A visit to the Lake District won’t disappoint, whether that’s with your friends and family or on your own. It offers scenic walks with amazing 360-degree views from the top of the mountains. Amongst other great activities, the Lake District also offers beautiful camping spots.
We’ve compiled the best spots to camp in the Lake District to kick-start your trip. Our list of campsites and wild camping spots is guaranteed to make your time in the Lakes unforgettable.
Best Campsites in the Lake District
Award-Winning Camping at Church Stile Farm and Holiday Park
This award-winning campsite is located in the heart of Wasdale; the perfect location for exploring the Lake District. Church Stile Farm and Holiday Park is ideal for climbing Scafell Pike or visiting the picturesque Wast water. Whether you are looking to camp in your tent, motorhome or enjoy a bit of Glamping, this campsite has everything you need. It’s surrounded by plenty of activities like climbing and kayaking, with an on-site play area.
Moss Side Farm Campsite is located in a quiet but scenic area in the southern part of the Lake District. There are plenty of beautiful footpaths for walks in the surrounding area suited for all abilities. Whether you fancy a relaxing lunchtime walk with your family or climbing peaks, everything is located within a stone’s throw from the campsite. Fancy a ride out? Hop in the car for 20 minutes and you could be spending a day on the lovely beaches near Haverigg or Silecroft.
Get Scenic Views at Castlerigg Hall Caravan and Camping Park
The Castlerigg Hall Caravan and Camping Park is located in one of England’s most scenic spots in the heart of the Lake District. The campsite also has access to spectacular woodland walks. Thanks to its elevated position, it provides excellent views over Derwent Water and the surrounding peaks, all day long. This campsite is perfect if you’re looking for a quiet weekend with spectacular views and walks on your doorstep.
Dates: Start of February until the start of November
Explore the Lake District at Park Cliffe Camping and Caravan Estate
This campsite sits in the heart of the Lake District and is surrounded by 25 acres of unspoiled countryside. You will be surrounded by plenty of wildlife at the campsite all year long, with squirrels, foxes, birds, roe and red deer seen roaming the area. The views from the campsite are stunning, overlooking fells and mountains in the distance. This campsite is perfect for enjoying your breakfast with a view. There are also plenty of luxury glamping options available, including private toilet hire, four static caravans and heated glamping pods with ensuite bathrooms.
Great Langdale Campsite is a relaxed and natural site located at the foot of the Langdale Pikes in the middle of the Lake District. It is a great base for your camping holiday. Full of hikes and hilly adventures, like climbing Scafell Pike, the tallest mountain in England or any other of the surrounding fells and mountains. Whether you fancy relaxing at the campsite or heading to a local pub after a long day, this campsite has everything to offer. The local Sticklebarn pub is only a 10-minute walk from the campsite and this too boasts scenic views of the surrounding Great Langdale Valley.
Now that you have a good overview of the top 5 campsites in the Lake District, it’s time to think about your tent. Check out our Zonda Family Tents to truly make your family camping adventure unforgettable.
Wild Camping in the Lake District
The Lake District is the largest national park in the UK and is a favourite for many. It’s a popular adventure spot due to its glacial ribbon lakes and rugged mountain ranges which you can call home for the night. One thing to note is that wild camping in the Lake District is not permitted. You’ll need to seek permission from the landowner to legally wild camp there.
If you follow these simple tips and are respectful to the wildlife, wild camping in the Lake District is usually tolerated:
Seek permission from the landowner.
Most importantly, LEAVE NO TRACE – the only sign of your wild camp should be the flat grass your tent was pitched on.
Do not start fires for any reason – use a cooking stove or Trangia instead.
Take all of your waste and anything else you have bought with you, back home.
Pitch up late at night and leave early in the morning.
Do not stay longer than 1 night.
Before heading off on a wild camping adventure, make sure your gear is up for the challenge.
Check out our detailed wild camping guide if you are new to wild camping or want to brush up on your wild camping knowledge.
Best wild camping spots in the Lake District
The Lake District is the biggest national park in the UK, so naturally, there will be plenty of spots where you can set up your tent. It’s always a good idea to look out for potential spots on hikes and keep a note of any you may find along the way. Here are a few spots in the Lake District where we recommend starting with:
Haystacks, Cockermouth – this spot lies in the corner of the beautiful and popular Buttermere Valley. This spot has many great flat wild camping spots thanks to the large flat plateau that offers plenty of shelter to pitch your tent.
Ennerdale Valley, Ennerdale – this area is the best for wild camping in our opinion. It is the most remote part of the Lake District meaning it won’t be overrun by other people so you can pitch up and enjoy the views in peace. The most westerly lake, called Ennerdale lake can also be found here.
Codale Tarn, Grasmere – this one is for the more experienced wild campers amongst us. Codale Tarn could be the next spot for you if you’re after a good adventure. It is known amongst the wild camping community as one of the best secret spots in Grasmere.
Holme Fell, Coniston – this spot is one of the better ones for those that want to camp on a fell but don’t want to hike for miles up steep terrain. The fell is only 317m high and the climb to the top is easy with many camping spots on the way.
The Lake District is a great place for intermediate wild campers to explore, but if you don’t quite feel up for the challenge why not check out our top camping spots in the Peak District and build your confidence up.
Not got a tent yet or need an upgrade? Then check out our extensive tent range with many lightweight and compact backpacking tents to get you ready. We also offer 30% off a new tent if your old tent isn’t up for the challenge.
If you are struggling to find your own spots, then head over to our wild camping guide to learn how to find your own spots and the techniques we recommend using.
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