We all love an outdoor adventure and they don’t come much better than camping! With all the natural beauty that the UK has to offer, there are plenty of places to pitch up here. Choose from National Parks, rugged coastline, and miles of unspoilt countryside for a solo trip, a family holiday, or an activity break with your pals.
There’s no doubt about it – camping is great when the weather’s fine. However, it can still be fantastic when the weather’s not so good too and, let’s face it, in the UK we get plenty of rainy days.
Make the most of every weather with our guide to the best places to camp in the UK when it rains. And you never know – the sun just might make an appearance when you least expect it!
Best places to camp when it’s raining
YHA (England & Wales) offers campsites in some much-loved places across the UK, as well as some incredible hidden gems. Whether you want some wet-weather adventures in the outdoors or you’d prefer to shelter from the storm inside, we’ve got something for everyone.
When you camp with YHA, you’re also helping to support our mission to enrich the lives of all, especially young people, by providing brilliant hostel stays and experiences which improve physical health, mental wellbeing, and life skills.
Here are five of our favourite campsites in England and Wales:
1. YHA Buttermere
To be honest, you’ll be hard-pushed to avoid the rain in the Lake District as it averages around 200 wet days a year – although it can sometimes feel like more!
For a rainy camping holiday in the Lake District, try YHA Buttermere. With a spectacular location, this campsite has some of the best walks in the area right on its doorstep, and as long as you have the right gear, you can still explore these in the rain.
Campers here have 24-hour access to the self-catering kitchen, drying room, and laundry, so you can store your wet gear overnight, or even put a load on if you need to. Parking is just next to the camping area, so it’s not far to carry your stuff.
2. YHA Beer
For a rainy camping trip at the seaside, YHA Beer in Seaton, Dorset is a fantastic choice. The campsite here is located on a hillside overlooking the picturesque village nearby. The village is just a ten-minute stroll away, so you can pop here for a potter and a cuppa if the weather’s too bad for adventures further afield. Or head to Seaton beach for its expansive sands and a dip in the sea.
Grab some supplies from the local shop, and you can cook meals in our self-catering kitchen if you don’t want to venture out to eat.
3. YHA Helmsley
YHA Helmsley offers camping close to the city of York in the north east of England, so if you don’t fancy spending time outdoors when it’s tipping it down, you could head to one of the city’s many indoor attractions. Try the York Dungeons, wizarding mini golf, or the popular Jorvik Viking Centre.
Alternatively, stay closer to the campsite and explore Helmsley. It was named the Best Market Town in the 2015 British High Street Awards and is home to independent cafes, restaurants, bookshops, galleries, and delicatessens.
4. YHA Manorbier
Pitch your tent at YHA Manorbier near Tenby in Pembrokeshire, Wales, where the campsite is a level field close to both the hostel and car parking. Here you’ll get a great outdoor experience but with full use of all the hostel’s facilities just a few metres away.
YHA Manorbier has recently undergone a refurbishment so the social areas are looking fantastic. The hostel is also home to the Skrinkle Café and Bar, so you can hunker down here with a bite to eat when the weather is bad.
5. YHA Grinton Lodge
Camping at YHA Grinton Lodge gives you easy access to some of the beautiful villages and towns in North Yorkshire including Reeth and Richmond. There are countless cafes and cosy pubs nearby to shelter in or, back at the hostel, head to one of the comfortable social areas.
There are plenty of rainy-day activities nearby, too. Try the Wensleydale Creamery, where you can see Wallace and Gromit’s favourite cheese being made, and even try a sample, or head to Bowes Museum to discover the finest collection of European Fine and Decorative Arts in the north of England.
Should I go camping if it’s raining?
Although it might not be your ideal weather for a holiday, there’s no reason you can’t enjoy a camping trip when it’s forecasting a chance of rain. You may need to plan your trip a little differently than a wall-to-wall sunshine break, but as long as you’re prepared, you’ll have a great time.
Don’t let the weather rain on your parade. To stay safe and have fun, follow some of our top tips for camping when it’s wet outside.
Tips for camping when rain is forecast
A rainy day doesn’t have to mean the end of a successful camping trip. All you need to ensure your trip goes well is a little pre-planning.
Prepare for rain
The scouts taught us to always be prepared, and there’s no better advice to live by when it comes to camping. If you know that it’s going to rain during your trip, you can make sure that you have all of the equipment you need to stay dry and enjoy yourself.
Also, if you’re mentally prepared for it to chuck it down, then you won’t be too disappointed when it does!
Check your tent’s waterproofing
It probably goes without saying that a waterproof tent should be number one on your checklist if you’re thinking about going camping in wet weather.
As a general rule, you should re-proof your tent every couple of years so if you’ve had your tent for longer than two years, it’s a good idea to refresh its waterproof layer before your next camping trip.
To do this, put up your tent outside with lots of ventilation, then spray or paint the waterproofing agent onto it. Go over this with a clean cloth to wipe away any excess.
Make use of YHA’s facilities
When you camp with YHA, one huge bonus is that you will have access to the hostel’s facilities, including self-catering kitchens, lounges, drying rooms, toilets, and showers.
So if you’ve had enough of hearing the rain pitter-pattering on the roof of your tent, then head inside to hang out in the hostel lounge. Grab a drink from the licensed bar, play a board game, and meet some of your fellow travellers.
Our self-catering kitchens mean you don’t have to struggle with lighting the gas stove. They have all the pots and pans you need to prepare delicious meals, plus plenty of cupboard and fridge storage space for all your supplies.
It can be difficult to get wet gear dry in a tent, thanks to condensation and humid air. When clothes get wet in bad weather, hanging them inside your tent can leave them feeling damp for days. When you’re staying with YHA, you can simply pop your walking boots and waterproofs inside one of our warm spaces, and they’ll be ready for your next adventure in no time.
Ban wet clothing and shoes
Although you probably won’t be able to keep the rain completely out of your tent, it’s an excellent plan to have a “dry zone” where wet shoes and coats aren’t allowed. Leave these in the tent’s awning or just by the door rather than bringing them into the living spaces.
Camp out of the wind
If the wind is blowing a gale, it can blow more rain inside your tent as soon as you unzip it! When you set up your tent, see which way the wind is blowing and make sure the tent door faces the opposite direction.
What to take camping when it’s raining
Luckily, camping when it’s raining doesn’t necessarily need any specialist equipment or anything different from what you’d usually take with you. Here are some essentials that you’ll need for camping in the rain.
Repair kit
Taking a tent repair kit with you will enable you to make any quick fixes you need while you’re camping. Whether it’s a seam coming unstuck or a small rip in the tarpaulin, you won’t want to leave these snags unrepaired if the weather’s wet.
Spare heavy duty tent pegs and ropes can be useful to tie the tent down more firmly if the weather is windy or stormy.
Waterproof clothing
In fact, add waterproof clothing to your list whenever you go away in the UK! Getting togged up in your waterproof layer means that you can carry on exploring and enjoying yourself, even when it’s lashing it down.
Dry bags
Pop your clothes and valuables into dry bags to keep them dry when you’re out. If you don’t have dry bags, plastic bags and boxes are a good alternative.
Wellies
Wellies are the best choice of footwear for a wet campsite. You can easily pull them on when you need to nip out and off again when you get back to the tent. They’re also good for keeping your feet dry when walking over muddy terrain.
Plenty of dry clothes
Getting wet when you’re out and about is somewhat inevitable, but when you get back to the tent you want to be cosy, warm, and dry. Bring plenty of clothing that you can change into to keep you from feeling damp and miserable.
Don’t let the weather ruin your holiday. Camping in the rain can be just as enjoyable as a dry-weather trip, so pack your waterproofs and come exploring.
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