Gill Head Farm

View prices & book 9.5 1,253 reviews
Camp life
Pitches
Gorgeous views
Around the site

  • Working hill farm in the north of the Lake District National Park
  • A 15-minute drive from Keswick and Penrith; 10 minutes from Ullswater
  • Stunning views of Blencathra and the Northern Fells
Check out those views… family-run Gill Head Farm is a scenic place indeed, with a backdrop of Blencathra and the Northern Fells. And it’s a cinch to get to as well – this site on the banks of Trout Beck is less than a mile from the A66, so you can get your fix of proper rural time without having to navigate miles of winding lanes. It’s often said that visitors to the Lake District National Park are spoilt for choice when it comes to activities – and that’s certainly true at this Cumbria site. Days of hikes, horse riding, watersports, climbing, visiting historic houses and wild swimming are among the many options around here. If you don’t know where to start, have a chat with the owners – as outdoorsy folk themselves they’re happy to help plan your adventures and offer up local tips. Whatever you get up to by day, it also must be noted that those views make a great setting for an evening by the campfire – handily, there are firepits to hire on site, and bags of logs and kindling for sale. What if it’s not campfire weather? Retreat to the indoor communal area which has comfy seating, a dining area and a little kitchen area (with microwaves, kettles, a fridge and a freezer) – or take the 15-minute walk to the local pub. To stock up on food for your barbecues/picnics there are plenty of shops in Penrith and Keswick, both 15 minutes’ drive away (or get to Keswick on the bus). Back at base, facilities include a laundry room and a shower/toilet block with spacious and clean amenities. Please note that group bookings are strictly not allowed at Gill Head Farm. Due to the rural location, the wifi also does not cover the whole site and is limited to a hotspot in the communal room.

Campground type

Caravan sites 8
RV & Motorhome sites 8
Lodges, cabins, pods or huts 11
Tent sites 10
Open now
Opens 20 March
Please note
  • Group bookings of 2 or more units (e.g. tent, 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 4 or more people (couples and immediate family members excepted) are not permitted via Pitchup.com.
  • No bachelor/bachelorette parties permitted via Pitchup.com.
  • The campground/park caters for families (immediate members) and couples only - bookings from all other forms of groups are not accepted.
  • At least one of the party members must be aged 21 or over.
  • This is a quiet campground/park: no music is allowed.
  • If making a fire, the fuel, logs and coal have to be purchased on site.
  • No electric barbecues allowed.
  • Wifi is available only in communal room and does not reach individual pitches.

Languages spoken

English

Open from Fri, 20 Mar to

No availability here for your search criteria

Site types & availability

Reviews

  • 73%
    10
  • 10%
    9
  • 11%
    8
  • 1%
    7
  • 2%
    6
  • 0%
    5
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    1
Location
10
Value for money
9
Accommodation
10
Facilities / Activities
9
Customer service
10
Child friendliness
10
Cleanliness
9
Wifi
7

97% would recommend this campground to a friend

95% would stay here again

What customers say

Gill Head Farm: stunning Lake District views, great facilities & friendly staff. Farm animals & playground a hit with families. Good value for exploring, though occasional road noise & patchy Wi-Fi noted.

Summary AI-generated from Pitchup.com customer reviews. Last updated 28/07/2026

Filter by topic

Reviews page 1 of 126
Arrival date (latest first)

A really lovely place to stay, wish we were there for longer!

Overall

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

Kipper cabin

Liked We stayed in the Kipper Cabin, it was really beautiful, the covered outside spaces were great and meant we could make the most of the space even in the rain. We also had an added surprise of a private toilet which we weren't expecting. The campsite is really beautiful, and although large, feels very private as the site has been designed very cleverly. Also, loved the Peacocks and Chickens strutting around the site, and lying in bed watching the birds and squirrels eating from the feeders in the tree's whilst listening to the river passing by. As for value for money, absolutely fantastic, I would return even with increase prices.

Disliked Dust and cobwebs on the wall decorations above the bed, but didn't affect how much I enjoyed staying there so still rated a 10. Also there is bad phone signal which made it tough to make plans with family who were staying on another site (who visited ours and wished they were staying there), which obviously can't be changed by the campsite owners, and did mean we had a nice break from being on our phones all the time.

Recommend to friends Visit again

All round great site and great…

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
Gareth W. 1 review

Unpowered grass tent site (riverside)

Liked All round great site and great trip

Recommend to friends Visit again

Really lovely site with everything you…

Overall

10 out of 10
Location
10
Value for money
10
Accommodation
10
Facilities / Activities
9
Customer service
10
Child friendliness
No rating
Cleanliness
9
Wifi
7
Deanne G. 1 review

Camping pod (no pets)

Liked Really lovely site with everything you need. The pod we stayed in was perfect for our 2 night stay. Loved the pop-up pizza stall on Thursdays! Amazing views.

Recommend to friends Visit again

Best site we have stayed at.

Overall

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

Power optional grass tent site

Liked Excellent site, beautiful views, pitches are spacious, showers/toilets etc were spotlessly clean at all times of the day and night. There is a lovely relaxed atmosphere, our kids played and mingled in a safe environment. I honestly can’t think of anything more a campsite could provide. We will be back as soon as we can. Exceptional value for money.

Recommend to friends Visit again

Gorgeous clean site. Great amenities and…

Overall

10 out of 10
Location
10
Value for money
10
Facilities / Activities
10
Customer service
10
Child friendliness
10
Cleanliness
10
Wifi
6
Anonymous

Power optional grass tent site

Liked Gorgeous clean site. Great amenities and an over all lovely vibe to the place. We will definitely be booking again.

Recommend to friends Visit again

Great campsite with beautiful views and…

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
Mia L. 2 reviews

Unpowered grass tent site

Liked Great campsite with beautiful views and excellent facilities. We walked up Blencathra from the campsite so a good base if you're looking to do that.

Recommend to friends Visit again

Great for kids - brilliant facilities…

Overall

10 out of 10
Location
10
Value for money
10
Accommodation
10
Facilities / Activities
10
Customer service
10
Child friendliness
10
Cleanliness
10
Wifi
10
Laura A. 1 review

Camping pod (no pets)

Liked Great for kids - brilliant facilities

Recommend to friends Visit again

Loved the camping pod. Clean and…

Overall

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

Camping pod (no pets)

Liked Loved the camping pod. Clean and comfy. The lovely weather definitely helped as we spent lots of time outside. The pod was spacious for two adults and a child and would be lovely and warm if it was cold though. Shower block clean and hot showers. Our son enjoyed the playground and the peacock! Staff helpful and friendly. Good location to explore - we spent a couple of days mountain biking at Whinlatter Forest, a day trip to Lake Windermere and a day trip to Ambleside. All within around 30 minutes drive.

Disliked Nothing really. No phone signal or WiFi at the pod (but was actually nice to be off-grid). WiFi available in the communal area.

Recommend to friends Visit again

everything…

Overall

10 out of 10
Location
10
Value for money
10
Facilities / Activities
10
Customer service
10
Child friendliness
10
Cleanliness
10
Wifi
10
Ken M. 1 review

Power optional grass tent site

Liked everything

Recommend to friends Visit again

The cabin was well equipped and…

Overall

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

Kipper cabin

Liked The cabin was well equipped and cosy. Great for all our needs. A wonderful place to access the North Lakes. The owner was helpful and cheerful. The tea making facilities and the common room were a great extra.

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 site/unit Composting toilet Dog park Drying room Food shop Free wifi Ice pack freezing Internet access Laundry 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

Themes

Peaceful Remote location Spectacular scenery Walkers' paradise Wildlife haven

Utilities

Charging facilities Communal freezer Communal fridge Dump point Electric car charging point(s) Gas cylinders available Recycling available Renewable energy

Nearby amenities

Bar nearby Convenience store nearby Dog walk nearby Nearby farmers' market Public transport nearby

Type

Farm Medium (26-50 sites)

Nearby leisure

Canoeing/kayaking nearby Climbing nearby Cycle hire nearby Cycling nearby Fishing nearby Golf nearby Horse riding nearby Indoor pool nearby Mountain biking nearby Outdoor pool nearby Restaurant nearby Sailing nearby Tennis nearby Watersports nearby

Touring and motorhomes

Seasonal sites

Location

Gill Head Farm

Troutbeck

Penrith

Cumbria

England

CA11 0ST

Directions

Timezone

Europe/London +0100 (GMT+01:00)

GPS

54.6334°N
2.96195°W

Nearest transport

Coach
12.2 km Bus Station
13.5 km Rail Station
20.3 km Lakeside House for Dove Cottage
Rail
13.5 km Penrith North Lakes Rail Station
20.4 km Langwathby Rail Station
21.2 km Lazonby & Kirkoswald Rail Station
Ferry
9.1 km Pooley Bridge Ullswater Ferry Landing
9.4 km Howtown Ullswater Ferry Landing
10 km Glenridding Ullswater 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

Ullswater is the nearest of the lakes at 10 minutes’ drive away, so that’s as good a place to start as any – stop by at Aira Force waterfall on your way down there, then get down to the lake itself for waterside walks, steamer cruises and various watersports – or even a wild swim if you’re feeling brave. Over on the banks of Derwentwater, Keswick (15 minutes’ drive) is another good place to explore, with a brewery, The Puzzling Place and the Derwent Pencil Museum as well as boat trips and paddleboards to hire. Walkers of all varieties have much to choose from around here, from gentle lakeside wanders to uphill scrambles at Blencathra and Helvellyn, both of which are close by. The folk on the farm are happy to suggest routes to suit – or point you towards the likes of Dalemain Mansion (15 minutes), Mirehouse & Gardens (20 minutes) or Lowther Castle (25 minutes) for stately-home strolls.

Water quality at nearby bathing waters

Name Distance Type 2020201920182017
Allonby 33.9 km Sea N/AGoodGoodGood
Seascale 43.1 km Sea N/AGoodGoodGood
St Bees 44.6 km Sea N/AExcellentExcellentExcellent

Data source: European Environment Agency

Must see

Dalemain Historic House & Gardens 9.4 km

Castlerigg Stone Circle 9.4 km

Ullswater Steamers 10 km

The Rheged Centre 11.6 km

Mirehouse Historic House and Gardens 14.6 km

National Trust

Grasmere and Great Langdale 22.1 km

Acorn Bank Garden and Watermill 23.4 km

Townend 25 km

Wordsworth House and Garden 26.4 km

Windermere and Troutbeck 27.3 km

Cycle routes

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

Other

Blencathra Classic - Sharp Edge and Narrow Edge 3.7 km

Mungrisdale - Bannerdale Crags 3.7 km

Threlkeld - Blencathra - Sharp Edge - Scales - Threlkeld 6.2 km

Threlkeld, Westcoe and Keswick Railway 6.3 km

Aira Force - Dockray - Dowthwaitehead - Aira Force 7.2 km

Local events

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

    Penrith, England 16.2 km

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 Gill Head Farm have a swimming pool? No View all features
  • Is Gill Head Farm dog friendly? Yes View all features
  • What attractions are near Gill Head Farm? Ullswater is the nearest of the lakes at 10 minutes’ drive away, so that’s as good a place to start as any – stop by at Aira Force waterfall on your way … Read more
  • When can I check in and check out of Gill Head Farm?
    Camping and caravan
    Arrive:  2:30 p.m. –  7 p.m.
    Depart by:  11 a.m.
    On-site accommodation
    Arrive:  2:30 p.m. –  7 p.m.
    Depart by:  11 a.m.
    Read more
  • How much does it cost to stay at Gill Head Farm? From $57.38 (for 1 night, 2 adults) - prices may change depending on your dates and party.