Sykeside Camping Park

View prices & book 9.5 329 reviews
Dove crag views
Dove crag views
Mountain views
Grass pitches
Pitches with views
Outdoor feel
Overlooking the mountains
Breathtaking surroundings
Raised area of the campsite
1/371
Mountain views
Grass pitches
Pitches with views

  • Remote location but with easy access to the Lake District and Cumbria
  • In a walker's paradise in the Dovedale Valley
  • Modern facilities and well-stocked shop
The placing of this Penrith park is pretty perfect. Get ready for Lake District and Cumbrian valley walks in sublime surroundings, at this friendly site in a walker's paradise at the northern foot of the Kirkstone Pass. Although it's listed as in a remote location and is set deep and quietly in the Dovedale Valley, Sykeside Camping Park is easily accessible to the best of the Lake District and Cumbria, as it's just off the A592 and is no more than half an hour's drive from Ullswater, Patterdale, Glenridding, Ambleside, Coniston and Keswick. Cruising around Windermere is about 20 minutes away. Sykeside's Dovedale Valley locale has it surrounded by Dove Crag, Hart Crag and Fairfield, and with the town of Brotherswater nearby. Short strolls around Brotherswater are among the walky local options, or you could have a longer hike from the town's high street, where many walks start. (Or take the also most pleasant option of just staying in town and seeking out your holiday local the Brotherswater Inn for a pint or two of regional ale among the splendid regional scenery.) The Sykeside team has set the site out carefully to blend in with its surroundings and make the most of its natural settings, but have added modern amenities to keep guests comfy, like the shower and toilet facilities with shaving points and power points, and the laundry room with washing machine, tumble dryer and washing-up area. Feel free to set yourself up here to ignore the rest of the outside world: the well-stocked shop sells most of what you might need including fresh food, camping equipment, maps and guides; and because of the site's position right at the bottom of the valley, telly reception is pretty unreliable and you'll not get a single bar on your mobile – did someone mention digital detox…?

Campground type

Tent sites 100
Camper sites 5
RV sites 19
Lodges, cabins, pods or huts 3
Open all year
Opens
Please note
  • Under 18s must be accompanied by their parents or legal guardians.
  • 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 grocery shop is open between 01/01 and 12/31.
  • Bookings must not be for more than 28 consecutive nights.
  • At least one of the party members must be aged 18 or over.
  • Minimum spacing of 2 metres between pitches.
  • Guests are advised to bring a good quality flashlight with them as parts of the park are unlit.
  • Due to the position of the campsite at the bottom of the valley, television reception is extremely unreliable, and there is no mobile phone reception at all. Group bookings of 6 or more adults are not permitted.

Languages spoken

English

AA 3 pennants

Reviews

9.5

Overall rating from 329 Pitchup.com customers

  • 80%
    10
  • 1%
    9
  • 13%
    8
  • 0%
    7
  • 1%
    6
  • 0%
    5
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    3
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    1
Location
 10
Value for money
 9
Accommodation
 9
Facilities / Activities
 9
Customer service
 9
Child friendliness
 9
Cleanliness
 10
Wifi
 8
Spectacular sceneryPeacefulHikers’ paradiseLake and/or mountain

97% would recommend this campground to a friend

95% would stay here again

What customers say

This campsite offers stunning mountain views, perfect for hikers and nature lovers. Guests rave about the super clean facilities, helpful staff, on-site shop, and pub. A few noted wet ground conditions and parking challenges, but most plan to return.

Summary AI-generated from Pitchup.com customer reviews

Reviews page 1 of 33
Arrival date (latest first)

We loved the site and will return when we next visit the Lakes.

Overall

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

Primitive grass tent campsite

Liked The setting for the site - beautiful! Toilet blocks and shop were good and food at the pub was delicious.

Recommend to friends Visit again

Lovely site in beautiful setting. A very friendly welcome with a well-stocked…

Overall

10 out of 10
Location
 10
Value for money
 10
Accommodation
 10
Facilities / Activities
 10
Customer service
 10
Child friendliness
 10
Cleanliness
 10
Wifi
 No rating
Robert H.

Primitive grass tent campsite

Liked Lovely site in beautiful setting. A very friendly welcome with a well-stocked shop. A family atmosphere and peaceful at night.

Recommend to friends Visit again

Great stay

Overall

9 out of 10
Location
 10
Value for money
 9
Accommodation
 9
Facilities / Activities
 9
Customer service
 10
Child friendliness
 10
Cleanliness
 10
Wifi
 8
Matthew S.

Primitive grass tent campsite

Liked Facilities were clean and well maintained, shop had a decent selection of food and camping essentials. Views from the pitches are absolutely stunning. Second year staying here and still brilliant.

Disliked Food at the Brotherswater inn is a bit basic. Nothing wrong with it, but for the price point it lacked a bit of quality. Still enjoyed our meal though.

Recommend to friends Visit again

Friendly staff Excellent toilets and showers - regularly cleaned Amazing surroundings 11pm…

Overall

10 out of 10
Location
 10
Value for money
 8
Accommodation
 10
Facilities / Activities
 10
Customer service
 10
Child friendliness
 10
Cleanliness
 10
Wifi
 7
Anonymous

Primitive grass tent campsite

Liked Friendly staff
Excellent toilets and showers - regularly cleaned
Amazing surroundings
11pm quiet time
Pick your own pitch
Great pub and shop on site

Disliked Bit pricey but worth the money imo

Recommend to friends Visit again

Everything✌️…

Overall

10 out of 10
Location
 10
Value for money
 10
Accommodation
 10
Facilities / Activities
 10
Customer service
 10
Child friendliness
 8
Cleanliness
 10
Wifi
 10
Nerijus V.

Primitive grass tent campsite

Liked Everything✌️

Disliked Nothing

Recommend to friends Visit again

Accommodating, welcoming friendly staff and excellent clean facilities

Overall

10 out of 10
Location
 10
Value for money
 10
Accommodation
 10
Facilities / Activities
 10
Customer service
 10
Child friendliness
 10
Cleanliness
 10
Wifi
 8
Martin H.

Primitive grass tent campsite

Liked In our group of friends a vehicle had an awning and it was very busy. However, the guy at the site was very helpful in putting us in the right spot to be able to utilise it and keep us together.
Facilities are very clean, and the surrounding view is amazing. The pub at the entrance to the site was a bonus, and the staff there very welcoming. It was only a one night stay, and we would definitely return.
Thank you for a great stay, from the 3 ‘middle age 4X4 guys’!

Recommend to friends Visit again

Good grass pitch dry and flat

Overall

10 out of 10
Location
 10
Value for money
 10
Accommodation
 10
Facilities / Activities
 10
Customer service
 10
Child friendliness
 10
Cleanliness
 10
Wifi
 10
Andrew C.

Primitive grass tent campsite

Liked Friendly staff⭐️ happy to help with anything and a well supplied shop !! Our double air bed popped so replaced very conveniently and at a reasonable price⭐️ drinks and food at the pub were spot on ⭐️ the sight is in a brilliant location ⭐️
Very clean and tidy definitely be returning⭐️

Disliked Nothing at all ⭐️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Recommend to friends Visit again

Facilities onsite were brilliant.…

Overall

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

Primitive grass tent campsite

Liked Facilities onsite were brilliant.

Disliked The crows kept up awake everyday, would be better if you could find a way to keep them away from the campsite, other than that couldn't fault it.

Recommend to friends Visit again

Great campsite and location

Overall

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

Primitive grass tent campsite

Liked Great location with good facilities including
Shop, pub at the top of the road and shower and toilet block regularly cleaned. Great location for brotherwater walk.

Recommend to friends Visit again

beautiful scenery good location good facilities well equipped shop clean facilities…

Overall

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

Primitive grass tent campsite

Liked beautiful scenery
good location
good facilities
well equipped shop
clean facilities

Disliked car parking was a bit tight and not many spaces
bit boggy in areas

Recommend to friends Visit again

Features

Dogs allowed

Campfires allowed

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 Remote location Spectacular scenery

Utilities

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

Nearby amenities

Bar nearby Convenience store nearby Dog walk nearby

Type

Large (51-200 sites)

Accessibility

Bathrooms: Step-free access Uneven terrain; gravel or loose mud

Nearby leisure

Canoeing/kayaking nearby Cycle hire nearby Fishing nearby Golf nearby Horseback riding nearby Mountain biking nearby Restaurant nearby Sailing nearby Watersports nearby

Location

Sykeside Camping Park

Hartsop

Penrith

Cumbria

England

CA11 0NZ

Directions

Timezone

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

GPS

54.49861°N
2.92474°W

Nearest transport

Bus
4.8 mi Lakeside House for Dove Cottage
4.8 mi Daffodil Hotel for Dove Cottage
5 mi Kelsick Road opposite Library
Rail
8.3 mi Windermere Rail Station
9.5 mi Staveley Rail Station
11.8 mi Burneside (Cumbria) Rail Station
Ferry
3.2 mi Glenridding Ullswater Ferry Landing
5.6 mi Howtown Ullswater Ferry Landing
5.7 mi Ambleside Waterhead 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

Sykeside Camping Park's central location in the Lakes means it has loads of activities within easy reach by foot or car and on land or water. For watery days within 20 minutes of the site, join one of the most popular pastimes in the Lake District with a cruise on Windermere, or get serious about the water and hire a boat or learn to sail with Glenridding Sailing Centre on Ullswater. Boat trips are also available from Coniston Water and Keswick. By land and also within 20 minutes are the crashing hike around Aira Force waterfall, and the medieval manor and greenery of Dalemain Mansion & Historic Gardens as well as the heritage and cinema of the The Rheged Centre at Penrith. Within half an hour, spy ospreys at Bassenthwaite near Keswick, have a ride on the 3.2 miles of the Lakeside and Haverthwaite Railway, and wander around the The Rheged Centreancientness of the Castlerigg stone circle, the most visited in Cumbria.

Water quality at nearby bathing waters

Name Distance Type 2020201920182017
Seascale 23.8 mi Sea N/AGoodGoodGood
Silecroft 25.8 mi Sea N/AExcellentExcellentExcellent
Haverigg 25.9 mi Sea PoorN/AN/AN/A
St Bees 27.4 mi Sea N/AExcellentExcellentExcellent
Allonby 27.6 mi Sea N/AGoodGoodGood

Data source: European Environment Agency

Must see

Ullswater Steamers 3.2 mi

Rydal Mount and Gardens 4.2 mi

Dove Cottage and the Wordsworth Museum 4.8 mi

Brockhole - Lake District Visitor Centre 6.7 mi

Beatrix Potter Gallery 9.1 mi

National Trust

Grasmere and Great Langdale 5.7 mi

Townend 6.1 mi

Windermere and Troutbeck 7.6 mi

Beatrix Potter Gallery 9.1 mi

Coniston and Tarn Hows 10 mi

Cycle routes

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

Other

Kirkstone Pass - Caudale Moor - Stony Cove Pike 2.4 mi

Helvellyn - Nethermost Pike - High Crag - Dollywaggon Pike 2.7 mi

Glenridding - Helvellyn - Grisedale Brow - Glenridding 3.3 mi

Caudale Moor and Troutbeck Tongue 3.3 mi

Glenridding and Greenside Mine 3.3 mi

Local events

  • Kendal Calling (Thursday, July 31, 2025 – Thursday, July 31, 2025)

    Penrith, England 11.1 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.

Nearest campgrounds

Unfortunately, we have no nearby bookable campgrounds.

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

Frequently asked questions

  • Does Sykeside Camping Park have a swimming pool? No View all features
  • Is Sykeside Camping Park dog friendly? No View all features
  • What attractions are near Sykeside Camping Park? Sykeside Camping Park's central location in the Lakes means it has loads of activities within easy reach by foot or car and on land or water. For watery days within 20 minutes … Read more
  • When can I check in and check out of Sykeside Camping Park?
    RV, travel trailer and tent sites
    Arrive:  1 p.m. –  8 p.m.
    Depart by:  11 a.m.
    Read more
  • How much does it cost to stay at Sykeside Camping Park? From $30.57 (for 1 night, 2 adults) - prices may change depending on your dates and party.