Campsites near Ambleside

Pitch up in Ambleside if you’re looking for a great base from which to explore the Lake District.

95% (343 reviews)
95% (343 reviews)

Popular camping styles for Ambleside

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Dog-friendly getaways

12 top campsites near Ambleside

96%
(129)

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
87%
(27)

Social District

15 units · Tents55 acres · Grizedale, Cumbria, North West England
Lake District camping on the banks of Lake Windermere, with direct access to the water.
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£50
 / night
100%
(52)

Woodman's Huts

3 units · Glamping1 acre · Cumbria, North West England
Beautiful handmade shepherd's huts in the heart of the picturesque South Lakes
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£110
 / night
98%
(99)

Baystone Bank Farm Campsite

17 units · Motorhomes, Tents1 acre · Millom, England
Lake District camping on a working farm with a stream to splash in, campfires encouraged and a horse-riding centre on the doorstep
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£25
 / night
98%
(87)

Ewe Love Camping Pods

3 units · Glamping120 acres · Penrith, Cumbria, North West England
Modern Lake District glamping pods among the trees, with exceptional views of Blencathra
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£85
 / night
100%
(48)

Damson View Glamping

5 units · Glamping1 acre · Cumbria, North West England
Self-contained glamping pods in the Lake District's beautiful Lyth Valley
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£117
 / 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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£25
 / night
90%
(5)

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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£25
 / night
99%
(45)

The Damson Shepherd's Hut

1 unit · Glamping1 acre · Cumbria, North West England
A shepherd's hut for two in the lesser-known Lyth Valley, four miles from Lake Windermere
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£110
 / night

Nearly-wild camping @ Heggs Farm

1 unit · Tent136 acres · England
Get back to basics and immerse yourself in the joy of simple living with a nearly-wild camping experience @ Heggs Farm, Arkengarthdale--part of a collaborative, 200-acre renaturing project, spanning the northern tip of the Yorkshire Dales National Park. Stretching from the wooded banks of the Arkle Beck, up to the dizzying heights of Fremington Edge, our site is a wonderfully biodiverse and off-the-beaten path spot, offering adventure-loving families and small groups the chance to unplug completely, and get a taste of no-frills camping, the way mother nature intended. What's more, every booking is for exclusive use of the camping area by you and your group, guaranteeing you a truly unique (and undisturbed) experience. Why Heggs? Get a taste of 'wild-camping' with a few bare bones facilities: Pitch up where you like, make the most of a private firepit cooking area, and enjoy our compost loo with a view. Our remote, no-frills site is the perfect intro to simple living; yet sits close enough to 'civilisation' to hike out for picnic supplies, and/or a pub dinner. Reconnect with nature through wholesome, unplugged activities: Fill your days with poo sticks, pebble skimming, and foraging for kindling. Spend your evenings playing scrabble by torchlight, identifying owl calls, and marvelling at the constellations in our Dark Skies conservation area. No wifi = no distractions. Explore endless routes right from the doorstep: Arkengarthdale is one of the Dales' most beautiful yet undiscovered valleys. Multiple bridleways and footpaths connect Heggs to Reeth and Langthwaite, running along both sides of the Arkle Beck, and up the slopes of Fremington Edge. Part of the adventure is getting here: Our walk/cycle-in camping area is all part of the magic of our tucked-away site. Free bag transfer is available from the nearest on-road parking spot to the farmhouse; and the camping area lies a further 200m along a rough grass track. Every stay plants trees, literally: All profits from nearly-wild camping support our ongoing habitat restoration as part of the Heggs-Castle renaturing cluster. Enjoy the 'feel-good' factor as you roam free across the site and explore our latest woodland creation areas. Find out more at heggscastlecluster.org. What's included/provided with my booking? -Exclusive use of the camping area for you and your group (up to a max of 8 people), including compost loo and firepit with grill. -Access to weatherproof cow byre HQ for storage of camping equipment, including bikes. -1 x wheelbarrow load of firewood, with kindling and natural firelighters (more can be bought on site). -Unlimited potable water in canisters with taps. -Large Ghillie Kettle, firepit cooking utensils and heatproof gloves, biodegradable washing up liquid, washing up bowl, tea towels, first aid kit, fire extinguisher. -Bag transfer from/to the nearest on-road parking place on arrival and departure. Please pack everything else you need to sleep, cook, eat, and keep yourself and your equipment safe. Note too that the site is completely unlit after dark, there are no charging facilities, and phone signal can be spotty. Headtorches, camping lanterns, and portable battery chargers are all strongly recommended. Where can I stock up? Our local businesses would love your support! Award winning bread, cafe-quality ready meals, and Thursday night pizzas can be pre-ordered for collection at Two Dales Bakery; the Bike Centre is known for its incredible cake selection (and excellent rental service); Reeth Post Office sells the usual camping cupboard staples, as well as local milk, cheese and sausages; and Reeth's Friday morning market has all your meat, cheese, and fruit and veg supplies covered. For dining out, there are five pubs within easy-ish walking/cycling distance: The CB Inn, The Bridge Inn, The Black Bull, The King's Arms and The Buck. Ramsay’s Fish and Chip Van also visits Reeth between 4-6pm every Friday evening; you’ll find it parked up in Langhorne Drive. Finished reading and not sure it's for you? Search for our off-grid annexe on AirBnB for simple, off-grid living with a few creature comforts e.g. hot running water, a bed and a bath. This can also be booked in tandem with our nearly-wild camping area, subject to availability.
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£45
 / night
94%
(9)

Howbeck Lodge

27 units · Glamping, Motorhomes, Tents7 acres · England
A dog-friendly farm campsite on the northern edge of the Lake District
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£30
 / night

Lake District Herdwick Huts

5 units · Glamping2 acres · England
You will not find a more stunning place to stay and explore within the UK. Set in the very heart of the Lake District National Park, there is good reason why this magnificent location inspired the poet William Wordsworth to commit some of his most world-renowned poetry to paper. These beautiful huts are nestled underneath the Fairfield horseshoe mountain range and Nab scar, so there is no need to drive anywhere for the finest mountain hikes. With Rydal Lake, a wild swimmers hot spot, and waterfalls and plunge pools on site, it really is hard to beat! You will not find a more stunning place to stay and explore within the UK. Set in the very heart of the Lake District National Park, there is good reason why this magnificent location inspired the poet William Wordsworth to commit some of his most world-renowned poetry to paper. Grasmere is on the doorstep, voted one of the top places to visit in the Lake District, with the famous '‘Coffin route’ walk offering a spectacular lake and mountain view stroll straight from your hut door. With low level to high level walks exploring the Lakes from Rydal caters for everyone. Ambleside and Grasmere are both walking distance for cafes, restaurants and cinemas and Rydal offers scenic off-road strolls to arrive by. Each with fresh linen, wood burning stove and cast iron gas hob, you are sure to be comfortable even in the thick of winter.
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£110
 / night

Star Hosts in Ambleside

Under £50

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This buzzy little town is a short hop from the northern shores of Lake Windermere and the perfect location from which to hike up Red Screes, amble along Ambleside high street or go canoeing on Lake Windermere. We've searched high in the hills and out across the valleys to pick our selection of the best camping and glamping sites near Ambleside.

Campsites near Ambleside guide

Overview

Camping and glamping in Ambleside

Pretty and historic Ambleside is recognised as one of the best bases from which to explore the Lake District. As idyllic as it sounds, this bustling little town is a mile north of Windermere, England’s largest lake. It offers one of the Southern Lakes' best launching points for discovering both the lake and the surrounding fells so it’s no surprise then that camping and glamping in Ambleside are popular ways to holiday here. Whether you choose to pitch your own tent on the shores of the lake or opt for the comfort and convenience of a Lake District glamping pad, you’ll be immersed in the awesome scenery that’s been attracting people here for centuries. And Ambleside’s pubs, restaurants, tea rooms and outdoor shops make it a convenient place to return after days out exploring. The Hipcamp experts have found traditional camping sites and glamping sites with bell tents, yurts, shepherd huts and camping pods right across the Lake District – and there’s no denying that some of the best of them are in and around Ambleside.

Things to do in Ambleside

You won’t be short of things to do during a camping or Glamping Holiday in Ambleside. Nearby Lake Windermere is a source of almost endless pleasure and Waterhead Pier is Ambleside’s closest launching point. You can hire kayaks and paddleboards or jump on board a bigger vessel for a cruise around the lake. Hop off at Bowness to explore the World of Beatrix Potter or take a longer cruise to the far southern end of this 10-and-a-half-mile lake to visit the Lakeside and Haverthwaite Railway or the Lakeside Aquarium. But Ambleside itself provides plenty of attractions. There’s its busy town centre with eateries, shops and even a cinema and, among it all, historic stone buildings including the much-photographed 17th-century Bridge House. Another Beatrix Potter attraction, her former home Hill Top, also dates from the 17th century and is not far away at Sawrey. History buffs may also want to take a peek at the remains of Ambleside Roman Fort.

A couple of miles outside Ambleside is the Grizedale Forest where cycle routes, nature trails and treetop adventuring are available and all this is not to mention the walking, fell running and climbing opportunities that so many head to the Lake District for. Situated between fells, Ambleside is the Windermere area’s walking hub with plenty of well-known trails starting and ending here. You can follow famous fell walker and writer Alfred Wainwright’s routes, take on the challenging climb to Red Screes or opt for shorter strolls to scenic spots overlooking the lake. For more information on walks and attractions in Ambleside, visit the Lake District National Park website.

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Whether you're hiking up Red Screes or canoeing on Lake Windermere, get outdoors and discover the best campsites around Ambleside in the Lake District with this collection of local campsite, all recommended by the travel experts at Hipcamp.

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