Camping in Richmond, North Yorkshire

Richmond's camping and touring options sit just outside the town rather than in it, spread along the Swale valley and up into Swaledale, which suits the area well: most people pitching a tent or parking a caravan here are doing it as a base for walking, cycling or exploring the dale rather than for the town itself. The closest sites are a couple of miles out on the edge of Richmond, keeping the castle, theatre and shops within easy reach by bike or a short drive, while others sit further up the valley towards Leyburn and Reeth, trading a little distance from Richmond for a quieter, more rural setting closer to the fells.

Facilities across the area tend towards family-run, long-established parks rather than large commercial holiday centres: expect serviced touring pitches with electric hook-up, well-kept shower blocks, and in some cases fishing lakes, glamping pods or static caravans alongside the tent and touring pitches. Wi-fi is increasingly standard but patchy in the more rural sites, which suits the area's appeal as a place to switch off. Dogs are welcome at all three sites below, reflecting Swaledale's status as prime walking country.

The camping season generally runs from March to October or early November, in line with most Dales sites, and it is worth booking ahead for peak summer weekends and for the Swaledale Festival period in late May and early June, when accommodation of every kind in the area fills up quickly. Whichever site you choose, Richmond, Leyburn and Reeth are all within a short drive, giving easy access to shops, pubs and the wider run of Dales attractions without needing to move your pitch.