Camping in Heath House

Heath House sits on the flat, low-lying Somerset Levels, which is not the easiest terrain for camping without the right preparation: the ground can be waterlogged for long stretches of the year, and there are no formal campsites in the hamlet itself. As with everywhere in England, wild camping is not permitted without the landowner's express permission, so any pitch needs to be at a licensed site or arranged directly with a farm or landowner.

The nearby Mendip Hills offer firmer, drier ground and a better prospect for campers, with a scatter of small campsites and farm-based sites within a short drive, particularly around Cheddar and the villages along the ridge. These tend to suit tents and small campervans rather than large touring outfits, and many are seasonal, so it is worth checking opening dates before setting off, especially outside the main summer months.

Late spring to early autumn is the most reliable window for camping in this part of Somerset, when the Levels are at their driest and the Mendip evenings are long and mild. Outside this window, the combination of rain and low-lying ground can make tent camping uncomfortable, and flooding is not unusual on the Levels themselves during a wet winter.

For those who would rather not pitch a tent, glamping offers a comfortable alternative and is increasingly common in this part of Somerset, with shepherd's huts, yurts and safari tents available at farm sites around Wedmore, Cheddar and the wider Mendip area. These give a taste of the outdoors, with the Mendip ridge for walking by day, without the risk of a soggy pitch if the Levels weather turns.