Not been to Lakes for hols before so considering it , looking to camp with family 2 adults 3 kids so needs to be near various leisure/touristy stuff to do with easy access as 6 month old with us.

Any campsite suggestions that have been tried and tested?

Probably for 4 nights only.

I really liked http://www.thequietsite.co.uk/ – I think it cost me £8 a night. They have all kinds of pitches and static caravans too ( if thats easier.

It’s fantastic place with basic, but good amenities. It has a little old pub lodge thing on site with a fantastic old open fire, it has a little dairy and camping bits shop on site too…

It’s just far enough out of the way to be utterly quiet and no street lights, so the stars are amazing and the milky way is clearly visible, the longer you look the more stars become visible.
It’s very near a local town with supermarkets and lots of touristy stuff near by and nice restaurants/pubs.

Be very careful where you stay; in recent years I’ve had some nightmare experiences in popular campsites near pubs with selfish inconsiderate people making noise at night.

Langdale or Wasdale National Trust sites, generally very good facilities but can get very busy so booking is advised.

they’ve recently had to put their prices up after a change in fire regulations (bigger gaps between tents=less bodies on the site) but that’s not really their fault.

Be warned. The National Trust sites are getting like Ryanair. They charge booking fees online, will only let you book certain combos of tents/people/cars and if you want to ring through a booking they charge you even more for the privilege.

That said, the NT site at Low Wray is lovely and right on the shores of Windermere. Good facilities but no other facilities within easy (child) walking distance. Ambleside and Grizedale forest very close tho’

Camping and caravan club site in Keswick. Nice site on derwentwater, playpark for the kids, couple of minutes walk to town and lots for the kids to do – pool, small but interesting museum, pencil museum, etc. Lots if walks and riding from Keswick.

Castlerigg Farm above Keswick is nice, amazing views – and there’s lots to do in Keswick (plus Whinlatter, Borrowdale Bash, Skiddaw/Lonscale Fell etc are nearby for biking).

http://www.campingandcaravanningclub.co.uk/siteseeker/aspx/search.aspx
http://www.theatrebythelake.co.uk/whatson.asp?category=Festivals

Gary_M – Member
Camping and caravan club site in Keswick

Going this weekend and riding Walna Scar with nobeerinthefridge 😆

I would highly recommend the campsite at the top end of borrowdale valley at chapel farm. it is on the left before a sharp right hand bend before the turning to seathwaite. it has basic facilities but is only £6pppn and I think kids are cheaper than that. excellent views and good location to most things in the central lakes including Honister, Gt gable, Scafell, Keswick, Whinlatter etc etc etc etc

http://www.scotgateholidaypark.co.uk/

In Braithewaite just outside Keswick. Not the cheapest, but great location, spot-on fried brekkie at the onsite cafe, good facilities and ‘central’ for Keswick and the northern lakes.

Very close to Whinlatter too if you manage to take the bike and sneak off for half a day – http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?ie=UTF8&q=whinlatter&fb=1&gl=uk&hq=whinlatter&cid=0,0,5639232133039551420&ll=54.603494,-3.189726&spn=0.017649,0.055189&t=h&z=14

slainte 😀 rob

Was recently at Langdale campsite during one of the may bank hols and was simply brilliant (had amazing weather too).. High recommend but not one of the cheapest campsite

colournoise – Member

http://www.scotgateholidaypark.co.uk/

In Braithewaite just outside Keswick. Not the cheapest, but great location, spot-on fried brekkie at the onsite cafe, good facilities and ‘central’ for Keswick and the northern lakes.

The location is good but they sure do squeeze you in, handy if you like opening your tent and stepping straight into a strangers tent.

You could stay at the Wheatsheaf Inn campsite on the quiet side of whinlatter. Hollows farm down Borrowdale is good for riding Castle Craggs etc.