A lovely family-owned and run campsite in Barden, near to the Yorkshire town and villages of Skipton, Grassington and Ilkley which is easy to get to.
The site is terraced with hard standing for touring caravans with electrical hook-up and motorhomes whilst tents are happily pitched on the lower grass terraces. There are also static caravans. All units are relatively shielded from wind and rain by trees. There are clean and excellent showering and cleaning facilities with a shop selling fresh eggs, milk,bacon, newspapers and general provisions whilst also providing laundry services. The site is green and refreshing and relatively small with good views and a pleasant atmosphere, being almost hidden from most roads due to clever landscaping - but not once does Howghill lodge look convoluted or fussy and there is no noise from traffic making this the perfect place to get away from it all. Complementary communal fridges near the shop for storing your milk and bacon / chilled items adds a nice little touch and none of mine has ever gone missing!
At night time, bats and hooting owls can be heard as you slip off into sleep after a hard days walking/ a few cheeky pints at the local (ish) pub!
The site is a stones throw away from Ilkley Moor with a beautiful walk which takes in The Strid, Bolton Abbey, The Valley Of Desolation (sounds like a Radiohead album doesn't it) and Simons Seat, the highest point in Yorkshire I believe, and to the slightly eery Trollers Gill.
The walk has everything in it a walker could want, vistas, moors, river-side and waterfalls with maps being available from the campsite I believe and The Cavendish Pavillion cafe at Bolton Abbey.
A 15 minute walk away from the campsite to Appletreewick takes you to the The New Inn, an old whitewashed stone walled pub serving local real ales, popular lagers and traditional food. The homemade fish and chips were to die for, with seating outside providing magnificent views on a warm summers night, all at good prices and with a hazy atmosphere as Simons seat overlooks the village.
Following the road a 30 minute walk takes you to the Cravens Arms, another beautiful old pub with a reconstructed medieval barn also serving real ales and food before the road takes you to Burnsall.
This place is quite magical to me as it reminds me of childhood holidays, and a recent visit cemented my love for the place. Friendly staff and good facilities make this place a great camping site to spend a few days at.
Highly recommended as it would provide an ideal spot to tour this part of the dales, its also excellent if you fancy a quick get-away weekend from your 9-5 in leeds. read more