5 Best Campsites in the Lake District

The Lake District in England is one of the most popular camping and caravanning destinations in the UK. Located in Cumbria, England, this 912 square mile park attracts over 15 million visitors per year. By comparison, the most visited national park in the US is the Great Smoky Mountains National Park which attracts only 11 million visitors per year.

To accommodate all those visitors heading to the Lake District there are a large number of campsites available. In this article we will look at lake district camping and how to locate those top campsites in lake district based on your needs. We'll take a look at a few specific locations which offer unique features.

Whether traveling for a weekend away or for a proper long adventure in the wilderness, the comfort and flexibility of an RV or campervan will add to any trip. One of the favorite destinations for any length of motorhome trip is the Lake District. This national park in North West England was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2017.

The area is an extremely popular vacation destination and is particularly popular with hikers and outdoor enthusiasts. For hiking, its small but well-formed peaks, valleys and moors are sublime. Some of the prettiest english villages can be captivating with standing stones and ancient castles, prehistoric burial sites and roman ruins. Plus spectacular rugged British coastal landscapes. You can get lost for weeks exploring the hidden corners of these beautiful islands.

The internet is one of the best resources for locating campsites in the Lake District. Find camp sites in the lake district that fit your specific needs. The site allows you to narrow your search by many different parameters such as pitch type (tent, caravan, motorhome, etc.), site type, facilities and others.

The park offers several educational opportunities throughout the year. In the winter for example, they offer a course on the use of ice axes and crampons for winter trekking within the park. These programs can help sharpen your skills and make your time within this, or any other park, more enjoyable.

The park contains 16 lakes, several mountains and areas of flatter terrain. The varied landscapes create opportunities for a wide range of activities. Hiking and cycling are popular choices on land, while fishing, canoeing and kayaking are popular on the lakes during the lake district camping. The many mountains within the park offer mountain and rock-climbing opportunities for all skill levels.

A general search provides over 300 camping areas in the Cumbria region. From there, you can easily narrow down and find the perfect site for you. For example, there are 5 areas suitable for a motorhome with full hookups, internet and a pool. Other campsite location resources include the Lake District National Park Site, Freedom to Go, and Pitchup. Following are some specific camping sites in lake district which are worth noting.

1. Fisherground Campsite

The Fisherground Farm Campsite is located in the western area of the Lake District, not far from the coast. This is an extremely popular camping area which is consistently rated in the top 50 campgrounds in the world. It has a first rate adventure playground making it a great choice for camping families.

Other notable landmarks in the area include the Stanley Ghyll Force waterfall which falls over 60 feet into a rhododendron lined ravine. The campground is also a stop on the Ravenglass & Eskdale Narrow Gauge Railway. This allows access to the campground for those without other transportation. It also provides transport to other areas of the park without having to break camp.

The lake district is within a day's drive of most major cities in England, Wales and Scotland. London is only 434 km, with Liverpool, Manchester and Leeds being much closer at less than 170 km. From the north, Edinburgh and Glasgow, Scotland are about 193 km. This close proximity makes the park easily accessible so that fun and relaxation are just a short drive away.

2. White Cross Bay Holiday Park

Among campsites near lake Windermere, White Cross Bay Holiday Park is a large park offering high end amenities located on the shores of Lake Windermere. For lakeside camping in lake district, here you will find hundreds of sites, many with full hookups along with a heated swimming pool, sauna, restaurants, children's play area, hot tub, steam room and gymnasium.

Couple that with outstanding views of the lake and access to a boat launch and you have a near perfect lakefront getaway location whether you are looking to relax or have an exciting day on the water.

At 2362 km2, The Lake District is the largest national park in England. The large size means visitors to the park will have plenty of options to fill out their days without ever doing the same thing twice. It also means that travelers have plenty of options to find or visit areas that meet their ideal level of interaction with other visitors, be it complete solitude or hiking with a large guided tour.

3. Eden Valley

If you are searching for that quiet retreat away from the crowds you may want to consider camping at Eden Valley. Located in Cumbria just outside the Lake District, this small collection of 6 or so camp sites in lake district offers solitude and amazing sunsets that are hard to find in the area. There is also a private wild camping site next to the main camping area that can be reserved for that extra level of privacy.

These are very basic sites with no amenities, but those who stay here don't come to be pampered. There are hundreds of hiking trails within the park covering a broad range of difficulty. From casual strolls along the lake shore to much more demanding hikes along several of the mountains within the park, there is something for every skill level. There are even a number of guided hikes offered throughout the park.

4. Syke Farm Campsite

Syke Farm Camping Ground is a similarly basic, albeit larger and busier campground located in the southwestern part of the Lake District. The amenities here are also fairly basic, but the nearby village of Buttermere does offer a few things for visitors to do as well as a source for some basic supplies.

All in all, this area provides visitors a relaxing step back in time where you can disconnect from modern society, reconnect with your family, and enjoy the simple life for a little bit. It is also a popular place for fell walking.

Whether you prefer to stay in a town like setting with all the comforts of modern life or isolated in the remote backcountry, the Lake District has you covered. There are a number of towns and villages within and adjoining the park, many of which are connected to each other through the park trail system. You can choose to stay entirely in the backcountry, or travel from campsite to campsite or do a little of both.

Motorhomes can be parked in the Lake District car parks overnight but staying in them is not permitted. This allows you to park and head off into the backcountry. If you wish to camp in your RV, you will have to find a spot in one of the many campgrounds located adjacent to the park. There are many options ranging from basic services to high end resorts.

5. Baysbrown Farm

If you would like to get away from the lakes and spend more time in the mountains then consider staying at Baysbrown Farm. Here, you'll find three large best camping areas in lake district that have no specific pitches designated. You simply pull in and find a spot which you find comfortable to set up on. You'll also find several mountain crags that are often covered mist at sunrise, giving the area a true mountain feel.

This is also a great place to do some fell walking. Visitors to the Lake District have the opportunity to view the many species of flora and fauna within the park. Birders can find buzzards, kestrels, osprey, hawfinch, auks, kittiwakes, fulmars, and the second largest bird of prey in the UK: the golden eagle. Mammals are common in the park as well, both on land and in the water with red deer, otters, lynx and grey seals calling the park home.

During wildflower season in the summer a large variety of butterflies can be found within the park. The Lake District is also home to the largest areas of woodland in England and is home to a broad range of trees, lichens, fungi, mosses and liverwort.

The Lake District in North West England is large and extremely popular park for camping getaways. The choices vary as much as the landscape itself. Wherever you end up, it will be an inspiring and adventurous trip.

For anyone looking for a nice trip away, the Lake District has so much to offer. Taking an RV to the camping sites in the lake district allows for comfort and convenience, so you can plan to suit your adventure. That way you can go for a few days, a week or a month and really get to experience the rolling hills and stark beauty of the wilderness.