Camping in Huntingdon

Cambridgeshire's flat, water-threaded landscape around Huntingdon is gentle rather than dramatic, but the Ouse Valley has genuine appeal for campers who enjoy riverside scenery, easy cycling and quiet countryside within reach of a historic town. As with anywhere in England, wild camping without the landowner's permission is not legal here, so pitching up in Hinchingbrooke Country Park or along the riverbank without prior arrangement is not an option; instead, the area around Huntingdon has a number of established campsites and caravan parks, particularly along the Ouse Valley towards St Ives and Godmanchester, offering pitches for tents, campervans and touring caravans within easy reach of the river.

Many of these sites make the most of the flat, water-meadow terrain, with level pitches, good access for larger units, and proximity to towpaths that are ideal for cycling into Huntingdon itself or further along the Great Ouse towards St Ives and beyond. The gentle gradient of the valley also makes it a comfortable choice for families and less experienced campers, without the steep climbs or exposed conditions found in hillier parts of the country. Anglers are well served too, with the river and nearby gravel-pit lakes offering coarse fishing close to several sites.

The best camping season around Huntingdon runs from late spring to early autumn, when long daylight hours, generally settled weather and the full range of local campsite facilities are all in play; many smaller sites reduce services or close entirely over winter. For those who would rather skip the tent altogether, a growing number of glamping options in the surrounding villages offer pods, shepherd's huts and safari tents with proper beds and heating, giving a taste of the outdoors without sacrificing home comforts. Whichever way you camp, Huntingdon's combination of riverside scenery and genuine history makes it a worthwhile, low-key base for a Cambridgeshire break.