The Old Post Office Campsite

View prices & book 8.9 381 reviews
Taken at the bottom end of the site - hook-ups spread across the site
Tranquil views of the river irt right in the back garden
Pop over to the bridge inn, just across from the campsite
Young explorer enjoying a sunny day by the river irt

  • Quiet site on the western edge of the Lake District National Park
  • Bordered by the River Irt for swimming and salmon or trout fishing
  • Scenic picnic benches; dogs welcome; café 10 minutes' walk away
Established in 1951, The Old Post Office Campsite is in a royally fab location for anyone after a peaceful spot to explore the Lake District. Those looking for quiet stays can deliver themselves to this compact site, just on the western border of the Lake District National Park, to enjoy the very best of the area's spectacular setting. You can be at the little village of Santon Bridge in a jiffy (it's just a one-minute walk away) and with the River Irt bordering the site, you’ll likely agree The Old Post Office has got the whole package… Swim, paddle or just bask on the banks of the calm freshwater river that flows right along one side of the site, while avid anglers can scale the choice of catches to be had with salmon, sea and brown trout floundering from the waters. The site’s first-class facilities include modern toilets and showers, a laundry room with coin-operated machines, dishwashing sinks and wifi, with well-tended pathways all around the site and timber picnic benches to take in the mountains, river and countryside views. A gift shop and café are 10 minutes' walk away. Dogs are welcome too – and with all the walking opportunities in and around the Lakes, a holiday here should really deliver the goods for all…

Site type

Motorhome sites 10
Tent sites 7
Caravan sites 14
Open all year
Opens
Please note

Pitches

  • A cable measuring at least 10 metres is needed for the electric hook-ups.

Occupancy

  • Bookings must not consist of more than 2 different households.
  • Group bookings of 2 or more units travelling together are not permitted via Pitchup.com.
  • Group bookings of 3 or more adults are not permitted (couples and immediate family members excepted).
  • No hen/stag parties permitted via Pitchup.com.
  • Single-sex bookings of 3 or more people (couples and immediate family members excepted) are not permitted via Pitchup.com.
  • The campground/park caters for families (immediate members) and couples only - bookings from all other forms of groups are not accepted.

Vehicles

  • Commercial vehicles (vehicles used for work-related purposes, carrying goods or fare-paying passengers) and sign-written vehicles are not permitted on site.

Safety

  • No charcoal barbecues allowed.

Dogs

  • The campground/park does not accept breeds/crossbreeds listed in the Dangerous Dog Act (i.e. Pit Bull Terrier, Japanese Tosa, Dogo Argentino, and Fila Brasileiro).

Admission

  • Under 18s must be accompanied by their parents or legal guardians.
  • Women's showers accept 50p coins only, 10 minutes use. Men's showers accept 20p or £1 coins; 20p gives 4 minutes use (maximum 16 minutes), £1 gives 20 minutes use. The on-site fishing may be impacted by weather and site conditions such as low water levels in summer and busy periods.

Languages spoken

English

No availability here for your search criteria

Pitch types & availability

Reviews

  • 58%
    10
  • 8%
    9
  • 20%
    8
  • 4%
    7
  • 3%
    6
  • 0%
    5
  • 1%
    4
  • 0%
    3
  • 1%
    2
  • 0%
    1
Location
9
Value for money
9
Accommodation
9
Facilities / Activities
8
Customer service
9
Child friendliness
9
Cleanliness
9
Wifi
8

90% would recommend this site to a friend

86% would stay here again

What customers say

Stunning riverside spot for western Lakes and local walks. Friendly staff (shout-out to Andy!), clean loos. Handy pub nearby. Wi-Fi can be patchy and showers need 50p. Some found facilities a bit dated or pitch space tight for big rigs.

Summary AI-generated from Pitchup.com customer reviews. Last updated 1/09/2026

Filter by topic

Reviews page 1 of 39
Arrival date (latest first)

Excellent

Overall

9 out of 10
Location
10
Value for money
10
Facilities / Activities
10
Customer service
10
Child friendliness
No rating
Cleanliness
10
Wifi
6
Peter M. 6 reviews

Fully-serviced grass and gravel caravan site (super)

Liked Brilliant touring site.
Very friendly and helpful staff.
Facilities very clean and tidy in all weathers.
Just thd right place for walking and hiking and there's a pub 3 minutes walk away that does a brilliant Sunday dinner and a fantastic steak pie.
Had a very good stay.

Disliked Tight parking for a novice like me with a large caravan, as my motor mover was not working.

Recommend to friends Visit again

Well kept site and nice setting…

Overall

7 out of 10
Location
8
Value for money
5
Facilities / Activities
No rating
Customer service
No rating
Child friendliness
No rating
Cleanliness
No rating
Wifi
7
Anonymous

Powered grass and gravel motorhome site

Liked Well kept site and nice setting next to the river. Bridge inn good for food

Disliked Given a pitch next to a tent that had to pitch on the grass between the hard standings making it very close to us not ideal when the site was not full and there where other pitches available

Recommend to friends Visit again

From the manager: Thank you for taking the time to write a review,

We are glad to hear that you enjoyed the site.

We do encourage customers to speak to a member of staff whilst on site if they have any problems during their stay, this way they can be dealt with immediately, all the staff are approachable and friendly and if they can help they will, if you were unhappy that a tent was pitched next to your motorhome and had you spoken to a member of staff they would of gladly helped, or potentially moved you providing that your motorhome would have fitted in any of the other pitches that were available at the time of your booking. as per our booking platforms the 3 motorhome pitches are the only pitch types that we allow small tents on.

Lovely camp ,clean , friendly staff…

Overall

10 out of 10
Location
8
Value for money
8
Facilities / Activities
6
Customer service
10
Child friendliness
No rating
Cleanliness
10
Wifi
7

Fully-serviced grass and gravel caravan site (super)

Liked Lovely camp ,clean , friendly staff , very helpful full

Disliked No shop , could do with a little shop , bread milk, eggs , tea coffee , would off been great

Recommend to friends Visit again

From the manager: Thank you for your lovely review!

We are glad to hear you enjoyed your stay while visiting The Old Post Office Campsite, we will take on board your comment regarding a shop on site to see how we can improve in the future.

We look forward to welcoming you back again soon for another great stay.

Toilets and showers kept clean nice…

Overall

3 out of 10
Location
4
Value for money
2
Facilities / Activities
4
Customer service
2
Child friendliness
6
Cleanliness
10
Wifi
1
Anonymous

Fully-serviced grass and gravel caravan site (super)

Liked Toilets and showers kept clean nice stream for the kids to play in and washing up facilities

Disliked Booked a pitch for my twin axle caravan, all dimensions of my caravan were added when booking. Upon my arrival we were allocated pitch 1 this was supposed to be a super pitch. My caravan is 7.9m long and the pitch was 8m. This left little to no space to manoeuvre my caravan into the space as large rocks are forming the edges also the power point is on the edge of the pitch. I must add I had to parallel park my caravan into this space. If I had not had a motor mover and the ability to lift the caravan while my son operated the motor mover we would have not got it in there. I stood looking at the pitch and the manager came over and ask me if I was wondering where to put my car. My reply was I’m wondering how I’m going to get my caravan onto the pitch, my caravan is 7.9m and that’s what the pitch is he said “I know but but we have no control of what pitch is allocated when booking it is done by the booking platform “. There was also no space for our car. This was the worst pitch I have ever stayed on and it should not be used for large caravans. Also to my disappointment we did arrive 40mins early, but we had 8hour drive to get there so timing was a bit off our end. We asked if we could park up for a bit as we were early and the answer was no. The site was not busy at the time we arrived so can’t see why this would be a problem. The roads were very tight getting there and now I had to turn the caravan around on site and head back out to find a place to wait this was not easy. It’s a real shame they were not more accommodating as this would be a great location for us to visit every year for our mountain biking. Wi fi was very poor. Booked the holiday a few months back and our circumstances changed and we weren’t bringing our dog so I rang a week before to ask for a refund and was told sorry they cannot refund within 21 days. We set up an awning to the side of the caravan and was told we had to pay £36 for the 6 night stay but we left a day early. We complained of overall experience and got £6 off. Will not be visiting this site again

Recommend to friends Visit again

From the manager: Thank you for taking the time to write a review.

I am so sorry but we were unaware of all these problems you were having until the day of your departure, 5 days you were on site for and none of this was brought to our attention until you sent me an email the morning after you had left the site, staff are on site daily and if you had brought any of this to our attention they may have been able to help, i will however explain it again.

You were allocated the last super pitch that was available at the time of your booking and yes our systems auto allocate pitch numbers, you didn't request any special requirements and you had not booked an awning, our pitches state the size of them on all our booking platforms so surely knowing that your vehicle is 7.9m and knowing the pitch is 8m you would have known that booking this pitch that it would be quite tight. The large rocks are not surrounding the gravel area in which your motorhome is parked, They are on the grassed area surrounding the pitch nowhere near where the motorhome is parked. There were no other pitches available at the time of your arrival. and there was also no request from you to move.

Our check in time is 1pm it is clearly stated on all our booking platforms, we have a 2 hour turn around in between departures and arrivals, and have a lot to do in that time especially if the site is busy, our departure time is 11.00am and you arrived at 11.30, if customers have not left in time it has a knock on effect, it is the same if you were booking a hotel or a cottage they would not let you check in before the arrival time, it is no different on a campsite, hence it is on all our booking platforms, you were blocking the entrance/exit to the site and we still had caravans leaving.

Im sorry but i did not receive a phone call a week before your booking to say you weren't bringing your dogs, we did not know this until your arrival day, however as per our terms and conditions that are clearly stated on all our booking platforms, bookings cannot be amended within the 21 day window and no refunds are given, this is also clearly stated on your booking confirmation that you received, on our booking platform it also states any amendments outside the 21 day window and cancellations are a £15 admin fee so for the £10 that you paid for your dog having cancelled this you would have only lost out.

The awning that you did not book, it is an extra on all our booking platforms the same extras tab that you booked your dogs on, it is £6 per night for an awning, so yes you were charged for your awning, minus the day that you left early as you had sent an email requesting a breakdown. We were unaware of your early departure until i received an email hours after your departure, that was the first time out of your 5 days that we received any complaint.

It was your decision to only stay 5 out of the 6 nights of your booking, again our terms and conditions state that no refunds are given for early departures.

I hope this has cleared a few things up for you and we wish you all the best for your future camping trips

Despite the issues mentioned we would certainly go back again.

Overall

7 out of 10
Location
10
Value for money
8
Facilities / Activities
7
Customer service
10
Child friendliness
No rating
Cleanliness
9
Wifi
8
Anonymous

Powered grass and gravel campervan site

Liked Quiet, clean site located on the banks of a river. Pitches well spaced and well presented. Dog friendly with walks within walking distance of site. A good pub and cafe (both with food) within easy walking distance of site.

Disliked Showers, toilets and and washing facilities are adequate. However in gents, only 1 urinal positioned immediately next to wash basins of which there are only 2. There are 2 showers which require additional payment (coins).
While we were there the bins were full with a notice requesting for rubbish to be taken away - not great.

Recommend to friends Visit again

From the manager: Thank you for taking the time to write a review.

We are glad to hear you enjoyed your stay.

I thought i would highlight a few of your dislikes, as you will have been informed on your arrival the showers being free was short term, the old coin machines were stopping the showers from working, so we had to disconnect them so that you had showers, they were always going to be replaced, so the free showers on your arrival was a bonus, yes they are different coin machines from the women's as they are now obsolete, however we have plenty of the coins required in the office of which we provided.

The bins are for general household waste, and recycling and have clear signs on them saying what not to put in them, due to this being ignored they were over filled and contaminated the bin men will not empty contaminated bins. TV,s ,Camping equipment ,from tents to blow up beds, electrical items, umbrellas, gas canisters, all sorts, were dumped in the bins, it is made clear on arrival that these items are to be taken home and disposed of, full Bin bags were being dumped on the floor in the surrounding area which then had a knock on effect, and customers and passers by were just following suit, we do not have the capacity to get rid of all these items. so yes unfortunately we had to close the bin area for two days, so that staff could sort through them allowing them to be emptied, of which they were on the morning of your departure.

I hope these things did not affect your holiday too much and we look forward to welcoming you back again in the near future.

Very clean and well kept campsite.…

Overall

9 out of 10
Location
8
Value for money
8
Facilities / Activities
8
Customer service
10
Child friendliness
No rating
Cleanliness
10
Wifi
8

Powered grass and gravel caravan site

Liked Very clean and well kept campsite. Some of the pitches are a good size and some closer together. The river is very nice. Lovely countryside walks just behind the pub which is next-door. Also, some more challenging hikes within walking distance. I didn’t find an easy way to dump Gray or fill my water because the faucet wasn’t near me. Good black dump.

Disliked This is a great place for families. For me it was a little too close to my neighbors and a little too much activity. Lots of kids playing dogs playing. If you’re camped on the river, you’ll have people going through the site to get down to the water. It’s lovely for community and fun, but not peace and solitude.

Recommend to friends Visit again

From the manager: Thank you for taking the time to write a review.

We are glad to hear you enjoyed your stay at The Old Post office campsite.

And we look forward to welcoming you back in the near future.

Love this site.…

Overall

10 out of 10
Location
10
Value for money
10
Facilities / Activities
7
Customer service
10
Child friendliness
No rating
Cleanliness
10
Wifi
No rating

Fully-serviced grass and gravel caravan site (super)

Liked Love this site.

Disliked Plot 1 not great for a 8 m motorhome

Recommend to friends Visit again

From the manager: Thank you for your lovely review!

We look forward to welcoming you back in the near future for another great stay.

On arrival very, informative by staff…

Overall

10 out of 10
Location
10
Value for money
10
Facilities / Activities
10
Customer service
10
Child friendliness
No rating
Cleanliness
10
Wifi
10
Anonymous

Powered grass and gravel motorhome site

Liked On arrival very, informative by staff and friendly. Pitch was large with outlook on river, very nice hearing water, so nice to swim in. Toilets and showers very nice, wash area clean. Great facilities, pub round corner.

Disliked Wrong info written on pitch up regarding on site shop and 10 min, walk to town.

Recommend to friends Visit again

From the manager: Thank you for taking the time to write a lovely review!

We are glad to hear you had a great stay at The Old Post office campsite.

I have since reviewed your dislikes and i can say there isn't anywhere that states we have an onsite shop likewise with the 10 min walk to town. you may have misread it does say that there is a 10min walk to a gift shop and cafe.

I hope this helps and we look forward to welcoming you back for another great stay.

Everything…

Overall

10 out of 10
Location
10
Value for money
8
Facilities / Activities
10
Customer service
10
Child friendliness
No rating
Cleanliness
10
Wifi
9
Anonymous

Powered grass and gravel caravan site

Liked Everything

Disliked Nothing

Recommend to friends Visit again

From the manager: Thank you for your lovely review!

We are happy to hear you enjoyed your stay at The Old Post office campsite, we look forward to welcoming you back again soon for another great stay. :-)

Cracking site

Overall

10 out of 10
Location
10
Value for money
10
Facilities / Activities
10
Customer service
10
Child friendliness
No rating
Cleanliness
10
Wifi
10
Ruth R. 4 reviews

Powered grass and gravel campervan site

Liked Great location and a cracking little site, beautiful stream/river running alongside camp great for a dip or paddle on a hot sunny day. This won't be our last visit!

Disliked Nothing

Recommend to friends Visit again

From the manager: Hi ruth, Thank you for your lovely review!

It is great to hear you had such a good time at The Old Post Office Campsite and we hope to welcome you back in the near future for another great stay.


Features

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 Composting toilet 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

Camping 2.0

Jumbo tent sites

Themes

Budget/backpacker Lake and/or mountain Remote location Spectacular scenery Walkers' paradise Wildlife haven

Utilities

Charging facilities Dump point Electric car charging point(s) Gas cylinders available Recycling available Renewable energy

Nearby amenities

Bar nearby Convenience store nearby Dog walk nearby Public transport nearby

Type

Medium (26-50 sites)

Accessibility

Bathrooms: Wheelchair accessible shower Bathrooms: Wheelchair accessible toilet

Nearby leisure

Canoeing/kayaking nearby Climbing nearby Cycle hire nearby Cycling nearby Fishing nearby Golf nearby Horse riding nearby Mountain biking nearby Restaurant nearby Sailing nearby Tennis nearby

Touring and motorhomes

Caravan storage facilities Drainage hook-up points for caravans Motorhome service point Water hook-up points for caravans

Location

The Old Post Office Campsite

Santon Bridge

Wasdale

Holmrook

Cumbria

England

CA19 1UY

Directions

Timezone

Europe/London +0100 (GMT+01:00)

GPS

54.4021°N
3.371°W

Route directions

Please note - some satellite navigation systems suggest a route via Wrynose Pass and Hardknott Pass. These high level routes are not recommended in the dark, or in adverse weather conditions.

Nearest transport

Coach
21.7 km Tangier Street
23.7 km Lakeside House for Dove Cottage
23.7 km Daffodil Hotel for Dove Cottage
Rail
5.5 km Drigg Rail Station
5.7 km Ravenglass Rail Station
7.4 km Seascale Rail Station
Ferry
20.1 km Torver (Coniston) Ferry Landing
20.2 km Coniston Ferry Landing
20.4 km Sunny Bank (Coniston) 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

Pull on your comfiest boots and walk yourself to merriment around these Cumbrian parts: just over five miles away in Wasdale is one of Britain’s tiniest churches, St Olafs, with its timber beams thought to have been made from Viking ships. Hikers, hotstep to the mighty heights of Scafell Pike and Great Gable (both about seven miles away) and Red Pike (approximately 20 miles north of the site). At the Wasdale Valley, as well as nurturing peaks aplenty, canoeists, kayakers and windsurfers alike will rapidly make their way to Wast Water, just five minutes from the site, the deepest lake in the UK. Cycling and walking routes around the lakes and mountains are plentiful, as are the chances for boating and fishing, but if you really want to go off-piste, you could try abseiling, climbing, a high ropes course, or even flying: hot air balloon and paragliding experiences are available for those who want to soar even higher than Scafell.

Food and drink

  • Bridge Inn 0.1 km
  • Bower House Inn 2.4 km
  • The Strands Inn 2.7 km
  • Screes Inn 2.8 km
  • King George IV Inn 4.2 km
  • Gosforth Hall Inn 4.4 km
  • Lion & Lamb 4.8 km
  • The Globe Inn 4.8 km
  • Victoria 5.5 km
  • Ratty Arms 5.7 km

Groceries

  • Co-op Food 7.2 km

Parks and play

  • Seascale Beachfront Playpark 7.5 km

Family days out

  • Owl Centre Visitor attraction 5.2 km
  • Muncaster Castle 5.3 km
  • The Weapons Hall Visitor attraction 5.5 km
  • Signal Box Visitor attraction 5.8 km

Public transport

  • Bridge Inn (W bound) 0.09 km
  • Santon Cottages 1.2 km
  • The Lodge-Irton Hall 1.2 km
  • Nether Wasdale Car Park 2.8 km
  • Road End for Irton Road R&ER 3 km
  • Greengarth Hall (S bound) 3.4 km
  • Greengarth Halll (N bound) 3.4 km
  • Outward Bound School 3.5 km
  • Blackbeck Bridge 3.7 km
  • road to Eskdale Green Station 3.9 km

What’s nearby

  • Eskdale Golf Course 4.1 km

Local services

  • Holmrook Service Station Fuel station 3.7 km
  • Seascale Health Centre Doctors 7.1 km
  • Seascale Pharmacy & Veg shop 7.1 km
  • Mill Garage Fuel station 8.3 km

© OpenStreetMap contributors

Must see

Ravenglass & Eskdale Railway 5.6 km

Dove Cottage and the Wordsworth Museum 23.6 km

Beatrix Potter Gallery 24.2 km

Whinlatter Forest & Visitor Centre 25.2 km

Rydal Mount and Gardens 25.6 km

National Trust

Wasdale, Eskdale and Duddon 2.8 km

Buttermere and Ennerdale 16.9 km

Gondola' 20.1 km

Coniston and Tarn Hows 20.7 km

Grasmere and Great Langdale 22.9 km

Cycle routes

Find local routes on the National Cycle Network - over 12,000 miles of cycling routes.

Other

Eskdale Green - Muncaster Fell - Muncaster Head - Eskdale Green 3.3 km

MUNCASTER CASTLE 5.4 km

High Gillerthwaite - Red Pike Ridge Traverse - High Gillerthwaite 12.9 km

Seathwaite - Scafell Pike - Seathwaite 16.3 km

The Gables from Honister Pass 16.3 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.

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

Frequently asked questions

  • Does The Old Post Office Campsite have a swimming pool? No View all features
  • Is The Old Post Office Campsite dog friendly? Yes View all features
  • What attractions are near The Old Post Office Campsite? Pull on your comfiest boots and walk yourself to merriment around these Cumbrian parts: just over five miles away in Wasdale is one of Britain’s tiniest churches, St Olafs, with its timber … Read more
  • When can I check in and check out of The Old Post Office Campsite?
    Camping and caravan
    Arrive:  1 p.m. –  5:30 p.m.
    Depart by:  11 a.m.

    From 27 October to 29 March arrivals are only permitted until 5pm.

    Read more
  • How much does it cost to stay at The Old Post Office Campsite? From $176.51 (for 2 nights, 2 adults) - prices may change depending on your dates and party.