Message Forums

I think all of these sites take advanced bookings. My preferance is for smaller sites but we have not stayed at any of these. The last time we tried to book the Hall and the Farm they where full up. They are both busy sires. We stayed at on called Burns Farm on the other side of Keswick, whch would be easier for you to get to from stranraer as it is just of the A66.

Good luck,

Shelly

Burns farm is nice as well...

Keswick C & c site is really nice!!! Well worth joining for!

Neither Castlerigg Hall nor Farm take bookings for tents, but if its September I wouldn't think you would have a problem.

We've stayed at Castlerigg Hall many times and its a wonderful site, haven't stayed at Farm but have walked past - looks very pleasant as well. The hall site has a lovely campers cafe for breakfast which is scrummy. There is a path just outside the site which leads to town - took us around 15 minutes down. (Bus 555 comes back up the hill if you don't want to walk it)

I've always found Keswick quieter than Windermere but still quite touristy. However, you're going after the kids holidays so shouldn't be bad. Make sure you get the boat around Derwentwater - its a fab trip !!

Enjoy youselves !!

Can confirm that neither of the Castlerigg sites take bookings but as Gail says, you shouldn't have any problem at either in September once the schools over here have gone back.

We have stayed at the Farm but not the Hall. No complaints whatsoever with Castlerigg Farm. In comparison to the Hall i understand it is considered basic but it depends what you are after. We always found the toilets and showers plentiful, clean and didn't have to queue, even in July. Good pot washing facilities etc. and a good laundary room. Nice little shop that even did breakfasts and hot drinks, a real bonus for us at the time as we were backpacking and travelling light.

Yes, the Farm does have a very strict 10.30pm curfew and that is why we went there as we love peace and quiet. It was quite amazing, and very nice, to hear it go totally quiet at about 10.35! If this is not your thing, do not use this site; they make it quite clear when you check in that they will chuck you off straight away if there are any problems. Perhaps it was just my imagination but the site even seemed quieter than others during the day as well, perhaps it just attracts that sort of camper.

As for location, Keswick is beautiful albeit a tad touristy to say the least. However, as with the rest of the lake district, the worst of it can be avoided if you seek out some of the less well known spots (and go off-peak as you are). The two campsites are a little out of town (30 min walk, 10 min drive) but there is a beautiful footpath beside a stream which runs down the back of the Castlerigg Hall site that takes you straight into Keswick (saves battling to find a parking space!). Be warned though, it is a steep climb back up, especially at the end of a long day with several bags of grub! There is also a lovely footpath the other way behind Castlerigg Farm which takes you to the Castlerigg Stone circle which is well worth a visit and again, you can avoid the parking problems. 

Steamboat ride around Derwent water is a must; either do the whole route which is lovely or perhaps get off at either Ladore pier or Hawes End. Ladore falls are beautiful and if it is a nice day you can sit in the gardens of the Ladore Hotel and have a drink before walking back along the lake shore all the way to Keswick. Hawes end is the start of the route up the ever popular Cat Bells fell which gives incredible views over Derwent water, in my opinion the loveliest of the lakes.

All in all Keswick is a lovely, central place to be based and i would say that both of the Casterigg sites are widely considered to be among the best that the Lake District has to offer. We are off to the Lakes next Sunday and if we could get onto Castlerigg Farm we would be very very happy (not much chance of that for us though, bloody bank holiday!)

Hope you have a great time.

Cheers, John.  

I thought the C&CC site was dire!!

Keswick is VERY touristy not our cup of tea but the scenery is breathtaking and the walk around Dewent water is a must!!  (word of warning though ,when the guide says that a section is hard going and best to walk the road for a mile or so ,take the advice !! we thought we new better and stuck to the lake ! )

Thanks to everyone, especially John, for your replies.

Can't wait to go now ...

I only stay on the C&CC site out of the main season as I find Keswick too touristy in the summer, nice site out of season though.

I always go in March and at the beginning of November to do the Theatre by the Lake (been going since it was the Blue Box).

Keswick is one of my fave places, i used to live in windermere and yes keswick is touristy (isn't everywhere in the lakes!) but it is very different to the Bowness day tripper crowd - you get more walkers and people who are there to enjoy the lakes as a whole not just the tea rooms and a boat ride crowd. (nothing wrong with that mind you just an observation).

I've stayed at castlerigg farm and found it excellent, good loos/showers, never a queue and a good wash-up area. Only downside it was very windy - it being up on the top of hill - it actually snapped one of our tent poles, so try and get in a sheltered spot by the wall or hedge.

My family have used the C&CC site which is very handy for the town but it does flood often and the staff were none too helpful but this was a few years ago.

I agree with the poster who said Derwent was their fave lake - me too! The walk to Watendlath from Ashness bridge is great, and the views from above Ashness are terrific. I can also recommend lunch in the Golden Lion in Keswick. Have a great time.