Camping in Shildon

Shildon itself is a small town rather than a camping destination, but it sits within easy reach of some genuinely lovely County Durham countryside, and campsites and caravan parks are dotted across the wider Wear Valley and Durham Dales. As in the rest of England, wild camping without the landowner's permission is illegal here, so stick to registered sites, certified locations or farms offering pitches with the owner's consent. The rolling hills around Weardale and the edges of the North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty are within a 30-40 minute drive, offering proper hillwalking country, rivers and quiet lanes for cycling. Spring through early autumn is the best window for camping here, when the weather is milder and the long summer evenings suit an evening walk after pitching up; County Durham winters can be cold and wet, so this is very much a fair-weather pursuit unless you are well equipped. For those who prefer a roof over their heads without giving up the outdoors feel, glamping pods, shepherd's huts and static caravans have become increasingly popular across the region, often set on working farms with views over the dale. Wherever you pitch, County Durham's countryside rewards an early start - misty mornings over the fields near Hamsterley Forest or the Wear Valley are a proper reminder of why this corner of England is worth the detour, even if Shildon's own claim to fame is industrial rather than pastoral.