Checking the weather forecast on a Monday for the coming weekend it was looking great. So we booked a short trip to a campsite at How Stean Gorge in North Yorkshire. It was only a 40 minute or so drive away and our camping equipment was already packed up and ready to go so we decided to go for it. It’s the only campsite near where we live that not only allows firepits but also allows you to book just one night at weekends.
The drive there is pretty beautiful. Meander through Pateley Bridge and head out on the northern road along the edge of the Gouthwaite reservoir towards Lofthouse, remembering to slow down for the many cyclists and horses you’ll pass on the way. We spotted a Little owl on one of the dry stone walls, tucking into some roadkill for his lunch.
View from the campsite.
How Stean Gorge is signposted but it’s easy to overshoot the turning off the road. There’s also a place called Studfold Farm which has bigger signs and is right next door. Basically you drive into Studfold, then continue over a little stone bridge and turn right immediately. Up a steepish hill and the entrance to the gorge is directly in front.
How Stean gorge is not just a campsite it’s also a place of natural beauty with its limestone rock formations, gushing river channels, caves and tunnels. They have an activity centre based there too that offers abseiling, a via Ferrata trek, bouldering and canoeing, or kayaking.
The weather turned slightly.
Looking down from the bridge.
The drive into the campsite is over a bridge spanning the gorge. You can look down through the planks and it’s quite a long way down!
Getting the firepit started.
Nice touches at the facilities.
The next day dawned bright and sunny and we donned our hard hats and descended through the wardrobe down the gorge itself. There was a team of folk bouldering through the water and it looked like great fun. Maybe next time.
