- Waterside Camping
Waterside campsites near Ambleside
95% (255) • 28 campsites
Top-rated campgrounds near Ambleside
S
1. S
92%
(93)
16km from Ambleside · 14 units
Lake District camping on the banks of Lake Windermere, with direct access to the water.
Pets
Campfires
Showers
from
£50
/ night
Camping at Cardewlees
2. Camping at Cardewlees
99%
(47)
47km from Ambleside · 37 units · Tents, Motorhomes, Glamping
A welcoming, family-run farm campsite between the Lake District and Hadrian's Wall
Pets
Electrical hookup
Campfires
from
£16
/ night
95% (255) • 28 campsites
Top-rated campgrounds near Ambleside
S
1. S
92%
(93)
16km from Ambleside · 14 units
Lake District camping on the banks of Lake Windermere, with direct access to the water.
Pets
Campfires
Showers
from
£50
/ night
Camping at Cardewlees
2. Camping at Cardewlees
99%
(47)
47km from Ambleside · 37 units · Tents, Motorhomes, Glamping
A welcoming, family-run farm campsite between the Lake District and Hadrian's Wall
Pets
Electrical hookup
Campfires
from
£16
/ night
Recent reviews from the Hipcamp community
V
Virginia
October 2025
With pets
Lovely location, beautiful views. Comfortable pod and great with enclosed garden for the dog. Good facilities too.
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M
Maria
August 2025
Tent
With kids
The views were beautiful!! We camped next to the lake so my husband and boys spent most of the time fishing. Will definitely go again next year and bring the paddling board with us
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A
Ally
August 2025
Tent
Just returning from our first visit to Cardewlees and we could not of asked for a better stay. Cardewlees is an absolute little gem of a campsite and Johnny could not have been a better host if he tried. Toilet and showering facilities were more than adequate and the water was always nice and warm. Thank you for a perfect stay and we look forward to coming back soon. Ally and Lee x
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Eleanor
August 2025
Tent
A simple but friendly camping experience. A very attentive host!
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J
James
August 2025
Tent
Group trip
Amazing site, right in front of lake.
Welcoming hosts very clean and good facilities
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P
Peter
August 2025
Tent
Beautiful piece of land on the edge of lake Windermere. Felt like you were truly in nature. Morning lake swims and ideal of you have your own kayak as it’s on the waters edge. Nice clean toilets and hot showers. Brilliant that you can pitch where you like so good for a small group. Hosts friendly and approachable and easy to contact if needed. Can’t wait to book my next stay
See morej
jonathan
August 2025
Tent
With pets
What a great campsite! Beautiful scenery right by the waters edge. Plenty space for pitching a tent with parking near the tents. Basic shower and WC block but hot water and well lit at night.
We used the fire pits and bought logs from Tom, which was simple and easy.
Sure we'll be back in the near future
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J
James
August 2025
Tent
With pets
We really enjoyed our stay here as a family of four! Great comms from the owner, toilets and showers were nice and clean. Stunning location right by Windermere. Highly recommended!
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Isabelle
August 2025
Tent
With pets
What a beautiful spot on the lake! The campsite was amazing, simple, with very clean facilities. Tom is a great host, we will come back!
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Elizabeth
August 2025
M
Matthew
August 2025
Tent
Group trip
The views were breathtaking. We loved swimming in the lake, which was barely a minute walk away from the pitches, especially with jets flying by overhead. The whole pitch area was clean and well kept. Host was incredibly welcoming and helpful. Would definitely recommend to anyone looking for a peaceful trip with some wild swimming.
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mat
August 2025
Tent
With pets
This is our second visit to social district campsite and yet again we loved it, great spaces, amazing lake access, not crowded, quiet, great toilets/showers/washing facilities.
Our family’s favourite campsite and would reccomend to anyone .
5stars *****
See moreM
Megan
August 2025
Tent
With pets
The campsite had lovely views and the facilities were very accessible.
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Rob
July 2025
Tent
With pets
We loved this camp site.
Nice and chill. Great ambience.
Fab family campers all super cool nice camping people having a chill time.
Amazing access to the lake and just a great rest.
There was one noisy group on the first night but they were asked to leave - which was a beautiful thing. Five stars.
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Philippa
July 2025
Tent
With kids
Lovely campsite, perfect location. Fantastic hosts and great facilities.
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Demetris
July 2025
Tent
Great campsite, plenty of space and very clean. Toilets and washup area kept clean and firewood available for purchase if needed. Gone two years in a row and likely to go again
See moreO
Olly
July 2025
Tent
Group trip
Great campsite with eveyhting you need. Great views and owners really helpful and pleasant. Would definitely return
See moreS
Sara
April 2025
Tent
Absolutely loved this place ..had to leave early due to very poor weather unfortunately. The place was just perfect for us and will defo be back again in summer ..we loved it and so did our working cocker Stanley
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J
Jodie
April 2025
Tent
With pets
Really friendly greeting from the owner and the pitch was excellent.
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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.