Camping in Horningsea

Horningsea sits in the heart of the Cambridgeshire Fens, a flat, watery landscape of drained marshland, dykes and wide skies that has been shaped by centuries of human effort to hold back the water. As in the rest of England, wild camping without the landowner's explicit permission is illegal here, so anyone wanting to camp near Horningsea should look to established, licensed campsites in the surrounding countryside rather than pitching up on riverbanks or farmland.

The terrain around the village is gently low-lying and can be soft or waterlogged underfoot, particularly close to the River Cam and its associated dykes, so campsites tend to sit on slightly firmer ground a little further from the water's edge. Cambridgeshire's wider camping scene includes a mix of simple rural sites, farm campsites and more developed touring parks, many geared towards families and those exploring Cambridge, Ely and the Fens by bike or on foot.

Late spring through early autumn is the best window for camping in this part of Cambridgeshire, when the Fens are at their driest and most hospitable and long evenings make the most of the flat, open landscape and big skies the region is known for. Outside these months, the Fens can feel bleak and exposed, with cold winds sweeping unimpeded across the open fields, so it is worth checking site opening dates carefully as many rural sites close over winter.

For those who prefer a roof over their head without giving up the outdoor feel, glamping options in the wider Cambridgeshire area, from shepherd's huts to yurts and pods, offer a comfortable way to enjoy the Fen countryside, the River Cam and the area's Roman and Saxon history without needing your own tent.