Gill Head Farm

View prices & book 9.6 1,085 reviews
Camp life (added by visitor 18 Jul 2022)

Loading image


Camp life (added by visitor 18 jul 2022)
1/8
1/957
Favourite
Exterior (added by carolincastro 21 apr 2021)
Tent pitches (added by carolincastro 21 apr 2021)
Our pitch set up near the little stream (added by visitor 22 aug 2022)

  • 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 that was done up in 2019 to offer 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
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.
  • Bookings must not be for more than 14 consecutive nights.
  • 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.
  • Minimum spacing of 4 metres between pitches.
  • 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.
  • Guests are advised to bring a good quality torch with them as parts of the campground/park are unlit.
  • No naked flames are allowed inside the hired accommodation units.
  • No electric barbecues allowed.
  • Roof tents, trailer tents and campervans are only permitted on the gravel pitches.

Languages spoken

English

Open from Fri, 22 Mar to

Pitch types & availability

Accommodation

Tent sitesCaravan sitesRV & Motorhome sitesLodges, cabins, pods or hutsCaravans for hireRent a tent
Choose your dates
2 adults
0 children

Reviews

9.6

Overall rating based on 1,085 reviews View breakdown

Spectacular scenery

Voted 72% of visitors View breakdown

97%

would recommend this campground to a friend

95%

would stay here again

  • 82%
    10
  • 0%
    9
  • 13%
    8
  • 0%
    7
  • 3%
    6
  • 0%
    5
  • 0%
    4
  • 0%
    3
  • 0%
    2
  • 0%
    1

Only showing reviews for the last 30 months.

Location was spot on and staff was very welcoming and accommodating.


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

Unpowered grass tent site (riverside)

Liked: Location was spot on and staff was very welcoming and accommodating.

Recommend to friends Visit again

The friendly, easy check-in. The pitch sizes. The layout and size of


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

Power optional grass tent site

Liked: The friendly, easy check-in. The pitch sizes. The layout and size of the campsite meant all the amenities are close together. Stunning views

Recommend to friends Visit again

Very well looked after campsite/farm.

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

Unpowered grass tent site (riverside)

Liked: Managed to get a pitch right on the stream which was really nice. If you got a small tent then this is good. Larger tent you're set back slightly from the stream. Only downside is there's loads of "midges" flying about. There's a very clean and modern toilet block just back up on the road where you park. The lady that greeted me at reception is lovely. Friendly and very helpful. Smiling too considering how busy she was. Because of the weather (raining) I would have been confined to my tent and the Internet reception where my pitch was was non existent.

Disliked: You feel like you've left the A66 and headed away from the traffic but by the tim you've turned off and in to the campsite you're pretty much parallel with the A66 again and you can hear the traffic. This is if you've booked a riverside pitch. Shower block is back near reception which is a bit of a walk.

Recommend to friends Visit again

Cosy and clean campsite! Lovely little campsite with everything you need! All


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

Camping pod (no pets)

Liked: Cosy and clean campsite! Lovely little campsite with everything you need! All amenities were clean and the views around are lovely! Would definitely recommend!

Recommend to friends Visit again

The views on this campsite are BEYOND EXCEPTIONAL!! If you’re a sucker


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

Power optional grass tent site

Liked: The views on this campsite are BEYOND EXCEPTIONAL!! If you’re a sucker for a sunset view then it’s a must visit. The owners are helpful with local walks and the showers and toilets are always clean and well kept.

Disliked: Nothing to dislike regarding the campsite itself. However, given the vast amount of rain we had over our weekend stay, if the weather is not on your side
 I’d recommend taking a pair of wellies and plenty of changes of clothes as our pitch was extremely boggy with no authorised car access.

Recommend to friends Visit again

Fajne miejsce, doskonaƂe na weekendowy wypad z miasta .DuĆŒo atrakcji dookoƂa.


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

Unpowered grass tent site (riverside)

Liked: Fajne miejsce, doskonaƂe na weekendowy wypad z miasta .DuĆŒo atrakcji dookoƂa.

Recommend to friends Visit again

Nice facilities amazing views


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

Unpowered grass tent site

Liked: Nice facilities amazing views

Disliked: Noisy building work going on from quite early. Meant to be quiet site but loud music played until quite late

Recommend to friends Visit again

Would definitely stay again

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

Power optional grass tent site

Liked: Amazing site, friendly environment and a great view

Recommend to friends Visit again

Second year visiting and most definitely won't be our last.

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

Camping pod (no pets)

Liked: Pod, atmosphere, location.

Disliked: Flies, can't be helped I know but was our only bug bear.

Recommend to friends Visit again

Excellent staff, very friendly and accommodating. The farm is well kept and


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

Unpowered grass tent site

Liked: Excellent staff, very friendly and accommodating. The farm is well kept and the bathrooms are clean. The site has a lot to offer and it’s well equipped. Good location and short walk to a local pub. Picturesque and serene. The fields have great view of the mountains.

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

Car parking by site/unit

Composting toilet

Disabled facilities

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 2020 2019 2018 2017
Allonby 33.9 km Sea N/A Good Good Good
Seascale 43.1 km Sea N/A Good Good Good
St Bees 44.6 km Sea N/A Excellent Excellent Excellent

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 1 August 2024 – Thursday 1 August 2024)

    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.

Nearest campgrounds

Unfortunately, we have no nearby bookable sites.

See all results in England

Want to know more about camping in The Lake District and Cumbria?

  • 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:  1 p.m. –  6 p.m.
    Depart by:  11:30 a.m.
    On-site accommodation
    Arrive:  1 p.m. –  6 p.m.
    Depart by:  10:30 a.m.
    Read more
  • How much does it cost to stay at Gill Head Farm? From $52.34 (for 1 night, 2 adults) - prices may change depending on your dates and party.