The Best Campsites in the Lake District: 15 Top-Rated Sites

The Lake District is one of the best places in England to pitch a tent: farm fields on valley floors under the fells, lakeshore sites where you can launch a kayak before breakfast, and a growing number of pods and huts for anyone who would rather not wrestle with canvas in a Cumbrian downpour. We list over 200 campsites in and around the national park, including more than 50 that welcome dogs and over 60 with glamping. These are 15 of the best-rated, grouped by the kind of trip they suit.

Camping in the Lake District: what to expect

The Lake District packs England's highest ground, including Scafell Pike, into a compact ring of lakes and radiating valleys. The central honeypots of Windermere, Ambleside and Keswick have the most shops, boat trips and cafés; the western valleys such as Eskdale and Wasdale are quieter and feel far more remote; and the northern fells around Caldbeck and Hesket Newmarket see a fraction of the traffic. Many campsites here are small farm sites, so facilities can be simple.

Best all-rounders for families

The Quiet Site, Ullswater

The Quiet Site is one of the most reviewed sites in the area, rated 4.8 from over 1,200 Google reviews. It takes tents, caravans and motorhomes and also has glamping and static lodges, with electric hook-ups, Wi-Fi and a dog-friendly policy: an easy choice for mixed groups.

Hillcroft Park, near Penrith

Hillcroft Park covers every option from tent pitches to glamping and static lodges, and it is dog-friendly with campfires allowed. Rated 4.8 from over 700 reviews, it is handy for Ullswater and the eastern fells.

Parkgate Farm Holidays, Holmrook

Over on the quieter west side, Parkgate Farm Holidays is rated 4.9 and ticks a lot of boxes for families: tents, caravans, motorhomes and glamping, electric hook-ups, Wi-Fi, dogs welcome and campfires allowed. It is well placed for Eskdale, Wasdale and the coast.

Best for glamping

Damson View Glamping, Lyth Valley

Rated a perfect 5.0 from over 200 reviews, Damson View Glamping is a dog-friendly glamping site in the orchard country of the Lyth Valley, on the quieter southern side of the park and within easy reach of Kendal and Windermere.

Woolpack Farm, Eskdale

Woolpack Farm offers glamping pods and static lodges with electric in Eskdale, one of the loveliest valleys in the Lakes and the terminus of the Ravenglass and Eskdale steam railway.

Carrock Pods and Mosedale End Farm

The Northern Fells are the least visited corner of the park. Carrock Pods near Hesket Newmarket is rated 5.0, and Mosedale End Farm Glamping Pod is rated 4.9 and has Wi-Fi. Both suit couples after peace and quiet. For more ideas, see our guide to glamping for first-timers.

Best for tents and wild-feeling pitches

Stock Park Lakeside Camping, Newby Bridge

Stock Park Lakeside Camping takes tents and motorhomes at the southern end of Windermere and is rated 4.8 from over 200 reviews. As the name suggests it sits by the lake, so bring a paddleboard or kayak; see our wild swimming staycations guide for safe swimming advice.

High Cark Hall and Allan Tarn Escapes

South of the fells, High Cark Hall Campsite near Grange-over-Sands (tents and motorhomes, rated 4.9) and Allan Tarn Escapes near Ulverston (tents and motorhomes, rated 4.9) are small, low-key sites away from the Windermere crowds.

St Johns-in-the-Vale and Abbot Park Farm

St Johns-in-the-Vale Camping Barn near Keswick takes tents and has glamping, and dogs are welcome; it sits in a quiet side valley close to Thirlmere. Abbot Park Farm near Ulverston is a dog-friendly farm site with tent pitches and glamping, rated 4.8.

Best for caravans and motorhomes

Irton House Farm near Cockermouth takes tents, caravans and motorhomes and has electric hook-ups, with the quieter lakes of Bassenthwaite and Loweswater nearby. Beckses Caravan Park near Penrith is dog-friendly with electric hook-ups and takes every type of unit, including glamping. For a smaller stop, Near Howe Certificated Location is a dog-friendly site for tents and motorhomes, rated 4.9, looking out towards the Northern Fells.

Where to base yourself

Keswick is the best all-round base for the northern lakes, with Derwentwater, Borrowdale and Skiddaw on the doorstep. Windermere and Ambleside put you in the busy centre with the most boats, shops and cafés. Coniston is quieter, with the Old Man of Coniston above the village. For the eastern side and Ullswater, look at Penrith and Pooley Bridge, while Kendal is a practical gateway for the south. You can browse every site on our Lake District campsites page.

Practical tips for camping in the Lakes

Book ahead for summer. The best-rated sites fill up early for school holidays and bank holiday weekends, especially the small farm fields with limited pitches. Midweek stays in spring and early autumn are easier.

Plan for rain and wind. The Lake District is one of the wettest parts of England. Pack extra pegs and a tarp, and check the mountain forecast before heading for the high fells.

Choose your pitch type. Hardstanding pitches suit motorhomes after heavy rain, while grass pitches on sloping farm fields can get soft. If you need a hook-up, check your pitch includes one when you book.

If you are bringing a dog, our dog-friendly staycations guide has more ideas, and UK national parks staycations compares the Lakes with the other parks.