Waterfoot Carpark Campsite

View prices & book 8.8 87 reviews
Pitches near the lake
Pitches near the lake
Pitches
Grass pitches by the lake
Grassy pitches
Grass pitches
The field
Grass pitches by the lake
Grass pitches with lake views
1/90
Pitches
Grass pitches by the lake
Grassy pitches

  • Small campsite with direct access to the Ullswater Way walking path
  • A 10-minute walk from Pooley Bridge, past the Ullswater Steamer Pier
  • Just 500 metres from the lake; short walk from bars, cafés and shops
How’s this for the first morning of your Lake District trip? Rolling out of the tent to lake views, before strolling 10 minutes into the village for coffee and breakfast and then backtracking five minutes to take up a spot on a historic Ullswater steamer. Such routines are commonplace at Waterfoot Carpark Campsite… This small, simple campsite is in a field around 500 metres from the shore of Ullswater, with views over the lake, so there’s always something to satisfy the eyes. As for satisfying the stomach, it’s just outside of Pooley Bridge, meaning that restaurants, bars, cafés and shops are only 10 minutes’ walk away too. The Ullswater Steamer Pier is just five minutes’ walk away from the pitches, so you’re in pole position for getting to other spots around the lake without so much as touching your car’s steering wheel. If you have Cumbria hikes high on your priority list, you’re also in for a treat. The site has direct access to the 20-mile Ullswater Way, a round trip around the lake. From Pooley Bridge, you can also follow the Lowther Castle Loop and Dalemain Loop.

Campground type

Tent sites 50
Open now
Opens July 11
Please note
  • This park has no on-site shower facilities.
  • Under 18s must be accompanied by their parents or legal guardians.
  • The park does not accept breeds/crossbreeds listed in the Breed-specific legislation (i.e. Pit Bull Terrier, Japanese Tosa, Dogo Argentino, and Fila Brasileiro).
  • No bachelor/bachelorette parties permitted via Pitchup.com.
  • No gas barbecues allowed.
  • No electric barbecues allowed.
  • Please note that the toilet facilities are unisex.
  • There is no reception building on-site: on arrival please contact the number provided on your booking confirmation.

Languages spoken

English

Open from Fri, Jul 11 to

No availability here for your search criteria

Reviews

8.8

Overall rating from 87 Pitchup.com customers

  • 62%
    10
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  • 16%
    8
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    1
Location
 10
Value for money
 9
Accommodation
 8
Facilities / Activities
 7
Customer service
 9
Child friendliness
 9
Cleanliness
 8
Wifi
 5
Lake and/or mountainSpectacular scenery

89% would recommend this campground to a friend

89% would stay here again

What customers say

Great Ullswater location, short walk to Pooley Bridge. Visitors love the lake views, friendly owners & value. Clean portaloos, but note no showers, limited toilet paper, potential noise, & some sloped pitches.

Summary AI-generated from Pitchup.com customer reviews

Reviews page 1 of 9
Arrival date (latest first)

I normally stay at another campsite…

Overall

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

Primitive grass tent campsite

Liked I normally stay at another campsite in pooley bridge but this time was travelling on my own with my dog. I needed freedom and something a bit quieter than usual. This side was exactly what i needed for a few days. There is around 6 portaloos on site and basically just a field which is fenced off discreetly so no one can just wonder in. During my stay over 5 days I had plenty room for my car a utility tent , 6 man tent and large wind shield. There were one or two familes who quite comfortably stayed the same length of time as me. I took my own toilet for during the night but when using toilets on site the were clean and always stocked with toilet roll. Martin and Louise Owners of the site greeted us on arrival , having already paid a deposit I paid them through bank transfer ,as the signal isn’t great I suggest registering or making payment before going. Louise takes regular walks around the site checking for rubbish and lifts it by hand. Boone should have to do that if everyone clears up after themselves. The location of the site is great and able to shelter as advised by Martin on arrival. The last day Louise came to check how I enjoyed my visit a final touch to a relaxing week with no stress which was much appreciated .

Recommend to friends Visit again

Lovely staff and come round to check everything is okay for you 😊

Overall

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

Primitive grass tent campsite

Liked And great campsite ideally located close to the town area and ullswater lake which has easy access opposite the campsite 😊 toilets were nice and clean for portaloos aswell and bins located for rubbish.

Disliked Abit noisy but located near a road so its to be expected but was really a problem for us 😊

Recommend to friends Visit again

Great location Friendly welcome Able to have…

Overall

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

Primitive grass tent campsite

Liked Great location
Friendly welcome
Able to have a campfire (raised)
Nice and quiet
There is tap water

Disliked It can be a little bit cramped to get a flat pitch
No anti bac but told the staff who arranged replacement
The portaloos were getting a bit smelly towards the end as they weren’t the flap ones
Quite a bit of litter around the site

Recommend to friends Visit again

Louise was a lovely lady Absolutely perfect place, so peaceful

Overall

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

Primitive grass tent campsite

Liked Absolutely perfect place, so peaceful and only 10 minute walk in to the village.
Only water and porta loos on the site very basic but we loved it 😁 definitely come back

Recommend to friends Visit again

We had the most wonderful stay…

Overall

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

Primitive grass tent campsite

Liked We had the most wonderful stay at this pop-up campsite! From the moment we arrived, Martin and Louise made us feel so welcome – they couldn’t have been more helpful and genuinely lovely. The location is absolutely perfect, with everything you could possibly need close at hand, and the amenities were spot on. This is a simple campsite but is just what we wanted!

It was our 1-year-old daughter’s very first camping trip, and she was so happy and settled the whole time – which really says it all!

We couldn’t recommend this campsite enough and will definitely be back. Thank you, Martin and Louise, for making our first family camping experience so special.

Recommend to friends Visit again

Beautiful little no frills site, very…

Overall

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

Primitive grass tent campsite

Liked Beautiful little no frills site, very friendly man and lady waiting to greet you 😊
family’s playing not far to the lake for water sports, booked for one night then added more would absolutely use this site again

Recommend to friends Visit again

Great site..clean..friendly. lovely place

Overall

10 out of 10
Location
 10
Value for money
 10
Accommodation
 No rating
Facilities / Activities
 7
Customer service
 10
Child friendliness
 No rating
Cleanliness
 10
Wifi
 5
Diane G.

Primitive grass tent campsite

Liked Lovely site in beautiful surroundings..stunning views of ullswater lake just across the road..little path through the woods straight into pooley bridge about a 10 minute stroll..lady taking payment very friendly and gave us lots of local information on things to do and places to go..definitely going back

Disliked Not really a dislike but a shower block would be perfect..it does say in the description no shower block ..

Recommend to friends Visit again

No…

Overall

1 out of 10
Location
 1
Value for money
 1
Accommodation
 No rating
Facilities / Activities
 1
Customer service
 1
Child friendliness
 No rating
Cleanliness
 1
Wifi
 No rating
Jason C.

Primitive grass tent campsite

Liked No

Disliked Uneven pitch rubbish been left noisey next to main Road otherwise ok !!!

Recommend to friends Visit again

From the manager: sorry you are one of few everyone else loves the place even the
view maybe camping isn't quite for you
i wish you had come to say you had a problem on the day

Great location. Staff very friendly and…

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
Megan G.

Primitive grass tent campsite

Liked Great location. Staff very friendly and helpful. Would highly recommend

Recommend to friends Visit again

Amazing location for views. Simple facilities…

Overall

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

Primitive grass tent campsite

Liked Amazing location for views. Simple facilities for the back to nature vibe.

Recommend to friends Visit again

Features

No dogs allowed

Portable toilet

Pop-up campground

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 Wild swimming

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 Single-sex groups welcome Student groups welcome

Rules

Barbecue grills allowed Barbecue provided Campfires allowed Commercial vehicles allowed Dogs allowed Dogs allowed all year No dogs allowed

Utilities

Charging facilities Dump station Electric car charging point(s) No hot water Propane/gas cylinders available Recycling available Renewable energy

Nearby amenities

Bar nearby Convenience store nearby Dog walk nearby Public transportation nearby

Type

Medium (26-50 sites) Pop-up campground

Nearby leisure

Horseback riding nearby Mountain biking nearby Restaurant nearby

Location

Waterfoot Carpark Campsite

Pooley Bridge

Penrith

Cumbria

England

CA11 0LL

Directions

Timezone

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

GPS

54.61132°N
2.83113°W

Nearest transport

Bus
4.6 mi Rail Station
12.5 mi Bus Station
13.2 mi Lakeside House for Dove Cottage
Rail
4.5 mi Penrith North Lakes Rail Station
8.8 mi Langwathby Rail Station
10.9 mi Lazonby & Kirkoswald Rail Station
Ferry
0.2 mi Pooley Bridge Ullswater Ferry Landing
3 mi Howtown Ullswater Ferry Landing
6.5 mi Glenridding Ullswater 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

Get your hiking boots at the ready, as there are plenty of walks to get stuck into from your pitch. The Ullswater steamers can drop you off in Glenridding (otherwise 15 minutes’ drive) for a quick loop up Lanty’s Tarn, which has views of Helvellyn, England’s third-highest mountain. You could also get off the boat in Howtown (15 minutes), where there's a walk to Hallin Fell overlooking Ullswater. If you’d rather tackle Helvellyn (20 minutes), it's not far away either. Aira Force Waterfall (10 minutes) is another splendid place for a good stroll – this waterfall with a 65-foot drop was a favourite spot for William Wordsworth. If you fancy breaking up all that walking with a cycle, you can hire bikes at Lowther Castle & Gardens (20 minutes). The estate trails make for an easy ride, and if you’re visiting with kids, there’s also a handy adventure playground. Stop by in Penrith (20 minutes) if you have time too. It has a 14th-century castle and a museum, and it's close to a lovely walk up Beacon Hill.

Water quality at nearby bathing waters

Name Distance Type 2020201920182017
Allonby 26.4 mi Sea N/AGoodGoodGood

Data source: European Environment Agency

Must see

Dalemain Historic House & Gardens 1.5 mi

The Rheged Centre 3.2 mi

Ullswater Steamers 6.5 mi

Castlerigg Stone Circle 10.7 mi

Rydal Mount and Gardens 12.8 mi

National Trust

Acorn Bank Garden and Watermill 9.6 mi

Grasmere and Great Langdale 14.2 mi

Townend 14.3 mi

Windermere and Troutbeck 15.7 mi

Beatrix Potter Gallery 17.7 mi

Cycle routes

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

Other

Pooley Bridge and Heughscar Hill 0.4 mi

Pooley Bridge - Loadpot Hill - Howtown - Pooley Bridge 0.4 mi

DALEMAIN 1.7 mi

Howtown - Patterdale - Glenridding 3.1 mi

Howtown - Hallin Fell - Sandwick via Steamer 3.1 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.

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

Frequently asked questions

  • Does Waterfoot Carpark Campsite have a swimming pool? No View all features
  • Is Waterfoot Carpark Campsite dog friendly? Yes View all features
  • What attractions are near Waterfoot Carpark Campsite? Get your hiking boots at the ready, as there are plenty of walks to get stuck into from your pitch. The Ullswater steamers can drop you off in Glenridding (otherwise 15 minutes’ … Read more
  • When can I check in and check out of Waterfoot Carpark Campsite?
    RV, travel trailer and tent sites
    Arrive:  10:30 a.m. –  8 p.m.
    Depart by:  10 a.m.
    Read more
  • How much does it cost to stay at Waterfoot Carpark Campsite? From $33.81 (for 1 night, 2 adults) - prices may change depending on your dates and party.