Campgrounds for backpackers in North West England

Frodsham Hill Campground

• Peaceful spot on top of Frodsham Hill, with panoramic views.

FSC Castle Head

• Grass pitches in the grounds of an environmental education centre
• A five-minute drive from Grange-over-Sands; 20 minutes from the M6
• Between the Morecambe Bay coast and Lake District National Park

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

YHA Patterdale

• Spacious green site two minutes' drive or 25 mins' walk from Ullswater
• Riverside setting: kayak to Ullswater straight from the site
• Toilets, showers and kitchen; local village two minutes' walk away

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

New Ing Lodge

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

Borrowdale Youth Hostel

Hale's Camping

Setterah Park Farm Campsite

• Friendly Lake District fell farm site with far-reaching views
• A quarter of an hour's drive from Ullswater and Pooley Bridge
• Walkers' paradise in the Eden Valley

Ballacottier Campsite

Hawkshead Youth Hostel

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

Family and the Field

• Bikepacking friendy, market garden in the middle of the Isle of Man.

YHA Buttermere

• A site in the wooded grounds of a youth hostel with fell, lake views
• A 15-minute walk to Lake Buttermere and 20 to Crummock Water
• Self-catering kitchen, café-bar, restaurant, living room and library

The Greyhound Inn

• Small pub stopover in Burgh by Sands, 20 minutes' drive from Carlisle
• Hadrian's Wall Trail and Cycleway just outside the pub
• High-quality, locally sourced food and cask ales available on site

Birbeck Camping

• Wild camping in the rural village of Blencarn in Cumbria’s Eden Valley
• Ullswater half an hour’s drive, and Middleton-in-Teesdale 50 minutes
• Simple off-grid site; Penrith shops and pubs 20 minutes’ drive