Camping in Rathmell

Rathmell and the surrounding Ribble Valley offer good, low-key camping country on the southern fringe of the Yorkshire Dales National Park, with the river, the Ribble Way footpath and open fell all within easy reach. As with everywhere in England, wild camping is illegal without the landowner's permission, so stick to established campsites and farm pitches rather than pitching on open fell or riverbank, however tempting the spot looks.

The terrain here is classic limestone dale country: gently rising pasture and drystone walls close to the river giving way to steeper, more exposed fell as you climb toward Pen-y-ghent and the higher ground around Horton in Ribblesdale. Farm campsites in the area tend to be simple and quiet, often with basic facilities, water and sometimes electric hook-up, and make a good match for the unfussy character of villages like Rathmell itself. Sites closer to Settle and Stainforth offer more in the way of showers, shops and family facilities, and put you within easy walking distance of the waterfalls and the town.

Late spring through early autumn is the best window for camping here, when the ground is drier, the days are long, and the river is at its most inviting for a cooling dip after a walk. Midge activity picks up in the wooded ghylls during warm, still spells in midsummer, so it is worth packing repellent. Outside this window the fells can be wet, windy and cold even when the valley floor feels mild, so autumn and winter camping trips need proper waterproof kit and a realistic sense of the exposed terrain above the village.

Glamping has grown steadily across the wider Ribblesdale and Settle area, with converted barns, shepherd's huts, safari tents and pods offering a more comfortable alternative to a traditional tent while keeping the same access to the Ribble Way, Stainforth Force and the Three Peaks. These tend to book up well in advance for summer weekends, so early planning pays off if you want to combine a comfortable stay with Rathmell's quiet, unspoilt setting.