This was my second visit to Gill Head Farm and my first time staying in the camping pod, and boy was it a good choice. The pod was clean, gave us access to electricity, came with a stand for a disposal bbq, AND ITS OWN BENCH! We travelled without a car and didn't pack chairs so seeing the bench outside the pod was a joy. The hosts, Amanda and Mark, are easy going and do a great job keeping the site clean and have been friendly and chatty on my arrival both times, asking about what we plan to do and even warned us about the last bus times (we still missed it 😅). I really like the ambience of the working farm. Upon registering at reception you can witness the birds playfully flitting and foraging between the shrubbery, seemingly joyous at the home they have, the peacock who runs like he's been caught commiting a heist if you get too close, the chickens swarming the outside of the pod when we'd left some bread unattended (you're lucky if you see the black chicken, he was in and out like lightning), the big cows inside the barn and the really friendly horses in the field adjacent to the entrance (feed them some long grass if your passing, they love it). The views from Blencathra are magnificent and the walk down by the secluded stream and waterfall is very calming, but this visit for me, Great Mell Fell and the biodiversity it displayed really held my attention. The bus stop outside the Troutbeck inn on the A66 is ideal for seeing the area, we only did one night and an afternoon the following day and managed to get to Derwent Water, Castlerigg Stone Circle, Lowther Castle, and partly up the old railway without a car (bare in mind out of season things slow down so do check timetables meticulously). The common area is handy, providing a fridge, freezer, kettle, microwave, and a TV with some seating for guests to hide away from the bad weather when she comes.The site caters to well behaved clientel, families, couples, and solo travellers, quiet times are not expected to be utter silence like some places, you just need to be mindful of your fellow campers and you'll be good with the hosts, a crackling fire and softly spoken words shouldn't ruffle any feathers. The sites amenities include the common room with seating and electricity, a small playground for the children, washing facilities, water, shower blocks and toilets. The reception had a modest choice of essentials if your in need, including eggs and chocolate and potentiallya pot noodle?, they also hire out fire pits and sell kindle, timber and coal for a reasonable price. Please ignore the comments about cleanliness in the shower blocks, they are cleaned daily (I believe) by the hosts and it clearly states inside the male block to clean up after yourself. If you've come across a shower block that's worse for wear, that's because one of our fellow campers isn't being a team player, and hasn't used the mop, the squeegee, the hand-held cloth or the anti bacterial that's left on the side. Unfortun9ately these people exist and it's up to us to help keep the blocks in shape, which I think is more than reasonable. I highly recommend this place if your looking to find peace and be around animals, streams, mountains, and the stars. Love you Gill Head Farm. Until next time.
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