Barkbeth Campsite

A tent on site
New

This site does not currently take bookings here on Pitchup.com.

If you are the owner of this site, start taking bookings through Pitchup.com.
It's free, quick and easy!

Add your business details

  • Simple, back-to-basics site on a farm in the foothills of Skiddaw
  • Keswick 10 minutes’ drive; Scale Force Waterfall 35 minutes
  • Dogs welcome; drinking water; half an hour’s walk to the pub
If you’ve been dreaming of a back-to-basics break, a wild-camping adventure or epic hiking excursions in the company of your dog, Barkbeth Campsite might just be the answer to your prayers. Open to the public only for 60 days a year, this no-frills site on a working farm in the northern fringes of the Lake District National Park sits within a gently hilly landscape. Turn west, and you might catch splendid glimpses of Bassenthwaite Lake; look south and the distinctive silhouette of Skiddaw looms in the distance. (Indeed, you’re in the foothills of Skiddaw here, and a short walk up the farm lane takes you on the direct footpath to the mountain.) When you need a break from these spectacular landscapes, or if you feel like visiting a cosy café or a lively market, the town of Keswick is easily reached via the A591 (10 minutes’ drive). After pitching your tent in the large grassy field (and before embarking on your hike), you might want a bite to eat. Stock up on grillables in Keswick, then set up your barbecue on a slate (there’s a supply of these right by the entrance gate). Alternatively, take a half-hour stroll to the pub in Bassenthwaite, where you can sample real ales and home-cooked food in a large beer garden. Amenities are on the simple side at Barkbeth Farm, with no electricity (don’t forget your torch) and no hot water, either. There is, however, a drinking-water tap and portable toilets.

Site type

Tent pitches 12
Open now
Opens 10 July

Languages spoken

English

Open from Thu, 10 Jul to

Nearby sites that are bookable on Pitchup.com

Unfortunately, we have no nearby bookable sites.

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

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 Launderette Parent & baby washroom Pick-up from public transport Portable toilet Pub toilets Public telephone Shower available Toilet block Washing-up area Wifi

Groups welcome

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

Rules

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

Themes

Lake and/or mountain

Utilities

Charging facilities Chemical disposal Electric car charging point(s) Gas cylinders available No hot water Recycling available Renewable energy

Nearby amenities

Bar nearby Dog walk nearby

Type

Farm Pop-up campground Small (11-25 pitches)

Accessibility

Accessible parking at pitch

Nearby leisure

Climbing nearby Cycling nearby Mountain biking nearby

Location

Barkbeth Campsite

Barkbeth Farm

Bassenthwaite

Keswick

Cumbria

England

CA12 4QY

Directions

Timezone

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

GPS

54.67255°N
3.18004°W

Nearest transport

Coach
8.3 km Bus Station
12.1 km Gallowbarrow
12.2 km Fairfield Junior School
Rail
13.7 km Aspatria Rail Station
17.5 km Wigton Rail Station
20.7 km Maryport Rail Station
Ferry
8.7 km Nichol End (Derwentwater) Ferry Landing
9 km Keswick Ferry Landing
10.2 km 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

With its narrow streets and independent shops, plus spectacular views of the surrounding fells, Keswick (10 minutes’ drive) is well worth a visit. Check out the Derwent Pencil Museum, where you can take a selfie next to an eight-metre long pencil, then head to Friars Crag, a scenic spot on the banks of Derwentwater. Red pandas, zebras and lynx are among the residents at Lake District Wildlife Park (10 minutes’ drive), which is also home to exotic birds like flamingoes and kookaburras. The centre runs interesting animal experiences – from birds of prey sessions, to walks with the alpacas. On a summer’s day, you might fancy a hike that leads you to water. Consider heading to Moss Force Waterfall (half an hour’s drive) or Scale Force Waterfall (35 minutes). Thought to be the highest fall in the Lake District, the latter thunders down a vertical granite wall, while Moss Force descends along a series of rock steps.

Water quality at nearby bathing waters

Name Distance Type 2020201920182017
Allonby 19.5 km Sea N/AGoodGoodGood
St Bees 34.3 km Sea N/AExcellentExcellentExcellent
Southerness 35.1 km Sea N/AGoodGoodExcellent
Seascale 36.7 km Sea N/AGoodGoodGood
Sandyhills 41.8 km Sea N/AN/APoorPoor

Data source: European Environment Agency

Must see

Mirehouse Historic House and Gardens 3.3 km

Whinlatter Forest & Visitor Centre 7.5 km

Castlerigg Stone Circle 9.4 km

Ullswater Steamers 20.9 km

Dalemain Historic House & Gardens 23.8 km

National Trust

Wordsworth House and Garden 12.2 km

Buttermere and Ennerdale 27.5 km

Grasmere and Great Langdale 28 km

Wasdale, Eskdale and Duddon 29.7 km

Townend 33.8 km

Cycle routes

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

Other

Ullock Pike - Longside Edge - Skiddaw 2 km

Dodd Wood under Ullock Pike 3.3 km

Bassenthwaite Osprey Walk 3.4 km

Latrigg, Blease and Lonscale 7.4 km

Newlands Valley 7.9 km

Local events

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

    Penrith, England 30.8 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.

Reviews

No reviews yet.

Frequently asked questions

  • Does Barkbeth Campsite have a swimming pool? No View all features
  • Is Barkbeth Campsite dog friendly? Yes View all features
  • What attractions are near Barkbeth Campsite? With its narrow streets and independent shops, plus spectacular views of the surrounding fells, Keswick (10 minutes’ drive) is well worth a visit. Check out the Derwent Pencil Museum, where you can … Read more
  • When can I check in and check out of Barkbeth Campsite?
    Camping and touring
    Arrive:  10 a.m. –  Anytime
    Depart by:  10:30 a.m.
    Read more