I am planning my first visit to the Lake District in Spring, for 2 weeks.
The places of interest looking at Windermere and Safell Pike and hard knot pass, though other than that some cycling (I have an electic bike for getting around) and some walking. Though not sure how my legs gonna last on intense Wainwrights!
I have a small campervan, probably require hook up, so looking at locations for camping, but prefer not to keep packing down and moving on etc, so trying to limit this to no more than 3 stays at sites, over 2 weeks.
The ones I have in mind is the Windermere CCC, then Wasdale head and then something else.
Anyone got any suggestions? Would prefer some off the beaten track sites if possible.
Don't forget to leave a review of the campsites you have visited this year or last!
There are a couple of sites near the coast road before the turn off to Wasdale Head. Not been yet but I have my eye on that area for this year sometime. Can't remember names, sorry.
There’s a recently taken-over site by the shore at Bowness in Windermere. Might be CAMC rather than CCC (and yes, Windermere CCC is between Kendal & Windermere). Nice CCC site just north of Kendal - that would do for south Lakes. Ravenglass for west coast?
There is a well-kept, smallish private site more central to Kendal itself, Spital Caravan Site, which is �19 a night. It has EHU and hardstanding pitches with grass between, and is very secure with a number plate recognition entry/exit barrier, but no toilet or shower facilities if they are important to you.
The Bowness site is run by CCC but you will need to book early if you want to get in there as it is very popular. The site just north of Kendal is also CCC.
I was in the Kendal CCC site in Sept for a reunion & visited Windermere & Bowness in Windermere. Golly, the place was absolutely mobbed! Staying put on a site & walking / cycling / taking a bus from a site is a good idea.
Quote: Originally posted by nesty on 05/1/2024
Thanks for the replies, if I do stay at Windermere, I'd be using the electric bike for getting around Windermere.
I acknowledge the Lakes are highly popular and that most sites going to be rammed no matter what time between April and September!
What makes you think it will be busy? .... only 18.5 million residents and visitors in a 915 sq mile area of National Park, probably 90% of which is wild terrain! ... so most are crammed into a handful of towns! Visit Windermere/Bowness (they sprawl into each other) and you'll be shoulder to shoulder and nose to nose, go out on the fells and you may never see another soul all day (that's where I prefer! )! Have stayed in Bowness (in rented houses) lots of times in the past, but find it all too busy/frantic these days, really is a 'tourist' town with much of the souvenir tat that attracts, much prefer Coniston which still has a semblance of a honest working town about it with a nod towards tourism - much calmer atmosphere that's in keeping with the wider region.
Have plenty of charge in your E bike for the main road though Bowness into Windermere, it's steep and long! ... and good brakes for the reverse trip! It's around 1.5 miles of all hill from lakeside to W rail station and it climbs around 400ft, about 1:16 (6%) gradient on average but steeper in places! - I've walked a lot of it, and it sorts the fit from the others!
Probably wise to forget any notion of driving and parking in Windermere/Bowness, it'll be packed and a camper is just that little bit more demanding on space than a car! It's a frustrating and annoying test at busy times! - I'm a Londoner and well used to heavy traffic and no parking!
It's a fantastically beautiful region, with a lot of ancient history and culture, worth seeking out some of that and avoiding much of the modern tourist stuff IMHO.
I will probably stay out of the towns, as much as I can, prefer a bit of space, taking the campervan into towns never on the plan, as had similar issues with other popular tourist towns in the UK, so that's where the Electric bike comes in!
A day of all things motorhome and campervan. The show is held both in the main indoor arena and across the grounds. Catering, hot drinks and food options are available. Easy access to the site and free parking included. Win one of five pairs of day tickets
Topic: Campsites in Lake District
via mobile 04/1/2024 at 8:40pm
)! Have stayed in Bowness (in rented houses) lots of times in the past, but find it all too busy/frantic these days, really is a 'tourist' town with much of the souvenir tat that attracts, much prefer Coniston which still has a semblance of a honest working town about it with a nod towards tourism - much calmer atmosphere that's in keeping with the wider region.
