Camping in Grafham

Grafham Water and its surrounding countryside make for a genuinely appealing camping destination, particularly for anyone drawn to watersports, walking or birdwatching. The most straightforward option is the bell tent village and camping pitches run directly by Grafham Water Centre, set on the northern bank of the reservoir with sailing, kayaking and paddleboarding on the doorstep, plus access to the perimeter trail for cycling and walking. It's a well-organised, staffed site rather than a rough or informal pitch, which suits families and first-time campers as much as watersports regulars.

As with anywhere in England, wild camping without the explicit permission of the landowner is not legal, so pitching up in the countryside around Grafham Water outside a designated site isn't an option, however tempting the reservoir views. Stick to established campsites and you'll still get plenty of that open-water, big-sky feel that makes this stretch of Cambridgeshire distinctive; the reservoir's scale means even a fairly full site rarely feels crowded once you're down by the water.

The terrain here is gentle by British standards, flat to gently rolling arable countryside interrupted by the reservoir itself and pockets of ancient woodland at its western nature reserve, so it suits campers who want easy walking and cycling rather than hill country. Grass pitches can hold water after heavy rain given the clay-heavy Cambridgeshire soil, so a good groundsheet is worth packing.

Late spring to early autumn is the best window, when the water is warm enough for swimming and paddling and the site's facilities run at full capacity; this is also when the reservoir's birdlife and wildflowers are most active along the nature trails. For those who prefer a roof over their heads without giving up the outdoor feel, the bell tents at Grafham Water Centre offer a comfortable middle ground between camping and a proper bed, already made up and ready on arrival.