Family Camping Lake District: Best Campsites for Families
The Lake District is one of the most spectacular places in England to take children camping.
Dramatic fells, shimmering lakes, ancient woodland, and some of the best walking and cycling in the country, all within reach of campsites that cater brilliantly for families.
It is also one of the most visited parts of the UK, so the best family camping Lake District sites fill up quickly. Planning and booking ahead is essential.
Here’s more on everything that makes camping with kids in the Lake District so rewarding.
Family Camping Lake District: Why is it So Popular?
The Lake District National Park covers 912 square miles with an enormous variety of landscapes. Young children love the lakes themselves, Windermere, Coniston, Ullswater, and Derwentwater all offer boat trips, paddleboarding, swimming, and lakeside walking accessible even for small legs.
The fell walks can be graded to suit all abilities, from gentle lakeside paths to more ambitious summits that older children relish.
The towns add to the appeal. Ambleside, Bowness, Keswick, and Grasmere all have good cafes, shops, and attractions.
The World of Beatrix Potter in Bowness is a perennial favourite with younger children.
What to Look for in a Lake District Family Campsite
There’s plenty of things to look out for when choosing a family camping Lake District site, some unique to the area itself.
Shelter
The Lake District has a well-earned reputation for wet weather.
A campsite with natural windbreaks, trees, hedges, valley sides, makes a significant difference on a wet and windy night.
Exposed hilltop sites that are spectacular in sunshine become challenging in bad weather.
Proximity to attractions
Being within easy driving distance of the lakes, walking routes, and towns means you can make the most of whatever the weather offers without a long drive each time.
Weigh this up with the cost, of course, but it’s well worth being as close as you possibly can to the things you want to do.
Good facilities
For a multi-day family camping trip in potentially wet weather, good shower blocks, a drying room, and a camp shop matter more than they might elsewhere in the country.
There’s a few places where facilities can make or break your stay, and the Lake District is one of them.
Flat pitches
The Lake District is hilly.
Some campsites have pitches on slopes that make sleeping uncomfortable.
Always check reviews for pitch levelness before booking, to try and bag yourself the best chance of a good night’s sleep for you and the family.
Types of Campsite in the Lake District
As with many parts of the UK, you’ll have plenty of choice when it comes to the type of campsite you want to stay on.
Caravan and Camping Club sites
Both the Caravan and Camping Club and the Camping and Caravanning Club have well-maintained sites throughout the Lake District.
These offer reliable facilities and a family-friendly atmosphere, though the most popular ones will get booked up well in advance, so make sure you book early if you’re choosing a popular spot.
National Trust campsites
The National Trust manages several well-regarded sites including Low Wray on Windermere and Great Langdale in the Langdale Valley.
Beautifully situated, well managed, and popular with families.
Independent farm sites
The Lake District has many small independent sites on working farms, often in extraordinary settings.
Waking up to a view of the fells with sheep grazing around the tent is a genuinely special experience.
Best Areas to Base Yourself
- Windermere and Ambleside. The most accessible part from the south, with the best range of facilities and activities. Windermere is the largest natural lake in England.
- Keswick and Derwentwater. A slightly less crowded corner with some of the most beautiful scenery in the park. Keswick is a proper market town with good shops and restaurants.
- Ullswater. Perhaps the most dramatic of the lakes, with steep fells rising directly from the water. The Ullswater Steamers provide a brilliant way to see the lake, and Aira Force waterfall is one of the most impressive natural features in the park.
Family Camping Lake District Booking Tips
The Lake District is busy throughout school holidays, and popular family campsites book up months in advance.
Book as early as possible for Easter and summer.
Consider the shoulder seasons, May and early June can be spectacular, and September is often the best month of all with summer warmth, autumn colours beginning, and holiday crowds gone.
For more family campsite recommendations across the UK, visit our family friendly campsites section, and head to Camping With Kids for tips, kit reviews, and recipe ideas.
