Sykeside Camping Park

View prices & book 9.3 262 reviews
Dove crag views
Dove crag views
Mountain views
Grass pitches
Outdoor feel
Pitches with views
Overlooking the mountains
Raised area of the campsite
Breathtaking surroundings
1/320
Mountain views
Grass pitches
Outdoor feel

  • Remote location but with easy access to the Lake District and Cumbria
  • In a walker's paradise in the Dovedale Valley
  • Modern facilities and well-stocked shop
The placing of this Penrith park is pretty perfect. Get ready for Lake District and Cumbrian valley walks in sublime surroundings, at this friendly site in a walker's paradise at the northern foot of the Kirkstone Pass. Although it's listed as in a remote location and is set deep and quietly in the Dovedale Valley, Sykeside Camping Park is easily accessible to the best of the Lake District and Cumbria, as it's just off the A592 and is no more than half an hour's drive from Ullswater, Patterdale, Glenridding, Ambleside, Coniston and Keswick. Cruising around Windermere is about 20 minutes away. Sykeside's Dovedale Valley locale has it surrounded by Dove Crag, Hart Crag and Fairfield, and with the town of Brotherswater nearby. Short strolls around Brotherswater are among the walky local options, or you could have a longer hike from the town's high street, where many walks start. (Or take the also most pleasant option of just staying in town and seeking out your holiday local the Brotherswater Inn for a pint or two of regional ale among the splendid regional scenery.) The Sykeside team has set the site out carefully to blend in with its surroundings and make the most of its natural settings, but have added modern amenities to keep guests comfy, like the shower and toilet facilities with shaving points and power points, and the laundry room with washing machine, tumble dryer and washing-up area. Feel free to set yourself up here to ignore the rest of the outside world: the well-stocked shop sells most of what you might need including fresh food, camping equipment, maps and guides; and because of the site's position right at the bottom of the valley, telly reception is pretty unreliable and you'll not get a single bar on your mobile – did someone mention digital detox…?

Site type

Tent pitches 100
Touring caravan pitches 5
Motorhome pitches 19
Lodges, cabins, pods or huts 3
Open all year
Opens
Please note
  • Under 18s must be accompanied by their parents or legal guardians.
  • At least one of the party members must be aged 18 or over.
  • The grocery shop is open between 01/01 and 31/12.
  • Group bookings of 2 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.
  • Due to the position of the campsite at the bottom of the valley, television reception is extremely unreliable, and there is no mobile phone reception at all. Group bookings of 6 or more adults are not permitted.

Languages spoken

English

AA 3 pennants

No availability here for your search criteria

Reviews

9.3

Overall rating from 262 Pitchup.com customers

  • 70%
    10
  • 8%
    9
  • 14%
    8
  • 1%
    7
  • 1%
    6
  • 0%
    5
  • 1%
    4
  • 0%
    3
  • 0%
    2
  • 0%
    1
Location
 10
Value for money
 9
Accommodation
 9
Facilities / Activities
 9
Customer service
 9
Child friendliness
 9
Cleanliness
 9
Wifi
 8
Spectacular sceneryLake and/or mountainWalkers' paradisePeaceful

96% would recommend this site to a friend

93% would stay here again

What customers say

This campsite is praised for its breathtaking location, stunning views and excellent facilities, including clean showers and a well-stocked shop. Guests highlight the friendly and helpful staff, convenient on-site pub, and the direct access to numerous walks. While some mention occasional issues with water temperature in showers, boggy ground after rain, and limited parking, the overall experience is overwhelmingly positive, with many guests expressing a desire to return.

Summary AI-generated from Pitchup.com customer reviews. Last updated 23/06/2026

Filter by topic

Reviews page 1 of 27
Arrival date (latest first)

Everything…

Overall

10 out of 10
Location
 10
Value for money
 10
Facilities / Activities
 10
Customer service
 10
Child friendliness
 No rating
Cleanliness
 10
Wifi
 10
 Mark s. 2 reviews

Non-electric grass tent pitch

Liked Everything

Recommend to friends Visit again

Don't skip over this campsite!

Overall

10 out of 10
Location
 10
Value for money
 10
Facilities / Activities
 10
Customer service
 10
Child friendliness
 No rating
Cleanliness
 10
Wifi
 No rating
Mark L. 1 review

Non-electric grass tent pitch

Liked Just came back from a brilliant stay at Sykeside. Staff were brilliant, shop for being a camping shop was very well priced, food at the attached pub brilliant. Honestly going to become one of the usual campsites!

Disliked Did get bogged down with flies due to the heat and got a bit eaten but thats not to do with the site. Cleaning staff were quick to clean the dead midges in the morning.

Recommend to friends Visit again

One of the best campsites I’ve been to.

Overall

10 out of 10
Location
 10
Value for money
 10
Facilities / Activities
 3
Customer service
 8
Child friendliness
 No rating
Cleanliness
 8
Wifi
 6
 Luke H. 1 review

Non-electric grass tent pitch

Liked What a place, location was breathtaking and great to get out into the hills, facilities were great (showers were very hot), shop had everything you need, pub was nice. And to top it off seeing the jets fly over the campsite was unforgettable. Would highly recommend staying here if you want to get outdoors and escape the world for a bit!

Disliked N/A

Recommend to friends Visit again

Facilities clean and shop well stocked,…

Overall

7 out of 10
Location
 7
Value for money
 7
Facilities / Activities
 7
Customer service
 7
Child friendliness
 No rating
Cleanliness
 10
Wifi
 No rating
Philip S. 1 review

Non-electric grass tent pitch

Liked Facilities clean and shop well stocked, very quite site, had a good nights sleep, staff at reception and shop very friendly and helpful

Disliked I didn’t particularly like the onsite pub, not sure what it was about it I didn’t like, didn’t feel particularly welcoming and homely like a pub should and they staff were not most friendly

Recommend to friends Visit again

Beautiful area…

Overall

10 out of 10
Location
 10
Value for money
 10
Facilities / Activities
 10
Customer service
 10
Child friendliness
 No rating
Cleanliness
 10
Wifi
 8
Anonymous

Non-electric grass tent pitch

Liked Beautiful area

Recommend to friends Visit again

awesome…

Overall

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

Non-electric grass tent pitch

Liked awesome

Recommend to friends Visit again

Staff on the desk were lovely.…

Overall

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

Non-electric grass tent pitch

Liked Staff on the desk were lovely. Campsite is great with beautiful scenery. There’s access to amazing walks from the campsite. Would deff book again :)

Recommend to friends Visit again

Great for location in the lakes, facilities great.

Overall

8 out of 10
Location
 10
Value for money
 8
Facilities / Activities
 8
Customer service
 10
Child friendliness
 5
Cleanliness
 10
Wifi
 6
 Martin H. 3 reviews

Non-electric grass tent pitch

Liked Location for my event in Glenridding, facilities were spot on and the staff very friendly.

Disliked I think there needs to be a bit more of a layout for tents in the main camping area. This was a bit of a free for all. When we arrived there was plenty of space and the kids had room to play. But the site got very busy over the weekend, there were groups of people staying together which is stated as not allowed here. No room for the kids to play when busy.

Recommend to friends Visit again

Stunning setting good access to Patterdale and the fells!

Overall

10 out of 10
Location
 10
Value for money
 10
Facilities / Activities
 8
Customer service
 10
Child friendliness
 No rating
Cleanliness
 9
Wifi
 No rating
Anonymous

Non-electric grass tent pitch

Liked Brilliant pitches. Though could be a bit of a scramble if you are late. Pitches are not designated, but I liked the flexibility.

Disliked Parking was tricky. Not really enough spaces for pitches. But a little patience and understanding go a long way!!

Recommend to friends Visit again

Amazing location with beautiful views. Ideal…

Overall

10 out of 10
Location
 10
Value for money
 10
Facilities / Activities
 10
Customer service
 10
Child friendliness
 No rating
Cleanliness
 10
Wifi
 No rating
Dan J. 1 review

Non-electric grass tent pitch

Liked Amazing location with beautiful views. Ideal for anybody whether you’re camping solo or in a group, very close to some scenic hikes and great pubs

Recommend to friends Visit again

Features

Dogs allowed

Campfires 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 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 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 Shop nearby

Type

Large (51-200 pitches)

Accessibility

Bathrooms: Step-free access Uneven terrain; gravel or loose mud

Nearby leisure

Canoeing/kayaking nearby Cycle hire nearby Fishing nearby Golf nearby Horse riding nearby Mountain biking nearby Restaurant nearby Sailing nearby Watersports nearby

Location

Sykeside Camping Park

Hartsop

Penrith

Cumbria

England

CA11 0NZ

Directions

Timezone

Europe/London BST (GMT+01:00)

GPS

54.49861°N
2.92474°W

Nearest transport

Coach
4.8 mi Lakeside House for Dove Cottage
4.8 mi Daffodil Hotel for Dove Cottage
5 mi Kelsick Road opposite Library
Rail
8.3 mi Windermere Rail Station
9.5 mi Staveley Rail Station
11.8 mi Burneside (Cumbria) Rail Station
Ferry
3.2 mi Glenridding Ullswater Ferry Landing
5.6 mi Howtown Ullswater Ferry Landing
5.7 mi Ambleside Waterhead 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

Sykeside Camping Park's central location in the Lakes means it has loads of activities within easy reach by foot or car and on land or water. For watery days within 20 minutes of the site, join one of the most popular pastimes in the Lake District with a cruise on Windermere, or get serious about the water and hire a boat or learn to sail with Glenridding Sailing Centre on Ullswater. Boat trips are also available from Coniston Water and Keswick. By land and also within 20 minutes are the crashing hike around Aira Force waterfall, and the medieval manor and greenery of Dalemain Mansion & Historic Gardens as well as the heritage and cinema of the The Rheged Centre at Penrith. Within half an hour, spy ospreys at Bassenthwaite near Keswick, have a ride on the 3.2 miles of the Lakeside and Haverthwaite Railway, and wander around the The Rheged Centreancientness of the Castlerigg stone circle, the most visited in Cumbria.

Water quality at nearby bathing waters

Name Distance Type 2020201920182017
Seascale 23.8 mi Sea N/AGoodGoodGood
Silecroft 25.8 mi Sea N/AExcellentExcellentExcellent
Haverigg 25.9 mi Sea PoorN/AN/AN/A
St Bees 27.4 mi Sea N/AExcellentExcellentExcellent
Allonby 27.6 mi Sea N/AGoodGoodGood

Data source: European Environment Agency

Must see

Ullswater Steamers 3.2 mi

Rydal Mount and Gardens 4.2 mi

Dove Cottage and the Wordsworth Museum 4.8 mi

Brockhole - Lake District Visitor Centre 6.7 mi

Beatrix Potter Gallery 9.1 mi

National Trust

Grasmere and Great Langdale 5.7 mi

Townend 6.1 mi

Windermere and Troutbeck 7.6 mi

Beatrix Potter Gallery 9.1 mi

Coniston and Tarn Hows 10 mi

Cycle routes

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

Other

Kirkstone Pass - Caudale Moor - Stony Cove Pike 2.4 mi

Helvellyn - Nethermost Pike - High Crag - Dollywaggon Pike 2.7 mi

Glenridding - Helvellyn - Grisedale Brow - Glenridding 3.3 mi

Caudale Moor and Troutbeck Tongue 3.3 mi

Glenridding and Greenside Mine 3.3 mi

Local events

  • Kendal Calling (Thursday, 30 July 2026 – Thursday, 30 July 2026)

    Penrith, Cumbria 11.1 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 Sykeside Camping Park have a swimming pool? No View all features
  • Is Sykeside Camping Park dog friendly? Yes View all features
  • What attractions are near Sykeside Camping Park? Sykeside Camping Park's central location in the Lakes means it has loads of activities within easy reach by foot or car and on land or water. For watery days within 20 minutes … Read more
  • When can I check in and check out of Sykeside Camping Park?
    Camping and touring
    Arrive:  1 p.m. –  8 p.m.
    Depart by:  11 a.m.
    Read more
  • How much does it cost to stay at Sykeside Camping Park? From £23.70 (for 1 night, 2 adults) - prices may change depending on your dates and party.