Newton Burgoland

Newton Burgoland has no hotels of its own, being a small rural village rather than a tourist town, so anyone wanting a proper bed for the night is best looking to nearby Ashby-de-la-Zouch or Measham. Ashby-de-la-Zouch, a handsome market town a short drive east, has the widest choice locally: traditional coaching inns and pubs with rooms sit alongside small independent hotels and guesthouses, many within walking distance of the town's ruined castle and its cafes and shops. Measham, closer still to Newton Burgoland, has a smaller selection of pub accommodation and B&Bs, useful for a simple overnight stay without the need to drive further afield.

Because this corner of North West Leicestershire sits within the National Forest, a number of properties in the surrounding villages and market towns have leaned into that identity, offering countryside views, walking routes from the door and proximity to attractions like Conkers. Staying in or around Ashby also puts Bosworth Battlefield, Calke Abbey and Staunton Harold Reservoir within easy striking distance, so it works well as a base for a few days of gentle countryside exploring rather than just a single-night stop.

Booking ahead is sensible, particularly around school holidays when family attractions in the National Forest draw more visitors, but this remains a quiet part of the county where availability is rarely a serious problem outside peak weekends. Expect straightforward, comfortable options rather than large hotel chains: this is pub-and-guesthouse territory, in keeping with the unhurried character of the villages themselves.

The village itself is small, but it makes a peaceful base for exploring the National Forest and the market towns of North West Leicestershire.

• The Belper Arms — reputedly Leicestershire's oldest pub, with parts of the building dating to the 13th century; worth a visit for the history as much as a pint.
• Conkers — a National Forest visitor attraction near Moira with indoor and outdoor activities for families, woodland trails and a discovery centre, a short drive from the village.
• Ashby-de-la-Zouch — a handsome market town with a ruined medieval castle (Ashby Castle, English Heritage), independent shops and cafes, a few miles east.
• Bosworth Battlefield Heritage Centre — near Market Bosworth, marking the site associated with the 1485 Battle of Bosworth Field, within easy reach to the south.
• Staunton Harold Reservoir and Calke Abbey — a National Trust estate of parkland, walled gardens and an unrestored mansion, a scenic drive north of the village.

The Belper Arms is the obvious stop in the village itself, trading on its status as one of Leicestershire's oldest pubs alongside a straightforward pub food menu. Beyond the village, Ashby-de-la-Zouch and Measham have a wider choice of pubs, cafes and restaurants, making them the natural place to head for a bigger night out.

Newton Burgoland sits within reach of the National Forest, the 200-square-mile regeneration project across Leicestershire, Derbyshire and Staffordshire that has planted millions of trees since the 1990s, making this part of the East Midlands increasingly appealing for a countryside camping trip. As with anywhere in England, wild camping is not legal without the landowner's permission, so a pitch at a proper campsite or a farm with a permitted camping field is the way to go; there is no equivalent here to the informal wild camping tolerated in parts of Scotland or Dartmoor. The terrain around the village is gentle lowland farmland interspersed with young forest plantations, so this is easy, approachable camping country rather than rugged wilderness, well suited to families and those new to camping.

Spring through early autumn is the best window, when the forest is in leaf, campsites are fully open and evenings are long enough for a fire and a late walk. Summer school holidays bring the busiest period, particularly around family-oriented attractions like Conkers, so booking ahead matters if you want a pitch near the more popular sites. Autumn brings good colour across the National Forest's plantations and can be a rewarding, quieter time to camp, while winter camping in this part of Leicestershire is a much smaller-scale, hardier undertaking given the shorter days and wetter ground.

For those who prefer a roof over their heads without giving up the outdoors feel, glamping has grown steadily across the National Forest area, with options ranging from simple pods and yurts to fully-equipped safari tents, often on farms diversifying their land alongside traditional camping pitches. Facilities vary a good deal between sites in this rural area, so it is worth checking directly on toilets, showers and electric hook-up before booking, especially at smaller, more informal fields. Either way, Newton Burgoland's position close to the forest, Ashby-de-la-Zouch and Bosworth Battlefield makes it a handy, low-key base for a few nights under canvas.