Is it possible to escape the crowds and find wide open spaces to enjoy during the summer school holidays? You might be surprised. Or maybe you already know about these places, hiding in plain sight.
Read more: Escape the crowds, even in the summer school holidaysIn the past
I went camping as a kid. It was the only way to afford a two-week family holiday in August. We pitched our canvas tent for years in Corfe Castle, Dorset. But my parents patience ebbed after they spent a night pegging down our temporary home in the throes of a storm – us kids slept soundly in the car. And any love for camping was obliterated on a fortnight holiday cut short after seven days with no sun. As we sat huddled in a café with steaming mugs of hot chocolate, over the radio came the chirpy presenter with news that more rain was heading our way. That was it. We packed up and returned home to spend the remaining time on day trips under leaden grey skies.
My dad craved sunnier climes and a neighbour let us in on a secret. Go to Spain and you won’t need to take a whole wardrobe for every eventuality. Surely not. So the next year we packed our cases (taking jumpers and coats just in case) and boarded a single-decker coach for a thirty-six-hour journey to the Costa Brava. And the rumours were true! The sun shone every day, we lathered up with factor thirty and even sought the shade because it was too hot. A love of foreign holidays was born and my parents never went camping again.
Festival camping
Almost a decade later my sister and I found ourselves in a tent at a well-known music festival. The weather gods were not on our side. We were fortunate not to attend the year tents washed away but we did spend four days squelching through thick mud between stages and drinking the minimal amount of liquid to minimise using the chemical loos. I still recall the image of a trail of mud from the first motorway service station car park to blessed flushing toilets. Hundreds if not thousands of revellers thinking the same thing, thank heavens for small mercies.
And as the years ticked by I infrequently hauled out the little tent (it had been gifted to me by my sister, she’d also had enough of camping). I went for the occasional weekend away more because it was cheaper than a B&B while a skint mature student and not because I enjoyed it. And besides, none of my friends were particularly keen so there was little point.
A love of camping reborn
Time rolled ever forwards and I met a handsome younger man who did want to go camping, who did want to escape the crowds, who did enjoy the outdoor life and yomping up mountains. So out came the little tent again. We went to Wasdale and scaled Scafell Pike and even if it was late September and a bit wet it didn’t put us off. Another Lake District weekend, this time an early May Bank Holiday. We were naïve and turned up at a National Trust campsite without booking. It was full but fortunately, the knowledgeable lady on reception advised us to seek out a campsite in the Langdale Valley which always had space. And an enduring love began.
For over sixteen years we’ve frequented this little slice of heaven. No electric hook-up points here but instead a quiet site with single-track access and wonderful views. We endured the little tent, even when we were joined by our characterful Miniature Schnauzer. But eventually, it was time to upgrade. Oh, the joy of being able to stand up inside and get dressed without fear of touching the sides. We went all out and bought airbeds, a proper table with chairs and a twin-burner stove. What luxury indeed, we hardly knew ourselves.
Content in the Langdale Valley
The site does get busy at the weekends so we opt to arrive on a Sunday (or this year due to torrential rain it was a Tuesday) and even during the kids’ summer school holidays it was less than half full. There are so many walks that radiate out from the campsite, that once we set up we don’t use the car. There are busy spots close by such as Elterwater, Grasmere, and the ever-popular Stickle Tarn. But you only need to go that little bit further and the crowds disperse.
It’s wonderfully peaceful and it’s so easy to forget that you’re holidaying in the peak season. Of course, you take your chances with the weather but I for one don’t like walking in baking hot temperatures and our pooch certainly doesn’t. We always walk with full daysacks – suntan lotion, waterproofs, jumper, hat, mobile, camera (because it takes better photos) and plenty of food and water. I’m glad that camping and walking aren’t for everyone. The world is a big place and there’s so much to explore. But I for one love returning to a patch of grass under a Cumbrian sky.