The best star host campsites near Eskdale

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Eskdale is a glacial valley stretching between Gosforth, near Cumbria’s west coast, to the foot of Hardknott Pass. The valley contains the small villages of Santon Bridge, Boot, and Eskdale Green, and given Eskdale camping holidays are in the shadow of the Lake District’s highest peaks, your campsite is likely to have stellar views. It’s a popular place for outdoor enthusiasts thanks to its location in the very west of the Lake District National Park and its proximity to Scafell Pike, the tallest mountain in England at 3,210 feet. There’s a National Trust campsite in Eskdale, and several other scenic camping options throughout the valley and the nearby national park, ranging from simple to comfortable, although you won’t find many large holiday parks. Whether you’re here on your own to conquer the fells or bringing the family for a summer holiday, there are some great classic campsites to pick a pitch on.

100% (301)

Top-rated campgrounds

King Garth

1. King Garth

100%
(9)
60km from Eskdale · 1 unit · Glamping · Carlisle, England
Built in 1733, King Garth is also known as The Old Customs House, reflecting its role in these fraught times of smuggling. Its strategic position on the banks of The Eden served as the perfect lookout for a bailiff employed by Carlisle Corporation to protect the very important salmon fishery. The plaques on the building which commemorate the visits by Mayors date back to the 1700s. These visits no doubt involved indulgent banquets centring around freshly caught salmon I grew up on the opposite side of the river. On family walks along the Eden I was always fascinated by the house on the other side sited in such an amazing position. In 2010, when I returned to Cumbria I was amazed to hear that this house was for sale. It was a ruin and everyone told me I was mad..... I probably was a little! But I soon realised that I wasn’t alone in my love of this house, everyone I met from the surrounding villages had a tale to tell about this iconic place. King Garth is for sharing - with locals, (we have an annual barbecue), with wildlife and with people like you. The aim when renovating King Garth was to celebrate and embrace its history. King Garth is off grid and has no running water. It is furnished in a style to reflect its history. It isn’t everyone’s ‘cup of tea’: you have to drive a mile down a muddy lane, there is no hot shower, no electric lighting, and a compost toilet. BUT we offer beautiful evenings of candle light, log burner, hot tub under the stars and bathing in the river. My priority with King Garth and the land attached was to manage in a way to protect the abundant wildlife. There are also alpacas who you can look after during your stay. You will be astounded by the din the birds make at dawn and dusk! Inside the house there is an owl box where one summer a pair of barn owls successfully raised chicks. Since then a kestrel frequents the box and has twice laid there. This part of the Eden is tidal so both estuarine and river species co exist. Kingfishers and otters are often spotted And even the occasional seal! Kinggarth comes with fishing rights and if you want to fish this can be arranged with the host. The bird feeders are frequented by tree sparrows, yellow hammers, wood peckers, nut hatches and in winter red poll.
Pets
Campfires
Hot Tub
from 
£80
 / night
Moss Rose Campsite

3. Moss Rose Campsite

99%
(61)
62km from Eskdale · 28 units · Tents, Motorhomes, Glamping · Pilling, Preston, England
We have a family friendly Quiet campsite in the heart of Lancashire on our family run farm. Our site is situated in a species rich meadow field with large mown Pitches surrounded by wild flowers and meandering pathways linking the site together. We are surrounded by a young trees & woodland with the back drop of the Pennines. We offer both glamping and traditional non EHU camping on our site, with lovely hot showers, clean toilet facilities, fresh water point, pot wash area, phone charger lockers, communal freezers, elsan disposal point, microwave, coffee/hot chocolate machine, and our little honesty shack with all little camping essentials to might need whilst staying with us. We also hire out picnic benches and fire pits to help enhance your camping experience. We have a lovely little woodland walk, with a meandering mown path, that winds through our woodland/conservation area. Perfect to walk your dog, and let your kids explore. Adjoining the campsite, we have a padock with super frindly sheep that love to say hello. We sell little bags of sheep feed, just incase you'd like to give them a little treat. In the middle of the site, we have a little tots play area, perfect for keeping you're small kids entertained. We are a Quiet family site, with a Reduced Noise policy from 9 pm, and Quiet Time from 10 pm to 8.30 am. Latest check in time is 8PM, unless prearranged with the campsite. Our site has close links to the A6 and m6 J33. We are only 13 miles from the Historic city of Lancaster, the Bright lights of Blackpool and the jubilee city of Preston. 4 miles from the first fair trade market town of Garstang and 45 mins into the Lake District. There is also lots of interesting activities to do locally.
Pets
Campfires
Showers
from 
£18
 / night

Eskdale is a glacial valley stretching between Gosforth, near Cumbria’s west coast, to the foot of Hardknott Pass. The valley contains the small villages of Santon Bridge, Boot, and Eskdale Green, and given Eskdale camping holidays are in the shadow of the Lake District’s highest peaks, your campsite is likely to have stellar views. It’s a popular place for outdoor enthusiasts thanks to its location in the very west of the Lake District National Park and its proximity to Scafell Pike, the tallest mountain in England at 3,210 feet. There’s a National Trust campsite in Eskdale, and several other scenic camping options throughout the valley and the nearby national park, ranging from simple to comfortable, although you won’t find many large holiday parks. Whether you’re here on your own to conquer the fells or bringing the family for a summer holiday, there are some great classic campsites to pick a pitch on.

100% (301)

Top-rated campgrounds

King Garth

1. King Garth

100%
(9)
60km from Eskdale · 1 unit · Glamping · Carlisle, England
Built in 1733, King Garth is also known as The Old Customs House, reflecting its role in these fraught times of smuggling. Its strategic position on the banks of The Eden served as the perfect lookout for a bailiff employed by Carlisle Corporation to protect the very important salmon fishery. The plaques on the building which commemorate the visits by Mayors date back to the 1700s. These visits no doubt involved indulgent banquets centring around freshly caught salmon I grew up on the opposite side of the river. On family walks along the Eden I was always fascinated by the house on the other side sited in such an amazing position. In 2010, when I returned to Cumbria I was amazed to hear that this house was for sale. It was a ruin and everyone told me I was mad..... I probably was a little! But I soon realised that I wasn’t alone in my love of this house, everyone I met from the surrounding villages had a tale to tell about this iconic place. King Garth is for sharing - with locals, (we have an annual barbecue), with wildlife and with people like you. The aim when renovating King Garth was to celebrate and embrace its history. King Garth is off grid and has no running water. It is furnished in a style to reflect its history. It isn’t everyone’s ‘cup of tea’: you have to drive a mile down a muddy lane, there is no hot shower, no electric lighting, and a compost toilet. BUT we offer beautiful evenings of candle light, log burner, hot tub under the stars and bathing in the river. My priority with King Garth and the land attached was to manage in a way to protect the abundant wildlife. There are also alpacas who you can look after during your stay. You will be astounded by the din the birds make at dawn and dusk! Inside the house there is an owl box where one summer a pair of barn owls successfully raised chicks. Since then a kestrel frequents the box and has twice laid there. This part of the Eden is tidal so both estuarine and river species co exist. Kingfishers and otters are often spotted And even the occasional seal! Kinggarth comes with fishing rights and if you want to fish this can be arranged with the host. The bird feeders are frequented by tree sparrows, yellow hammers, wood peckers, nut hatches and in winter red poll.
Pets
Campfires
Hot Tub
from 
£80
 / night
Moss Rose Campsite

3. Moss Rose Campsite

99%
(61)
62km from Eskdale · 28 units · Tents, Motorhomes, Glamping · Pilling, Preston, England
We have a family friendly Quiet campsite in the heart of Lancashire on our family run farm. Our site is situated in a species rich meadow field with large mown Pitches surrounded by wild flowers and meandering pathways linking the site together. We are surrounded by a young trees & woodland with the back drop of the Pennines. We offer both glamping and traditional non EHU camping on our site, with lovely hot showers, clean toilet facilities, fresh water point, pot wash area, phone charger lockers, communal freezers, elsan disposal point, microwave, coffee/hot chocolate machine, and our little honesty shack with all little camping essentials to might need whilst staying with us. We also hire out picnic benches and fire pits to help enhance your camping experience. We have a lovely little woodland walk, with a meandering mown path, that winds through our woodland/conservation area. Perfect to walk your dog, and let your kids explore. Adjoining the campsite, we have a padock with super frindly sheep that love to say hello. We sell little bags of sheep feed, just incase you'd like to give them a little treat. In the middle of the site, we have a little tots play area, perfect for keeping you're small kids entertained. We are a Quiet family site, with a Reduced Noise policy from 9 pm, and Quiet Time from 10 pm to 8.30 am. Latest check in time is 8PM, unless prearranged with the campsite. Our site has close links to the A6 and m6 J33. We are only 13 miles from the Historic city of Lancaster, the Bright lights of Blackpool and the jubilee city of Preston. 4 miles from the first fair trade market town of Garstang and 45 mins into the Lake District. There is also lots of interesting activities to do locally.
Pets
Campfires
Showers
from 
£18
 / night

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The best star host campsites near Eskdale guide

Where to go

Lake District National Park

Eskdale sits within the Lake District National Park, a popular outdoor playground in Cumbria. The UNESCO-listed site is home to deep glacial lakes—including the deepest lake in England, Wastwater—tall mountains (for England, that is!), and rich cultural history, as this was a favourite hangout spot for several literary greats. There are plenty of places to stay throughout the park, including simple campsites, well-equipped holiday parks, log cabins, and cosy cottages.

Scafell Pike

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.

Walney Island

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.

When to go

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.