Best Autumn Camping Sites in the UK: Where to Go This Season

Oct 5, 2026 Keplin Editorial Team

Summer camping has its obvious appeal. But there’s a version of it that most people overlook: the weeks between late September and early November, when the sites are quieter, the light is extraordinary and you can get a pitch without booking six months in advance. These are some of the best sites for autumn camping in the UK right now, and what you need to bring to make the most of them.

Why Autumn Camping in the UK Is Worth It

The crowds thin out sharply after the school holidays end. Sites that were turning people away in August have pitches available at short notice. The light in October is unlike any other time of year - long golden-hour stretches in the morning and evening, the kind of conditions that make even an ordinary view worth looking at. And the foliage across the UK’s woodland sites develops stunning colours between mid-October and early November.
The trade-off is the obvious one: it gets cold at night. Temperatures across most of England and Wales drop to single figures after dark from October onwards, and on higher ground they can dip below freezing. The right kit makes this a non-issue.

The Lake District, Cumbria

Autumn turns the Lake District into something close to theatrical. The beech, oak and rowan woodland across the fells shifts through amber, copper and deep red over about three weeks in October. Ennerdale Water is the most remote lake in the national park and is particularly striking when the surrounding woodland is at its peak and there are almost no other people around.

Sykeside Camping Park near Brotherswater is one of the most popular sites in the region for autumn use, sheltered by the fells and close enough to some of the best walking in the park that you can be on the ridge within an hour of pitching. The area around Ullswater is another strong choice, particularly for the colour in the oak woodland along the shoreline.

The Lake District is where a weatherproof tent works wonders. Rainfall here is significantly higher than anywhere else in England. The Keplin 2 Man Camping Tent is waterproof, windproof and sets up in under five minutes. This is useful when conditions are changing and you want to be pitched before the weather turns. At 2.7kg with aluminium poles and taped seams, it handles what the fells throw at it. Available in navy, green and grey.

A 3-4 season sleeping bag is the other essential. The Keplin Adults Sleeping Bag is built for these conditions. Made in polyester and machine washable, it is rated for the temperatures you will encounter across all four locations in this guide. The insulation beneath you matters just as much as what’s on top: cold ground conducts heat away from your body far faster than cold air above you. The Keplin Inflatable Double Sleeping Pad sits between you and the ground and just weighs 1.5kg – it is also big enough for two people. If you’re used to sleeping cold on camping trips, this combination is usually the fix. For a full comparison of sleeping pad options, the Keplin sleeping pad guide covers everything worth knowing before you buy.

The Forest of Dean, Gloucestershire

The Forest of Dean has the highest concentration of ancient oak, beech and sweet chestnut in England, and for autumn camping it is one of the best sites in the UK - particularly in October when the colour peaks. Unlike the Lake District, it’s relatively flat and sheltered, and a more accessible choice for anyone who wants the colour without the exposure. Bracelands campsite, run by Forestry England, sits in the heart of the forest and stays open into autumn. The forest itself is large enough that you can spend two or three days walking and cycling without repeating yourself.

Campfires are permitted at most pitches here, which is a big part of what makes the Forest of Dean such a good autumn destination. An October evening in the forest with a fire going is a genuinely difficult thing to improve on. The Keplin Portable Folding Fire Pit is built from stainless steel with a spark guard lid and doubles as a BBQ grill for cooking over the fire. It also folds flat to 14cm for transport, with a carry bag included. Tool-free setup, which matters more than it sounds when you’re trying to get it going before the light fades.

Pull up a proper chair, not the kind that folds you in half. The Keplin Luxury Folding Camping Chair has full padding throughout, three reclining positions up to 120 degrees and wood-effect armrests. At 5.1kg with its own carry bag it goes in the boot alongside everything else. The kind of chair you’ll actually want to sit in for two hours watching the fire burn down.

The Yorkshire Dales

The Yorkshire Dales in autumn is one of those places that looks better in October than almost any other time of year. The limestone valleys of Wharfedale and Swaledale hold their colour well into late October, and the combination of open moorland above and sheltered woodland in the valley bottoms gives you a real sense of the season turning. It’s quieter than the Lake District but shares enough of the same dramatic landscape that the comparison is fair.

Gordale Scar near Malham is worth visiting for the geology alone, a limestone ravine that takes on an extra quality in autumn light and the campsite at Gordale is well positioned for exploring the surrounding Dales on foot. The Wharfedale valley between Grassington and Kettlewell has some of the best-reviewed small campsites in the north of England and stays accessible well into autumn.

Nights in the Dales in October are cold without being severe. A step down from the Lake District exposure, though still requiring proper kit. The Keplin 2 Man Camping Tent earns its place here too. The Dales are open enough that wind is a real consideration even at lower pitches, and a tent that stays put matters.

Pembrokeshire Coast, Wales

If the idea of autumn camping makes you picture rain and mud, the Pembrokeshire coastline is a useful counterpoint. The southwest tip of Wales gets some of the mildest autumn weather in the UK. The sea temperature stays warmer than inland air for longer which moderates overnight temperatures considerably. It also gets more sunshine hours in October than most of England and Wales.

The coastal scenery around Freshwater West, Barafundle Bay and the Marloes Peninsula doesn’t change between summer and autumn. The dramatic clifftops, the sea stacks, the Atlantic light – it’s all worth the trip. What changes is that you can park, walk and camp without the crowds. Green Sheep Camping near Amroth and the sites around Tenby offer good bases for the southern coast.

Pembrokeshire is an easier autumn destination than the mountains, but you still want a sleeping setup that handles cold nights properly. And for the rest? Roast a few marshmallows with your Keplin Portable Folding Fire Pit, sit in a cosy Keplin Luxury Folding Camping Chair and watch the world go by.

Practical Notes Before You Go

Check the site’s closing date. Many UK campsites close between late October and Easter. The sites mentioned in this guide extend into autumn but always confirm before booking.
Layer properly. The temperature difference between midday and 3am in October can be 10 to 15 degrees. A 3-4 season sleeping bag paired with a good sleeping pad covers it better than any amount of extra clothing.
Arrive with daylight to spare. In October the light goes earlier than most people plan for. Pitching in the dark on unfamiliar ground is significantly harder than arriving at five with an hour to spare.
Check the campfire policy. Most Forest of Dean and Pembrokeshire sites permit fires. Lake District and Yorkshire Dales sites vary. Always confirm before arriving with a fire pit.
Tell someone your plans. For more remote sites on higher ground in the Lake District or the Dales, let someone know where you’re going and when to expect you back.

The Takeaway

The best autumn camping trips are the ones where the gear is sorted before you leave rather than halfway up a fell in the dark. Get the tent, the sleeping bag and the pad right and the rest of the season takes care of itself. The fire pit and the chair are what turn a comfortable night into a good one. Browse the full Keplin camping and outdoor range for everything on this list and get out there before the sites close for winter.

FAQs About Autumn Camping in the UK

When does the UK camping season officially end?

There’s no fixed end date, but most commercial campsites close between late October and mid-November, with some extending further or running year-round. Always check individual site closing dates before booking.

Is it safe to camp in the UK in autumn?

Yes, with the right preparation. The main considerations are cold nights, wet weather and reduced daylight hours. A 3-4 season sleeping bag, a waterproof tent, an insulating sleeping pad and appropriate layers address all three. For exposed higher ground in the Lake District or the Dales, check the forecast carefully and have a contingency plan.

Do I need a sleeping pad for autumn camping?

Yes, and it matters more than most people realise. Cold ground conducts heat away from your body faster than cold air above you. A good sleeping pad insulates you from the ground regardless of how warm your sleeping bag is. The two together are significantly warmer than a better bag alone.

Do campsites allow campfires in autumn?

Many do, particularly woodland and rural sites. It varies by location and by weather. Some sites restrict open fires during dry spells. The New Forest and Forest of Dean sites generally permit campfires at designated pitches. Always check when booking.

What’s the best region for autumn colour in the UK?

The Forest of Dean consistently produces the most dramatic colour in England, peaking in mid to late October. The New Forest beech woodland is outstanding in the same window. The Lake District and Yorkshire Dales both offer excellent colour in the valley woodland. Pembrokeshire is less about foliage and more about coastal light and mild conditions.

Can I wild camp in autumn in England and Wales?

There is no general right to wild camp in England and Wales except on Dartmoor National Park in designated areas. Elsewhere you need landowner permission or use a designated site. The sites in this guide all offer proper pitches with facilities, which is the practical choice for most autumn trips.

Is Scotland worth considering for autumn camping?

Scotland is one of the best places in Europe for autumn camping if you are prepared for the conditions. The Cairngorms National Park and the Highlands offer dramatic scenery and genuine solitude from September onwards. The trade-off is that Scottish autumn weather is more unpredictable and wetter than England and Wales and midges are still active in early September. A four-season tent and a reliable sleeping setup are non-negotiable. There is also a legal right to roam in Scotland under the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003, which means wild camping is permitted across most of the country with appropriate care.

Is the New Forest good for autumn camping?

Yes. The New Forest is one of the best places in England for autumn camping and is particularly accessible for anyone driving from the south or southeast. The ancient beech woodland peaks in colour between mid-October and early November and several Forestry England sites including Holmsley and Roundhill stay open into autumn. Campfires are generally not permitted across New Forest sites but the walking and cycling routes through the woodland are outstanding and the wild ponies, cattle and pigs that roam freely make it genuinely unlike anywhere else in the UK.