Camping in Highbridge

Highbridge and the surrounding Somerset Levels are flat, quiet country with plenty of appeal for campers, but the same rule applies here as everywhere else in England: wild camping without the landowner's permission is against the law, whether that is on farmland, drained marsh or the grazing pasture that makes up much of this landscape. Anyone wanting to sleep out under the wide Somerset skies needs to book a proper campsite or caravan park, or get explicit permission from whoever owns the land.

The good news is that this part of Somerset is well set up for it. The coast around Burnham-on-Sea, Berrow and Brean, just a few miles from Highbridge, has one of the highest concentrations of caravan parks and campsites in the South West, ranging from large holiday parks with pools and entertainment to smaller, quieter touring and camping fields further inland on the Levels. Being close to the M5 and the Bristol to Exeter railway line, Highbridge itself makes a handy, low-key base if you would rather stay a little away from the busiest seaside sites while still being minutes from the beach at Berrow.

Spring through early autumn is the best window for camping here, with the Somerset Levels at their driest and the coast at its most welcoming; this low-lying ground can get wet underfoot outside the summer months, so a pitch with reasonable drainage is worth checking for. For anyone who would rather skip the tent altogether, glamping options across the wider area, from bell tents to shepherd's huts and static caravans, offer a comfortable way to enjoy the Levels and the coast without the packing list, and are worth booking early for the peak summer weeks.