Campsites in Cumbria & Lake District

Cumbria, a neighbour to Scotland, sitting in the North West close to the Isle of Man, encloses the stunning Lake District National Park. The Lakes are such a gigantic attraction to visitors, it’s easy to let them dwarf the entire county. The truth is that around half of Cumbria is beyond the Lakes, including the border city of Carlisle, a host of idyllic coastal towns and Penrith’s famous caves.  The best experiences in Cumbria balance both sides of the coin, lavishing attention both on the out-of-this-world beauty of the Lake District, with its 16 incredible bodies of water, and the rest of what Cumbria has to offer.

Don't Miss

• Lake Windermere
• Lakeland Motor Museum
• Derwent Water
• Loughrigg Fell

Hadrian’s Wall and the Lakes

For those taking to the Lakes, Lake Windemere, as the largest lake in England will be an ideal starting point for a boat cruise. Try also the Ullswater Steamers or an idyllic trip on the three mile long stretch of Derwentwater. Boat trips are par for the course on any of the larger Lakes, and why stay on dry land when you can access the heart of these beauties?

While browsing this area of romantic inspiration, there’s no excuse for missing Rydal Mount or Dovecote Cottage for a window in to Wordsworth’s world. Grasmere will widen your fascination at the Wordsworth Museum, the walk the Loughrigg Fell and Tarn to see where the source of his poetry. If time allows, stop in the other Lake District treasures, sprinkled like gems amongst the Lakes – charming Ambleside and Keswick.

To get a sense of what Cumbria could offer besides the Lakes, drag yourself away from this beautiful area to the urban bustle of Carlisle. In the historic quarter, you’ll find Carlisle Cathedral where prayers have been heard for the past 900 years and then feed your knowledge of the past at the Tullie Museum and Gallery.

The next Cumbrian  town on your list should be Penrith, with access to the historic Whinfell Forest and the neighbouring Bronze Age stone circle affectionately named Long Meg and Her Daughters.

For Roman sightseeing your first instinct is likely Hadrian’s wall, and no wonder since it reaches as far as Bowness-on-Solway in North West Cumbria. Carlisle itself offers you the longest continuous stretch of wall still visible today via Birdsowald Roman Fort, along with turrets and other evidence of defence against the Picts.

Getting active in Cumbria

Not for nothing are the Lakes known as the Adventure Capital of the UK, the Lake District is a meeting ground for outdoor enthusiasts. There are a huge number of walking and hiking routes to be enjoyed in the park and top of the list for most hikers is conquering Scarfell Pike, the highest peak in England. Hiking and walking the area are immensely popular and the list of superb sites to reach is endless, from the Honister Pass to Helm Crag, Skiddaw and the Old Man of Coniston

If walking seems a little slow, cycling and mountain biking are everywhere in this area, with rental facilities and well-marked trails throughout.

Walkers that find themselves near Carlisle can take on sections of the wall, just a few miles from the Scottish border. Walk in the footsteps of Roman soldier and take on a new section each day to get the feel of the Wall’s true majesty.

For more Cumbrian outdoor exploits, try paragliding, quad biking with 4x4s and segwaying around the Medieval streets of Cartmel.

Castles in the area are also top picks, from Muncaster castle which draws attention with its epic owl displays, to Kendal Castle, built in the early 1200’s.

Fascinating days out

Families should make a beeline for Beatrix Potter World, to see the landscape that inspired books that so many children have read before bed. These characters come alive around Potter’s Hilltop Farm.

Next, enjoy petting over 100 species of including zebras, lemurs, meerkats, birds of prey and cute little pigs at the Lake District Wildlife Park or South Lakes Wild Animal Park.

Deep in Honister Slate Mine, not far from Buttermere, is the via ferrata, a stimulating and memorable experience based up the Iron Way idea in the Dolomites. Test your nerves in an incredible journey across the Honister Cragg, with open cliff faces against you.

Perhaps not what you would have first expected from Keswick, but the Derwent Pencil Museum is a stop worth making. Home to the world's largest colouring pencil and the world's first ever pencil, the museum remains fresh and intriguing.

A jewel beside the River Leven, just south of Windermere is the Lakeland Motor Museum, charting 100 years of motoring heritage and paying tribute to some of the most dangerous motorcycle races in the Isle of Man.