Campgrounds for backpackers in North West England

River View Campsite

• Peaceful Cumbria site on the bank of the River Lune
• A five-minute drive to Sedbergh; 20 minutes to Kendal
• In the Yorkshire Dales National Park, with easy access to M6

The Paddock

• Dog-friendly site on the Lancashire moors
• Half an hour's drive from Pendle Hill and Manchester
• Shops, pubs and takeaways within five minutes' drive

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 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

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

Hale's Camping

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 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

Borrowdale Youth Hostel

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

Fisherground Campsite

Northwood Farm Campsite

• Back-to-basics, pop-up campsite on a Lancashire sheep and cattle farm
• A 10-minute drive to Gawthorpe Hall and Pendle Heritage Centre
• Wild camping on field pitches; walks on site; pub five minutes’ stroll

Ballacottier Campsite

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

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

Family and the Field

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

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

Chipping Camping Barn

• Bunkhouse half a mile from Chipping, in the Forest of Bowland
• Within easy walking distance of pubs, cafés and buses to Preston
• Guest kitchen and dining area, play area and space for barbecues

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