Holmescales Campsite

View prices & book 8.9 219 reviews
Around the site
Aerial view of the site
View of the site
Pitches and toilet block

  • Small site in the Cumbria countryside, 15 minutes’ drive from Kendal
  • Sizergh Castle 15 minutes’ drive; Windermere half an hour
  • Archery, quad biking and axe throwing; toilet and shower block
The gently undulating hills of the Cumbria countryside surround Holmescales Campsite, a small, friendly site a five-minute drive from the hamlet of Old Hutton, with its pretty stone cottages, and 15 minutes from the market town of Kendal. This is a handy spot for getting out into the fresh air and exploring the spectacular landscape, since the site sits between the Lake District and the Yorkshire Dales national parks. Not only that: being a mere three miles from the M6 and four miles from Oxenholme railway station makes Holmescales a nifty stopover point for those heading to and from Scotland. Life on site is pretty peaceful: each pitch has a view of the Lakeland fells, and you’ll often spot farm animals and wildlife in the surroundings, too. Amenities include shower and toilet blocks and a washing-up station, plus chemical disposal. Couples, families and well-behaved dogs on leads are all welcome to stay here, and barbecues and campfires are permitted to enhance those rural evenings on site – although there are several excellent pubs and restaurants within a few minutes’ drive, too. If it all sounds a tad too laidback, fear not: the folks here run a good set of on-site activities, so you can challenge yourself and have a go at archery, air rifles, crossbows and axe throwing, or spend days quad biking or clay-pigeon shooting. Please note: these activities incur an extra cost, and they’re pretty popular, so you’ll need to book ahead.

Site type

Tent pitches 18
Touring caravan pitches 18
Motorhome pitches 18
Open all year
Opens
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).
  • This is a quiet site: no music is allowed.
  • Please note that the toilet/shower facilities are unisex.
  • No hen/stag parties permitted via Pitchup.com.
  • Group bookings of 2 or more units (e.g. tent, touring caravan, motorhome or accommodation hire) travelling together are not permitted via Pitchup.com.
  • The site caters for families (immediate members) and couples only - bookings from all other forms of groups are not accepted.

Languages spoken

English

No availability here for your search criteria

Pitch types & availability

Reviews

  • 56%
    10
  • 5%
    9
  • 25%
    8
  • 4%
    7
  • 4%
    6
  • 0%
    5
  • 1%
    4
  • 1%
    3
  • 0%
    2
  • 0%
    1
Location
9
Value for money
9
Accommodation
9
Facilities / Activities
8
Customer service
9
Child friendliness
9
Cleanliness
9
Wifi
6

92% would recommend this site to a friend

90% would stay here again

What customers say

This is a peaceful campsite with stunning countryside views, offering spacious pitches and clean, basic facilities including hot showers. Many appreciate its tranquil location, ideal for walks and easy access to the M6 and Lake District. While some mention occasional noise from the motorway and the showers' basic nature, the overall experience is highly positive, with guests frequently recommending and returning to this well-maintained site.

Summary AI-generated from Pitchup.com customer reviews. Last updated 09/06/2026

Reviews page 1 of 22
Arrival date (latest first)

Really great location location location Very accommodating…

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
Emma W. 1 review

Electric grass and gravel touring pitch

Liked Really great location location location
Very accommodating

Recommend to friends Visit again

Peaceful with great views and out…

Overall

10 out of 10
Location
8
Value for money
10
Facilities / Activities
5
Customer service
8
Child friendliness
10
Cleanliness
10
Wifi
1

Non-electric grass pitch

Liked Peaceful with great views and out the way of everything. Basic bit does have everything you need for a tranquil stay

Recommend to friends Visit again

Great stopover on the way to the Lakes.

Overall

8 out of 10
Location
8
Value for money
6
Facilities / Activities
4
Customer service
7
Child friendliness
No rating
Cleanliness
6
Wifi
No rating
Anonymous

Electric grass and gravel touring pitch

Liked The back-to-basics feel and beautiful views.

Disliked Insufficient showers when the site was busier (on the Friday of our stay).

Recommend to friends Visit again

The site is immaculate, Clean loos,…

Overall

7 out of 10
Location
10
Value for money
10
Facilities / Activities
10
Customer service
10
Child friendliness
10
Cleanliness
10
Wifi
1
Anonymous

Non-electric grass pitch

Liked The site is immaculate, Clean loos, hot showers, washing up area, lush green pitches that are huge and amazing views with a gorgeous sunset.
Very peaceful during the day.

Disliked Tent Pegs would not go into the ground easily, there must be some kind of concrete/gravel under the grass so bring a mallet.

You can hear the motorway at night so we hardly slept, so bring some earplugs

Recommend to friends Visit again

Enjoyable stay, thanks :)

Overall

9 out of 10
Location
8
Value for money
8
Facilities / Activities
8
Customer service
8
Child friendliness
8
Cleanliness
8
Wifi
8

Non-electric grass pitch

Liked Lovely peaceful campsite

Disliked Would really have liked some trees or bushes onsite for shade and privacy and to create the feeling of being in nature.

Recommend to friends Visit again

Fantastic views…

Overall

10 out of 10
Location
10
Value for money
10
Facilities / Activities
9
Customer service
No rating
Child friendliness
No rating
Cleanliness
10
Wifi
No rating
Ken B. 3 reviews

Electric grass and gravel touring pitch

Liked Fantastic views

Recommend to friends Visit again

Great stay

Overall

10 out of 10
Location
10
Value for money
10
Facilities / Activities
9
Customer service
10
Child friendliness
No rating
Cleanliness
10
Wifi
No rating
Ken B. 3 reviews

Electric grass and gravel touring pitch

Liked wonderful view, very clean

Disliked Activities closed on a bank holiday

Recommend to friends Visit again

Clean site with good facilities,…

Overall

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

Non-electric grass pitch

Liked Clean site with good facilities, plenty off space to park your car and put your tent, best prices too.

Recommend to friends Visit again

Easy to get to from the…

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
Dave T. 1 review

Non-electric grass pitch

Liked Easy to get to from the motorway, simple and nicely done

Recommend to friends Visit again

Excellent.

Overall

10 out of 10
Location
9
Value for money
8
Facilities / Activities
8
Customer service
10
Child friendliness
No rating
Cleanliness
10
Wifi
No rating
Gary R. 1 review

Non-electric grass pitch

Liked A very peaceful campsite in a beautiful location away from the hustle and busle of the busy areas of the lakes.
Warm showers and cleaning facilities and very generous pitch sizes.
Although you check in by phone the host is only a phone call away if needed for any problems you may have.
A great location for some steady walks.
Thank you for a wonderful stay.

Disliked Tent owners beware, some of the pitches have been levelled with (probably) hardcore with 3/4 inch of soil on top so don't forget your mallet.

Recommend to friends Visit again


Features

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 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

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

Peaceful Remote location Spectacular scenery Wild camping 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 Shop nearby

Type

Farm Small (11-25 pitches)

Nearby leisure

Climbing nearby Cycling nearby Horse riding nearby Mountain biking nearby Restaurant nearby

Location

Holmescales Campsite

Holmescales Farm

Old Hutton

Cumbria

England

LA8 0NB

Directions

Timezone

Europe/London BST (GMT+01:00)

GPS

54.27493°N
2.68536°W

Nearest transport

Coach
4.5 mi Bus Station
4.5 mi Bus Station
4.5 mi Bus Station
Rail
2.5 mi Oxenholme Lake District Rail Station
4.5 mi Kendal Rail Station
6.4 mi Burneside (Cumbria) Rail Station
Ferry
10.8 mi Fell Foot Country Park Ferry Landing
10.9 mi Lakeside Windermere Ferry Landing
11.3 mi Bowness Ferry Nab 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

The vast grounds at Sizergh Castle (15 minutes’ drive) include woodlands, wetlands, orchards and a rock garden with a collection of lush ferns. The 14th-century mansion at the heart of it all has displays of Elizabethan furniture, paintings and armour; it is also home to the Inlaid Chamber, with its exquisite oak panelling. Petrolheads will appreciate a day at the Lakeland Motor Museum (25 minutes), where vintage cars and motorcycles are presented within the social context of their respective eras – for example, a 1940s tractor is part of a display on the Women’s Land Army (or Land Girls). There are also exhibits on pedal cars and caravans. There are rowing, sailing and racing boats on display at the Jetty Museum in Windermere (half an hour), where you can also take long strolls on the banks of the lake of the same name. Just a little further south, in Bowness-on-Windermere, children can meet Peter Rabbit, Squirrel Nutkin and other beloved fictional characters at The World of Beatrix Potter Attraction.

Water quality at nearby bathing waters

Name Distance Type 2020201920182017
Morecambe North 15.4 mi Estuary GoodN/AGoodGood
Morecambe South 16 mi Sea N/AN/AGoodGood
Haverigg 25.1 mi Sea PoorN/AN/AN/A
Walney West Shore 26 mi Sea N/AGoodGoodN/A
Walney Sandy Gap 26.2 mi Sea N/AGoodGoodN/A

Data source: European Environment Agency

Must see

Sizergh Castle and Garden 3.6 mi

Levens Hall & Gardens 3.9 mi

Blackwell, The Arts & Craft House 10.7 mi

Windermere Lake Cruises, Lakeside 11 mi

The World of Beatrix Potter 11.3 mi

National Trust

Sizergh Castle and Garden 3.6 mi

Fell Foot Park 10.8 mi

Cartmel Priory Gatehouse 12 mi

Windermere and Troutbeck 12.2 mi

Hill Top 12.7 mi

Cycle routes

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

Other

LEVENS HALL 3.4 mi

SIZERGH CASTLE 3.4 mi

The River Kent and Kendal 3.7 mi

Levens Hall and the River Kent 3.8 mi

Levens Hall and Sizergh Castle 3.8 mi

Local events

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

    Penrith, Cumbria 22.8 mi

  • Kettlewell Scarecrow Festival (Saturday, 8 August 2026 – Saturday, 8 August 2026)

    Skipton, North Yorkshire 27.2 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 Holmescales Campsite have a swimming pool? No View all features
  • Is Holmescales Campsite dog friendly? Yes View all features
  • What attractions are near Holmescales Campsite? The vast grounds at Sizergh Castle (15 minutes’ drive) include woodlands, wetlands, orchards and a rock garden with a collection of lush ferns. The 14th-century mansion at the heart of it all … Read more
  • When can I check in and check out of Holmescales Campsite?
    Camping and touring
    Arrive:  1:30 p.m. –  5 p.m.
    Depart by:  12:30 p.m.

    Please call or text when you are close to arriving.

    Read more
  • How much does it cost to stay at Holmescales Campsite? From £26 (for 1 night, 4 people) - prices may change depending on your dates and party.