The best off grid glamping in Yorkshire at Coast and Camplight
I had heard about Coast and Camplight a few times before my hike and was thrilled when they got in touch for a review. It really is the best off grid glamping site in Yorkshire and further afield and was a perfect stop off for Cookie and I in our second national park, the North York Moors.
I was welcomed to Coast and Camplight by chickens pecking in and out of their caravan home. Yes, literally a caravan for a home, alongside a large area outside to hang out too of course. Each camp is gifted some of the chicken’s eggs as part of your welcome pack too.
Coast and Camplight is such a special place and I smile every time I think of my night there. Verity and Ed have done such an incredible job of growing their small glamping business slowly and in tune with the land it is set in. It is completely off-grid with their own water supply from a spring on site. And let me tell you, that water was absolutely delicious. I feel like I became an expert in water across national parks, each day filling my water bladder from whatever tap was closest to me. The water from Coast and Camplight was a sweet, cool, refreshing elixir and I savoured every mouthful. Definitely my favourite.
Off Grid Glamping at Coast and Camplight
Coast and Camplight really is an absolutely gorgeous glamping spot, close to Whitby and based within the North York Moors National Park. They have four different camping spots, each secluded and unique.
I was gifted a one night stay by Verity and Ed as part of my A Walk in the Parks hike. Everything in this blog is true and accurate description of my experiences.
Staying at the Outpost at Coast and Camplight
They have 3 safari tent style camps that sleep up to four people and I was in their smaller bell tent. This camping area is so much more than just a bell tent. The tent is on a large decking area, complete with chairs, rugs and a table. In front of the decking was a fire pit with benches surrounding it and a hammock to snooze in the evening sun.
There is a toilet, shower and sink in a unique wooden hut just behind the tent. They only bought the tents new and have used various bits of second-hand wood, stained glass windows, a copper shower head and earth composting loo. It was so special and beautiful at every turn you didn’t mind having to get up to go outside for a wee.
My favourite part was the kitchen area. They had made a little kitchen area from a large old wooden rope spool and added more gorgeous stained-glass windows and other bits of wood to create not just a little cooking area, but a rotatable cooking area that you can move depending on the wind and sunshine. Wow!
The kitchen area had a chopping board, all the pots and pans and equipment you might need and some fresh eggs, teabags and coffee. There was a separate area behind too with a sink and stove area.
I had nipped to a local shop on my way and bought some super noodles and sweetcorn, I added a couple of their fresh eggs and had a delicious al fresco dinner by the campfire while chatting to Verity.
I loved hearing their story of how they have slowly developed this gorgeous off-grid glamping site. It is a labour of love and so distinctive and special and in harmony with the land… I think everyone should go.
Inside the bell tent was a full sized super duper comfortable bed, with a thick heavy duvet to keep you warm. They also provide extra blankets, though I didn’t need them. There isn’t a fire inside the tent, so they only have the tents open to book during the warmer months of the year.
The tents feel really luxurious and cosy inside, with lots of rugs, cushions and beanbags. There is also a cupboard filled with books and games to enjoy while you stay. There is no power in the tents, but they provide a fully charged battery bedside light and a large battery charging pack to charge your phones and equipment. They will swap it out for another if you use all the power too.
I had everything I needed for a stay and definitely want to return to stay longer.
The safari tents are much bigger than the bell tent I stayed in and include indoor log fires too to stay extra cosy. Each tent area is super secluded and you don’t even notice the other people on site.
It is important to note that all the campsites are along a grass path downhill and so not fully accessible. You can’t drive you car up to your tent. It’s only a couple of minute’s walk, so nothing major, but you might not want to bring a carload of things with you.
Why Coast and Camplight is super sustainable glamping site
Verity and Ed have lovingly developed this beautiful off grid glamping site. The farm has been in Ed’s family for over 50 years and each campsite area has been lovingly developed to fit into the national park landscape.
They build everything themselves, adding lots of unique touches and items that have been on the farm for years, like the old rope spool that form part of the kitchen at my Outpost camping site or the sinks that the pigs once used to eat their breakfast in.
Verity and Ed wanted to ensure they treaded lightly on the land and the site was fully off-grid. Lights are battery powered and the stove is powered from a gas bottle. The water (that is hot and comes from a tap!) is from a natural spring on the land.
Each camp has its own earth composting toilet, which I was quite used to from living at Hill Holt Wood. If you haven’t used one before you will be surprised at how they really don’t smell at all and sawdust is used after you’ve done your business.
They also wanted to ensure they didn’t use any concrete and so all the camps are on handmade wooden bases and it is just grass mown paths to each campsite.
Verity and Ed have thought of everything to create such an incredible off grid glamping site. I aspire to create something like this myself one day. They have certainly inspired lots of new ideas.
Walking the Coastal Path from Whitby to Robin Hoods Bay
Coast and Camplight is about an hour’s walk from Whitby. It is a little off the coastal path, so if you are looking to split it into to two then Coast and Camplight is the perfect stop. Robin Hood’s Bay is also the start of the Coast to Coast walk so it’s a great stop off near the end or just before you start that walk too.
A few things to know about walking the coastal path from Whitby to Robin Hoods Bay
- The route from the centre of Whitby to the centre of Robin Hood’s Bay is about 7 miles so you could easily do this in a day. You can also get a bus back from Robin Hood’s Bay to Whitby and then could walk up to Camp and Coastlight (after some fish and chips of course)
- The route is often right on the cliff and pretty clear along the coast, though you sometimes need to go off the original path due to erosion, this is usually clearly signposted
- The route is part of the Cleveland Way National Trail so once on the route you can follow those signs
- In Whitby the route starts by climbing up 199 steps to Whitby Abbey where you start along the coast. They are worth it I promise.
- Though there is a bit of up and down as with any coastal walk, it is one the easier parts of the route.
I have walked the coastal path between Whitby, Robin Hood’s Bay and Scarborough a few times, so doing this part of my hike felt a little like coming home. There is nothing better than returning to one of your favourite walks and reliving old memories. It helps that the weather was absolutely glorious when I did it too.
You can follow the full route I did in the North York Moors on Komoot.
Whether you want to hike or you just want to try out some gorgeous glamping and then drive into Whitby or Scarborough for sightseeing, I honestly cannot recommend the magical Coast and Camplight enough.
It is a gorgeous glamping spot that has been lovingly created with nature at its heart.
