Camping in High Marishes

Camping around High Marishes means pitching in classic Vale of Pickering countryside: flat, sheltered arable farmland giving way, just a few miles north, to the rising moorland of the North York Moors National Park. As with anywhere in England, wild camping is illegal without the landowner's permission, so plan on a proper campsite or a farm that offers pitches, several of which are dotted through the vale and towards the moors edge. The gently rolling, well-drained land here tends to cope better with wet weather than the exposed moorland further north, which makes it a sensible choice for a shoulder-season trip when the higher ground can turn boggy.

The best camping weather runs from late spring to early autumn, roughly May to September, when long daylight hours suit both exploring the vale by day and sitting out at the pitch in the evening. July and August are the busiest months, particularly for sites closer to Pickering and the steam railway, so booking ahead is wise if you want a specific spot in peak summer. Outside these months the vale is very quiet, and while a well-equipped autumn or spring trip can still be rewarding, exposed sites nearer the moors can get cold and wet once the weather turns.

For those who would rather skip the tent, glamping options in the wider area range from simple wooden pods and shepherd's huts to fully-equipped safari tents, typically found on working farms around Malton and Pickering. These give a comfortable, low-effort way to enjoy the same rural setting, with proper beds and often a wood-burner or hot tub, while still being close enough to walk or cycle into the farmland lanes around High Marishes and Low Marishes. Whichever option you choose, the appeal here is the quiet: this is unspoilt working farmland rather than a tourist honeypot, so evenings tend to be dark, still and full of stars.