Three night Summer camp in Upper Swaledale
20 people attending
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Your event leaders Ian & Ste look forward to welcoming you to this stunning part of the Yorkshire Dales.
Venture into the upper reaches of Swaledale for a three night stay in the scenic, quiet, less populated part of the Yorkshire Dales National Park.
The campsite is both a working farm and brilliant well thought out site, with great facilities. The villages of Muker, Keld and Thwaite are not too far away, and all have either a pub or a nice teashop for those cream tea lovers! Did someone mention cream tea!!
There are several different easy lower routes branching out in deep cut valleys, well marked tracks ascending to the higher fells and many well used paths and bridleways for a decent selection of hiking and strolling options between villages.
The campsite sits in a narrow part of the valley close to a flowing beck with the Pennine Way and Coast to Coast National Trails only a short stroll away. The main camping field has a gentle slope extending from the foot of the hill slope to the farm and facilities. The ground is well drained and the grass well managed for really good pitches. A quiet path avoids the roads to either of the two close villages a fifteen minute stroll away.
This is limestone country with waterfalls, limestone escarpments and deep gorges & wonderful wildflower meadows that carpet the landscape.
Great Shunner Fell, Kisdon and Lovely Seat are the nearest high ground and the steeper slopes offer picture postcard perspectives. There is plentiful evidence of mining here especially at Gunnerside Gill and the Cow'us (stone barns) are dotted about the drystone walled enclosures dating back hundreds of years.
There will be a small selection of walks each day for those who like a challenge, or a mid level wander. If you would prefer to just relax and explore this area at a slower pace you are also welcome to join us here.
Walk/activity options will be discussed at the event briefing on Friday evening once everyone has arrived & settled in etc.
The campsite facilities include lockers with phone charging, modern showers and plenty of toilets in a block in the centre of the site. The on-site shop is well stocked with local produce and handy if you’ve forgot something.
Fire pits can be hired from the on-site shop along with firewood.
If you chose to bring a fire pit or BBQ then these must be raised off the ground, so to not damage the ground. Open fires are not permitted!
New Members
Please feel free to sign up as your first OutdoorLads event. If you have any questions, don't hesitate to message me, or go to the "My First Event" section under "About Us".
Campervans, Motorhomes, caravans: These are permitted at no extra cost.
Dogs: The site welcomes dogs as long as they are kept under close control as the camping field is beside the working farm.
Photos: The photos used are courtesy of event leaders Steven & Ian and OutdoorLads member Craig B and are all used with their permission.
Waitlist: if this event is fully booked and you want to participate, just add yourself to the wait list because places usually become available closer to the date.
IMPORTANT! - Participation Statement
You MUST complete a Participation Statement, in addition to booking your event space before attending an OutdoorLads event. You only need to complete this Participation Statement once, not for each event you attend.
What to bring
Recommended Kit List
In addition to what you need for the daytime activities, some reminders for what you'll need for camping:
Tent: Make sure you know how to pitch it, even in bad weather or in the dark. Ensure that you have all the poles, ropes and pegs.
A 3 season tent is the minimum recommended level of protection, one with a fitted groundsheet is recommended or with a separate groundsheet.
The campsite isn’t huge & also we’ll be sharing the site with other campers. Therefore we would encourage you to bring a smaller (2-3 man) rather than a big tent.
Sleeping bag: One that provides adequate warmth, designed to go below the temperature that you expect, or bring a duvet for added warmth.
Sleeping mat: will keep you warmer and dryer
Waterproof bags: for spare, dry clothing
Food: search online for camping food that’s easy to cook and filling
Hot drinks: at least in cold/wet weather
Cooking Equipment: Camping stove/jetboil & check you have enough fuel to use it
Eating equipment: mug, bowl or plate and cutlery
Washing up equipment: detergent, brush/scourer and tea towel
Wash kit: remember to include a towel, shower gel and shampoo
Torch: or easier still, a head torch
For the walks:
Water: bring at least two litres
Medicines: if you have hay fever, diabetes, minor ailments etc.
Day rucksack: typically 20-30 litres, they are comfortable to wear and allow you to use your arms freely
Boots: waterproof and breathable and designed for hiking, trainers are OK if the ground is dry and there’s little chance of rain
Gaiters: recommended for wet weather or boggy conditions
Socks: proper walking socks will keep your feet dry and help prevent blisters
Layered clothing: lets you quickly adapt to changes in the weather and body temperature. Go for a base layer (vest or t-shirt) and a mid layer (a micro fleece or shirt) and in cooler weather add an outer layer (a windproof jacket or thick fleece)
Trousers: ideally no jeans as they become heavy and cold in the rain, breathable fabrics are more comfortable and dry and on warm days shorts are OK
Waterproof jacket: essential when hiking in all but the calmest of weather, breathable fabrics are more comfortable and dry
Gloves: Windproof, or better still, waterproof gloves are the best choice, bring a spare pair if expecting rain
Hat or cap: stay shaded in summer
Sunglasses: for any sunny day
Sun cream
Snacks: bring biscuits, energy bars, gels, bananas, chocolate or dried fruit for example and put them somewhere easy to get hold of
Lunch: bring a packed lunch unless otherwise stated
Food & drink
You'll need to bring all the food and drink you might need for the duration of the event. There is a fridge but lots of people will be using it, so please keep chilled food to a minimum. Ideally bring a cold box to store anything that needs to be kept chilled.
We’ll not be too remote for stocking up during our stay. Theirs an onsite shop open at set times in the day. The village of Reeth about a 10 minute drive away, has a small village shop.
The market town of Richmond is the closest big town with a Lidl supermarket and Co Op store.
There are several pubs not too far away, but only one in easy walking distance, a 10 minute walk from the campsite.