The Best Camping Lake District Guide: Top Campsites, Essential Gear & Insider Tips
Discover the best camping Lake District spots. Expert picks for campsites, gear, and tips for a memorable wild or site-based adventure.
The Best Camping Lake District Guide: Top Campsites, Essential Gear & Insider Tips
The Lake District National Park is one of Britain’s most celebrated outdoor destinations. Whether you’re chasing the summit of Scafell Pike, paddling on Windermere, or simply unwinding under a canopy of Cumbrian stars, camping in the Lake District offers an unmatched escape into nature. The region continues to evolve with sustainable initiatives, upgraded facilities, and a growing emphasis on low-impact travel. This guide delivers the best campsites, essential gear, and practical advice for your Lake District camping trip.
At a Glance: Top 3 Camping Picks for the Lake District
| Product / Campsite | Best For | Key Feature |
|---|---|---|
| Park Foot Holiday Park | Sustainable, vehicle-free camping | Discounted rates for car-free arrivals; luxury amenity block with free dishwasher and dog shower |
| Low Wray Campsite (National Trust) | Lakeside family camping on Windermere | Direct beach access for launching non-powered watercraft; 2-night minimum stay preserves tranquillity |
| Vango Banshee 300 | Budget-friendly, lightweight tent | Sub-3kg pack weight; quick-pitch design ideal for wild camping and hiking |
Where to Camp in the Lake District: Top Campsite Reviews
1. Park Foot Holiday Park – Pooley Bridge (Ullswater)
Best for: Sustainable travel, walkers, and cyclists finishing the Coast to Coast Walk.
Park Foot Holiday Park is located just 1 mile from Pooley Bridge on the shores of Ullswater. A notable initiative is the Vehicle-Free Camping discount: arrive on foot, by bicycle, or via public transport and camp without a car, campervan, or motorhome, and you qualify for a reduced rate. This creates a noticeably more peaceful atmosphere on site and reflects a genuine commitment to reducing congestion and environmental impact. Check Park Foot’s current booking page directly to confirm the discount’s availability and current terms, as these can change between seasons.
Facilities: The park’s Lakeside field amenity block is modern and well-equipped, featuring:
- Free dishwasher – saves time and water after meals.
- Dog shower – ideal for cleaning up after muddy walks along the Ullswater Way.
- Family rooms – spacious, private facilities for families with young children.
- Accessible room – purpose-built for ease of use and full accessibility.
- Chemical disposal point and motorhome service point – well-maintained and easy to use.
The site uses a Lakeside barrier with number plate recognition for smooth entry. According to Park Foot’s published tariff, pitch pricing varies by season and pitch type, with standard grass pitches typically starting at a lower rate in shoulder season and rising during peak summer weeks such as the August bank holiday period; check their current tariff page for exact figures. The vehicle-free rate offers a meaningful reduction on the standard pitch price. This is an excellent choice for eco-conscious campers who want modern comforts without the car.
2. Low Wray Campsite – Windermere (National Trust)
Best for: Lakeside family camping, water sports, and exploring Beatrix Potter country.
Set on the western shore of Windermere, England’s largest lake, Low Wray Campsite is a National Trust-run site that balances accessibility with a genuine sense of wildness. According to the National Trust booking portal, the site operates seasonally — verify the current opening dates and any minimum stay requirements directly on their booking page before planning your trip, as these are updated each season. A minimum 2-night stay policy is in place to preserve tranquillity, and the maximum number of adults per booking is four, maintaining a peaceful, family-friendly atmosphere.
Why it stands out:
- Direct beach access – you can launch your own non-powered watercraft (kayak, SUP, canoe) straight from the campsite beach.
- On-site accommodation – beyond tent pitches, there are pods, safari tents, and accessible pods for those who want a touch of comfort.
- Activities on the doorstep – Wray Castle is a short walk away; the Claife Viewing Station is a four-mile, fairly level walk; and Hill Top (Beatrix Potter’s farmhouse) is easily reachable. For cyclists, Grizedale Forest offers everything from family-friendly gravel tracks to technically challenging bridleways.
According to the National Trust’s published pricing structure, pitch costs vary by season and pitch type, with electric hook-up pitches commanding a premium over standard grass pitches. Peak dates such as school summer holidays and bank holidays attract higher rates than shoulder-season visits in spring or autumn. Check the National Trust booking portal for the current tariff matrix before booking. The site accepts tents, campervans, and motorhomes, with a maximum of two dogs per pitch. If you want a lakeside base with great facilities and direct water access, Low Wray is hard to beat.
3. Other Notable Campsites Worth Considering
Great Langdale Campsite (National Trust) — Best for Fell Walkers
Great Langdale Campsite sits at the heart of the Langdale Valley, making it one of the most strategically positioned bases for serious walkers in the entire national park. The Stool End Farm trailhead is within easy walking distance of the site, giving direct access to routes up the Langdale Pikes and into the Scafell range — a connection that readers of Wainwright’s Pictorial Guides (specifically The Southern Fells) will recognise immediately. According to the National Trust site listing, the campsite offers both standard grass pitches and electric hook-up pitches, catering to tents, campervans, and motorhomes. Aggregated owner reviews on platforms such as Pitchup and UK Campsite consistently praise the location and the quality of the toilet and shower facilities, while noting that the site fills rapidly during school holidays and that advance booking is strongly recommended. Prices are typically around £20–£35 per night at the time of writing, varying by pitch type and season.
Wasdale Head Campsite — Best for Wild Camping Proximity and Peak Baggers
Wasdale Head Campsite sits at the foot of Scafell Pike, England’s highest mountain, in one of the most dramatic and remote valley settings in the western fells. Facilities are intentionally minimal, reflecting the site’s character as a base for serious mountaineers and fell walkers rather than leisure campers. Owner reviews on UK Campsite frequently highlight the unrivalled atmosphere and the direct access to Scafell Pike, Great Gable, and Pillar. Prices are typically around £15–£25 per night at the time of writing. For those who want to experience the western fells — distinct in character from the more accessible eastern fells around Ullswater — this is the definitive base.
Quiet Site (Ullswater) — Best for Motorhomes and Glamping
The Quiet Site, located above Ullswater near Watermillock, is a strong choice for motorhome users and those seeking glamping options including hobbit holes and camping pods. The site has received consistent recognition on Pitchup and UK Campsite for its facilities and the quality of its electric hook-up pitches. Prices vary by accommodation type; check their current tariff for up-to-date figures.
Sykeside Camping Park (Brotherswater) — Best for Families and Eastern Fells Access
Sykeside sits at the head of Brotherswater in the Patterdale valley, providing excellent access to the eastern fells including Hartsop Dodd and the High Street ridge. It is a popular choice for families and owner reviews on UK Campsite regularly note the friendly, well-maintained atmosphere. Prices are typically around £15–£28 per night at the time of writing depending on pitch type and season.
Essential Camping Gear for the Lake District
The Lake District’s weather is famously changeable — four seasons in a single day is a genuine possibility rather than a cliché. Packing the right gear is not optional; it is the difference between a memorable trip and a miserable one.
Vango Banshee 300 — Best Budget Tent for Cumbrian Conditions
The Vango Banshee 300 is one of the most frequently recommended three-season tents for Lake District conditions among UK camping communities, and the manufacturer specifications explain why. Key specs from Vango’s official product page include:
- Pack weight: approximately 2.9 kg — genuinely backpackable for wild camping approaches to Scafell Pike or Helvellyn.
- Hydrostatic head: 3,000 mm on the flysheet, 6,000 mm on the groundsheet — well above the 1,500 mm minimum considered waterproof, and appropriate for sustained Cumbrian rainfall.
- Pole material: Vango’s Tension Band System (TBS) with fibreglass poles on the standard model, providing a taut pitch that sheds wind effectively.
- Inner material: Breathable polyester, reducing condensation buildup during cool nights.
- Pitch style: Colour-coded, single-piece pole system enabling a fast pitch in deteriorating weather.
Owner reviews aggregated on UK Campsite and Pitchup consistently highlight the tent’s performance in wet and windy conditions, with many reviewers specifically mentioning use in the Lake District and Scottish Highlands. The most common criticism in owner reviews is that headroom is limited for taller campers, which is a reasonable trade-off for the weight saving. The Banshee 300 is typically priced at around £150–£200 at the time of writing, depending on retailer and any seasonal sales. Check current pricing with major UK outdoor retailers such as Cotswold Outdoor, Tiso, or Go Outdoors.
Wild Camping Rules in the Lake District
This is one of the most searched topics for anyone planning a Lake District camping trip, and the rules are frequently misunderstood.
The legal position: Unlike Scotland, where the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003 enshrines a right to wild camp responsibly, England has no equivalent statutory right to wild camp. Technically, wild camping in the Lake District requires the landowner’s permission. However, the Lake District National Park Authority (LDNPA) and many landowners have historically tolerated low-impact wild camping above the highest fell walls, provided campers follow Leave No Trace principles: no open fires on dry ground, no camping in the same spot for more than one or two nights, human waste buried well away from water sources, and all litter carried out.
Where it is generally tolerated: Wild camping is most widely accepted on the open fell tops, well above enclosed farmland. Popular wild camping destinations include the ridges and summit areas of Scafell Pike and Helvellyn in particular. The eastern fells around Ullswater — including Helvellyn, Place Fell, and the High Street ridge — are well-established wild camping areas with good access from Glenridding and Patterdale. The western fells around Wasdale — including Scafell Pike, Great Gable, and Pillar — offer more remote and dramatic wild camping but require longer approaches and more self-sufficiency.
What is not tolerated: Camping in enclosed fields or farmland without permission, lighting open fires during dry conditions or fire bans, camping in large groups in sensitive locations, and leaving any trace of your camp.
The LDNPA’s current guidance is the authoritative source; check their official website before your trip for any updates to byelaws or specific area restrictions, as these can change.
Do You Need to Book Lake District Campsites in Advance?
For the most popular sites — Low Wray, Great Langdale, and Wasdale Head in particular — advance booking is strongly recommended, especially for visits between late May and early September and over all bank holiday weekends. National Trust sites open their booking windows several months in advance and regularly sell out for peak dates within days of opening. Independent sites such as Park Foot also fill quickly during school holidays. Visiting in shoulder season (April to mid-May or October) significantly improves availability and often reduces pitch prices.
FAQ
Can you wild camp in the Lake District legally?
There is no statutory right to wild camp in England, unlike Scotland. Technically, wild camping in the Lake District requires landowner permission. However, low-impact wild camping above the highest fell walls — particularly on open fell tops such as Helvellyn and Scafell Pike — is generally tolerated by landowners and the Lake District National Park Authority, provided campers strictly follow Leave No Trace principles. Always check the LDNPA’s current guidance before your trip.
Do I need to book Lake District campsites in advance?
Yes, for peak season (late May to early September) and all bank holiday weekends, advance booking is essential at the most popular sites. National Trust sites such as Low Wray and Great Langdale frequently sell out weeks or months ahead for August dates. Booking as early as possible is strongly advised. Shoulder season visits offer better availability.
Are campfires allowed at Low Wray Campsite?
According to the National Trust’s site guidelines, open fires on the ground are not permitted at Low Wray. Campfires must be contained in a raised fire pit or fire bowl kept off the grass. The National Trust advises checking their current fire policy on the Low Wray booking page, as restrictions can be tightened during periods of dry weather.
What is the difference between eastern and western Lake District camping?
The eastern fells, centred on Ullswater and the Patterdale valley, offer well-connected campsites (Park Foot, Quiet Site, Sykeside) with good public transport links and access to fells including Helvellyn and High Street. The western fells, centred on Wasdale, are more remote and dramatic, with Wasdale Head Campsite providing the primary base for Scafell Pike and Great Gable. The western fells require more planning and self-sufficiency but reward with genuine solitude.
How much does it cost to camp in the Lake District?
Pitch prices vary significantly by site, season, and pitch type. As a general guide, standard non-electric grass pitches at National Trust sites and popular independents are typically priced at around £15–£45 per night at the time of writing, with electric hook-up pitches commanding a premium. Peak summer weeks and bank holidays attract the highest rates. Always check the individual campsite’s current tariff page for accurate pricing before booking.
