Kestrel Lodge Campsite

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Tent pitches
New
The camping pod with the side open
Wild swimming in bassenthwaite lake
Lake district wildlife park

  • Small and quiet back-to-basics site below Skiddaw mountain
  • Set above Bassenthwaite Lake, 10 minutes’ drive from the shores
  • Friendly atmosphere; direct access to hiking trails and a dog field
When visiting the Lake District, location’s an important thing, and Kestrel Lodge Campsite certainly has a spectacular one. Just a 20-minute drive from Keswick, it's set at the foot of Skiddaw mountain, in the hills above Bassenthwaite Lake (its shore is 10 minutes' drive away). Backpackers, bikepackers and families are all welcome here, and can take off on walks to Dash Falls, Skiddaw and Keswick directly from the site. It’s a small, quiet and friendly place, so big groups and music are banned – listening to nature and stargazing in peace are top priorities. Your dogs are welcome, too, but they must be kept on a lead at all times, except when running free in the separate enclosed dog field. The site has a back-to-basics set-up, the idea being that you will be nice and busy completing outdoor adventures and need somewhere simple but relaxing to unwind afterwards. There are hot showers, toilets, a small honesty shop and an undercover area for rainy days. All pitches have their own firepit (alternatively, see who you meet at the communal firepit); please purchase all firewood from reception. Kestrel Lodge Campsite also has that proper countryside feel, with free-roaming ducks and chickens waddling around (they’re a nosy bunch who may say hello). Wheelbarrows are provided for getting your belongings from the car park to pitch. Resident hedgerow birds can be seen, owls heard, and red squirrels and deer spotted in the local woods. One last perk: guests get discounts on theatre visits and local watersports hire. Ask the team for local café and pub recommendations – Bassenthwaite village, 25 minutes’ walk away, has a pub to get you started.

Campground type

RV sites 2
Lodges, cabins, pods or huts 3
Tent sites 28
Open now
Opens July 13
Please note
  • At least one of the party members must be aged 17 or over.
  • This is a quiet park: no music is allowed.
  • Group bookings of 2 or more units (e.g. tent, caravan, RV or accommodation hire) traveling together are not permitted via Pitchup.com.
  • No bachelor/bachelorette parties permitted via Pitchup.com.
  • The park caters for families (immediate members) and couples only - bookings from all other forms of groups are not accepted.
  • If making a fire, the fuel, logs and coal have to be purchased on site.
  • Firepits are only permitted when hired from the site. Group bookings of 5 or more adults are not permitted. No chemical waste disposal allowed on site.

Languages spoken

English

Open from Mon, Jul 13 2026 to

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Campsite types & availability

Reviews

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Features

Leisure on park

Bar or club house Cycle hire Evening entertainment Fishing Fitness centre Indoor swimming pool Kids' club On-site restaurant/cafe Outdoor swimming pool Playground Recreation room/arcade TV room Takeout Tennis Watersports

Amenities on park

Bath available Composting toilet Dog park Drying room Free wifi Grocery store Ice pack freezing Internet access Laundromat Parent & baby washroom Payphone Pick-up from public transport Portable toilet Pub toilets Restrooms Shower available Washing-up area Wifi

Groups welcome

Family friendly Motorcycle friendly Scouts welcome Single-sex groups welcome Student groups welcome

Rules

Barbecue grills allowed Barbecue provided Campfires allowed Commercial vehicles allowed Dogs allowed Dogs allowed all year

Themes

Hikers’ paradise Lake and/or mountain Peaceful Remote location Spectacular scenery

Utilities

Charging facilities Communal freezer Dump station Electric car charging point(s) Propane/gas cylinders available Recycling available Renewable energy

Nearby amenities

Bar nearby Dog walk nearby

Type

Medium (26-50 sites)

Nearby leisure

Canoeing/kayaking nearby Climbing nearby Cycle hire nearby Cycling nearby Fishing nearby Golf nearby Mountain biking nearby Restaurant nearby Sailing nearby Watersports nearby

Location

Kestrel Lodge Campsite

Kestrel Lodge

Bassenthwaite

Keswick

Cumbria

England

CA12 4QX

Directions

Timezone

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

GPS

54.68451°N
3.17403°W

Route directions

Please don't follow the postcode, as it covers a large area. The pin will take you directly to the site. Alternatively use What3Words: unusually.unite.honeybees. There is a train station in Penrith. From there, take a bus towards Keswick (the X4/X5 for Penrith/Keswick/Bassenthwaite/Cockermouth/Workington. A regular bus runs along the A591 and stops outside Bassenthwaite church, just at the bottom of the village. Alternatively, from Keswick bus station (outside Booths), take the 554 (Keswick - Carlisle). Walkers can access the site just off the Cumbria Way footpath or walk one mile from Bassenthwaite village.

Nearest transport

Bus
5.9 mi Bus Station
7.9 mi Gallowbarrow
7.9 mi Fairfield Junior School
Rail
8.1 mi Aspatria Rail Station
10 mi Wigton Rail Station
13 mi Maryport Rail Station
Ferry
6.2 mi Nichol End (Derwentwater) Ferry Landing
6.3 mi Keswick Ferry Landing
7.2 mi Hawes End Derwentwater 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

When it comes to bagging Wainwrights, you're off to a good start at Kestrel Lodge Campsite. It’s a short drive from local hills including Skiddaw (for this one, hike there directly from the site), Ullock Pike, Skiddaw Little Man, Dodd, Carl Side, Great Cockup, Blencathra, Barf, Binsey, Great Calva, Knott and Sale Fell. For something longer, the Cumbrian Way goes on for miles and miles, and passes conveniently right by the site. If mountain biking is your thing, you’re in a good spot too: there are many bridleways and mountain trails, as well as the routes in Whinlatter Forest (25 minutes' drive). Any outdoor adventure – including visits to Whinlatter’s Go Ape (half an hour) and river tubing in Keswick (20 minutes) – can end at a restaurant in Keswick (15 minutes). Bassenthwaite Lake (10 minutes) is a stunning spot for the wild swimmers, paddleboarders and canoeists among you to unwind – a licence is required for any activity on the lake. Alternatively, Derwentwater has a watersports centre (20 minutes).

Water quality at nearby bathing waters

Name Distance Type 2020201920182017
Allonby 11.9 mi Sea N/AGoodGoodGood
Southerness 21.5 mi Sea N/AGoodGoodExcellent
St Bees 22 mi Sea N/AExcellentExcellentExcellent
Seascale 23.6 mi Sea N/AGoodGoodGood
Sandyhills 25.7 mi Sea N/AN/APoorPoor

Data source: European Environment Agency

Must see

Mirehouse Historic House and Gardens 2.9 mi

Whinlatter Forest & Visitor Centre 5.5 mi

Castlerigg Stone Circle 6.4 mi

Ullswater Steamers 13.4 mi

Dalemain Historic House & Gardens 14.8 mi

National Trust

Wordsworth House and Garden 7.9 mi

Buttermere and Ennerdale 17.8 mi

Grasmere and Great Langdale 18.1 mi

Wasdale, Eskdale and Duddon 19.3 mi

Townend 21.6 mi

Cycle routes

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

Other

Ullock Pike - Longside Edge - Skiddaw 2.1 mi

Dodd Wood under Ullock Pike 2.9 mi

Bassenthwaite Osprey Walk 3 mi

High Pike, Fellside 4.7 mi

Latrigg, Blease and Lonscale 5.2 mi

Local events

  • Kendal Calling (Thursday, July 30, 2026 – Thursday, July 30, 2026)

    Penrith, England 19.2 mi

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 Kestrel Lodge Campsite have a swimming pool? No View all features
  • Is Kestrel Lodge Campsite dog friendly? Yes View all features
  • What attractions are near Kestrel Lodge Campsite? When it comes to bagging Wainwrights, you're off to a good start at Kestrel Lodge Campsite. It’s a short drive from local hills including Skiddaw (for this one, hike there directly from … Read more
  • When can I check in and check out of Kestrel Lodge Campsite?
    RV, travel trailer and tent sites
    Arrive:  1 p.m. –  7 p.m.
    Depart by:  11 a.m.
    On-park accommodation
    Arrive:  3 p.m. –  7 p.m.
    Depart by:  10 a.m.
    Read more
  • How much does it cost to stay at Kestrel Lodge Campsite? From $36.14 (for 1 night, 2 adults) - prices may change depending on your dates and party.