Camping in Newton Burgoland

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.