Camping in Whicham

Whicham sits at the foot of Black Combe, and its open, grassy slopes look tempting for a night under canvas, but it is important to be clear that wild camping without the landowner's permission is illegal in England, including here. Black Combe and the surrounding fellside are farmed land, not open-access wild camping country in the way parts of Scotland or Dartmoor are, so any pitch needs the farmer or landowner's agreement in advance. The safest and simplest option remains a proper campsite or a farm pitch let with permission.

That said, this stretch of the west Cumbrian coast is good camping country if you find the right spot. The terrain is a mix of exposed, windswept fell above and gentler farmland and dunes towards the coast at Silecroft, so a sheltered, low-lying pitch is far more comfortable than trying to camp high on Black Combe itself, where weather can turn quickly even in summer. Look for small, independent campsites and certified sites in the villages around Whicham, Silecroft and towards Millom, several of which offer basic facilities alongside easy access to the beach and the fell paths.

Late spring through early autumn is the best window, when the churchyard daffodils have given way to longer days and drier ground, though this coast is never as sheltered as the central lakes and can be breezy at any time of year, so a sturdy tent and good waterproofs are worth packing regardless of season. For those who would rather skip the guy ropes altogether, glamping pods, shepherd's huts and static caravans are increasingly available in this part of Cumbria, offering a comfortable base with the same views of Black Combe and the Duddon estuary without the need to pitch your own tent. Whichever way you choose to stay, always confirm permission and facilities with the site directly before you arrive, since this remains a working farming landscape rather than a managed tourist campground network.