Looking for a place to camp by the lake? Well, we stumbled upon a reyt good spot in the Lake District.
Campsite location
This campsite is nestled right up against Ullswater, one of the lesser-known lakes that still manages to flaunt its Lake District beauty. It’s at the bottom of Ullswater, near a charming little ‘town’ called Patterdale—if you squint, it almost looks like a postcard! The slightly larger town of Glenridding is just a 15-minute stroll up the road, perfect for burning off those s’mores you’ll definitely indulge in.
There are tons of scenic walks nearby, ready to lead you to views so stunning you might just forget to breathe—or trip over your own feet. And if you’re feeling a little adventurous (or just crazy), there’s even a chance to hike to Helvellyn straight from the campsite. We thought better of it, though, as the weather was baking. Instead, we tackled the Patterdale, Boredale Hause, and Ullswater Circular, which was still a solid challenge and served up some classic Lake District backdrops.
We pitched our tent at this campsite in May, and wouldn’t you know it, we were graced with weather so un-British! The skies were clear, and if that wasn’t enough, we even caught a glimpse of the Aurora Borealis – talk about overachieving! We stayed Friday to Sunday and it did get busy- be warned.
Facilities
The facilities ain’t owt to shout about. Pretty basic in terms on shower and toilets but not limited on your hot water which is always nice. Spacious and clean (not including the spiders that you spend your shower watching). There was washing and drying facilities. Along with all the standard campsite features like pot wash, fresh water and bins. There is also a small cafe at the site entrance where you can a nice cup of Yorkshire tea.
Now, this ain’t exactly a feature they added, but the campsite is practically hugging Ullswater. After a daring expedition down a slight hill (don’t trip), you’ll have the glorious freedom to launch your kayak or SUP for a wild adventure. Or, if you’re feeling particularly daring—or maybe a little daft—you can take a plunge and go for a swim!
The campsite also boasts a complimentary anxiety-inducing joyride that whisks you from the farm to the campsite. Buckle up, because that road will have you questioning your life choices if you cherish your car as much as I do! It’s narrow and bump, be careful of your under tray.
Things to do
As mentioned above two pretty staple activities of the Lake District. Water sports and hiking. Both can be done in vast amounts fro this campsite, with a major walk passing right past the campsite. If you didn’t bring your own SUP, don’t worry you can hire these on the lake (but it may not be for a budget friendly price).
Along with this, you can also drive 10 minutes up the road to Aira Force Waterfall—the waterfall is pretty impressive, and the tea room prices will make your wallet weep! You can stroll around the reserve and admire nature while casually contemplating whether that overpriced latte is worth it. Parking? Also ridiculously expensive. But surely you were expecting that. You’re visiting the Lake District.
You could also hop aboard the steam boat, sail along Ullswater, and feast your eyes on the views. You can snag a single or return ticket—because who doesn’t love a good round trip?—and make pit stops at one of the 4 piers to have a wonder around the area.
Price
Now, if you’ve ever camped in the Lake District, you probably know it’s not exactly budget-friendly—unless you’re planning to live off instant noodles! (Which we did). We forked out a whopping £52 for two people, two nights with our cozy roof tent. But honestly, in such a stunning location, it’s practically a steal!
Just a heads-up, though: there is no pre-booking so first come first served. Also, be aware that the campsite is on a hill. There are no marked pitches, you just pitch up where you want, and very few of these are on flat ground. So unless you want to be rolling into each other all night, we recommend that you get there early enough to have first pick of the spots.
Tight Travellers 