Camping in Theale

Theale sits on the flat, low-lying Somerset Levels, a landscape of drained wetland criss-crossed by drainage rhynes, droves and footpaths, with the Mendip Hills rising to the north. It is a landscape that rewards a slower pace, whether on foot, by bike or from a tent, but it is also worth knowing before you set off that wild camping is not legal in England without the landowner’s permission, unlike in parts of Scotland. Anyone wanting to camp near Theale needs to book a proper site or ask permission directly, rather than pitching up on the Levels themselves, which are largely farmland and nature reserve.

That said, the wider area around Wedmore, Cheddar and the Mendip Hills has a reasonable spread of campsites and glamping options, from simple farm fields to more developed touring and camping parks with facilities aimed at families and walkers. The flat terrain of the Levels themselves makes for easy, sheltered camping compared with the more exposed high ground of the Mendips further north, though the low-lying land can be prone to damp ground and standing water after wet weather, so a pitch with reasonable drainage is worth seeking out. Sites closer to Cheddar and the gorge tend to be geared towards visitors exploring the caves and cliffs, while those around Wedmore and further into the Levels suit people happy with a quieter, more rural stay.

Spring through to early autumn is the most reliable camping season here, when the ground is drier and the long evenings suit walking the droves or cycling the quiet lanes around Theale and Wedmore. Glamping has also taken hold across Somerset in recent years, and the wider area has a growing number of shepherd’s huts, safari tents and pods aimed at those who want the setting without the full camping kit, often on working farms with views towards the Mendips or across the open Levels themselves.