Camping in Buttermere

Camping around Buttermere means camping among some of the steepest, most dramatic fell scenery in the Lake District, but it also means following England's clear rules on where pitching up is actually allowed. Wild camping without landowner permission remains illegal in England, including within the Lake District National Park, so visitors should not assume they can simply pitch a tent on the fellside or lakeshore, however tempting the views. Instead, a small number of established campsites serve the valley, most notably at Gatesgarth Farm at the head of the lake, a working farm site popular with walkers keen to be first onto Haystacks or Fleetwith Pike in the morning light. Facilities at these valley sites tend to be simple, reflecting the rugged, working character of the landscape, so campers should come prepared for basic amenities and changeable mountain weather rather than resort-style comforts. The terrain around Buttermere is genuinely steep and exposed in places, so anyone planning to combine camping with higher fell walks should carry appropriate map, compass and weatherproof kit, and check forecasts carefully, since conditions on the tops can differ dramatically from those in the valley below. The camping season here runs roughly from Easter through to October, with July and August the busiest and driest months on average, though rain can arrive at any time in this part of Cumbria, and site availability can be tight, so early booking is recommended. For those who want the views and remoteness without the practicalities of a tent, a growing number of glamping options, including safari tents and shepherd's huts, are available in the wider Buttermere and Borrowdale area, offering a warmer and more comfortable way to wake up beneath the same spectacular fells.