Message Forums

Having taken the plunge, got some gear and completed our first expedition at the weekend (in the Midlands/Cotswolds, half an hours drive from home, for one night!)  I'm now looking further afield for a grander adventure!

I've checked out a few Lake District camp sites but find you can't book in advance (for a tent).  Is this really a problem? I wouldn't want to set off up the M6 and then have to look for the nearest Travel Inn coz the camp sites are full! :-)

Any tips/views based on experience would be greatly appreciated! (e.g. time of year for travelling, time of day for arriving, etc)

Thanks! 

I have camped under canvas at the Lake District for years, I have never had a problem pitching a tent without booking. there is that many campsites in the Lakes you shouldn`t have a problem.Have you looked on Park Cliff Camptite web site it`s around Lake Windermere I think they take bookings for tents. Its a lovely site too.

Michael P

hi dadsworth, welcome to the site

if you aim to be at your chosen campsite early afternoon,you shouldnt have a problem getting on.Its also handy to have the address of a back up site ...just in case.

i can recommend castlerigg hall campsite, its a brilliant site and the views are breathtaking

also, its much less busy if you plan to go at an odd time like sunday - tuesday instead of friday - sunday (thats if your only going for the weekend)

Parkfoot is right on Ullswater and has lovely scenery.The site is clean and well maintained and the showers are spotless. There is an onsite clubhouse with entertainment most nights, a small but well stocked shop and they also have a restaurant/takeaway. We stayed there for Lowther Show weekend last year and have booked to stay there 6 nights this year as we enjoyed it so much.

http://www.ukcampsite.co.uk/sites/reviews.asp?page=2&revid=2245

It has some good reviews as well with people returning year after year........including us from now on!

Thanks for your (reassuring!) comments,

It doesn't sound like I need to be too concerned about finding somewhere either to book in advance, or even turning up without reservation!

Thanks too for the recommendations :-)  I get the impression the detail in all the camp site directories/books is pretty good, but it's nice to get some genuine references! (this web site alone is a gem!)

D

Like the links above, I can also recommend Park Foot camp site.

We were there a few weeks ago and there is plenty of space for tents. ( I do suggest that you pre-book if you require EHU however.)

Enjoy the Lakes, it is a wonderful place to camp.

We went to Castlerigg Hall last year (second the earlier comments - lovely lovely place !!), we were advised not to try and arrive on a Saturday, but to wait a day and go Sunday to Sunday. That was in August, and we arrived about 11am and had no problem at all. 

We had four as "standbys" in case they were full, which was reassuring.

The C&C site in Keswick does take bookings, but I haven't stayed there so can't advise on the site.

Just be aware that it can be difficult finding a suitable pitch especially in a larger tent if you turn up later in the day on the type of sites that allow you to camp where you like instead of marked pitches. Even if you have booked in advance!

Just be aware that it can be difficult finding a suitable pitch especially in a larger tent if you turn up later in the day on the type of sites that allow you to camp where you like instead of marked pitches. Even if you have booked in advance!

I never even thought about that! We are booking for pitches with EHU though and advised all the sites we are visiting of the size of our tent, so I assume we won`t have that problem....................well I hope we won`t!