Camping in Raygarth

Wild camping without the landowner's permission is illegal in England, including throughout Cumbria and the surrounding Lune Valley and Yorkshire Dales countryside, so plan on a proper campsite or a farm pitch where the owner has explicitly agreed to your stay. The good news is that this part of the country has no shortage of options, from simple rugby-club and farm campsites on the edge of Kirkby Lonsdale to more established touring parks with electric hook-ups, showers and laundry facilities.

The terrain around Raygarth is gentle valley pasture and riverside meadow rather than high fell, so pitches tend to be well-sheltered, with easy walking straight from the tent to the River Lune or into town. Head further north towards the Lake District proper or up onto the Yorkshire Dales tops and conditions become considerably more exposed, so pack accordingly if you are planning longer walks from your base. Ground can stay soft after rain thanks to the valley's clay-heavy soils, so a sturdy set of pegs and a groundsheet earn their keep, and it is always worth checking site-specific rules on campfires and awnings before you pitch.

May to September is the most reliable window for camping here, when most seasonal sites are open and the days are long enough for evening walks along the river. School holidays bring the busiest weeks, particularly around the Thursday Charter Market and any local events in Kirkby Lonsdale, so book ahead if you want a specific pitch in July or August. Outside these months, a handful of sites stay open year-round for the hardier camper, though facilities may be reduced.

If canvas and guy ropes are not for you, glamping has taken hold across Cumbria and the Dales in recent years, and pods, shepherd's huts and yurts within a short drive of Raygarth offer a warmer alternative with most of the outdoor feel intact, generally at a premium over a standard pitch but well below the cost of a hotel room.