Camping in Weare

The gently sloping, willow-lined countryside around Weare sits at the meeting point of the Mendip Hills and the flat expanse of the Somerset Levels, and this contrast of upland and lowland makes it an interesting, if low-key, area for camping. As with anywhere in England, wild camping is not permitted without the landowner's express permission — this is farmed, privately owned land, much of it drained pasture crossed by rhynes (the local name for the drainage ditches), so pitching up without asking is both illegal and impractical. Fortunately there are legitimate campsites within easy reach, particularly around Cheddar, Axbridge and the wider Mendip fringe, ranging from simple touring pitches to family-oriented sites with better facilities.

The terrain shapes what to expect: the Levels themselves are low, flat and can be prone to standing water and mist after wet weather, so spring through early autumn is the most comfortable window for camping, when the ground is drier and the days long enough to make the most of walks up onto the Mendip ridge or over to Cheddar Gorge. Midsummer weekends bring more visitors to sites near the gorge itself, so those wanting a quieter pitch often do better on the Levels side, closer to Weare, with the option of a short drive up into the hills for the day.

For those who prefer a roof but still want to be outdoors, glamping options — shepherd's huts, safari tents and converted farm buildings — have become increasingly common across this part of Somerset, offering a comfortable alternative to a tent while keeping the same rural, big-sky setting. Many working farms in the area now combine agriculture with a handful of glamping pitches or camping fields, which suits Weare's own character as a small, working village rather than a tourist centre — a genuinely quiet corner from which to explore the Mendips and the Levels.