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Great Haywood Canalside Campsite

98%
·
· Staffordshire, Staffordshire, England
4.9421 acres hosted by Patrick H.
8 tent pitches
Best all-round: Finalist
Named one of the best Hipcamps to visit in 2023.
Patrick is a Star Host
Star Hosts are highly rated, responsive, and committed to providing incredible experiences.
Best in Central England: Finalist
Named one of the best Hipcamps to visit in 2023.
The simplest of canalside campsites with narrowboats chugging past and an award-winning farm shop over the road

A canalside location, a farm shop over the road, and a pub within walking distance are some of the headline features of Great Haywood Canalside Campsite. It’s also on the edge of an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and just 100 metres from a National Trust estate that’s reached via a walk over a historic bridge. But before you rush to book, take note of what it hasn’t got: frills. There are none. No showers, no electricity, and no flushing loos either.

This is the simplest of campsites with four chemical toilets and a drinking water tap to cater to your basic needs. You book online, let yourself in, and choose your own pitch in a flat four-acre field. Farmer Nick will be round to check on you later but it’s fair to say that confident, self-sufficient campers only need apply. What makes this place worthy of mention is its 100-metre frontage on the Trent & Mersey Canal at Great Haywood Junction.

Pitch your tent facing the water (you’ll want to with the edge of the village behind) and you’ll have views of colourful narrowboats plying the waters. A marina sits on the other side of the canal and, if life on the water is calling you, there’s always the chance of day hire. Or, if you have a canoe, you can launch it just outside the site.

Back on dry land, the adventures are just as interesting, you only need to cross the bridge next to the site to get on the towpath and join the Staffordshire Way. In one direction this long-distance footpath will take you to the nearby village of Little Haywood, in the other and you’re soon crossing an ancient packhorse bridge into the National Trust’s Shugborough Estate. Pass through the parkland or pay up to explore the mansion house and gardens here. By now you’re in the Cannock Chase Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and for a proper hike the options are pretty much endless.

Great Haywood Campsite is not situated in an uncomplicated beauty spot. It’s on the edge of the village, and while it’s pretty, peaceful, and mostly green, there are buildings within sight of your pitch and a railway and a road within earshot (though the occasional whoosh of passing electric trains ceases at night). It also means there’s a pub and a farm shop with a cafe close by. For far-reaching views or camping with bells on look elsewhere, but for a simple weekend of canalside camping in the West Midlands with plenty of walks and farm-fresh produce in your picnic hamper, you’d be hard pushed to find anywhere better.

Grass field next to the canal junction next to the village of Great Haywood, picturesque views, cafes shops pubs within 10 min walk. Great location
Activities
Hiking
Paddling
Natural features
River, stream, or creek
Field
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98%
20 Ratings · 13 reviews
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Rachel M.recommends
August 15, 2023
Canalside Camping
Great location, relaxed atmosphere. Basic clean facilities
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Jessica B.recommends
August 13, 2023
Canalside Camping
Brilliant basic site. Perfect location for everything. Staying again next week!
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Oliver I.recommends
August 13, 2023
Canalside Camping
Excellent site. Firepits for rent. Lovely views and loads to do nearby.
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Claire B.recommends
August 29, 2022
Canalside Camping
Canal side camping at its best!
Great little site in a fab location. Pete the caretaker was a lovely guy always willing to help and give any information needed. Loved how it was on the side of the canal. Will defo return!!
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Tim L.recommends
August 29, 2022
Canalside Camping
Nice walks along the canal tow path with a pub and spar shop a short walking distance away, a cafe with canalside views opposite the campsite with pick your own fruit and farm shop, toilets on site also a fresh water supply, non electric campsite ideal for campers & small motorhomes,firepits can be hired on site with log bundles for sale,open rural location with countryside views..
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Patrick O.recommends
August 15, 2022
Canalside Camping
Helpful tidy and lovely surrounding area
Location
Staffordshire, Staffordshire, England, United KingdomTraditional, ancestral territory of various First Nations according to To respect the Host's privacy, the precise address of this land will be provided after booking
Hosted by Patrick H.Joined in June 2021
From the host
A relaxed rural campsite on the edge of Cannock Chase overlooking canal junction and opposite a farm shop and cafe with Clifford Arms Public House 10-minute walk away.
Nearby attractions
The site is next to the Great Haywood Junction where the Trent and Mersey Canal meets the Staffordshire and Worcestershire Canal. Just over the waterway, there's a farm shop and cafe (see below) where you can pick your own fruit and vegetables, when in season. It's also the starting point for some great walks and cycle routes which are detailed on the cafe's website. The Staffordshire Millenium Way and the Two Priests Way, two long-distance footpaths, pass close by. About 100 metres away you reach the edge of the National Trust's Shugborough Estate (01889 880166) to explore the mansion house, gardens, and parkland there. The village sits on the edge of the Cannock Chase Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and just six miles east of Stafford. If you fancy taking to the water, you can launch canoes from just outside the site and follow a nine-mile circular route on the canal and river. If you fancy something more sturdy, how about hiring a narrowboat for the day (you'll want to book in advance) from Anglo-Welsh (01173 041122) at the marina opposite site?
Food and drink
Just over the road, there's an award-winning Canalside Farm Shop and cafe (01889 881747) with seasonal pick-you-own fruit and vegetables too and just down the road, there's a Spar general store and a pub, The Clifford Arms (01889 881321) which is dog friendly and serves pub grub. There are a further two pubs about a mile away in Little Haywood, The Red Lion (01889 881314) and The Lamb and Flag (01889 881501).
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