Sometimes the drive up to a campsite is a key indicator of what’s to come, and this one had it all. In fact, giving Anna a slight side-eye, I could see the look on her face. It said something like, “Where the f**k have you brought us now?”
Driving down a single-track gravel road, with evergreen conifers overhanging above us and spruce trees just inches from the side of the motorhome, it was hard to stay focused. Beautiful views stretched across the valley, with stone walls carving up the landscape like works of art. It was magical… but also a little nerve-racking.
Anna sat quietly as I tried to reassure her that we weren’t the only motorhome to drive this road. How could we be? There was a motorhome campsite right at the end of it…
Oh, how wrong were we…
It wasn’t until we arrived at South Moor Farm and were greeted by the lovely owners, Christine and Bob, along with their two dogs, that I realised my mistake.
After asking Bob, “Is there a different way out of here that avoids the rough gravel roads?” his face changed.
“You mean… erm… you didn’t get my email?”
I replied, “No, Bob… what email?”
Checking my junk folder, I realised I’d f**ked up!
Directions to South Moor Farm, DO NOT USE GPS!!
The email reads: Directions. SWITCH OFF GPS.
Use GPS only to get to Pickering, Thornton Le Dale or Hackness then SWITCH IT OFF and follow directions. If you try to get to YO13 0LW you may end up on very poor roads into Dalby Forest and encounter locked gates!!
Anyway, you get the point. It would’ve been easier driving on the moon, so don’t do what we did… never do what we do. Just learn from our mistakes…
After the excitement of our little off-road detour, we arrived at South Moor Farm, and it was everything we’d dreamed about. A secluded, rural farm in the middle of the forest, surrounded by the sounds of nature and fantastic views across the valleys below.
You arrive at the gate and are greeted by the lovely owners, who explain where your pitch is and show you the on-site facilities. Each pitch includes a 16-amp electric hook-up, with 10 kWh of electricity included per day. If you go over that, any additional usage is metered on-site at £0.25 per kWh. But, in all honesty, you’ll probably spend most of your day out walking rather than using electricity.
The campsite isn’t a huge area, so expect to have a neighbour and a little less privacy during your stay. But, since you’re most likely booking this site for the wonderful forest walks or one of the many mountain biking trails, I’m sure you’ll be far too busy to worry about that.
The facilities are well maintained, with a shower block and toilet at the rear of the house. The poop drop is situated along the fence line next to the camping area… I wouldn’t want to be pitched next to that!
Bring Food... or Go Hungry
There are no shops or amenities within a 5–10-mile radius, depending on what you’re after, and you only have 30 minutes to get through the forest before you’re charged. So make sure you come prepared… or go hungry.
Luckily for us, Anna can make anything out of anything, so we had Super Noodles and garlic bread for tea… how delightful.
If we’d actually come prepared, we’d have been sat there with a BBQ, a cold beer, and, if I was lucky, a foot rub after a long day’s walking. But it just wasn’t to be.
The Best Night's Sleep Ever
As you can imagine, due to the secluded location, the only noise is that of nature… oh, and your neighbour snoring. But we’ll ignore that because the sounds of nature outweigh Piglet next door.
We slept with the skylight (roof vent) open, watching the stars while listening to the distant owls. It was an experience I could relive over and over again. As the cold, brisk wind blows in from the valley, you’re reminded what it’s feels like to be completely cut off from the world below.
If I could package a campsite up and take it with me, it would be South Moor Farm. No frills, just wilderness and nature. Don’t visit expecting a lot, but I promise you’ll leave appreciating everything.
Things to do?
Dalby Forest also has a fantastic play park if you’re taking small children, and Go Ape for teenagers or adults who find swinging through trees more fun than walking. 😂
But, if like us, you want a bit more from your travels, then we’d definitely recommend the GetYourGuide app.
We use it all the time to find things to do wherever we are, and we’ve found some really good deals along the way. There are loads of things on there, from days out to tours and experiences, so it’s definitely worth having a look before you head off.
Here’s everything you need to know before booking.
10 kWh of electricity is included per day. Further usage is metered onsite at £0.25 per kWh.
One roof tent, touring caravan, campervan, motorhome or trailer tent allowed per pitch.
Additional units require additional pitches.
Pitch size
Ground type
Features
Suitable for
