Recommendations for family camping/MTB at Keswick/Whinlatter

I’m planning on camping up near Keswick in a couple of weeks and want to know if there are any easy trails for my kids (nearly 5 and just gone 7).

I can’t see any green runs on the Whinlatter map, but I’m guessing that’s because it’s quite hilly (I’ve not been before).

Also, any recommendations for a campsite (for big family tent) for about 3 nights ? I’d rather pay more for a nicer campsite with nice facilities, especially to keep my wife happy !

Welcome

I’d second castlerigg, stunning views in good weather as its on an elevated hillside, good facilities too.

Be careful of weather coming in from the west as it doesn’t half come howling down the valley, thought our caravan was going to tip over during a storm one night there, pretty much the whole camping field packed up and left during the night! Great fun

Ther eis a blue – possibly about 6km long ish with a couple of steep ish – for the age – climbs, DId it with my kids when they were that age

Please note that when leaving the MAIN car park the first “downhill” is the ONLY “technical” part of the course it is not indicative at all of the rest of the route- I think there is another bermed descent actually possibly after the viewing point which is stunning.

If you park in the car park below the main one its free and links on to the blue route anyway.

Excellent play area by the side of the main car park they will love and could spend a few hours there alone. Its a good choice IMHO depending on riding abilities of the kids.

There is a campsite in the village just off the main road

Think flat field, good facilities, caravans and tents . Bit busy but not Glastonbury levels and can be noisy

I prefer the natural feel of Lanefoot farm

Lanefoot Farm Camping

The illusion museum LINKY[/url] is a good day out for them and they will love that as well
Enjoy it – we did at the same age – might have both been a year older I forget 😀

There’s good camping in Braithwaite facilities are fine & a few places pubs etc to eat & you can easily walk to Keswick or Portinscale with a lot more places to choose from, a great café / restaurant called the Chalet at Portinscale close by.

My missus runs along a path next to a small steam for a few miles I ride along side of her, i’ll find out the name & let you know,
Though the old railway line – bridge has been closed due to flooding I’m sure there’s part of the old line can be ridden or you can go to Threlkeld & do the easy climb & maybe a little bit of a push to Skiddaw house with great views.
Also they might like to see the Stone Circle near by, a mini Stone Henge.

jekkyl/matt, thanks for suggestions – I’ll check Castlerigg out

junkyard, thanks for the advice – I’ll give the blue a try. My kids have done a bit of the blue at LLandegla. They know when to use the brakes and get off and walk. Just don’t want them to get run-over by faster riders, hence green is better. Good tip about the play area, they will indeed happily spend hours at such places. I’ll definitely check out that funny museum, that’s right up our street !

yorky – many thanks, they all sound like good ideas, so I’ve probably got enough to do now for 3 days 😉

As for hoping for good weather, I just tend to keep my expectations low, and sometimes I’m pleasantly surprised.

Castlerigg FTW.

The popular campsite in Brathwaite alluded to above is Scotgate. It does get quite busy, but the main point of interest to familys is the great fully underfloor heated shower/toilet block. Just the ticket in the winter!

There may or may not be a cheeky ride that starts at the end of the lane that both Castlerigg campsites is on. The cheeky ride may or may not go up to Walla Crag and down to Ashness Bridge to start the borrowdale bash or just a quick simple ride, I couldn’t possibly comment.

Bookmarking this, and castle rig does look nice but I just don’t get the whole can’t book thing.
If I’m driving 2or so hours, I’d want to be sure I was going to get a pitch when I get there.

I think it’s because they have enough tent space that its not really an issue.

Bookmarking

My kids are similar age, the older one has ridden the whole blue and the bottom half of the the south red, the younger one likes repeating the very beginning of the blue but hasn’t got much further.
Rides that have worked well:
West shore foot path Derwentwater
Little Town south to the end of the valley past Carlisle Mountaineering club hut, picnic/play in river, return same way.
Stair, up road to Skellgill (steep) then BW to Little town farm for beer/ ice cream, return along road.
Scales to Mungrisdale for pub lunch at mill inn, return same way- a quiet gated lane, not off road. Did that today.
Shore BWs alongside Buttermere and Loweswater.

Braithwaite for nice site with good facilities (scotgate). Playground in Braithwaite school open to public on weekends.