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England’s tallest mountain presides over Eskdale, drawing climbers and hikers to the area. Many who climb and hike Scafell Pike stay in the villages within the Eskdale valley. It’s also possible to wild camp on Scafell Pike for great views across the rugged landscape, but temperatures can be especially cold at these higher altitudes.
This island in the Irish Sea is just off Cumbria’s coast but is connected to Barrow-in-Furness on the mainland by a road bridge. The North Walney Nature Reserve and the South Walney Nature Reserve lie at either ends of the island, and the village of Walney sits in the middle. There are a couple of places to camp on the island, or visitors can day trip from Eskdale or nearby Barrow-in-Furness.
Eskdale and the Lake District are beautiful at any time of year, but to make the most of camping and outdoor activities, visit in summer. This is when the weather is warmer and the days are longer, and it’s also driest at this time of year—especially important in a part of England that gets a lot of rain. If visiting outside of summer and worried about the cold, opt for a cabin or cottage rather than tent camping.