Campgrounds for backpackers in North West England

Mount Eden Camping

• Small campsite in Cumbria's scenic Eden Valley
• Five minutes' drive from Penrith town centre; Ullswater 15 minutes
• Back to basics camping field with flat and spacious pitches

The Sportman

• Lake District campsite just off the A66 between Penrith and Keswick
• A 10-minute drive to Ullswater; 20 minutes to Helvellyn and Catbells
• Pitches with views towards Blencathra; playing field for kids and dogs

Hawes Villa Campsite

Hawkshead Youth Hostel

Thurston Outdoor Education Centre

• Small Victorian Walled Garden campsite
• Views of the Coniston Old Man
• Secluded location only a short walk from Coniston Village

Rookby Scarth Nearly Wild Camping

• No-frills campsite on Cumbrian farmland with far-reaching hill views
• Three miles from Kirkby Stephen; Barnard Castle 30 minutes' drive
• Uncrowded site set over 20 acres; dogs, campfires or barbecues allowed

Wasdale Valley View

• Quiet pop-up site 20 minutes’ drive to Scafell Pike and Seascale beach
• A five-minute drive to Wastwater; 10 minutes from Gosforth shops
• Sunset views, fab walking and climbing, with real ale pubs close by

Kez's Campsite

• Peaceful field site on a family farm with access to tennis court
• Around 20 minutes’ drive to Kendal, Kirkby Lonsdale and Morecambe
• Dog-friendly site between the Yorkshire Dales and Lake District

Prenton RUFC Campsite

• Pop-up site a 25-minute drive from Liverpool’s M&S Bank Arena
• Leasowe Beach 15 minutes’ drive; Rhyl one hour
• Club house with large TV screen showing the Eurovision Song Contest

Quarry Side Barn

• Well-maintained, level site with easy access from the A34
• A five-minute drive from Congleton; 15 minutes from the Peak District
• Two pubs within a one-mile radius; close to public footpaths

Dob Coppice

• Quiet wildlife haven beside the river Winster in the Lake District
• A 15-minute drive from Windermere and 40 minutes from Ambleside
• Kayaks and fishing rods for hire; a short drive to local footpaths

YHA Helvellyn

• Stunningly scenic site 300 metres up England's third highest mountain
• Quiet/secluded but with excellent amenities including bar and lounge
• Hot and cold breakfast buffet plus supper club meals available to buy

Barras Meadow

• Wild camping site in a valley at the foot of Corney Fell
• A 10-minute drive from Ravenglass and 35 minutes from Eskdale Valley
• Firepit with wood on site; butcher five minutes’ drive away

Brick Kiln Wood

• Adults-only woodland site five minutes' walk from the Cumbrian coast
• A five-minute drive from Ulverston; 15 minutes from the Lake District
• A mile from a leisure centre, food shop and meditation centre

Broadleaf Forest Adventures

• Off-grid site in a secluded corner of rural Cheshire
• A 20-minute drive to the edge of the Peak District; 10 to Congleton
• Eco retreat with campfire areas

Lower Gazegill Farm

• Wild-style camping on a working organic farm in Lancashire
• Two miles from Gisburn; Skipton 20 minutes' drive
• Farm shop; pitch near the farm or in a remote location

Sleepy Elephant Campsite

• Valley View Campsite

Chester Lakes