Carlisle Camping: Best Campsites Near Carlisle, Cumbria

97% (392 reviews)

Popular camping styles for Carlisle

Under £50

100%

(5)

Dog-friendly getaways

94%

(9)

Howbeck Lodge

27 units · Glamping, Motorhomes, Tents7 acres · Hesket Newmarket, England

A dog-friendly farm campsite on the northern edge of the Lake District

100%

(2)

Cherry Trees Farm

2 units · Glamping4 acres · Wigton, England

Cherry Trees Farm Campsite is located in the northern part of the Lake District National Park. It offers wooden camping pods with stunning views of the Solway coast and the North Lakeland fells. It's a great place to stay if you want to explore the peaceful and beautiful county of Cumbria on foot or by bike. Despite its remote feel, the campsite is only a 15-minute drive from the M6 and there are nearby villages with pubs and stores. The wooden pods are located on the edge of a meadow and can accommodate two people. They come fully equipped with bedding, towels, kitchenware, and cooking utensils. Each pod has its own shower and compostable toilet, as well as a kitchen area with a gas stove and a sink with hot and cold water. And the best part is, each pod includes the use of a private hot tub to relax in after a day of exploring the fells.

100%

(19)

Camping at Cardewlees

37 units · Glamping, Motorhomes, Tents1 acre · Carlisle, England

A welcoming, family-run farm campsite between the Lake District and Hadrian's Wall

Booked 2 times

Otter Moss Accommodation

4 units · Glamping12 acres · Brampton, England

Otter Moss Accommodation offers a variety of upscale camping options suitable for couples, families, and groups. Nestled within a picturesque 12-acre former farm, the majority of the site surrounds a spacious meadow. Additionally, the site boasts a charming small lake featuring three islands and a rowing boat for leisurely water activities. Situated at the northern edge of the stunning Eden Valley, guests can enjoy sweeping views of the Cumbrian Fells, with visibility extending to the Solway Firth and the Lake District on clear days. The Lake District is a convenient 40-minute drive away, while various sections of Hadrian's Wall are even closer, reachable within a 15-minute drive. Carlisle and the M6 motorway to Scotland are both just 20 minutes away, with the picturesque market town of Brampton also within a 15-minute drive and offering its own attractions. Local pubs are plentiful in the area, with a diverse selection available within a five-mile radius. Accommodation units at Otter Moss come equipped with heating, kitchen utensils, and stoves, ensuring guests' comfort and convenience. Each unit also includes firepits or barbecues, as well as bedding and towels for a hassle-free stay.

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

12 top campsites near Carlisle

96%

(132)

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

Camping at Cardewlees

37 units · Glamping, Motorhomes, Tents1 acre · Carlisle, England

A welcoming, family-run farm campsite between the Lake District and Hadrian's Wall

Otter Moss Accommodation

4 units · Glamping12 acres · Brampton, England

Otter Moss Accommodation offers a variety of upscale camping options suitable for couples, families, and groups. Nestled within a picturesque 12-acre former farm, the majority of the site surrounds a spacious meadow. Additionally, the site boasts a charming small lake featuring three islands and a rowing boat for leisurely water activities. Situated at the northern edge of the stunning Eden Valley, guests can enjoy sweeping views of the Cumbrian Fells, with visibility extending to the Solway Firth and the Lake District on clear days. The Lake District is a convenient 40-minute drive away, while various sections of Hadrian's Wall are even closer, reachable within a 15-minute drive. Carlisle and the M6 motorway to Scotland are both just 20 minutes away, with the picturesque market town of Brampton also within a 15-minute drive and offering its own attractions. Local pubs are plentiful in the area, with a diverse selection available within a five-mile radius. Accommodation units at Otter Moss come equipped with heating, kitchen utensils, and stoves, ensuring guests' comfort and convenience. Each unit also includes firepits or barbecues, as well as bedding and towels for a hassle-free stay.

Howbeck Lodge

27 units · Glamping, Motorhomes, Tents7 acres · Hesket Newmarket, England

A dog-friendly farm campsite on the northern edge of the Lake District

Cherry Trees Farm

2 units · Glamping4 acres · Wigton, England

Cherry Trees Farm Campsite is located in the northern part of the Lake District National Park. It offers wooden camping pods with stunning views of the Solway coast and the North Lakeland fells. It's a great place to stay if you want to explore the peaceful and beautiful county of Cumbria on foot or by bike. Despite its remote feel, the campsite is only a 15-minute drive from the M6 and there are nearby villages with pubs and stores. The wooden pods are located on the edge of a meadow and can accommodate two people. They come fully equipped with bedding, towels, kitchenware, and cooking utensils. Each pod has its own shower and compostable toilet, as well as a kitchen area with a gas stove and a sink with hot and cold water. And the best part is, each pod includes the use of a private hot tub to relax in after a day of exploring the fells.

99%

(37)

Cairn Meadow Pods

4 units · Glamping3 acres · Cumbria, North West England

Glamping pods in Cumbria's secluded Eden Valley with views of the Pennines

The Old Chapel Campsite

30 units · Tents1 acre · Grizedale, England

Nearly wild camping in the North Pennines

100%

(1)

Stone Raise Bells

3 units · Glamping3 acres · Carlisle, England

Wild Camping? Well almost, let us take away the hassle and stay in one of our Bell tents, pitched and ready for your stay. With spectacular views down the Eden Valley, you can relax at our peaceful farm location. As a small pop-up site, you can expect oodles of space and simple facilities. There are plenty of wonderful local walks including High stand wood and the River Eden which is just a short walk away. There are several lovely village pubs in easy reach. We encourage a back to nature approach and as such you’ll find no electric or wifi, but you will find books, games and a chance to unwind and decompress in a beautiful setting. So put your feet up by the fire, a peaceful break awaits in our spectacular area of Cumbria. Our canvas bell tents are spacious and modern with zipped in ground sheets and fly screens. What we provide... Pitched Bell tent Air beds Fire pit (wood available on request at an extra cost) Portable shared toilet facilities Solar shower Washing up area and communal area with info and honesty shop with some homegrown/made produce What you need to bring... Stove and cooking equipment Bedding Torches Food and Drink (excellent local village shop 3 miles away) Set in the beautiful Eden Valley the pop-up bells at Stone Raise are a perfect base to explore the Lake District and the surrounding area. Carlisle 'the great border city' boasts a spectacular Cathedral, Castle and easy access to Hadrian’s Wall. The famous Settle-Carlisle train line runs past the farm, there are stations nearby at Armathwaite and Wetheral which can take you on day trips across the north. Carlisle 8 miles Penrith 15 miles Hadrian’s Wall 18 miles Ullswater 24 miles Keswick 32 miles

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.

98%

(89)

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

Wanderlusts Gypsy Caravans

3 units · Glamping4 acres · Melmerby, England

Travelling from site to site in a bow-top gypsy caravan, through Cumbria's stunning scenery

Booked 1 time

Garrison Shepherd's Huts

4 units · Glamping10 acres · Bowness On Solway, England

Shepherd’s hut glamping near Hadrian’s Wall and the Solway Firth.

Best camping, glamping, and outdoor stays in Carlisle guide

Overview

Explore mediaeval and Roman history before setting out for a night under the stars.

In the heart of Cumbria, the cathedral city of Carlisle attracts visitors with its 12th-century cathedral and its massive keep castle, first built under William II, the son of William the Conqueror. It also makes a good base for exploring bits of what remains of Hadrian’s Wall, and while the city itself is better suited to picking up gear and groceries, there are plenty of places to camp nearby. The National Trust manages four different campsites in the nearby Lake District National Park, south of Carlisle, and there are plenty of privately run Hipcamps due east of the city, toward the North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB).

Where to go

Lake District National Park

Spread out over 912 square miles, the Lake District National Park is characterized by low-lying mountains and soaring mountains that are ideal for challenging treks and climbs. Along with 16 large lakes—including the deepest lake in England (Wastwater) and the country's longest (Windermere)—the park features a handful of tarns, a type of small mountain pool. Popular activities include cycling, stargazing, boating, and swimming.

North Pennines AONB

East of Carlisle, the North Pennies AONB is a UNESCO Global Geopark characterized by moors, dales, rivers, and forests, with plenty to explore on foot, by bicycle, or on horseback. The park is home to 16 Dark Sky Discovery Sites, ideal for nighttime stargazing, along with dozens of hiking and biking trails. You can get all the information you need to start your adventure at the Bowlees Visitor Centre, just over an hour’s drive from Carlisle.

Northumberland National Park

The most remote (and least-visited) national park in England and Wales, Northumberland National Park is the place to go if you've had it with people and want a bit of peace and solitude. It's a great place for hikes and cycling trips, and there are loads of caravan sites and campsites throughout the park, a few of which are right by Hadrian's Wall.

When to go

Carlisle gets rain throughout the year, though autumn and winter tend to get more days of rainfall than spring and summer. The climate is cool, but mild, and while temperatures rarely drop below freezing, Carlisle rarely sees temperatures higher than 20 degrees, even in the peak of summer. If you're a fan of the performing arts, consider visiting in March to attend the Carlisle and District Music and Drama Festival, a festival of music, speech, and drama founded in 1896.