Campgrounds for backpackers in The Lake District and Cumbria

New Ing Lodge

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

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

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

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

Coniston Hawkshead

• Back to basics site on the edge of Coniston village and Coniston Water
• A five-minute walk to the shore and village; gondola rides nearby
• Water provided; pubs, cafés and takeaways a short walk away

Kitridding Lake

• Small, dog-friendly lakeside pitches on a Cumbria farm
• Half an hour’s drive from Windermere; 25 minutes from Sedbergh
• On-site tearoom and farm shop open Thursday-Sunday

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

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

Borrowdale Youth Hostel

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

Ashbeck Farm

• Quiet family-run pop-up site on a small working dairy and sheep farm
• A 10-minute drive to Cautley Spout; walks and river activities nearby
• Eggs sold on site; shops, pubs and restaurants in the local town

Guides Getaway

• Guides Getaway is located at the historic farm of Guides Farm,
• Guides Farm is the home of the Kings Guide to Morecambe Bay - Michael
• Michael & Jo have created a unique getaway - Guides Getaway

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

Thurston Outdoor Education Centre

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

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

The Pastures

• Single ensuite camping pod in a Cumbrian wildlife haven
• 15 minutes' walk from the medieval village of Cartmel
• With wetroom, heater, Freeview TV and fridge

Torver Campsite

• Small back to basics site on a spacious Cumbria smallholding
• A five-minute drive from Torver and 10 from Coniston village
• Pick your own pitch; pub two miles away

Fisherground Campsite