Camping in Over

Camping around Over means making the most of classic Cambridgeshire Fenland: dead-flat, big-skied countryside laced with rivers, drains and droves, very different from the hills and coastline of the West Country but with its own quiet appeal for walkers, cyclists and birdwatchers. The flat terrain makes for easy pitching and easy cycling between sites, and the proximity of RSPB Ouse Fen means a tent or campervan here puts you within a short walk or ride of one of the region's best wildlife reserves, with reedbeds, bitterns, marsh harriers and, in autumn, spectacular starling murmurations right on the doorstep.

As with anywhere in England, wild camping is not permitted without the explicit permission of the landowner — the flat, well-farmed Fenland around Over is almost entirely private agricultural land, so pitching up in a field or beside the river without asking first is not an option. Instead, look to the small number of certified sites and farm campsites dotted around the surrounding villages, several of which welcome tents, campervans and caravans and offer a simple, low-key base for exploring the reserve and the river.

Spring through to autumn is the best window for camping here: the ground is drier, the reedbeds and orchards are at their most alive, and long summer evenings suit the flat, open landscape well. The Fens can feel exposed and windswept, so a sturdy tent and warm layers are worth packing even in summer, and winter camping is a much harder prospect given the lack of natural shelter. For those who'd rather skip the groundsheet altogether, a growing number of glamping options in the wider Cambridgeshire countryside — shepherd's huts, safari tents and static options on working farms — offer a comfortable way to experience the same reedbeds and river views without compromising on comfort.