Purple Badger Camping
UK England East Midlands Leicestershire Leicester
On the border between Rutland and Leicestershire, Purple Badger Camping sits happily on the fence. And we don’t just mean geographically speaking; it’s part luxury glamping and part off-grid camping. It’s also part camping ground and part fishing lakes. Plus, while this rural, lakeside location is all about enjoying the countryside, it’s surprisingly close to the city – less than ten miles outside Leicester.
Whether you’re escaping from the city or wanting to visit it during a stay, Purple Badger Camping certainly gives no hint of urban life. The lakes are surrounded by woodland and wildlife, and have been open to fishermen for more than 40 years. They are well stocked; with roach, perch, tench and small carp in the lower lake and larger carp in the upper one. For those who fancy a spot of fishing with their camping, this place is a dream come true but, even for those who aren’t bringing a rod, the watery backdrop is a draw. The fact that campfires are allowed here is another.
There are just nine spacious camping pitches in the site’s car-free lower field with wildflowers left to grow between them. Two of the pitches are occupied by Purple Badger’s own bell tents; unfurnished Val and furnished Millie. Moving further up the site and further up the glamping scale, there are two shepherd huts, Logan and Jude. These are fully furnished with a kitchenette and en-suite facilities. They also enjoy a separate location overlooking the top lake and have their own fishing pegs to boot. The surrounding trees mean campfires aren’t allowed in this spot – but who cares when there’s a log burner inside?
The tents and huts, have been named after the children of site owners, Mark and Helen and you might see the youngest two helping out around site. The family’s years of experience on camping holidays have informed many of the well-thought out touches: the fire pits, mobile phone charging lockers and The Badger’s Den - an undercover shared space for rainy days. There’s a freezer for ice packs and there are separate loo cabins and upcycled horsebox showers with a sink in each; all of which point to owners who know what campers want. You might come here for the fishing or as a quick getaway from Leicester or Nottingham. You might book a stay so you can visit nearby Rutland Water or the National Space Centre but we reckon it’ll be the excellent camping experience that will have you longing to come back.
Our Best Price Guarantee
We guarantee our prices at Cool Camping are the same, or lower, than booking elsewhere. If not, tell us, and we’ll match it or beat it. Click here to read the full terms
Gallery
Details
Facilities
Shepherd huts are kitted out for two with a double bed, a kitchenette featuring a two-ring electric hob, kettle, toaster, fridge, cookware, tableware and cutlery. Each also has an en-suite waterless composting toilet and shower. Outside, each has outdoor seating and two fishing pegs on the top lake. Bell tents are five metres and pitched on their own decks with outdoor seating, a fire pit and logs included. Millie is furnished with a double bed and two single camp beds and has cooking equipment provided including a camping stove, cookware and tableware. Campers (including bell tent campers) share two toilets and two horsebox showers, each with their own sink. There is also an undercover shelter with seating called The Badger’s Den and another shared area, The Old Chicken Shed, with two washing-up sinks, a communal fridge and freezer and mobile phone charging lockers (extra charge). There’s on-site fishing on two lakes (free for shepherd hut guests, extra charge for campers). Campfires are allowed in designated fire-pit areas and logs are for sale at £5 a bag.
Suitable For
Campers, glampers, fishermen – yes. Dogs, caravans, campervans – no.
Nearby
You need only step outside your camping or glamping accommodation to go fishing (booking in advance is recommended) but for other water-based activities try Rutland Water (20 miles away). This reservoir and waterpark is a popular spot for walking, running, cycling, birdwatching and watersports - not to mention more fishing. There are two more lakes along with thrills and spills at Twinlakes, a family theme and farm park just over 10 miles away just outside the market town of Melton Mowbray. For an undercover activity, try The National Space Centre (0116 2582107), which is just eight miles from site and home to the UK’s largest planetarium. The city of Leicester is also only eight miles away where there’s plenty to see and do. Current events and attractions can be found on the Visit Leicester website – but history buffs won’t want to miss the King Richard III Visitor Centre (0300 300 0900).
Food & Drink
At the weekends The Coffee Cart is open on site serving fresh coffee, tea and bacon and egg sandwiches. There are plenty of pubs in the villages near site including The Golden Fleece (01664 840275) in South Croxton which is the closest, just a mile-and-a-half away, and The Malt Shovel (0116 2692558), three miles away in Barkby. The Cheney Arms (01664 840260) is a little further but still within five miles. There’s a recommended coffee shop and farm shop three miles down the road, Roots at Thorpe Farm (0116 2608531). Also recommended is cafe and cycle centre, Cafe Ventoux, about nine miles from site where there are often sporting events and meets too.
Opening Times
Camping and bell tents March–October. Shepherd huts all year.
Why book with Cool Camping?
- Best Price Guarantee, with no fees
- Instant booking confirmation
- Trusted for over 10 years
- A chance to win prizes in our regular competitions
The Owner Says
Nestling on the borders of Rutland & Leicestershire, our two fishing lakes sit amongst woodland and wildlife. Two shepherds huts rest on the edge of the top lake ready for relaxation, fishing and star-gazing .
Enjoy camping in our bottom field where you can cook on open fires next to your own tent or sleep in one of our resident bell tents which are available for you to hire either furnished or unfurnished if you fancy bringing some of your home comforts with you.
Accommodation
Two shepherd’s huts, two bell tents and seven grassy pitches.
Tent Pitch with fire pit - Mr Badger
Millie Bell Tent Glamping Pitch
Val Bell Tent Glamping Pitch (unfurnished)
Shepherd's Hut - Jude
Shepherd's Hut - Logan
Location
Contact Purple Badger Camping, Purple Badger Camping & Fishing Lakes, Croxton Road, Beeby, Leicestershire LE7 3BH
Getting There
From Leicester head towards Scraptoft and Beeby. Soon after passing Beeby’s medieval All Saints Church, turn right on to Croxton Road. After about half a mile Purple Badger Camping and Fishing Lakes will be on the right.
The nearest train station is at Syston from where it is easy to get a taxi to site (a 12-minute journey) and there are occasional buses which can drop you (on request) at a stop right outside the campsite too. The bus route also connects with Melton Mowbray and Leicester. The campsite is also just off Sustrans Route 48 which is part of the National Cycle Network
Reviews
Add Your ReviewBe the first to leave a review!
Why book with Cool Camping?
- Best Price Guarantee, with no fees
- Instant booking confirmation
- Trusted for over 10 years
- A chance to win prizes in our regular competitions
