Camping in Newby Bridge

The countryside around Newby Bridge, where the fells of the southern Lake District roll down to meet the foot of Windermere, offers some genuinely scenic camping and touring pitches without the crowds you'll find further north. Wooded, sheltered valleys and open lakeside meadows both feature here, giving campers a choice between tucked-away peace and wide views over the water. It's worth remembering that wild camping is not legally permitted in England without the landowner's explicit permission — even within the Lake District National Park, pitching up on open fell or common land is technically trespass unless you have that agreement, so stick to licensed sites or land where you've asked first.

Terrain in this part of the Lakes is gentler than the high central fells around Scafell or Helvellyn, with rolling hills, woodland and riverside paths rather than steep scrambles, which makes it well suited to family camping, first-timers and anyone touring with a caravan or motorhome. Sites near the River Leven and the southern shore of Windermere put you within easy walking or cycling distance of Fell Foot Park, the Lakeside & Haverthwaite steam railway and the lake cruises, so you can leave the car behind for whole days at a time.

The camping season here runs roughly from Easter through to the end of October, with most sites closing over winter; the driest and warmest weather typically falls between May and September, though the Lake District's changeable climate means it's always worth packing for rain regardless of the forecast. Midsummer and school holiday weekends are the busiest times, so booking ahead is sensible if you want a pitch close to the water.

For those who prefer a roof and four walls without giving up the outdoor feel, glamping options in the area range from safari tents and shepherd's huts to fully-equipped wooden pods, many set on farms and small sites in the valleys around Haverthwaite, Backbarrow and Cartmel Fell — a good way to enjoy the southern Lakes' quieter charm in comfort whatever the weather does.