Campsite · Walesby · Nottinghamshire

Walesby Forest

A 250-acre activity centre in Sherwood Forest that takes public campers too, with pay-as-you-go climbing, archery and kayaking and an open-air pool.

See all 6 photos

Some dogs
Campfires
Pool
Glamping

Walesby Forest is a charity-run outdoor activity centre in the woods near Walesby, north of Newark, that has been hosting visitors since 1938. Most of the year it works with schools and youth groups, but public camping weekends and holidays are marked on its calendar, and families can pitch in the woodland and join in the activities.

Pitches come in a range of sizes, from 15m x 15m to 30m x 15m, with standard and electric options, plus cheaper wild camping areas and pre-pitched bell tents with beds and linen supplied. Altar fires for cooking are allowed on most pitches. The shop, a licensed bar, free hot showers, water and Elsan points and recycling are all on site, and the site is staffed round the clock.

Activities (climbing, archery, rifle shooting, water sports on the lake) are pay and play, with wristbands sold only on bank holiday weekends and school holidays. Four large lodges sleeping around 30 each can also be hired, mainly by groups.

Pay-as-you-go climbing, archery and kayaking
Open-air swimming pool in summer
Bell tents with beds and linen supplied
Free children's evening entertainment
Altar fires on most pitches

Photos

Photos from walesbyforest.org.uk, the campsite's own website. Own this campsite? Claim it to choose your photos.

OpenNot known

Arrive / leaveFrom 14:00 / by 11:00

DogsIn some accommodation

CampfiresIn fire pits only

PoolOutdoor

ElectricYes

Prices

Camping prices are per person per night, including VAT. Lodge prices are per night for the whole lodge. Payment in full at booking.

When is it cheapest?

One night for two adults in the wild camping pitch, every night of the next year. Tap a day to price it.

CheapestDearestClosed

October 2026 from £22

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November 2026 from £22

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December 2026 from £22

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January 2027 from £22

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February 2027 from £22

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March 2027 from £22

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April 2027 from £22

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May 2027 from £22

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June 2027 from £22

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July 2027 from £22

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August 2027 from £22

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September 2027 from £22

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The full price list we hold (2027)

Seasons

Bank holiday weekends: Bank holiday weekends

Rates

For	Season	Nights	Price
pitch, pitch-electric	Any	Any	£16.50 person_night
pitch, pitch-electric	bh	Any	£17 person_night
wild-camping	Any	Any	£11 person_night
wild-camping	bh	Any	£11.50 person_night
easy-camping	Any	Any	£20 person_night
easy-camping	bh	Any	£25 person_night
kemp-lodge, walesby-lodge	Any	Any	£450 unit_night
sherwood-lodge	Any	Any	£425 unit_night
parker-lodge	Any	Any	£400 unit_night

People

Child 5–17: £11 night
Infant–4: £2.75 night
Child 5–17: £6.25 night
Infant–4: £2.65 night
Child 5–17: £10 night
Infant–4: £0 night

Extras

Electric: £12.50 night (Bank holiday 13.00)
Dog: £2.65 night (Bank holiday 2.75)
Other: £22 item (Activity day pass per person (bank holiday 23.00); half day 12.50 (13.00))
Other: £1.50 item (Swimming wristband per person per session (bank holiday 2.00))

Deposit: Payment in full at booking

Source: walesbyforest.org.uk, checked 2026-10-20. Always confirm the price when you book.

Places to stay

Standard camping pitch

Pitch

Grass
No electric
15m x 15m to 30m x 15m
For tent, caravan, motorhome, campervan

Water and Elsan points on site; altar fires allowed on most sites.

Electric camping pitch

Pitch

Grass
Electric 6A
For tent, caravan, motorhome, campervan

6 amps per pitch in total.

Wild camping pitch

Pitch

Grass
No electric
For tent

Cheaper rate; extra car free.

Easy camping bell tent

Pre-pitched tent · sleeps 5

Beds with mattresses for up to 5
Bedding included
Fire pit
No dogs

Bed linen, duvets and pillows supplied (beds come unmade); altar fire and picnic table outside; bring your own towels and cooking gear. Space for 2 cars. No electricity in the tent.

Kemp Lodge

Lodge · 1 of them · sleeps 36

32 beds plus 4 bunk beds
Bedding included
Full kitchen
Central heating
Own toilet
Own shower

Group-sized lodge with an accessible wet room; en-suite leader room.

Walesby Lodge

Lodge · 1 of them · sleeps 38

32 beds plus 6 bunk beds
Bedding included
Full kitchen
Central heating
Own toilet
Own shower

Group-sized lodge with two leader rooms.

Sherwood Lodge

Lodge · 1 of them · sleeps 36

32 beds plus 4 bunk beds
Bedding included
Full kitchen
Central heating
Own toilet
Own shower

Group-sized lodge near the camp centre.

Parker Lodge

Lodge · 1 of them · sleeps 33

Up to 29 beds plus 4 bunk beds
Bedding included
Full kitchen
Central heating
Own toilet
Own shower

Group-sized lodge near the camp centre, with its own garden.

Rules

Dogs: In some accommodation · £2.65 night · not in glamping
Dogs are welcome on camping pitches; not allowed in the easy camping bell tents.
Fires: In fire pits only
Altar fires for cooking or sitting round can be set up on most sites.
Pool: Outdoor · open 1 May to 30 September
Open-air pool, open from the May bank holiday to September; swimming wristband 1.50 per session.
Groups: By arrangement
Groups of more than 12 must pre-book through the office.
Arrival: From 14:00
Cancellation: Charge of 25% of the booking if cancelled 10+ weeks before, 50% at 10 to 6 weeks, 100% inside 6 weeks.
Also: Public camping runs on set dates shown on the camping calendar; other dates are for schools and youth groups
Also: Free children's evening entertainment (disco or campfire)

Facilities

Washing and toilets

Toilets
Showers (Free)
Hot water
Accessible toilet
Accessible shower

Pitches and power

Electric hook-up
Drinking water
Chemical toilet disposal

Food and drink

Shop
Bar
Fire pits

Things to do

Outdoor pool
Lake

Around the site

Woodland
Recycling

Only facilities we've confirmed are shown. Crossed out means confirmed not available.

Location

Brake Road, Walesby, Newark, Walesby, NG22 9NG

Nearest beachThe Beach4.8 miles
Nearest pubThe Carpenters Arms20 min walk
Nearest stationRetford6.5 miles

Directions in Google Maps

Questions people ask

Are dogs allowed at Walesby Forest?

Dogs are allowed in some of the accommodation but not all. They cost £2.65 a night.

Can you have a campfire at Walesby Forest?

Yes, in fire pits.

How much does it cost to stay at Walesby Forest?

From £22 a night for two adults, the lowest price we can find over the next year. Camping prices are per person per night, including VAT. Lodge prices are per night for the whole lodge. Payment in full at booking.

Does Walesby Forest have a swimming pool?

Yes, an outdoor pool. Open 1 May to 30 September.

Does Walesby Forest have electric hook-ups?

Yes.