Bankwood Farm

Liked This is our third year at bankwood, the hosts are amazing and we just can't get enough of the place. It's quite, scenic and above all peaceful. The honesty shop is always stocked with plenty for a BBQ and treats and the entire site is so clean, from the toilets to the showers and every inch in-between.

Disliked Nothing. The place is incredible.

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From the manager: Thanks Liam, hope to see you next year!

Liked We loved the farm and the family running it were lovely, seeing the animals (pigs, sheep, cows, ducklings, red squirrels, foxes, curlews, tawny owls, and chickens) and farm life was really charming, and the honesty shop kept us well-fed with bacon! The shower in the converted horsebox was fab with hot water and good water pressure, and the sheltered table with benches was super useful. Loved being able to have a fire going in the evening down by the stream. The location of the farm also worked well for us as it was only 15m drive from Appleby (which is beautiful but also has a SPAR and co-op), a half hour drive from Penrith, or 45m to Ullswater. There is also an MOD base nearby that everyone found very exciting to see soldiers out doing target practice as we drove by, plus the occasional jets flying overhead in the day and flares in the distance at night. The view from the campsite over the fells was stunning and the hosts also provided information for walks out from the campsite which I would have loved to have done but didn't get round to. Also, we had 5G and full signal there!

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From the manager: Thank you!

Liked This place was amazing. The owners are 10/10 when you first come they give you the tour and give you the run down on the dos and don’t on the farm. You have your own field which could definitely fit around 20 tents on and the stream the runs across it is like natures drinks cooler (it’s amazing but freezing if you get in it.) The pigs are great hosts as well we didn’t hear anything from them accept if they had an itch which wasn’t that often. The shower is surprisingly hot once we had someone come and show us how to turn it on as we clearly didn’t understand when we was first shown (we was the doughnuts.) However the fact that the owners leave their numbers and just allow you to do what you want (within the rules) was lovely. The honesty shop is great so many items including necessities you might of forgotten was in there and home made meats (which defrost surprisingly quickly) but was a great farm and would go again!

Disliked The toilets are a little far from the pitch but not the end of the world if you want a decent toilet.

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From the manager: Thank you very much for coming!

Liked Great location. Fantastic friendly hosts. We had the shack which meant plenty of space to enjoy, particularly in the evening when the weather turned a little. Beautiful countryside and walks. Will return.

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Liked Nice private spot. Great lean to for evenings with the family. And great location on the farm really welcoming and everything available that we required

Disliked No WiFi but we didn't need phone signal is very good

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Liked Fantastic area, love the fact you get the field to yourself! Clean and well kept facilities.
Friendly and welcoming hosts, would definitely stay again.

Disliked The croft - toilet wasnt on the pitch its located at the back of the house only set back I'd say! Not a major deal just would be nicer and easier if it was with shower area.

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Liked Just returned from a fantastic weekend with my husband and 9 year old son. We booked 'The Shack' for 3 nights at the end of May bank holiday. We were able to pitch our tent right next to the shack and it was great having the extra space indoors, especially as it was a wet & windy few days. I loved the little window that you could open to see through into the cows milking shed. It was also fantastic to have our own bathroom and kitchen area. The farm is set in absolutely stunning scenery and so peaceful. We didn't spot any red squirrels unfortunately, (my son is too loud, I think he scares them away), but we loved watching the cows being herded up and milked and meeting Jackie the pig. Gemma was an amazing host, really friendly and we were made to feel so welcome. She gave us a tour of the farm and had thoughtfully written out a board with all of the local events taking place during our stay. There were also laminated pages of places of interest and good local pubs, takeaways, etc. in the shack, which was really helpful. Gemma's children were lovely too and let our son play on their trampoline. The location is ideal, it feels remote but is just a short drive away from loads of places of interest. We especially liked Barnard Castle (as recommended by Gemma) and Pooley Bridge/Ullswater. Overall, the perfect place to camp!

Disliked Nothing

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From the manager: Thanks for coming!

Liked The sheltered area, the little shop, the meat, the fire pit, the logs the fact that we were invited to arrive early, the advice on places to go, the cows. Thank you! We had a great stay.

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Liked This is a perfect place to stay to catch a glimpse of a simple family farm. You are in the midst of a working farm and I learnt new things let alone the kids! It is friendly and functional with a host who is always happy to help.

Appleby town is chocolate box beautiful and you are stones thrown from the Lakes, the Dales and the rolling Westmoreland countryside.

A rare treat of a campsite.

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Liked From the moment we arrived we were made welcome and told the pitch was ours so enjoy. We stayed in The Shack which is a fenced pitch boasting its own barn and viewing of the milking. It's a working farm and they are more than happy to show you how they milk the cows which are clearly well looked after and loved. The barn comes with its own washing facilties and electric (great for doing my hair early mornings and not waking the family up) and toilet and shower. These were just for the croft pitch. No matter what the weather threw at us we were able to cook and eat in the dry. I enjoyed my early morning hot chocolate watching the cows being milked (they are characters) while everyone was asleep. We also saw a very friendly wild bunny and the local bats.
The site also has an honesty shop which you can buy meats from the farm. I'm told they were really nice (I'm vegetarian 😀).
In the kitchen area the owners thoughtfully give you maps of the local walks but also the location of local amenities and take aways. This was perfect after a long drive and pitching are massive tent.
The whole holiday was brilliant and the weather held for most of it.
We will be coming back in a few years minus the children to enjoy the local walks. Loved the site and how the owners checked in to make sure everything was OK. Couldn't asked for a nicer and welcoming site.

Disliked Nothing.

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