Campsites with swimming in Kielder Forest

Expect camping trips filled with wildlife watching, woodland walks, and water sports.

98% (82 reviews)
98% (82 reviews)

Popular camping styles for Kielder Forest

Star Hosts in Kielder Forest

Under £50

12 top campsites in Kielder Forest with swimming

96%
(133)

Kestrel Lodge Camping

10 units · Tents4 acres · Keswick, Cumbria, North West England
A family-friendly Lake District campsite, nestled between the quiet shores of Bassenthwaite Lake and the beautiful Cumbrian fells
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£24
 / night
95%
(11)

Howbeck Lodge

27 units · Glamping, Motorhomes, Tents7 acres · Hesket Newmarket, England
A dog-friendly farm campsite on the northern edge of the Lake District
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£30
 / night
100%
(10)

Hadrian’s Wall Campsite

3 units · Glamping4 acres · Northumberland, North East England
Less than a mile away from Hadrian’s Wall
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from 
£60
 / night
100%
(9)

Hadrian's Wall Country Yurts

2 units · Glamping1 acre · Cumbria, North West England
Two yurts with hot tubs in the Cumbrian countryside just a mile away from Hadrian’s Wall
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£140
 / night
83%
(9)

Harebeck Holidays

8 units · Glamping, Motorhomes1 acre · Wasdale, England
Nestled between the Western Lake District Fells and the Irish Sea coast this site is situated on a working dairy and sheep farm. Farm tours can be arranged on arrival. A play hut with outdoor games, drying room with communal fridge and freezer (some units have their own small fridge). Natural hedges surround the site. Four fruit trees near the shower block Half a mile to Gosforth village with Shop, Bakery, Cafe, 4 Pubs providing food and an Italian restaurant. Gosforth and Seascale villages have play parks. Muncaster Castle, Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway, Wasdale, Scafell Pike and Sandy Beaches with Cafes selling local ice cream are nearby with most Lake District attractions within an hours drive and Edinburgh a three hour drive away. There are 5 campervan/motorhome pitches, a pod, a modern take on a shepherds hut with underfloor heating, a heated pod and two gypsy caravans with electricity to book. All pitches are on gravel positioned to enjoy views over farmland to Scafell Pike and other fells, they are surrounded by grassy areas with seating and a picnic table. A wooden play hut has outdoor games and toys inside. Awnings can be added on the 3 larger pitches. Tents can be pitched next to units for an extra £10 per night. Barbeques are allowed on gravel with our Gypsy Caravans having a campfire area. There is a communal fridge and freezer, outdoor drying space. Farm tours can be arranged. Wildlife and farm animals can be seen in the surrounding fields. Fresh vegetables and barbeque packs can be ordered with 24 to 48 hours notice. Grocery deliveries accepted from supermarkets. There is also a holiday cottage on the farm sleeping 6 over two rooms. Situated midway between the Western Lake District Fells and the Irish Sea Coast makes this site ideal for lower or higher level walks. Sandy beaches at Seascale and St Bees have cafes selling locally made ice cream alongside play areas to keep children happy. Scafell England's highest mountain is close by as are a number of Wainwrights. Nearby is Muncaster Castle and Gardens with its Hawk and Owl Centre, also Ravenglass (a Roman port with remains of a bath house),  you can ride up the Eskdale Valley on the Ravenglass & Eskdale Railway (Laal Ratty). Perhaps take a stroll to Stanley Ghyll waterfall. They have a cafe at both terminuses with a museum in Ravenglass where nearby you can sample Ravenglass Ice Cream. Wasdale and Ennerdale are close by both valleys having cafes and pubs.
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from 
£25
 / night
93%
(23)

Culdees Castle Estate Glamping

5 units · Glamping, Motorhomes17 acres · Perthshire , Scotland
Luxury woodland cabins, each with a private hot tub, in the grounds of a Scottish castle
Potable water
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from 
£25
 / night
100%
(54)

Woodman's Huts

3 units · Glamping1 acre · Cumbria, North West England
Beautiful handmade shepherd's huts in the heart of the picturesque South Lakes
Potable water
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from 
£110
 / night
Booked 2 times

Overwater Woodlands

6 units · Tents1 acre · Wigton, England
Overwater Woodlands is a hidden gem situated in the Northern Lake District National Park. It is a ultra-small scale camp (only 5 pitches) with a focus on sustainability. The camp itself is located in densely forested woodland with incredible views of Skiddaw and neighbouring fells. The camp is new for 2023 as we (Lois & Nick) have recently returned from travelling to the place where we feel most at home. We want to make your stay with us as enjoyable and comfortable as possible so will be around to help with anything from eating/drinking recommendations, tips on walking/cycling routes as well as insider knowledge on where to pick the best local wild raspberries! We have owned this land for 20years so know the area extremely well! We are both big believers in the 'analogue world' (and non-believers in the digital world) so we want to warn you that we do NOT have WiFi at the camp. Come and stay with us if you want to disconnect from the digital stresses of 21st Century life. If we ever need to get online we either pop down to the Sun Inn in Bassenthwaite village (which is our lovely local pub) or head up to the equally fantastic Mae's Team Room in Uldale. You may also find that to get a phone signal you will have to walk 100 meters up the road. You will truly be at one with nature at Overwater Woodlands; we regularly see red squirrels, deer and all manner of birds. Given the remote location of the camp we get the most amazing dark skies that are truly incredible for star-gazing on clear nights. We are both experienced chefs (Nick has worked in professional kitchens) and we would love to share food with our guests. If you would like freshly made breakfast (bacon/sausage/egg/veg) sandwiches in the morning just let us know. The same goes for dinner in the evening or a picnic for your walk. We know the local farmers so you will be eating the very best local produce that tastes out of this world. Our dream is to cook for the entire camp to make this a sociable event around the fire-pit but we also understand that people will want their own space so we will be more than happy to provide a more private service too! We happily cater for vegans/vegetarians and people with gluten intolerances. We have everything you will need at camp in terms of facilities. There is a compost toilet, washing-up facilities and a hot shower on site. This is the closest you will be able to get to Wild Camping whilst still having a hot shower on your doorstep!
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£25
 / night
83%
(3)

Bamburgh Under Canvas

5 units · Glamping7 acres · Northumberland, North East England
Luxury Lotus Belle tent glamping with sweeping views, within walking distance of Bamburgh town and castle (and beach)
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£135
 / night
100%
(3)

Cleghorn Farm

11 units · Glamping, Tents250 acres · Lanark, Scotland
*PLEASE NOTE THAT WE ARE ONLY OPEN FOR WEEKEND BOOKINGS FOR CAMPING. THE CABIN IS AVAILABLE FOR MIDWEEK BOOKINGS* Cleghorn Farm is a mixed farm just north east of the market town of Lanark. Comprised of 250 acres of fields and woodland and bounded to the south by Mouse Water, it is a beautiful spot to get away from it all without having to leave it all behind if you don't want to. The fields are grazed and cultivated but the woodlands are much as they were at the end of the last ice age with spectacular walks along Cleghorn Glen with the chance to see badgers, bats, deer and all manner of birds among the towering pine and beech trees. The Mouse Water (pronounced moose) tumbles down along the edge of the farm and has some glorious pools for swimming, shallows for paddling and some spectacular water falls before it joins the River Clyde.
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£10
 / night
100%
(4)

Kip & Nook

6 units · Motorhomes250 acres · Darlington, England
Adult-only campervan site with hot tub pitches in North Yorkshire
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£40
 / night
97%
(31)

Hazel Mount Fellside

5 units · Tents5 acres · Eskdale, Cumbria, North West England
Nearly wild camping on the western edge of the Lake District overlooking the Duddon Estuary
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from 
£25
 / night

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Dog-friendly getaways

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Campsites with swimming in Kielder Forest guide

Overview

With 250 square miles of forest and the largest manmade lake in northern Europe, Kielder Water and Forest Park is a one-stop destination for wildlife watching, woodland walks, and water sports. Explore miles of trails on foot, by bike, or on horseback, including the 27-mile Lakeside Way. Visit attractions such as Kielder Castle and the Birds of Prey Centre, cruise around Kielder Water, or take to the water to canoe, fish, or stand-up paddleboard. Campers can stay by the riverside or in Kielder village, and an overnight stay comes with stargazing opportunities—this is also an International Dark Sky Reserve.

When to go

Outdoor activities are fun year-round at Kielder Water, but campsites within the forest park are open from March through October only. Come in the spring and summer months for lake cruises and water sports, in autumn to admire the fall foliage, or during the festive season to visit the Kielder Winter Wonderland. Popular events throughout the year include the Kielder Marathon (October), a 24-hour mountain bike race (February), and a Night Run (March).

Know before you go

  • Kielder Water and Forest Park is in Northumberland, 30 miles northwest of Hexham. There is no public transport to the park. Parking is available at Hawkhope, Kielder Dam South Abutment, Tower Knowe, Kielder Waterside, Matthew’s Linn, Bakethin Nature Reserve, Kielder Castle, Skyspace lower car park, and Elf Kirk. A single parking ticket is valid all day at any of the car parks.
  • Facilities within the park include a gas station (card payment only) at Kielder village, two cafés, a restaurant, and restrooms. Download the free Kielder visitor map to your phone to help navigate. 
  • There are overnight parking spots for self-sufficient campers at Kielder Castle car park, Anglers Arms rear car park in Kielder village, Elf Kirk View Point, and Tower Knowe car park. Fees apply.
  • Midges are common in the park from March through September, so bring insect repellent. The weather can change quickly in northern England, so it’s a good idea to pack a raincoat even in summer. 
  • There are wheelchair-accessible facilities at Kielder Water and some accessible trails.

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