parks, many within easy reach of both the coast path and the open moor.

The terrain across Fylingdales is a genuine mix: exposed heather moorland rising towards RAF Fylingdales, gentler farmland around Fylingthorpe, and dramatic clifftop walking along the Cleveland Way towards Robin Hood's Bay and beyond. This variety makes it a rewarding base for walkers and cyclists, though the moor itself can be bleak and windswept, so it pays to choose a sheltered pitch, particularly outside the summer months.

Late spring through to early autumn is the best window for camping here, with July and August bringing the heather into full purple bloom across the high moor, and settled weather making the most of the coastal scenery. Midsummer evenings are long and the coastal light is superb for photography, though this is also when campsites and the village of Robin Hood's Bay are at their busiest. For those wanting a bit more comfort, glamping options in the wider area, including shepherd's huts and pods with moor or sea views, offer a way to enjoy the landscape without needing your own tent, and tend to book up well in advance for peak weeks.