Masons Farm Campsite in North Yorkshire

A Post-GCSE Road Trip

I actually thought long and hard about whether to bother writing this review (and according to the man I married I rarely think like that about anything!) because there have been so many reviews about this particular site that yet another one might become a little tedious. However, since it was one of the nicest sites we have ever stayed on in a truly beautiful part of the country, I decided to go for it.

My son finished his GCSE's this summer and was rewarded with 10 weeks off school! As my daughter was still in school for 4 of these weeks, my son and I decided to take a little road trip up north, accompanied by the fat brown spaniel.

Masons Farm Campsite is situated in Appletreewick in the Yorkshire Dales. The nearest town of any significance is Grassington if you are struggling to find it on the map. It is also very close to the little village of Rylstone, where the original 'Calender Girls' stripped off for their famous alternative Women's Institute calender.

I had been aware of the campsite for quite some time because it has been so thoroughly reviewed by other well-published camping writers and on many camping websites. Thanks to all of these reviews, we knew we were in for a treat. What we weren't prepared for was just how much of a treat it would be.

Due to its' popularity you do have to book well in advance during the main season. I had left it rather late because I was watching the weather forecast and, as a result, was only able to book for two of the four nights we wanted. My forecast-watching did pay off though because we had glorious weather while we were there in late June.

The site is easy to find, my sat-nav took us straight there. It is located in the tiny hamlet of Appletreewick on the banks of the river Wharfe. The camping field is completely flat and surrounded by dry-stone walling. There are electric hook-ups available to those that want them. It is a simple site but this does not mean basic. The toilet and shower facilities are housed in a converted outbuilding and are warm, clean and more than adequate. You are even entertained throughout your ablutions by piped in birdsong (it took teenage boy the whole two days we were there to work out that it wasn't real birdsong - doesn't bode well for the GCSE results!!) The campsite Reception is housed in a converted Airstream caravan which is also home to a surprisingly well-stocked little shop.

 Masons Farm allow the use of firepits BUT, and it is a big but, you are not allowed to take your own! Apparently the Yorkshire Dales National Park authorities will only permit the use of firepits of a certain design so this means hiring one from the campsite. I only mention this so that you don't make the mistake I did and take up valuable packing space with an enormous firepit that you won't be allowed to use when you get there!

The site has branched out into the glamping business and they have a small number of yurts, a couple of vintage campervans and an Airstream caravan for hire. Sadly, but perhaps understandably, these units have been given the prime spots alongside the river. A minor detail though and not one to spoil your stay here.

A short walk away from the site are two very nice looking Yorkshire pubs that both serve food, the Craven Arms and The New Inn.  We didn't eat at either on this visit because we were too busy playing with our huge firepit that I was determined to get value for money from. Both pubs looked very inviting though and it is good to have another option if you don't want to cook or the weather turns and you fancy a roaring log fire and someone else's culinary efforts.

This section of the river Wharfe is lovely and relatively shallow, making it great fun for kids to play in safely. There is a little island they can wade out to too. It really is like something from an Enid Blyton story.

We walked from the campsite, along the river, into nearby Burnsall. This is a short walk that mainly follows the river with the occasional short deviation through some fields with livestock. Here you will find a lovely riverside pub, the Red Lion, a couple of tea rooms and a little shop. The walk continues into Grassington but we were distracted by the cheesy chips and home-pressed orange juice at the pub and stayed longer than we planned, meaning we only had time to waddle back to the campsite.

 As you approach the village the footpath widens out beside the river to a very large grassy picnic area. There are toilets and a wide shingle 'beach'. Children were playing in the river in inflatable dinghies and fishing with nets. On a nice day it would be a lovely place to spend time.

We really enjoyed our short stay in this part of Yorkshire and we will definitely return in the near future because there is so much to see and do here.