Camping without a car, possible?

Novice_investor101

I’m probably to late to this thread but Edale is a great place to camp without a car. There’s a campsite 5 mins from the station (the trains are not that loud) & the trains go through the Hope Valley, so you can get out into that area of the Peak District easily. Lot’s of places to explore & Kinder Scout is accessible from the campsite. 

I backpack & have often carried my camping kit in off the train & then camped up. You can buy some good compact stoves, pans etc & a small tarp held up with walking poles over the front of the tent works brilliantly if it’s raining. You can also buy folding chairs that pack into a bag the size of a boot bag. I have one in my Berlingo & sit in it the boot while I make a coffee on my little table with the tailgate up. The cheaper ones weigh about 2-3kg but if you’re not walking far at either train station then it’s not so much of a problem. 

Pack flip flops, most lightweight footwear & good for showers. A cheap foam roll mat is the lightest way to get a waterproof blanket to sit on the floor. 

I carry a packaway 20ltr rucksack when I go long distance backpacking, so I don’t have to lug my 65ltr pack around on day walks or when shopping. 

Teapot55

MSE_James said:

Challenging but certainly not impossible I'd say - for example, there's a campsite not far from Ashurst station in the New Forest which would be well placed for this kind of thing.

Great idea for a thread and I hope others have lots of good suggestions.
We managed to fit all the food in the drawstring storage bags from our sleeping bags and in true girl-guide style we tied guy ropes to them and the other end to the handle of a lightweight frying pan which we chucked over a high tree branch. 

We had a wonderful short break at the campsite near Ashurst station one time. When we checked in, the man in the office warned us not to leave food in our tent because the ponies would bite a hole in it to get to the food. He said we should store our food in the boot of our car. 

The blighters still managed to nibble at the bottom of one of the bags. They must have stood up on their hind legs. Next morning after we’d eaten a lovely fry-up they suddenly appeared and walked right across our stuff and proceeded to lick the frying pan out. Total hooligans but it was still a great holiday!

knightstyle

I used to use a shopping bag/trolley to get camping stuff from the bus stop to a site. Much better than a heavy back pack.

barnstar2077

knightstyle said:

I used to use a shopping bag/trolley to get camping stuff from the bus stop to a site. Much better than a heavy back pack.

This is my plan too! :  )  A deep shopping trolley with wheels for the tent and any heavy stuff, then just clothes in pack packs hopefully.  We will see. 

nachtvlinders

Yes, it is all possible as I have travelled without the use of a car and relied on public transport. Last time was at How to find us - Woodhill Park Holiday Park Norfolk (woodhill-park.com) where I took a train from Nottingham to Norwich. Caught a bus to Cromer and the stop is just outside the park, literally. Wonderful cliff-top campsite and I pitched as close as I could get to the cliff edge 30m away. Very idyllic and my site was tents only with the carvanners at the bottom of the field towards the main road. Very quiet and the campsite had wonderful power showers/bathroom facilities. 

Another trip was in Hebden Bridge - took direct train there and the campsite was at a farm website stated 10 mins walk away up a very steep hill. Struggled with my heavy rucksack but made it in 30 minutes. It had a barn for cooking in with your campstove, fridge/freezer, showers. Honesty box with eggs, honey etc. Lovely farmer as well. Sorry, I can't find the name of the farm. Very quiet, and on a hill so wonderful views to be had. 

nachtvlinders

nachtvlinders said:

Yes, it is all possible as I have travelled without the use of a car and relied on public transport. Last time was at How to find us - Woodhill Park Holiday Park Norfolk (woodhill-park.com) where I took a train from Nottingham to Norwich. Caught a bus to Cromer and the stop is just outside the park, literally. Wonderful cliff-top campsite and I pitched as close as I could get to the cliff edge 30m away. Very idyllic and my site was tents only with the carvanners at the bottom of the field towards the main road. Very quiet and the campsite had wonderful power showers/bathroom facilities. 

Another trip was in Hebden Bridge - took direct train there and the campsite was at a farm website stated 10 mins walk away up a very steep hill. Struggled with my heavy rucksack but made it in 30 minutes. It had a barn for cooking in with your campstove, fridge/freezer, showers. Honesty box with eggs, honey etc. Lovely farmer as well. Sorry, I can't find the name of the farm. Very quiet, and on a hill so wonderful views to be had. 

Here's the Hebden Bridge one that I've found - Old Chamber Camping | Campsite | Hebden Bridge | West Yorkshire | England

nachtvlinders

Other places I've been to are -

Edale, Peak District - near to the train station has 2 campsites.

Burham Deepdale, bus stop opposite campsite at Deepdale Camping | Campsite for Tents Campervans Motorhomes | Deepdale Farm, Burnham Deepdale, North Norfolk Coast, England on the Coast Hopper bus route. The North Norfolk coastal path is on your doorstop. Has a hostel as well as a campsite. I've been in both which are both lovely. 

Sarahspangles

Or there is Aaron’s Campsite, it’s a steep pull up the hill from Mytholmroyd station, pub just past half way.

LunaLater

Yea, when we’ve done walking holidays in the mountains there was no-one with cars; they simply couldn’t get anywhere near.

Have a look at the GR20 in Corsica for an example,

https://www.thehikinglife.com/2017/03/a-quick-dirty-guide-to-corsicas-gr20/

RAS

A bit of a postscript

Bus 30 out of Richmond in Yorkshire, which is accessed by bus from either Darlington or Northallerton rail station, or Ripon by bus. Check the Dalesbus website for weekend buses

The 30 is book ahead that far up the Dale, so plan. Shopping can be got in Richmond.

Usha Gap just beyond Muker with good facilities. Just avoid weekends when there are night rallies as the road goes through the site. Near Muker, pub, shop and tearoom. Great walking and the river to play in.

Rukins is in Keld. Can be very busy and basic facilities. Next to the falls. They do some food, Keld Lodge does meals. Walk to Tan Hill pub, or down to Thwaite or Muker.

Beyond that 1.5 miles to Hoggarths. Very basic, portaloo, and river for washing.

72 out of Skipton, usually picks up from the rail station but check the timetable. The walk to the bus station goes past Morrison's however.

Kettlewell Camping.  Decent facilities and can be busy. Large field, three pubs, tea room, corner shop. Good walking.

Buckden camping. Not tried this one but know the area. Pub, village stores did a mean hot butty last time I was there. Great for non-hikers, walk over to the lovely Hubberholme for the mouseman church and the George Inn (closed Tuesday). Or hike up to Cray for the White Lion and the falls.

Minibus 210/211 out of Skipton to Malham.  Check Dalebus for weekends including 75 out of Skipton or Settle. Nearest shop is Airton, 2 miles each way. So take essentials unless you are eating out.

Riverside campsite just below the Cove is just 2 minutes above the village. Toilets and showers. Good pub in the village. Also posh restaurant.

Gordale just beyond Janet's Foss is a little walk. Basic with no shower. Don't expect mobile connection here. Be aware that the footpath to Malham Tarn involves climbing Gordale Scar.