Why visit Eskdale?
Wander through the valley
With gorgeous green views all around and the River Esk running through its heart, it’s no surprise to hear that there are some excellent walks to be done around Eskdale. Seek out the 18-metre drop of Stanley Ghyll Force waterfall, stroll through the spring bluebells of Hows Wood or ramble to the remote setting of St Catherine’s Church – whichever one you pick, there are some lovely traditional pubs in the local villages of Eskdale Green and Boot for post-walk refreshments.
Scale the Scafells
If you’re after something a bit more intrepid for your Lake District break, there are several mountain peaks around to give you a bit of a challenge – and Eskdale makes a great base for tackling some of them. Just up at the northern end of the valley are the twin peaks of Scafell and Scafell Pike (the latter, at 14 metres higher, is England’s tallest mountain). There’s some tricky walking up here so you’ll need to be well prepared, but the scenic rewards and sense of achievement make it well worth the effort (and those pubs are waiting for you, too…)
Ride the railway
At the other end of the effort spectrum is a relaxing day out on the Ravenglass & Eskdale Railway, a seven-mile steam railway that runs from Eskdale out to the Cumbria coast. ‘La’al Ratty’, as it’s known locally, is a lovely way to see the scenery at a leisurely pace – you can either plan a return trip or do the walk in one direction and take the train for the other leg. Handily, you can also bring the dog along for the ride if you like.
Essential Eskdale days out
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Climb up to Hard Knott Roman Fort to see ancient ruins and great views of the Scafells
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Walk the eight-mile trail around Wastwater, the deepest lake in the Lake District
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Have a day out at Muncaster Castle, exploring the grounds and watching the hawks and owls in action
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Take a trip to Seascale beach for some sea air and a paddle on a wild stretch of coast
- Explore the world of Beatrix Potter on visits to her former home and museum near Coniston
Less-explored Eskdale
Local history
Take a glimpse into the past with a visit to Eskdale Mill, in a pretty riverside spot in the village of Boot. The 16th-century building has the only working water-powered mill in the Lake District, and a recent revamp has installed interactive exhibits that will give visitors a good sense of how it all worked, and why it was so important to the village.
Swimming spots
Can’t resist the chance to take a freshwater dip? The Lake District has some excellent wild swimming spots – and Eskdale is no exception. The beachy area by the bridge just outside Eskdale Green is a popular spot for a dip and a picnic in summer, and you can also take to the water in Blea Tarn if you’re more experienced. Lots of the best spots are only known to locals though, so you may need to befriend someone in the pub, or just pack your swimmers and see what you find while out walking…
Here’s how
Pitchup is designed to make it easy to find the Eskdale campsite that’s just right for you. We’ve got plenty of tent campsites, of course – but there’s a lot to explore beyond that too. Maybe you’re touring in a caravan or motorhome, or fancy treating yourself to a Lake District glamping stay? Whichever one you’re after, our list of filters will help you narrow down the choices to the places that suit your style.
Not sure where to start? Browse one of these popular collections:
Eskdale campsites with electric pitches
Want to see more of the Lake District? Have a look at places to stay around Keswick or Pooley Bridge – or maybe try Tebay so you can add in days in the Yorkshire Dales?
Can’t decide? Have a look at our Cumbria camping guide for the best places to visit, then check out all the options for Cumbria campsites.
