Waterhead Coniston

No availability at present on Pitchup.com 9.3 103 reviews
Visitor image of the view at dusk
Visitor image of the view at dusk
Visitor image of early morning
Big open field
Green grass and blue skies
Great views of the fells
Lake shore
Trees on the shoreline
Gateway to the field
1/85
Visitor image of early morning
Big open field
Green grass and blue skies

  • Quiet, back to basics pop-up site on the shoreline of Coniston Water
  • Tarn Hows and lake cruises within walking distance
  • A 10-minute walk from Coniston village; two minutes to local pub
Waterhead Coniston is a pop-up site in a properly prime position, right on the shoreline of Coniston Water and a 10-minute walk from the centre of Coniston village (for pubs, cafés, takeaways and shops). Rather than being your standard campsite, this quiet little Cumbria site has been set up in a farmer’s field in a small, eco-friendly farm with animals. It has just basic facilities in the form of fresh water and portable toilets. There's also private access to the lake. The views from here are unsurprisingly splendid, looking over the water and up to the fells – and it’s easy to get out to see a bit more of the Lake District surroundings without using the car, as you can head straight out on walks up to Tarn Hows and local fells or get going on bike rides or hikes by the lake. The refurbed Coniston Inn is a couple of minutes’ stagger away upon your return, although you’re welcome to bring a barbecue along instead if you like. For more leisurely ways to see the area, take a ride on the Steam Yacht Gondola across Coniston Water or set out for wanders around Brantwood and Hill Top; if you’d prefer to keep the activity going there are plenty of fells and lakes to hike around, and a Go Ape adventure park is 20 minutes’ drive away.

Site type

Motorhome pitches 3
Tent pitches 20
Opens
Please note
  • This site has no on-site shower facilities.
  • Under 18s must be accompanied by their parents or legal guardians.
  • The site does not accept breeds/crossbreeds listed in the Dangerous Dogs Act (i.e. XL Bully, Pit Bull Terrier, Japanese Tosa, Dogo Argentino, and Fila Brasileiro).
  • Group bookings of 3 or more units (e.g. tent, touring caravan, motorhome or accommodation hire) travelling together are not permitted via Pitchup.com.
  • No hen/stag parties permitted via Pitchup.com.
  • Discount cards and gift vouchers cannot be applied to bookings made via Pitchup.com.
  • Please note that the toilet facilities are unisex.
  • There is no reception on-site: on arrival please contact the number provided on your booking confirmation.

Languages spoken

English

No availability here for your search criteria

Reviews

9.3

Overall rating from 103 Pitchup.com customers

  • 66%
    10
  • 10%
    9
  • 18%
    8
  • 2%
    7
  • 0%
    6
  • 0%
    5
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    4
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    3
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    2
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    1
Location
 10
Value for money
 10
Accommodation
 9
Facilities / Activities
 8
Customer service
 10
Child friendliness
 9
Cleanliness
 9
Wifi
 6
Lake and/or mountainPeaceful

99% would recommend this site to a friend

98% would stay here again

What customers say

This is a well-located, back-to-basics campsite directly on the shores of Coniston Water. Visitors praise the stunning lake views, easy lake access for watersports, and proximity to Coniston village amenities. The friendly and helpful owner is frequently mentioned. While facilities are basic, portaloos are generally reported as clean, though some note they can become smelly. The site is often described as quiet and peaceful, offering great value for money, with many guests expressing a desire to return. Potential issues include the impact of wet weather on the ground conditions.

Summary AI-generated from Pitchup.com customer reviews

Reviews page 1 of 11
Arrival date (latest first)

Will come again next year

Overall

8 out of 10
Location
 10
Value for money
 10
Accommodation
 No rating
Facilities / Activities
 6
Customer service
 8
Child friendliness
 8
Cleanliness
 8
Wifi
 No rating
Kevin N.

Non-electric grass tent or trailer tent pitch

Liked Bargain Price
Great location just a few minutes walk from conniston village.
Lake access
Quiet

Disliked None

Recommend to friends Visit again

Views of lake Choice of where…

Overall

8 out of 10
Location
 9
Value for money
 10
Accommodation
 No rating
Facilities / Activities
 6
Customer service
 9
Child friendliness
 No rating
Cleanliness
 9
Wifi
 9
Alexander R.

Non-electric grass tent or trailer tent pitch

Liked Views of lake
Choice of where to pitch

Disliked Distance to potaloo's

Recommend to friends Visit again

Great location, beautiful views would recommend

Overall

10 out of 10
Location
 10
Value for money
 10
Accommodation
 No rating
Facilities / Activities
 5
Customer service
 10
Child friendliness
 5
Cleanliness
 7
Wifi
 No rating
Neil H.

Non-electric grass tent or trailer tent pitch

Liked Quite location
Access to the lake
Peaceful

Disliked More lighting needed around but get that it’s just a pop up

Recommend to friends Visit again

Excellent

Overall

10 out of 10
Location
 10
Value for money
 10
Accommodation
 No rating
Facilities / Activities
 10
Customer service
 10
Child friendliness
 No rating
Cleanliness
 10
Wifi
 1
Christina A.

Non-electric grass tent or trailer tent pitch

Liked Great lots of space . Great for a couple of nights stay

Recommend to friends Visit again

Lovely little site close to town and easy access for lake

Overall

10 out of 10
Location
 10
Value for money
 10
Accommodation
 No rating
Facilities / Activities
 10
Customer service
 10
Child friendliness
 10
Cleanliness
 10
Wifi
 No rating
Scott C.

Non-electric grass tent or trailer tent pitch

Liked Loved the site basic facility’s such a portaloos but that’s what we enjoy and is never a issue for us and a. lovely view of the lake and easy access

Disliked Nothing

Recommend to friends Visit again

Really lovely site, perfect location by…

Overall

10 out of 10
Location
 10
Value for money
 10
Accommodation
 No rating
Facilities / Activities
 10
Customer service
 10
Child friendliness
 10
Cleanliness
 10
Wifi
 1
Emma P.

Non-electric grass tent or trailer tent pitch

Liked Really lovely site, perfect location by the lake. Owners really friendly and welcoming. Will definitely book again :)

Recommend to friends Visit again

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Camping at Waterhead is absolutely the…

Overall

10 out of 10
Location
 10
Value for money
 10
Accommodation
 No rating
Facilities / Activities
 9
Customer service
 10
Child friendliness
 10
Cleanliness
 No rating
Wifi
 1
Michelle B.

Non-electric grass tent or trailer tent pitch

Liked ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Camping at Waterhead is absolutely the best site we’ve ever stayed at! Perfectly located right beside Coniston Water, close to the Coniston Inn and the village. Booking online was quick and easy, and the lovely lady who owns the field made us feel so welcome. The price is amazing for such a fantastic spot. We even had an ice cream van visit twice! We spent our time kayaking, swimming, and walking, and loved every minute. Can’t wait to return!

Recommend to friends Visit again

Simple site in stunning location, basic facilities. I'd stay again.

Overall

7 out of 10
Location
 10
Value for money
 9
Accommodation
 No rating
Facilities / Activities
 4
Customer service
 10
Child friendliness
 No rating
Cleanliness
 6
Wifi
 1
Anonymous

Non-electric grass tent or trailer tent pitch

Liked Location is great being just outside of Coniston village, but only a short walk on the footpath. The surroundings are utterly stunning, with a long length of 'beach' access straight onto the lake right next to the site. It's a simple site in a great location and almost 'proper' camping with basic facilities. Despite downsides below, I'd absolutely stay again.

Disliked It said on PitchUp that there was a running water tap on site. However, PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS IS NOT FRESH DRINKING WATER. It's a tap on a blue water tank on a trailer. Each time over 2 of the days that I was there, it appeared to be empty; or at least I couldn't get the tap to work. There were no instructions, so I assume it was a simple matter, which would indicate that it was empty. There is also a large, ugly skip for rubbish, which was full and stank. There were 5x Portaloo toilets, only one of which ever had working hand sanitiser, although there is a lady who comes each day at multiple times to sign new arrivals in; you would think that the water tank and toilet facilities would be fully checked each day as part of these visits. The lady did advise that the water tank was filled by a fresh water supply, but to boil water from it to be safe. I'd advise taking water with you, or there are a couple of shops in Coniston village to buy water from.

Recommend to friends Visit again

From the manager: Hello I’m glad you enjoy the setting of our pop up campsite.

As far as I’m aware on pitch up it says fresh water which the tank is fresh from the mains. But because of the location of our campsite there is no running Tap water.

Apologies about the tank not seeming to work properly but it is checked daily and never gets to be fully empty. Always filled up maybe we could put some clearer instructions on the bowser for use. The toilets are also cleaned twice a day morning and early evening but unfortunately the hand sanitizer has been low this year and this is something the toilet company refills when they empty them. So I will speak to them about doing this more regularly.

Exactly as it was advertised! If…

Overall

10 out of 10
Location
 10
Value for money
 10
Accommodation
 No rating
Facilities / Activities
 5
Customer service
 10
Child friendliness
 10
Cleanliness
 8
Wifi
 No rating
Simon L.

Non-electric grass tent or trailer tent pitch

Liked Exactly as it was advertised! If you want simple and cheap, that’s exactly what it was! The lake location was amazing!!

Disliked Nothing!

Recommend to friends Visit again

Fabulous

Overall

7 out of 10
Location
 10
Value for money
 10
Accommodation
 No rating
Facilities / Activities
 2
Customer service
 10
Child friendliness
 10
Cleanliness
 10
Wifi
 No rating
Anonymous

Non-electric grass tent or trailer tent pitch

Liked Location

Recommend to friends Visit again

Features

Portable toilet

Pop-up campsite

Dogs allowed

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 Wild swimming

Amenities on site

Bath available Car parking by pitch/unit Composting toilet Dog park Drying room Food shop Free wifi Ice pack freezing Internet access Launderette Parent & baby washroom Pick-up from public transport Portable toilet Pub toilets Public telephone Shower available Toilet block Washing-up area Wifi

Groups welcome

D. of E. welcome Family friendly Motorcycle friendly Single-sex groups welcome Student groups welcome

Rules

Barbecue provided Barbecues allowed Campfires allowed Commercial vehicles allowed Dogs allowed Dogs allowed all year

Themes

Lake and/or mountain Peaceful Remote location Spectacular scenery Walkers' paradise

Utilities

Charging facilities Chemical disposal Electric car charging point(s) Gas cylinders available Recycling available Renewable energy

Nearby amenities

Bar nearby Dog walk nearby Public transport nearby Shop nearby

Type

Farm Pop-up campsite Small (11-25 pitches)

Nearby leisure

Canoeing/kayaking nearby Climbing nearby Cycling nearby Fishing nearby Mountain biking nearby Restaurant nearby Sailing nearby

Location

Waterhead Coniston

Coniston

Cumbria

England

LA21 8AJ

Directions

Timezone

Europe/London BST (GMT+01:00)

GPS

54.36851°N
3.06119°W

Route directions

Please follow the dirt track and stop next to the bamboo gate before phoning the site.

Nearest transport

Coach
5.8 mi Kelsick Road opposite Library
6.1 mi Daffodil Hotel for Dove Cottage
6.2 mi Lakeside House for Dove Cottage
Rail
6.4 mi Windermere Rail Station
9.8 mi Staveley Rail Station
9.8 mi Foxfield Rail Station
Ferry
0.1 mi Waterhead Hotel (Coniston) Ferry Landing
0.4 mi Monk Coniston Ferry Landing
0.4 mi Coniston Ferry Landing

Please note: All distances on this page are calculated "as the crow flies" - please check actual distance depending on your mode of travel using the Get directions button above.

Local attractions

Attractions and activities nearby include: - Steam Yacht Gondola cruises: 10 minutes’ walk - Tarn Hows: 45 minutes’ walk/10 minutes’ drive - Brantwood (former home of artist John Ruskin): 10 minutes’ drive - Hill Top (Beatrix Potter’s former home): 10 minutes - Go Ape Grizedale: 20 minutes - Windermere (west shore): 20 minutes - Claife Heights: 25 minutes - Lakeland Motor Museum: half an hour.

Water quality at nearby bathing waters

Name Distance Type 2020201920182017
Haverigg 15.4 mi Sea PoorN/AN/AN/A
Silecroft 15.6 mi Sea N/AExcellentExcellentExcellent
Seascale 17.3 mi Sea N/AGoodGoodGood
Walney West Shore 19.1 mi Sea N/AGoodGoodN/A
Walney Sandy Gap 20.1 mi Sea N/AGoodGoodN/A

Data source: European Environment Agency

Must see

Beatrix Potter Gallery 2.5 mi

Hill Top 3.8 mi

Brockhole - Lake District Visitor Centre 5.3 mi

Windermere Lake Cruises, Bowness 5.6 mi

The World of Beatrix Potter 5.7 mi

National Trust

Gondola' 0.4 mi

Coniston and Tarn Hows 0.6 mi

Beatrix Potter Gallery 2.5 mi

Hill Top 3.8 mi

Grasmere and Great Langdale 5 mi

Cycle routes

Find local routes on the National Cycle Network - over 12,000 miles of cycling routes.

Other

Coniston and the Yewdale Fells 0.5 mi

Coniston - Little Arrow - Coniston Lakeshore 0.5 mi

Coniston - Holme Fell 0.5 mi

Coniston - Levers Water - Coniston 0.5 mi

Coniston - Tarn Hows - Coniston 0.6 mi

Please note: All distances on this page are calculated "as the crow flies" - please check actual distance depending on your mode of travel using the Get directions button above.

Want to know more about camping in The Lake District and Cumbria?

Frequently asked questions

  • Does Waterhead Coniston have a swimming pool? No View all features
  • Is Waterhead Coniston dog friendly? Yes View all features
  • What attractions are near Waterhead Coniston? Attractions and activities nearby include: - Steam Yacht Gondola cruises: 10 minutes’ walk - Tarn Hows: 45 minutes’ walk/10 minutes’ drive - Brantwood (former home of artist John Ruskin): 10 minutes’ drive … Read more
  • When can I check in and check out of Waterhead Coniston?
    Camping and touring
    Arrive:  11 a.m. –  9:30 p.m.
    Depart by:  1 p.m.
    Read more