Our experience of camping at Studfold

Head to Lofthouse in Upper Nidderdale and not only will you find the award winning Studfold Adventure Trail, but you will also find the beautifully located Studfold campsite! This absolute gem of a family friendly campsite is set by the side of How Stean Beck and offers stunning views towards the surrounding moorland.

We were lucky enough to stay in one of the four camping pods you can find on the campsite and you can probably guess what’s coming….

That’s right! We’re going to tell you all about it!

Our stay at Studfold Campsite was part of a PR invite to promote the campsite and adventure trail on our social media pages. In exchange for our stay we have provided an honest review of the campsite on our blog, Instagram and Facebook pages.

What is a camping pod?

Consider it as being somewhere in between a Glamping Tent and a good old fashioned Tent…. Tent!

The Studfold Camping pods (pictured above whilst empty) are locally made, insulated wooden pods, complete with carpet and two single bed bases. In there, you have four double plug sockets, lighting, a kettle, mugs and a heater to keep you toasty on the chillier evenings. There are double glazed doors into the pod and a window for ventilation at the back, all equipped with roller blinds. You are also provided with some cleaning kit and there are hooks on the wall to hang your coats, along with a tray for your outdoor shoes.

Outside, you will find a picnic bench (for four) and a fire pit. There is a little covered porch area with additional hooks to hang wet coats/ clothing and to store muddy boots.

Our experience of the Studfold camping pod

Having been glamping and camping but never in a camping pod before, this was a new experience for us all and I am pleased to say was a very positive one!

Our stay took place on a pretty average April weekend, with your expected April showers and blue skies. There was still a nip in the air and temperatures sank to a pretty fresh 7 degrees at night. That said, we were super lucky to have blue skies and a pretty spectacular sunset whilst we were there!

There had been a LOT of rain in the run up to our stay and the ground was pretty saturated upon our arrival although the campsite was remarkably well drained considering the amount of water rushing by in the beck and at no point did the area around the pod become uncomfortably muddy.

What was the set up like inside the pod?

Before we arrived for our stay, we knew what to expect from the facilities. The best way to describe it is to think ‘camping’ but without having to bring the tent along with you.

In most of the pods (with the exception of the pet friendly pod - featured with the green covered dog house above) there are two single lightweight bed bases which are designed so they can smoothly link together to form a double. We pushed these to the side of the pod, creating room at one side and at the foot for a further two sleeping areas for the kids.

We used two single air beds on the double bed base and the kids had single air beds on the floor.

What I thought was super handy was that there is space under the bed for storage, so if you were staying in the pods for longer, a shallow depth storage box or packing cubes stored underneath would be a great way to organise clothing in the pod.

We camped during the Spring right at the beginning of the 2023 season and found that putting the heater on for a short period before bedtime ensured the insulated pod was super cosy all night. We didn’t even need to turn it on in the morning!

What about sitting space?

When our four beds were put in place, there was limited room for sitting inside the pod (other than on the bed). However, there is covered seating on the porch area and outside seating on a picnic bench to the side. In the event of utterly dreadful weather, you can always decamp to the covered camping shelter near the reception area.

Should you want more seating than the picnic bench, you will have to bring your own camping chairs along.

What did you take to keep warm?

Bearing in mind this was April and the low was expected to be 7 degrees, I went overboard with the layers! The kids went to bed in thermal PJs and a onesie with thick socks (that were taken off because they were too hot!)

They slept in cotton summer weight sleeping bags and extra blankets, but the extra blankets weren’t required.

I had a thicker sleeping bag (I really hate being cold!) and thermal PJs. I was also more than warm enough!

So all in all, very pleasantly surprised at how toasty we all were despite the chilly temps outside!

Are there any cooking facilities included?

You will find a kettle in the pod, but that is all. You will have to bring your own equipment to cook your meals. BBQs are allowed, but must be raised off the floor. Alternatively, there is a pizza oven and BBQ available in the camping shelter for visitors to the campsite and that can be found down near the reception area and shop.

Is there anywhere to eat nearby?

Yes. The Nidderdale Way Cafe is on site and serves breakfasts and hot and cold drinks (just check the opening hours on your arrival) and you can also pre-order breakfasts and picnics there too. They also serve light bites during the day (seasonal opening times).

There are two pubs within walking distance (or a short drive away). One is in Lofthouse, The Crown Hotel and the other in Middlesmoor also…. The Crown Hotel! Both serve your traditional style of pub grub, think fish and chips and pies etc.

If you want to head further afield, the campsite is a 20 minute drive away from Pateley Bridge where you can find plenty of other options for places to eat and drink.

What facilities are there at Studfold Campsite?

The not so glamorous bits but definite necessities are all found here!

Wash/ Toilet Block The toilet and shower block was meticulously clean and has shower, toilet and washing facilities, as well as a hairdryer. There are also private washing areas as well as the standard wash basins.

There are two baby change areas and disabled access too. Liquid soap is provided.

The facilities do get locked, but there is a key code given to you on arrival for you to enter.

Pot Washing There is a covered pot washing area with several sinks, a laundry and freezer too. Washing up soap and cloths are also provided.

Bins/ Recycling There is a bin area with recycling facilities and bins for ash from BBQs and the fire pits.

Drinking Water There is drinking water available from a tap outside the washing facilities.

Shop There is a shop selling basic groceries, fire lighting materials (logs, matches, firelighters etc) drinks and ice cream (essential, of course!).

What about the Wifi (THE WIFI!!!)

This is what is great about Studfold, it offers you a choice.

There is absolutely no phone reception on the campsite and there is no 4G/5G either, so you can have the opportunity to completely cut yourself off from the world whilst you are there.

Alternatively, you can find some limited phone reception a little way away from the campsite in Lofthouse and there is the opportunity to purchase Wifi vouchers from the Studfold Shop.

Tell us more about the other camping facilities.

As well as the four camping pods, there are 38 extra large grass pitches available, 26 with electric hook up. They are spread across two fields, one with the toilet block, one with the play area.

The campsite is located next to the side of a beck which will inevitably lead to summer bugs!

Remember the midgies!

I have literally NEVER been to a campsite and not encountered midges, no matter where I’ve decided to pitch! They are just a fact of outdoors living (particularly on still humid summer evenings and particularly near water!)

So remember to pack your midge repellent and bug spray and swat away! If you forget, the shop sells midge spray too.

That said, we encountered very few midges when we were there (and they LOOOOOVE me!) That’s one of the bonuses of camping at the beginning or the end of a season… fewer bugs to contend with!

Are campervans, caravans and motorhomes allowed?

Yes! There is also an Elsan unit too for the disposal of chemical waste.

There is also charging for electric vehicles.

Is there a play park?

Yes! There is a small play park and area for kids to run off some steam whilst you set up (or grab a cheeky prosecco!)

What else is there to do at Studfold for the kids?

There is SO much to do in and around this beautiful part of the Yorkshire Dales!

The Studfold Adventure Trail

First and foremost, you will have a fabulously unique and magical fairy and nature trail right on your doorstep if you choose to stay at Studfold!

This award winning trail is a firm favourite with the kids and start and ends from the Studfold shop. It will take you on a tour around the fields around the farm and is a fab way to spend a morning or afternoon! If you want to read more about the Studfold Adventure Trail then check out our blog all about it!

Family Friendly Walks near to Studfold

Well you know us! We are ALL about the family friendly walks and we have loads in the Upper Nidderdale and Pateley Bridge area!

Scar House Reservoir is found just a short drive from Studfold and is one of our FAVOURITE places to go in Upper Nidderdale. It has jaw-dropping architecture, hidden history and all set in one of the wildest parts of Nidderdale. And the cafe has just reopened there too! (limited opening times, check before you rely on it) You can find all the walk facts and need to know information for walking this with the kids on our Scar House Reservoir page.

River Nidd Waterfalls We love this spot for a picnic and a paddle! The waterfalls are set a little upstream from the bridge in Lofthouse, near the entrance to the road to Scar House Reservoir. You can find out more about the waterfalls on our River Nidd Waterfalls page.

Fishpond Wood and Ice House, Bewerley Down the road in Pateley Bridge, you can find lots of spots to walk, and there is a play park too. This walk starts and ends at the play park in Pateley Bridge and is a lovely short wander for younger explorers! Did you also know that Pateley Bridge the home of the oldest sweet shop….. (just saying…) You can find the full walk details on our Fishpond Wood page.

What did we think of our camping pod experience at Studfold?

First and foremost the camping pods get a huge thumbs up from the Reluctant Explorers!

We really love to go camping, but admittedly this gets far trickier the closer to the edges of the season you go, particularly in a tent with the kids. Believe me, it can get VERY nippy and a tad tetchy too!

Enter the camping pod!

We thought this is a great way to extend the camping season and genuinely found it to be really cosy inside. Whilst we are unable to comment on the site during busy periods (it was super quiet when we stayed) we found it to be very peaceful.

What is a reassurance is that there are rules in place to keep noise to a minimum after 11pm and also group bookings are not allowed. This is firmly a family friendly site and this is openly communicated on the website.

The family focus at Studfold is such a massive selling point and the fact that there is a fantastic trail available on your doorstep, really makes stopping at Studfold the full family fun package!

I don’t know of any other campsite around the Yorkshire Dales that delivers the kid friendly factor to quite as high a standard as Studfold, nor to the extent that it does. So, if you’re looking for a top campsite to stay with the family with excellent facilities, Studfold has got to shoot right to the top of your list.

Got any questions?

Fire away in the comments!

(All opinions shared in this blog are our own. Information is correct as of April 2023)