The Old Post Office Campsite

From £35 For 1 night, 2 adults 9.1 315 reviews
River views (added by manager 01 Aug 2022)

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River views (added by manager 01 aug 2022)
1/450
1/450
Favourite
Aerial view, you can see the proximity of the pub! (added by manager 01 aug 2022)
Taken at the bottom end of the site - hook-ups spread across the site (added by manager 23 may 2014)
Wastwater lakeside (added by visitor 25 jul 2016)

  • On the western edge of the Lake District National Park
  • Bordered by the River Irt for swimming and salmon or trout fishing
  • Showers, toilets, wifi and picnic benches
Established in 1951, The Old Post Office Campsite is in a royally fab location for anyone after a peaceful spot to explore the Lake District. Those looking for quiet stays can deliver themselves to this compact site, just on the western border of the Lake District National Park, to enjoy the very best of the area's spectacular setting. You can be at the little village of Santon Bridge in a jiffy (it's just a one-minute walk away) and with the River Irt bordering the site, you’ll likely agree The Old Post Office has got the whole package… Swim, paddle or just bask on the banks of the calm freshwater river that flows right along one side of the site, while avid anglers can scale the choice of catches to be had with salmon, sea and brown trout floundering from the waters. You can borrow a daily or weekly-hire rod from the owners; just arrange this with them when you arrive. The site’s first-class facilities include modern toilets and showers, a laundry room with coin-operated machines, dishwashing sinks and wifi, with well-tended pathways all around the site and timber picnic benches to take in the mountains, river and countryside views. A gift and farm shop is in Santon Bridge a minute's walk away. Dogs are welcome too and with all the walking opportunities in and around the Lakes, a holiday here will really deliver the goods for all…

Site type

Touring caravan pitches 15
Motorhome pitches 10
Tent pitches 18
Open all year
Please note
  • 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. Pit Bull Terrier, Japanese Tosa, Dogo Argentino, and Fila Brasileiro).
  • Group bookings of 2 or more units (e.g. tent, touring caravan, motorhome or accommodation hire) travelling together are not permitted via Pitchup.com.
  • Group bookings of 3 or more adults are not permitted (couples and immediate family members excepted).
  • Single-sex bookings of 3 or more people (couples and immediate family members excepted) are not permitted via Pitchup.com.
  • No hen/stag parties permitted via Pitchup.com.
  • Commercial vehicles (vehicles used for work-related purposes, carrying goods or fare-paying passengers) and sign-written vehicles are not permitted on site.
  • The site caters for families (immediate members) and couples only - bookings from all other forms of groups are not accepted.
  • A cable measuring at least 10 metres is needed for the electric hook-ups.
  • Bookings must not consist of more than 2 different households.
  • Showers cost 50p for approximately 10 minutes.

Languages spoken

English

Pitch types & availability

Accommodation

Tent pitchesTouring caravan pitchesMotorhome pitchesLodges, cabins, pods or hutsCaravans for hireRent a tent
Choose your dates
2 adults
0 children

Reviews

9.1

Overall rating based on 315 reviews View breakdown

Peaceful

Voted 79% of visitors View breakdown

91%

would recommend this site to a friend

88%

would stay here again

  • 68%
    10
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    9
  • 24%
    8
  • 0%
    7
  • 4%
    6
  • 0%
    5
  • 1%
    4
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    3
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    2
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    1

Only showing reviews for the last 30 months.

Lovely little site

Overall 10/10
Location 10
Value for money 10
Accommodation 10
Facilities / Activities 10
Customer service 10
Child friendliness 10
Cleanliness 10
Wifi 10
Anna H. The reviewer booked through Pitchup.com

Electric hardstanding and grass touring pitch

Liked: Location Cleanliness Friendly

Recommend to friends Visit again

Nice setting next to river would be a nice spot for summer…

Overall 8/10
Location 10
Value for money 8
Accommodation 8
Facilities / Activities 4
Customer service 10
Child friendliness 4
Cleanliness 8
Wifi 2
Martin M. The reviewer booked through Pitchup.com

Electric hardstanding and grass tent or motorhome pitch

Liked: Nice setting next to river would be a nice spot for summer although we went early Easter weather wasn’t great need to get out and about wastwarter a must see 10 minutes away also Muncaster Castle a great day out and the pub is not bad too

Recommend to friends Visit again

Lovely location, friendly site staff

Overall 10/10
Location 10
Value for money 8
Accommodation 10
Facilities / Activities 10
Customer service 10
Child friendliness 6
Cleanliness 10
Wifi 8
Anonymous The reviewer booked through Pitchup.com

Electric hardstanding and grass tent or motorhome pitch

Liked: Small site, lovely location, friendly welcome and site staff. Clean facilities. Close to a great pub (2 mins walk). Good walks direct from site. Pitches right next to River Irt which was in full flow, so probably not ideal for families with young children.

Recommend to friends Visit again

Great pitch and Andy will go above and beyond.

Overall 8/10
Location 8
Value for money 8
Accommodation 6
Facilities / Activities 8
Customer service 10
Child friendliness 10
Cleanliness 6
Wifi 2
Nicholas R. The reviewer booked through Pitchup.com

Electric hardstanding and grass touring pitch

Liked: First of all, the reviews were right about Andy. Such a helpful guy always wanting to make sure your stay is as pleasant as possible. We had a very nice pitch and the local pub just outside, came in handy for a meal out. some nice scenic walks too.

Disliked: I emailed for the WiFi password but got no reply from the owners. The waste disposal was blocked up. Some work is needed and the toilets need an upgrade but very nice surroundings to be in.

Recommend to friends Visit again

Lovely location beside the river. Peaceful . Facilities were clean…

Overall 10/10
Location 10
Value for money 10
Accommodation 8
Facilities / Activities 8
Customer service 8
Child friendliness 8
Cleanliness 8
Wifi 6
Anonymous The reviewer booked through Pitchup.com

Electric hardstanding and grass tent or motorhome pitch

Liked: Lovely location beside the river. Peaceful . Facilities were clean

Recommend to friends Visit again

Reasonable facilities

Overall 8/10
Location 10
Value for money 10
Accommodation 8
Facilities / Activities 8
Customer service 10
Child friendliness 6
Cleanliness 8
Wifi 8
Josh T. The reviewer booked through Pitchup.com

Non-electric grass tent pitch

Liked: Really enjoyed the location very quite area, with a local pub that serves lovely food and a range of beers. The staff was very friendly at welcoming on site

Disliked: At night the sound of the river can be quite noisy but not a big issue for my self.

Recommend to friends Visit again

Good site for walkers

Overall 8/10
Location 8
Value for money 8
Accommodation 8
Facilities / Activities 8
Customer service 10
Child friendliness No rating
Cleanliness 8
Wifi 6
Claire H. The reviewer booked through Pitchup.com

Electric hardstanding and grass touring pitch

Liked: Beautiful relaxing site, with a river running along side. Gravel hard stand pitch with ample space for an awning. There is a lovely dog walk opposite the Ste that takes you to a cafe and gift shop. A pub that serves lovely meals is at the end of the site. On site you have a laundry, dog wash area, showers, pot wash and toilets on site. The caretaker is friendly and available for any questions

Disliked: The waste disposal was not working so the disabled toilet was being used, this caused an awful smell in the area. Also the showers are 50p to use and a little dated

Recommend to friends Visit again

Peaceful site…

Overall 2/10
Location 4
Value for money 4
Accommodation 4
Facilities / Activities 4
Customer service 8
Child friendliness No rating
Cleanliness 4
Wifi No rating
Anonymous The reviewer booked through Pitchup.com

Fully-serviced hardstanding and grass touring pitch (super)

Liked: Peaceful site

Disliked: No signal at all WiFi wasn’t great Could not pick up any tv channels Wouldn’t recommend taking children

Recommend to friends Visit again

Great location, ideal for hiking situated right near some great walks, with…

Overall 10/10
Location 10
Value for money 10
Accommodation 10
Facilities / Activities 10
Customer service 10
Child friendliness 10
Cleanliness 10
Wifi 10
Steve M. The reviewer booked through Pitchup.com

Non-electric grass tent pitch

Liked: Great location, ideal for hiking situated right near some great walks, with plenty more only a short drive away. Local pub next to the campsite serves great food too. Friendly staff, Andy in particular was very helpful with excellent local knowledge of the area and made sure we had a great weekend with some great suggestions on places to go.

Recommend to friends Visit again

Loved staying here.

Overall 10/10
Location 10
Value for money 10
Accommodation 8
Facilities / Activities 8
Customer service 10
Child friendliness 10
Cleanliness 8
Wifi 8
Nicola A. The reviewer booked through Pitchup.com

Electric hardstanding and grass tent or motorhome pitch

Liked: The location Friendliness Helpfulness Manager was brilliant, he even came to our rescue to jump start our very flat battery.

Disliked: Only 2 shower and toilet cubicles

Recommend to friends Visit again

Features

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

Amenities on site

Bath available

Car parking by pitch/unit

Composting toilet

Disabled facilities

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

Rallies welcome

Single-sex groups welcome

Student groups welcome

Rules

Barbecue provided

Barbecues allowed

Campfires allowed

Commercial vehicles allowed

Dogs allowed

Dogs allowed all year

Camping 2.0

Jumbo tent pitches

Themes

Budget/backpacker

Lake and/or mountain

Peaceful

Remote location

Spectacular scenery

Walkers' paradise

Wildlife haven

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

Medium (26-50 pitches)

Nearby leisure

Canoeing/kayaking nearby

Climbing nearby

Cycle hire nearby

Cycling nearby

Fishing nearby

Golf nearby

Horse riding nearby

Mountain biking nearby

Restaurant nearby

Sailing nearby

Tennis nearby

Touring and motorhomes

Drainage hook-up points for tourers

Motorhome service point

Tourer storage facilities

Water hook-up points for tourers

Location

The Old Post Office Campsite

Santon Bridge

Wasdale

Holmrook

Cumbria

England

CA19 1UY

Directions

Timezone

Europe/London BST (GMT+01:00)

GPS

54.4021°N
-3.371°W

Route directions

Turn off the M6 at Junction 36. Follow A590 west to Broughton-in-Furness, passing through Newby Bridge. Follow the A595 through Bootle, Muncaster to Holmrook. Approaching Holmrook turn right for Santon Bridge; follow this road to the end, passing Irton Hall (on your left) and Wasdale Craft Shop (on your left). At the junction turn left - we are at the bottom of the hill near to the river. Please note - some satellite navigation systems suggest a route via Wrynose Pass and Hardknott Pass. These high level routes are not recommended in the dark, or in adverse weather conditions.

Nearest transport

Coach
13.5 mi Tangier Street
14.7 mi Lakeside House for Dove Cottage
14.7 mi Daffodil Hotel for Dove Cottage
Rail
3.4 mi Drigg Rail Station
3.6 mi Ravenglass Rail Station
4.6 mi Seascale Rail Station
Ferry
12.5 mi Torver (Coniston) Ferry Landing
12.6 mi Coniston Ferry Landing
12.7 mi Sunny Bank (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

Pull on your comfiest boots and walk yourself to merriment around these Cumbrian parts: just over five miles away in Wasdale is one of Britain’s tiniest churches, St Olafs, with its timber beams thought to have been made from Viking ships. For hungry (and thirsty) fell explorers, the Wasdale Head Inn makes for a welcome pitstop, and the Bridge Inn, just a stroll from the site, is home to the annual ‘Biggest Liar’ competition – no kidding, it’s a real thing… Hikers hotstep to the mighty heights of Scafell Pike and Great Gable (both about seven miles away) and Red Pike (approximately 20 miles north from the site). At the Wasdale valley, as well as nurturing peaks aplenty, canoeists, kayakers and windsurfers alike will rapidly make their way to Wast Water, just five minutes from the site, the deepest lake in the UK. Cycling and walking routes around the lakes and mountains are plentiful, as are the chances for boating and fishing, but if you really want to go off-piste, you could try abseiling, climbing, a high ropes course, or even flying: hot air balloon and paragliding experiences are available for those who want to soar even higher than Scafell.

Water quality at nearby bathing waters

Name Distance Type 2020 2019 2018 2017
Seascale 4.8 mi Sea N/A Good Good Good
St Bees 11.3 mi Sea N/A Excellent Excellent Excellent
Silecroft 12.7 mi Sea N/A Excellent Excellent Excellent
Haverigg 15.1 mi Sea Poor N/A N/A N/A
Walney West Shore 19.8 mi Sea N/A Good Good N/A

Data source: European Environment Agency

Must see

Ravenglass & Eskdale Railway 3.5 mi

Dove Cottage and the Wordsworth Museum 14.6 mi

Beatrix Potter Gallery 15 mi

Whinlatter Forest & Visitor Centre 15.7 mi

Rydal Mount and Gardens 15.9 mi

National Trust

Wasdale, Eskdale and Duddon 1.7 mi

Buttermere and Ennerdale 10.5 mi

Gondola' 12.5 mi

Coniston and Tarn Hows 12.9 mi

Grasmere and Great Langdale 14.2 mi

Cycle routes

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

Other

Eskdale Green - Muncaster Fell - Muncaster Head - Eskdale Green 2.1 mi

MUNCASTER CASTLE 3.3 mi

High Gillerthwaite - Red Pike Ridge Traverse - High Gillerthwaite 8 mi

Seathwaite - Scafell Pike - Seathwaite 10.1 mi

The Gables from Honister Pass 10.2 mi

Local events

  • Kendal Calling (Thursday 1 August 2024 – Thursday 1 August 2024)

    Penrith, Cumbria 29.8 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?

  • Does The Old Post Office Campsite have a swimming pool? No View all features
  • Is The Old Post Office Campsite dog friendly? Yes View all features
  • What attractions are near The Old Post Office Campsite? Pull on your comfiest boots and walk yourself to merriment around these Cumbrian parts: just over five miles away in Wasdale is one of Britain’s tiniest churches, St Olafs, with its timber … Read more
  • When can I check in and check out of The Old Post Office Campsite?
    Camping and touring
    Arrive:  1 p.m. –  6:30 p.m.
    Depart by:  11 a.m.
    Read more
  • How much does it cost to stay at The Old Post Office Campsite? From £35 (for 1 night, 2 adults) - prices may change depending on your dates and party.