Campsites near Coniston, Cumbria

Slap bang in the middle of the Lake District National Park is Coniston. Whether you want a classic camping holiday, a glamping getaway or a place to park up in campervan, caravan or motorhome, you’ll find Coniston is a great base for water and land-based adventure. This is the place that inspired Arthur Ransome’s Swallows and Amazons and if you take to the water it’ll be easy to see why. The glassy waters Coniston stretch some five miles from the village of the same name in the shadow of high fells that peak baggers will be itching to explore. The village of Coniston itself is a classic Lake District community with buildings constructed out of grey slate from the nearby Tilberthwaite Slate Quarries, now a popular place with climbers. It’s the perfect place to tuck in to some hearty Cumbrian pub grub all washed down with a pint of locally-brewed beer after days exploring the Southern Lakes. The Hipcamp team have searched the length and breadth of the Lake District for the best camping and glamping sites and we’ve come up with some real beauties. There are classic campsites in stone-walled meadows and glamping sites where you can stay in yurts, bell tents, shepherd huts and camping pods, all surrounded by the beautiful scenery of England’s largest national park.

Things to do in Coniston

If visiting the lakes is all about the water for you, then Coniston offers a great launching pad. You can bring your own vessel and take to the water, hire a rowing boat or simply step aboard the historic Coniston Launch or Steam Yacht Gondola with someone else at the helm. But if your essential kit is hiking boots take the opportunity to head for the hills. A stroll up to Tarn Hows is an easy amble offering excellent views and for a bigger challenge, plot your route up the Old Man of Coniston which dominates the views round here. And if your pack is stuffed with ropes, harnesses and carabiners, how about tackling the climbing routes at the nearby Tilberthwaite Slate Quarries?

There’s a whole lot of history associated with Coniston and you can find out all about it the Ruskin Museum where famous names associated with the area are remembered. In addition to Swallows and Amazons author Arthur Ransome, Donald Campbell, who died on the lake attempting to break the water speed record in 1967, is featured not forgetting the museum’s namesake – the artist, art critic and patron, John Ruskin. You can find out more about Ruskin at his former home, Brantwood, too. A base in Consiton also offers easy access to other parts of the Southern Lakes area; Hawkshead, Ambleside and Windermere. For more information in things to do in the Lake District and around Coniston visit the Lake District National Park’s website.

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We've been out by bike, car and trusty VW campervan to camp, research and bring together this trusted collection of the very best campsites near Coniston. So, whether you're a canoe paddler, a high bagger or mountain biker, you'll find a Coniston campsite to suit.