Camping in Leyburn

Leyburn and the surrounding stretch of Wensleydale offer some of the more understated camping and glamping country in the Yorkshire Dales, with sites tucked into farmland along the River Ure and up the quieter side valleys towards Coverdale and Swaledale. As with everywhere in England, wild camping is not permitted without the explicit permission of the landowner, so stick to registered campsites, caravan parks and the handful of certified sites (CLs and CSs) run by working farms in the area, several of which offer simple pitches with views straight up to the Shawl or across to Penhill.

The terrain around Leyburn is gentler than the high fells further north around Swaledale, with rolling pasture, drystone walls and easy access to lower-level walking routes, which makes it a comfortable choice for families or anyone new to camping in the Dales. Sites further up the dale towards Askrigg and Hawes sit closer to open moorland and the classic limestone scenery of Wensleydale, for campers wanting something a little wilder within a short drive.

The camping season here runs broadly from Easter to the end of September, with June, July and August offering the most reliable weather, longer evenings and the best chance of catching local events like the Wensleydale Show. Spring brings newborn lambs to the surrounding fields and fresher, quieter sites before the summer rush; autumn can be beautiful but nights turn cold quickly once the clocks change. Several farms around Leyburn and Middleham have added glamping pods, safari tents or shepherd's huts in recent years, giving a fixed-roof alternative with the same dale views and a good option for anyone wanting to try the area without committing to a tent, especially given how changeable Dales weather can be even in midsummer.