Camping in Melton Mowbray

Camping around Melton Mowbray means gentle, well-farmed Leicestershire countryside rather than dramatic wilderness, but that is very much part of its appeal: rolling Wolds scenery, quiet lanes and villages, and easy access to a market town famous for its food. As with the rest of England, wild camping is not legal here without the landowner's permission, so it is worth sticking to licensed campsites and certified sites in the villages around Melton, many of which are run by working farms and offer a proper taste of rural Leicestershire. Sites tend to be small and peaceful rather than large holiday parks, with grass pitches for tents and tourers, and some offering electric hook-up for motorhomes and caravans passing through on the way to Rutland Water or the Vale of Belvoir.

The camping season here generally runs from Easter through to the end of September, when the weather is kindest and evenings are long enough to enjoy a campfire or a walk along the River Eye before dark. Summer weekends coincide with Melton's food festival and Piefest, so campers who time a visit well can combine a countryside stay with the town's biggest culinary events, while a farmers' market runs on Tuesdays and Fridays year-round for fresh supplies. Spring and early autumn are quieter and can be just as rewarding, with mild days good for walking and cycling around the surrounding villages and along the disused canal that once linked Melton to the River Trent.

For a more comfortable alternative, several sites around Melton and the nearby Vale of Belvoir offer glamping in shepherd's huts, safari tents or converted farm buildings, often with the option of pre-ordered local produce, including, fittingly, a genuine Melton Mowbray pork pie waiting on arrival. These make a good option for a first camping trip or a short countryside break, combining an easy stay with proximity to the town's markets, museum and food shops, as well as day trips to Rutland Water and Belvoir Castle.