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Howgill Lodge Caravan & Camping Par…

96%
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· North Yorkshire, North Yorkshire, England
1 acre hosted by Oliver P.
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A well-laid out campsite in the Yorkshire Dales with views across the Wharfe Valley

It’s never fun to pitch your tent on a slope. There are plenty of campsites in the mountains with good views but finding a place like Howgill Lodge, which is both tucked into a view-tastic hillside but also perfectly terraced so that your pitch is flat, well, in the Yorkshire Dales, that’s nothing short of a minor miracle.

Near the foot of Simon’s Seat, a 1,600-foot mountain reached via a steep path from the campsite, Howgill Lodge is an ideally-placed ramblers’ campsite with good facilities and ample space. A gravel track leads from the old stone reception building, first past a series of hardstandings and then down through four terraces, each backed by a drystone wall and with picnic benches laid out, ready for the day's campers to arrive. Birch trees and the odd oak break up the space and, at the bottom, the camping area doglegs around to another long, tent-friendly paddock that’s a little more private at quieter times (though a longer walk from the facilities). In summer time, when the trees are green, the sun's out and ivy creeps along the patchwork of drystone walls, it's a layout worthy of the camping version of Capability Brown.

The general ambience here is laid back. Campfires are allowed in firepits, well-behaved dogs are welcome and there’s an easy-going mix of walkers and families. The former come to hike the fells or walk the 80-mile-long Dales Way (which passes 500 yards from the campsite), while the latter might not walk much further than the River Wharfe for a swim (about half a mile; 10 minutes with the kids). Nearby Bolton Abbey, with a magnificent ruined priory and a picture-worthy picnic area reached via stepping stones, is also a great place to spend the day, while young ones will particular enjoy Hesketh Farm Park or a ride on Thomas the Tank Engine, which runs on the Embsay and Bolton Abbey Steam Railway, 15 minutes’ drive away.

Activities
Biking
Hiking
Natural features
Forest
Mountainous
Field
Not currently accepting bookings on Hipcamp
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Campers also viewed...
96%
38 Ratings · 34 reviews
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Claire W.recommends
August 28, 2023
Up to 3m x 6m Electric Grass Pitch
We stayed at howgill lodge campsite on the bank holiday weekend August 23 and even though the weather wasn't brilliant we really enjoyed ourselves. We had a mishap with the doors (new campers leaving the door open to the elements whilst we went walking) we rang reception, Katie very kindly closed the doors and mopped up the sodden carpet 😦. The chaps very kindly helped us on leaving day when the battery on the car went flat! Felt like everything was against us but the staff helped us through, massive thanks to you all and the campers around us (pitch 15) we may even do it again next year! 😄
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Kate H.recommends
August 18, 2023
Up to 8m x 6m Electric Grass Pitch
Camping perfection
Beautiful views. Lovely showers Great site amenities Cute alpacas! Great local area
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Salima B.recommends
May 8, 2023
Up to 7.5M Single Axle Caravan +EHU
Perfectly positioned site for exploring a beautiful area! The river Wharf is stunning. Good sized pitch with beautiful views across the valley. Handy little shop and lovely new modern facilities. The staff are lovely, friendly and helpful. The site had a nice chilled feel to it. The grass area on our pitch was very peaty and was very waterlogged, part of it was churned up and muddy. The hard standing comprised of big stones and was pretty much impossible to peg our awning into it.
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Dom I.doesn't recommend
April 26, 2023
Up to 7.5M Single Axle Caravan +EHU
Terrible
Terrible customer service, unhelpful, unreasonable. Stay away, spend your money elsewhere.
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John Y.recommends
August 24, 2022
Luxury Timber Lodges
Lovely fitted out cabin with good facilities
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Gill K.recommends
August 19, 2022
8m Single/Double Axle Caravan +EHU
Fantastic!
We loved this site and would definitely return. We had a pitch for a motorhome, well sited, hook up and plenty of space for us and our neighbours. Excellent facilities and expert help with the motorhome as it was our first trip. The whole site was very clean, well maintained and designed, with some great spots for camping and lodges that we have also eyed up. Pre-holiday information was really helpful too. We loved visiting the alpaca, and the local Love Brownies barn. Plenty of walks and cycling routes directly from the campsite!
Location
North Yorkshire, North Yorkshire, 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
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Hosted by Oliver P.Joined in February 2016
From the host
If you want a peaceful, relaxing and truly back to nature getaway then look no further than Howgill Lodge. Set amongst the rolling hills of the Yorkshire Dales, in between Bolton Abbey and Burnsall, Howgill offers an idyllic setting for your Yorkshire Dales holiday. Close to the river Wharfe and part of the Duke of Devonshire's Chatsworth Estate, Howgill is a hidden gem nestled in the heart of Wharfedale. Offering electric and non-electric pitches, we can accommodate tents motorhomes and caravans and for those wanting a more luxurious stay our beautiful timber lodges are equipped with everything you need for a stress-free break and include a private log fuelled hot tub. Whatever you choose, you will be sure of a warm welcome and outstanding views over the rolling hills of the Wharfe valley. Howgill Lodge offers the perfect destination in a completely rural setting yet within easy reach of nearby attractions, there is always plenty to do, including a beautiful 20 minute riverside walk to a traditional Yorkshire pub. Here you can expect stunning scenery and a traditional warm Yorkshire welcome. We can't wait for you to visit!
Nearby attractions

It’s all of about 100 metres from the campsite to the nearest decent footpath, which zig-zags its way up the slope beside the campsite climbing to Simon’s Seat, not especially high at 485 metres (1,591 ft) but a real landmark of the area and rewarding hikers with impressive panoramic views. As a result, it’s a popular walk and the loop from the campsite is around four miles. In the opposite direction, you can easily join the Dales Way, which runs beside the River Wharfe, following an easy route along the valley bottom to Burnsall (around an hours walk) where there’s a good pub and café. On a hot day, there are plenty of good spots along the river for swimming. By car, head south for family attractions – ruined Bolton Abbey Priory, Hesketh Farm Park (01756 710444) and the Bolton Abbey Steam Railway line (along with good tea rooms and ice cream in Bolton Abbey Village). Or head north for more popular mountain climbing routes, such as the hike over the hills to Malham Cove, Gordale Scar and Janet’s Foss.

Food and drink

The two pubs in Appletreewick (both dog-friendly and serving food) can be reached by following the Dales Way (around 25 minutes walk), which follows the River Wharfe before you turn off and cross a field. The New Inn (01751 720252) has a selection of quirky beers, while the 16th-century Craven Arms (01756 720270) has log fires, gas lamps and stone-flagged floors. The Red Lion (01756 720204) and the Riverbank café (07711 530156) in Burnsall are more like a one-hour walk away, beside the river all the way.

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