Lying to the east of the Pennines in Yorkshire, this is a gorgeous part of the country. Quintessentially a slice of northern England, its 233 square miles comprise lush wooded dales, tranquil lakes and blustery moors. The rolling hills and deep valleys attract visitors from across the world.
The AONB covers evocative places such as lower Wharfedale, Wensleydale and the Washburn valley. It includes historical monuments of national importance like Jervaulx Abbey and Fountains Abbey and childhood favourites like Brimham Rocks, where children through the generations have clambered over the bizarrely shaped and weathered rock formations that date from the last ice age 320 million years ago.
The dark skies here are among the best in the country, with most of the AONB being uninterrupted open moorland. The legacy of mining, quarrying, textiles and the railways still features in the economic and tourism offering of Nidderdale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
Top Nidderdale AONB Camping Options
Bolton Abbey Estate Caravan and Motorhome Club site is, as always, of a high standard and situated in a quiet rural location north of Bolton Abbey. Located inside the Yorkshire Dales National Park and near too many places to explore and experience to list. With 55 hardstanding pitches, 41 suitable for awnings, and all with 16 amp electricity and a TV point, the site is great for walkers and nature lovers with 72 miles of footpaths directly accessible from the site. Buses are available from a stop 100 yards from the site. No mobile signal is available from the site so social media fans need to sign for the site Wi-Fi. A public telephone is available so have some silver coins. For those wishing to visit the Abbey a pleasant riverside walk is available from the site.
This secluded family park on a former working farm, is only six miles from Ripon and about four from the World Heritage site of Fountains Abbey. It is a very rural park with a spacious feel and various pitching areas are tucked away in woodland areas or around the edges of hedged fields with the centre left clear for children. There are hard roads and all of the pitches (60 for touring, 30 seasonal) have 10A electricity. There are 56 acres in total, 17.5 devoted to the site and 20 acres of woodland for walking. The 2.5 acre fishing lake is a big attraction and provides a pleasant area for picnics or walks.
The CAMC sites set the bar high for facilities and location and the Wharfedale site is no exception. Located about 2 miles from Grassington in the heart of the Yorkshire Dales National Park. Screened by stately trees the site offers a charming and peaceful location close to many tourist offerings. With great walks and cycling routes direct from the site, the Dales are there to explore. Wildlife abounds and a dog walk is available. Bus stop is just 750 metres from the site. TV reception is poor as is mobile phone signal. For mountain biking, local walks, rock climbing, plus the national cycling network you could not find a better location. With Skipton, Linton Falls, and the National Trust’s Malham Tarn Estate close by you are spoilt for choice.The site has 115 mainly hardstanding pitches all with 16 amp electricity.
Howgill Lodge is a traditional family park set in the heart of the Yorkshire Dales with 20 seasonal pitches but no touring pitches. Arranged on a sloping hillside, the terraced pitches have fantastic views. It is a small park catering for the needs of walkers, tourers and people who like just to relax. The whole area is a haven for both experienced walkers or the casual rambler, without having to move your car. The 20 seasonal pitches all at the upper part of the park are on hardstanding and have 10A electricity connections. Picnic tables and chairs are provided. There are two four-bed mobile homes available to rent. The reception also houses a small shop which sells most of the basics, including fresh foods. Pretty villages abound in the area, all with attractive inns and nearby Embsay has the Dales Railway with steam trains.
