‘It is the happiest combination of beauty and grandeur, which any of the lakes affords,’ wrote that romantic William Wordsworth, before wandering lonely as a cloud and penning his poem about daffodils bobbing about on the banks of Lake Ullswater. We quite agree. Ullswater is said by many to be the most beautiful lake in Britain, so camping in the countryside overlooking its banks will lull any wilters into a relaxed (and romantic) mood in no time.
You won’t even have to pitch a tent to retreat and get away from it all in style: Hillcroft’s owners will be very peased to introduce you to their affordable camping pods, sleeping up to four (two adults and two children under 15) and each with their own mini balcony. The park is modern, landscaped and snuggled among gorgeous views of the English countryside: base yourself here to relax and bloom, or to wander o’er hills and vales as you explore the Lake District.
Facilities on site include all you need with a launderette, well-stocked licensed shop, washing up area, wifi and parent and baby washroom; there’s a huge play area for the little sprouts and tail waggers are welcome too.
Nearby attractions and activities
Never be dull around Lake Ullswater, which has a watery wealth of things to do: take a trip on Lady Dorothy or one of the other Ullswater Steamers; zip across the lake in a motorboat or drift around gently on a yacht; go rowing, go diving…or be overwhelmed at the crashing waterfall Aira Force, also mentioned by Wordsworth in his Lake District scribblings.
Those who like to stretch their legs a tad more can make their way to the nearby village of Glenridding at the south of Ullswater to scale Helvellyn, England’s third highest mountain (goggleboxers or campers of a less energetic bent might be persuaded to come along too as this was the setting for the TV series The Lakes). The village of Pooley Bridge to the north is five minutes’ walk away from Hillcroft and has exceptional views, three pubs and a sixteenth century bridge straddling the River Eamont.
It’s said that the Lake District can experience four seasons in one day, so luckily there’s an array of attractions around suitable for all types of British weather: take tea at Dalemain Historic House and Gardens, trundle on the Lakeside Railway from Haverthwaite to Windermere, gape at the Ice Age stalactites at White Star Cave, go underground again at the Honister Slate Mines, or rabbit away to Jemima Puddleduck and Mrs Tiggy-Winkle at Bowness’s The World of Beatrix Potter.
Attractions near Hillcroft
Must see
- Dalemain Historic House & Gardens (1.6 miles)
- The Rheged Centre (2.9 miles)
- Ullswater Steamers (6.9 miles)
National Trust
- Acorn Bank Garden and Watermill (9.0 miles)
- Townend (14.3 miles)
Cycle routes
Find local routes on the National Cycle Network - over 12,000 miles of cycling routes.
Activities near Hillcroft
Pooley Bridge - Loadpot Hill - Howtown - Pooley Bridge (0.4 miles) Walking
Pooley Bridge and Heughscar Hill (0.4 miles) Walking
Howtown - Patterdale - Glenridding (3.3 miles) Walking
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Excellent Andrew D. (Mature couple, 1 review, 0 photos) Confirmed ?
Liked: Excellent all round Pods exceeded our expectations Disliked: Nothing |
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Liked: Site had helpful staff available throughout the day. Disliked: Eco Pod too small for our group of 2 adults, 2 kids (ages 9 &10) with dog. |
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Camping pod - lovely pod, great location, happily stay again! Gillian R. (Young couple, 1 review, 0 photos) Confirmed ?
Liked: Campsite location was great with a 10 minute walk into Pooley Bridge village. Three pubs and a couple of shops there. Lots of walks to be done without having to drive anywhere. Ullswater Steamers can also be picked up in the village. Pooley Bridge is not very far from the M6 at Penrith and a nice easy drive to the rest of the lakes. Disliked: Nothing really....apart from the unseasonable cold weather and that can't be helped! Should also note that I can't comment on what the site is like when busy. |
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The Pods were fab (although bit nippy) and the campsite was lovely! Christina P. (Young couple, 1 review, 0 photos) Confirmed ?
Liked: We loved pretty much everything, but here are some big ones: Disliked: *The Cold! - The pod was seriously cold at night, even with 2 radiators and all the clothes I could wear. However, we did go in April when there was snow on the ground in places and the temperature reached -4 during the night. We just double bolted the door and night and wrapped up warm and we were OK. It was freaky weather though and I can imagine that the pods are perfect for during ... |
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Lovely place to stay Jessie A. (Young couple, 1 review, 0 photos) Confirmed ?
Liked: - great site location close to pubs and village Disliked: The shop could have better cooking supplies |
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Simple, Welcoming, Peaceful Debbie M. (Young couple, 1 review, 0 photos) Confirmed ?
Liked: The simplicity of the eco pods, much easier than having to pitch up a tent. Disliked: That there was very little outside lighting and the toilet/ shower block was sum way away when fumbling about in the dark unable to see where your going, Would recomend a tourch!!! |
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Stayed in Pod from friday til sunday Joanne L. (Young couple, 1 review, 0 photos) Confirmed ?
Liked: Everything Disliked: Nothing |
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Had an excellent time defiantly go back luke m. (Young couple, 1 review, 0 photos) Confirmed ?
Liked: Staff were very friendly and the camping pod was amazing. Disliked: I liked everything about the place don't have a bad word |
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stayed in a camping pod Carol-Ann H. (Mature couple, 1 review, 0 photos) Confirmed ?
Liked: clean showers + toilets. lovely area. Disliked: nothing. |
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Was brilliant !!! Sally-Ann H. (Mature couple, 1 review, 0 photos) Confirmed ?
Liked: Everything ! Disliked: Nothing |
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very good site.stayed a few times malcolm s. (Mature couple, 1 review, 0 photos) Confirmed ?
Liked: everything Disliked: nothing |
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Excellent overall Ian C. (Family with young children, 1 review, 0 photos) Confirmed ?
Liked: Location of site was good, within short walking distance to Pooley Bridge and short drive to Penrith etc. Disliked: Lack of a cut off time for noise on the site, first night subjected to a rowdy couple of families partying until 330am, not good when I had two kids with me who were shattered all next day. |
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Camping Pod. Family friendly site, fine for your basic camping needs Joanne W. (Young couple, 1 review, 0 photos) Confirmed ?
Liked: The Pods. They are a brilliant concept. Disliked: We found the showers to be quite uncomfortable. They were in need of descaling and went hot and cold (in both the male and female block). In the toilet/shower blocks there were huge amounts mosquitoes in each cubicle -far more than you would expect. |
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Liked: The staff were very friendly,we stayed in one of the pods for two nights,there was a slight problemwith the pod but they soon sorted it out for us. Disliked: The midges although we had the wettest June since records began and as soon as the the sun came out so did the midges,just take suitable repellants and you should be fine. |
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Leisure on site
Bar or club house
Cycle hire
Evening entertainment
Fishing
Fitness centre
Games room
Indoor swimming pool
Kids' club
On-site restaurant/cafe
Outdoor swimming pool
Play area
TV room
Take away
Tennis
Watersports
Amenities on site
Bath available
Car parking by pitch
Disabled facilities
Drying room
Food shop
Free wifi
Ice pack freezing
Internet access
Launderette
Parent & baby washroom
Pick-up from public transport
Public telephone
Shower available
Toilet block
Washing-up area
Wifi
Utilities
Charging facilities
Chemical disposal
Gas cylinders available
Recycling available
Renewable energy
Touring and motorhomes
Electrical hook-up points for tourers
Hard standings
Max. motorhome length: 9.14 metresRules
Campfires allowed
Commercial vehicles allowed
Dogs allowed
Dogs allowed all year
Themes
Budget/backpacker
Gay friendly
Lake and/or mountain
Luxury
Peaceful
Spectacular scenery
Walkers' paradise
Nearby leisure
Canoeing/kayaking nearby
Climbing nearby
Cycle hire nearby
Cycling nearby
Fishing nearby
Golf nearby
Horse riding nearby
Mountain biking nearby
Outdoor pool nearby
Restaurant nearby
Sailing nearby
Watersports nearby
Groups welcome
Family friendly
Motorcycle friendly
Single-sex groups welcome
Student groups welcome
Nearby amenities
Bar nearby
Nearby farmers' market
Public transport nearby
Shop nearby
Type
Medium (26-50 pitches)
Camping 2.0
Camping pods
Ordnance Survey maps (GB and Northern Ireland only) are available at lower levels via the drop-down menu.
Nearest transport
- Coach stations
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Penrith: Rail Station Coach Stop — 4.3mi
Penrith Bus Station — 4.7mi
Troutbeck (Cumbria): Hotel Bus Stop — 5.8mi
- Train stations
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Penrith North Lakes Rail Station — 4.3mi
Langwathby Rail Station — 8.4mi
Lazonby & Kirkoswald Rail Station — 10.8mi
- Ferry ports
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Pooley Bridge Ullswater Ferry Landing — 0.6mi
Howtown Ullswater Ferry Landing — 3.3mi
Glenridding Ullswater Ferry Landing — 6.9mi
- Airports
- Newcastle International Airport — 53.1mi
Directions
From junction 40 M6 take A66 to Keswick. After one mile turn left onto the A592 for Ullswater. At lake left to Pooley Bridge, bear right at village church, straight over cross roads and the park is 100m on left.
Permitted arrival time
From 1pm
Cancellation policy
Cancellations made more than 14 days before the date of arrival will receive a refund less the deposit paid at the time of booking. No exceptions will be made whatever the circumstances.
No refunds will be given for bookings cancelled within 14 days of arrival. No exceptions will be made whatever the circumstances.
Please note that your deposit paid to Pitchup.com is non-refundable.
Payment of balance
Hillcroft Park will endeavour to send a confirmation email within 48 hours of your booking through Pitchup.com. The confirmation will detail the deposit paid and the balance owed.
The full balance of your booking will be required within a further 48 hours, either by telephoning us with your card details or by sending a cheque for the full amount. Contact details will be provided in your booking confirmation.
If payment is not received within five days of your online booking, Hillcroft Park reserves the right to relet the pitch and no refund will be given.
Cards accepted on the park
MaestroMastercard
Visa
Terms and conditions
Site booking terms and conditionsPlease note
Families and couples only: single-sex group bookings are not accepted via Pitchup.com.
Check availability at Hillcroft…
Camping pods sleep up to 2 adults and 2 small children OR a maximum of 2 adults only. They come with a wall light, a socket for charging, a small heater and a small balcony. Bring everything you need for camping, except the tent!
Max. persons: 4x
