Top Lake District campsites

  Lake District Camping

Coniston Park Coppice Caravan And Motorhome Club Site
Park Gate, Coniston, Cumbria LA21 8LA
01539 441555
www.caravanclub.co.uk

This might seem a large site, but with pretty landscaping, set in wooded areas and surrounded by trees you do feel pretty secluded. Coniston Park Coppice is located in 63 acres of National Trust woodland, close to Coniston Water. A short walk of 400 yards will bring you to the lakeside and a launching point for dinghies, windsurfing and canoeing. Coniston Pier is just one mile away and offers steamboat rides on the Coniston Gondola and also boat hire. There are several cafés and pubs within walking distance with the Ship Inn being both child and dog friendly. You can easily walk or cycle into Coniston village too (about a 15-minute bike ride). This Club site is an excellently placed central point for exploring the whole National Park – the walking is matchless and birdwatchers will not be disappointed, especially in Grizedale Forest.  Site facilities include electric hook-up, toilets and showers, a laundry, children’s play area and Wi-Fi.

Shepherds Views Holidays
Holmrook, Ravenglass, Cumbria CA19 1XU
01946 729907
www.shepherdsviews.co.uk

This site may not technically be within the Lake District National Park but it occupies a great location – close to both the Lakeland mountains and the coast – but away from the tourist crowds of the more traditional Lake District. The campsite’s location is ideal for keen cyclists as it is near the start of Hadrian’s Cycleway which runs from Ravenglass to South Shields and passes by the site entrance. There are also plenty of cycle routes in the local area for all abilities, from country lanes to extreme mountain biking.  There are a selection of pitches available, with the backdrop of the Wasdale Hills and valley. Local shops and facilities can be found just over a mile away at Seascale. Shepherds Views’ facilities include electric hook-up, a unisex facility building with privacy cubicles, toilets and showers along with a wetroom for the disabled, and a washing up area.

Castlerigg Hall Caravan & Camping Park
Keswick, Cumbria CA12 4TE
01768 774499
www.castlerigg.co.uk

If you want to be within two miles of the bustling market town of Keswick, yet still be surrounded by the gorgeous Lakeland scenery, then Castlerigg Hall is the place to be. It’s just one and a half miles to the town centre, set in an elevated position with panoramic views of Derwentwater and Bassenthwaite Lake, with a backdrop of the surrounding fells.  The site caters for families and couples only. Some pitches have lake views while others are set among trees and hedges. The on-site restaurant and tea room, with outside balcony, comes highly recommended and serves breakfasts (anything from cereal and coffee to a full English) and evening meals. This is also a great site for people on holiday with their pets because as well as plenty of outdoor space, there is a dog exercise area and a dedicated dog wash.

The Quiet Site
Ullswater, Cumbria CA11 0LS
07768 727016
www.thequietsite.co.uk

We are big fans of this site. Firstly for its location – a secluded position among the fells that overlook Ullswater, and secondly for its unique, rustic on-site bar. It’s warm, inviting, and the perfect place to relax after a day exploring the Lakes. The barn was converted into a bar in the 1950s. There’s cushioned beer kegs for chairs and a roaring open fire. There’s also a soft play area and games room. The bar sells a selection of local ales including the site’s own brew 'The Quiet Pint' which is available to buy in the site shop too. The Quiet Site is situated between Little Mell Fell and Ullswater with views to Helvellyn. All of the pitches are terraced and are mix of grass and pea gravel. Facilities include toilets and showers, a family shower room, dishwashing, a laundry, children’s play area, well-stocked shop and free Wi-Fi. There are many beautiful walks that you can start from right outside the site, including one to the stunning NT Aira Force waterfall (maps available) and Penrith is only seven miles away.

Park Cliffe Camping & Caravan Estate
Birks Road, Windermere, Cumbria LA23 3PG
01539 531344
www.parkcliffe.co.uk

Park Cliffe offers a tranquil retreat at the heart of the Lake District, close to Bowness-on-Windermere, in 25 acres of picturesque countryside. Guests arriving at the site can expect to see lake and fell views and lots of woodland wildlife. There’s lots to do around Park Cliffe especially in the town of Bowness and Windemere itself – walkers, climbers and watersports enthusiasts will be more than happy here. Popular attraction suggestions include the Keswick Pencil Museum, Go Ape at Grizedale Forest, the Laurel & Hardy Museum and the Lakeside & Haverthwaite Railway. Reception can also provide a handy leaflet of rainy day places too. Most pitches have views of Moor How which is a small hill offering spectacular views over Lake Windermere. You can access the hill through the children’s playground at the back of the site. Facilities on site include heated toilets and showers, private bathrooms for hire, a licensed shop, and a bar and restaurant that is open daily during high season and at weekends in low season.

Troutbeck Camping & Caravanning Club Site
Hutton Moor End, Troutbeck, Penrith, Cumbria CA11 0SX
01768 779149
www.campingandcaravanningclub.co.uk

For those looking to explore Keswick and Derwentwater, this Club site makes a good choice as access to those tourist hotspots is easy and a local bus network is handy. The site is surrounded by countryside with fell views and for walkers Blencathra and Sharp Edge are easily accessible. A less strenuous stroll is the half-hour walk to the White Horse pub in Scales. If you want to cook for yourself then the on-site licensed shop sells free range eggs, meat, baked goods and real ales. There are also weekly farmers’ markets locally. The Coast2Coast cycleway passes by the site and another popular mountain bike route is the Old Coach Road that has splendid views of Blencathra and Skiddaw in parts. An activity centre in Troutbeck offers horse riding, archery, quad bikes and karting, while Ullswater has sandy beaches, sailing, kayaking and windsurfing.  Pitches on site are spacious and are complemented by good toilet and shower facilities, a laundry and facilities for the disabled.

Keswick Camping & Caravanning Club Site
Crow Park Road, Keswick, Cumbria CA12 5EP
01768 772392
www.campingandcaravanningclub.co.uk

Keswick Club Site is great for active people. Set on the shores of Derwentwater the site boasts a prime location with views extending over the lake and to the hills beyond. This stretch if water is popular for canoeing and kayaking and you  can launch from site for a small charge. You can take your pick from numerous lake and hillside tracks and trails that can be explored on foot or on two wheels. For the more adventurous walker, Skiddaw, the fourth highest mountain in England, is easily reached. For a more relaxed pace of life why not fish on the lake – hire a boat from one of the marinas and head out into the lake’s centre to catch pike, bream and trout. Many passenger boats also operate around the lake with several drop-off points. Keswick town is within walking distance and offers provisions, outdoor gear, and places to eat and drink. Also, if you head to the southern end of Derwentwater and the valley of Borrowdale you’ll find the Neolithic Castlerigg Stone Circle.

Eskdale Campsite
Boot, Holmrook, Cumbria CA19 1TH
01946 723253
www.eskdalecamping.com

This site is nestled in the Eskdale Valley, close to the town of Boot which has dog-friendly pubs and a station for the seven-mile Ravenglass and Eskdale railway. Scafell Pike is easily accessed from site, but more gentle walks take in Stanley Ghyll Falls and Burnmoor Tarn. For days out there’s Muncaster Castle and the World Owl Centre to explore. The site is also handy for those wishing to conquer Scafell Pike, visit Wastwater and use the Eskdale cycle trail. There’s great walking from the site, from major hikes to shorter river walks. Throughout the season organised walking and activity days take place – the site can offer full details of these. Facilities at Eskdale include grass pitches with or without electric, toilets and showers with family shower rooms, a play area, a laundry, drying room and shop.

Baysbrown Farm Campsite
Great Langdale, Ambleside, Cumbria LA22 9JR
01539 437150
www.baysbrownfarmcampsite.co.uk

At the entrance to the stunning Langdale Valley, in the village of Chapel Stile, you’ll find Baysbrown Farm Campsite. The site is located about seven miles from Ambleside on a working Lakeland farm where a large area has been set aside for camping and for small motorhomes and campervans. There are no designated pitches here, just lots of space on grass to set pitch-up where you like. You can then sit back, relax and enjoy the views of the towering Cumbrian hills all around you. While the view from the campsite is spectacular you must make the most of the superb location for fell walking and climbing. Routes include Bowfell, Crinkle Crags, The Langdale Pikes and even Scafell Pike. There are also great low level walks through woodlands, valley bottoms and picturesque villages. Baysbrown is also a great base for exploring the larger villages nearby including Ambleside, Grasmere and Hawkeshead. Facilities on site are basic with no electric, basic toilets and showers, a washing up room and drinking water. Cameras and phones etc can be charged for a small fee.

Stanwix Park Holiday Centre
Greenrow, Silloth, Cumbria CA7 4HH
01697 332666
www.stanwix.com

Stanwix Park is located near Silloth, a Victorian seaside town, offering breathtaking views across the Solway of Dumfries and Galloway and has, as its backdrop, the Lakeland Mountains. There’s a picturesque promenade here, summer festivals, and a funfair overlooking the beach that stretches for 13 miles south to Maryport. To the east there’s Hadrian’s Wall and historic Carlisle is just half and hour drive away. Attractions in Carlisle include its castle and Tullie House Museum.  As the names suggests, Stanwix Park Holiday Centre has everything you could need for a holiday on site. All pitches have electric and facilities include toilets and showers, bath cubicles and a laundry. For recreational activities there is an outdoor pool (open May – September) with sun terrace, a large indoor pool, a gym, spa pool, sauna and steam room. There’s also snooker, tennis courts, a play park, bike hire, crazy golf and varied entertainment. The café and shop take care of food and the essentials.

High Thorn Farm
Selside, Nr Kendal, Cumbria LA8 9JX
01539 823295
www.highthorn-farm.com

High Thorn Farm is a small family run enterprise, occupying an enviable position nestled between the beautiful Lake District National Park and the sweeping Howgills. The site includes ponds, fields, meadows and uninterrupted views of the peaceful countryside. Facilities at the lake have purposely been kept basic to protect the ecological balance of the secluded area. Therefore there’s just a toilet in the way of facilities but you will be rewarded with peace, tranquillity and an abundance of Lake District wildlife. For an extra charge you can enjoy the site’s sheltered coarse fishing lake too. The farm is located at Selside, near Kendal, on the edge of the Lake District National Park, yet away from the main busy tourist atmosphere. There are many walks available on the adjoining mountains and moors, along with golf, horse riding and fine dining all nearby.