Woodland camping near Leeds
Find big-city vibes mere miles away from rolling countryside.
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Woodland camping near Leeds guide
Overview
About midway between London and Edinburgh, in West Yorkshire, Leeds is a large city, with lots of high-rise buildings and one of the busiest railway stations in the UK. It's also a major hub of education–with five universities–and, as a result, has a thriving nightlife scene. Museums abound, from the large multidisciplinary Leeds City Museum to the Thackray Museum, which covers the history of medicine. As Leeds is an urban hub, you’ll need to head out from the city to find camping, but there is a long-distance footpath—the Leeds Country Way—that travels the rural outskirts of the city.
Where to go
North York Moors National Park
About an hour's drive northeast of Leeds, North York Moors National Park is particularly popular among walkers, with roughly 1,400 miles of public footpaths and plenty of room for cycling and equestrian pursuits. It's also an International Dark Sky Reserve, making it a brilliant destination for stargazing. One way to explore the park is by hopping aboard the North Yorkshire Moors Railway, which runs from Pickering to Whitby, calling at a number of remote spots along the way.
Yorkshire Dales National Park
Head north and you'll soon find yourself at Yorkshire Dales National Park, a massive expanse of protected land, the vast majority of which is privately owned. The park is a fantastic place for walking, with miles of footpaths, many of which are wheelchair-friendly, as well as lakes, rivers, and waterfalls. Popular activities include fell running (running up hills), rock climbing, caving, kayaking, and mountain biking.
Peak District National Park
Encompassing around 555 square miles of protected land, Peak District National Park draws throngs of visitors with its walking and cycling paths and abundance of flora and fauna. Guided ranger-led walks take place throughout the year and focus on everything from navigation training to learning about birdsong.
When to go
The best time to visit Leeds and the natural areas around it is between June and August, when temperatures are at their highest and there's generally less rainfall. Leeds really comes to life in the summertime, with all sorts of outdoor concerts and festivals. Spring is also a great time to visit, particularly if you plan to visit some of the national parks in the area, which fill with colourful blooms during the season.
