Review: Catgill Campsite

At the end of last month we finally had the chance to head out on a family camping trip again. It was our first trip this year, in fact it was our first as a family of four. It was also the first time we’ve used our new tent and the first time we’ve camped in Yorkshire. So for a quick midweek getaway, it was actually quite a momentous occasion!

I had actually already earmarked Catgill Campsite as a possible destination for a trip this summer, and so when they coincidentally got in touch to see if we were interested in a stay, I didn’t need asking twice.

One of the reasons I had picked out Catgill Campsite was due to its location. It’s not far from the thriving market town of Skipton, so there are amenities nearby. A big plus is its proximity to Bolton Abbey, which I have been keen to visit for ages. I loved the fact that we could walk there from the campsite.

We had a great day out at Bolton Abbey, crossing the famous stepping stones (harder and scarier than it looks!) and doing the ‘Welly Walk’

If you’re in the area, Bolton Abbey is a great family day out. If you walk there it’s free to get in, although entry is £10 per car.

After location, I always look at the facilities. We’re fairly low maintenance campers and prefer small, friendly campsites. As long as there are showers and washing up sinks I’m happy-anything else is a bonus!

Catgill Campsite has got the small, friendly vibe down to a tee. On arrival we received a great welcome, and throughout our stay, every member of staff we saw had a smile on their face. It was also a really relaxed site, which allows campers to arrive and leave whenever they want up to 9pm. This makes life so much easier, especially when you have a long way to travel. There are also no marked pitches, unless you opt for EHU, so you can pick your spot.

I liked the fact that there was a number to call if you needed assistance.

Also, cars are only allowed on your pitch on arrival and departure. This makes the site very quiet and ideal for those with small children. I liked not having to worry about cars moving around while the kids were playing.

Being car free means that you can enjoy the peace of your surroundings

The facilities were great at Catgill, just how we like it. The campsite was only established in 2014 so everything is relatively new. The showers were clean at all times, although it was quiet when we were there. There are four shower and toilet cubicles in each of the male and female blocks, plus a disabled toilet/wetroom/babychanging room as well.

I really liked the washing up room. As well as sinks, it also had two fridges, a freezer and microwave, plus lots of leaflets and local info to help plan your trip.

The washing up facilities were first class, and made life easy when camping with a baby.

Something that we always love about camping is having a fire, so I was really happy that Catgill Campsite had firepits available to hire. For our two night stay it cost £20 and that also included kindling and a bag of logs. It was a bit chilly at night while we were there, so it lovely to sit out with a fire and enjoy the view.

One benefit of a cold, clear night, is waking up to a view like this

The site also has a small shop selling essentials and a coffee shop that is open for morning coffee and croissants. We didn’t partake, but I know from experience that its a really nice treat on days when the weather is a bit pants or you fancy taking it easy.

The coffee shop is open for breakfast

Overall, we all absolutely loved Catgill Campsite. It is a really stunning setting, and we enjoyed the laid back feeling to it. The facilities were good and all the staff we met were incredibly friendly and helpful. The only negative point I can think of is that it’s really not very flat. In our field it was a struggle to find a flattish area, luckily it was fairly quiet so we could go anywhere we liked. There is another field that is open at weekends, although that wasn’t completely flat either. It didn’t affect our comfort at all, but it’s just something to bear in mind, especially if you’re camping during peak times.

We will definitely return so that we can explore the area again. Have you ever camped at Catgill Campsite? Does it look like your sort of place?

Disclaimer: We were gifted a two night stay in exchange for this review post. All words and opinions are my own.