Camping in Patterdale

Camping around Patterdale means pitching in the shadow of some of the biggest fells in the Lake District, with Ullswater a short walk away on the valley floor. A handful of small, family-run sites sit along the valley between Patterdale and Glenridding, typically simple grass pitches for tents and campervans with basic facilities, aimed at walkers rather than large touring caravans — space is tight in a valley this narrow, so advance booking is strongly recommended, especially in summer. Wild camping is not legally permitted anywhere in England, including on the Lake District fells above Patterdale, without the express permission of the landowner, so campers should stick to established sites rather than pitching on open fellside, however tempting the views from Grisedale or the flanks of Helvellyn might look.

The terrain here is genuinely mountainous by English standards — steep, rocky, and quick to turn wet underfoot — so a well-pitched, sturdy tent matters more in Patterdale than in gentler parts of the Lakes, and weather can change abruptly even in summer. May, June and September tend to bring the most settled camping conditions, with long daylight hours for reaching the higher fells and cooler nights than the height of summer; July and August are busiest and warmest but also see the most unpredictable rain off the surrounding tops. Winter camping here is a serious, experienced-only undertaking given the exposure and the risk of snow and ice on the surrounding ridges.

For those who want the setting without the full outdoor commitment, glamping options in and around the valley — wooden pods, safari tents and shepherd's huts — offer a warmer alternative with proper beds and heating, while still putting Ullswater and Helvellyn on the doorstep. Several sites combine camping and glamping pitches on the same ground, so it is worth checking exactly what is on offer before booking, particularly out of the main summer season when facilities at some smaller sites are reduced.