Camping in Irton

The fells above Irton and the wider Eskdale valley offer some genuinely wild-feeling country, but wild camping without the landowner's permission remains illegal in England, including here in Cumbria — unlike Dartmoor, there is no general right to pitch a tent on the open fell. Visitors wanting to camp should use one of the established campsites in the area, several of which sit within the Eskdale valley and around Ravenglass, offering pitches within walking distance of the fells and the narrow-gauge railway.

The terrain around Irton is a mix of low-lying farmland near the River Irt and steeper fell ground rising towards Irton Pike and the wider Eskdale fells, with Scafell Pike and Wasdale within reach for more serious hill walking. Ground can be wet underfoot for much of the year, and this western side of the Lake District catches a good deal of rainfall off the Irish Sea, so a well-pitched, weatherproof tent and decent waterproofs are worth the investment whatever the forecast promises.

Late spring to early autumn is the most comfortable window for camping here, with longer daylight hours for exploring and a better chance of settled weather, though conditions can still turn quickly at altitude. Midges can be a nuisance on still summer evenings near the becks and woodland. For those who prefer a roof over their head without giving up the outdoor feel, glamping options such as pods, yurts and safari tents have become more common across Cumbria in recent years, offering a warmer alternative during the cooler shoulder seasons while keeping campers close to the fells and the coast.