Campsites near Penrith

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Nestled between three of England’s largest natural areas, Penrith is ideal for outdoor camping escapes. Head west to Lake District National Park, England’s largest national park, where towering peaks and deep lakes make for exciting hikes and refreshing swims. To the east, North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty offers peaceful moors for walking, cycling, and horseback riding. Finish off with a journey south to Yorkshire Dales National Park and sleep under the stars in an official Dark Sky Reserve. Wild camping near Penrith is available by landowner permission for campers who want to stay in the heart of nature, while plenty of public tent pitches, caravan sites with amenities, and cosy cabin rentals with soft beds make it easy to stay inside the parks and AONBs.

95% (583)

Top-rated campgrounds

Bowcliffe is our latest addition to the site and is available for booking from May 2024.

17. Ravensdale Glamping Retreats

100%
(3)
125km from Penrith · 4 units · Glamping · England
Discover a unique short getaway with just two or three days to spare! Enjoy your own private hot tub or outdoor bath, a BBQ, and a spacious patio—all included! Our glamping pods offer the perfect retreat for couples seeking a romantic weekend or families wanting to enjoy the great outdoors. Nestled on a charming old dairy farm and overlooking a tranquil pond, our beautifully designed, luxurious, and fully-equipped pods provide an ideal base for exploring the picturesque surroundings. A brand-new pod was added Summer 2025 bringing the total pods to just four! Located near the historic city of York, Castle Howard, and plenty of pubs, restaurants, and shopping destinations, there's something for everyone. Celebrate special occasions in style with our exclusive packages. Ravensdale Glamping Retreats is the perfect spot to create lasting memories with loved ones. Plus, our dog-friendly pods mean your furry friends can join in the adventure too!
Pets
Potable water
Campfires
from 
£150
 / night
King Garth

18. King Garth

100%
(9)
32km from Penrith · 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
Trash
from 
£80
 / night

Nestled between three of England’s largest natural areas, Penrith is ideal for outdoor camping escapes. Head west to Lake District National Park, England’s largest national park, where towering peaks and deep lakes make for exciting hikes and refreshing swims. To the east, North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty offers peaceful moors for walking, cycling, and horseback riding. Finish off with a journey south to Yorkshire Dales National Park and sleep under the stars in an official Dark Sky Reserve. Wild camping near Penrith is available by landowner permission for campers who want to stay in the heart of nature, while plenty of public tent pitches, caravan sites with amenities, and cosy cabin rentals with soft beds make it easy to stay inside the parks and AONBs.

95% (583)

Top-rated campgrounds

Bowcliffe is our latest addition to the site and is available for booking from May 2024.

17. Ravensdale Glamping Retreats

100%
(3)
125km from Penrith · 4 units · Glamping · England
Discover a unique short getaway with just two or three days to spare! Enjoy your own private hot tub or outdoor bath, a BBQ, and a spacious patio—all included! Our glamping pods offer the perfect retreat for couples seeking a romantic weekend or families wanting to enjoy the great outdoors. Nestled on a charming old dairy farm and overlooking a tranquil pond, our beautifully designed, luxurious, and fully-equipped pods provide an ideal base for exploring the picturesque surroundings. A brand-new pod was added Summer 2025 bringing the total pods to just four! Located near the historic city of York, Castle Howard, and plenty of pubs, restaurants, and shopping destinations, there's something for everyone. Celebrate special occasions in style with our exclusive packages. Ravensdale Glamping Retreats is the perfect spot to create lasting memories with loved ones. Plus, our dog-friendly pods mean your furry friends can join in the adventure too!
Pets
Potable water
Campfires
from 
£150
 / night
King Garth

18. King Garth

100%
(9)
32km from Penrith · 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
Trash
from 
£80
 / night

Camper favorites near Penrith

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Campsites near Penrith guide

Where to go

Lake District National Park

Over 3,100 kilometres of public trails and more than 50 accessible walking paths make Lake District National Park a popular destination for outdoor exploring. Take in sweeping views over Lake District with a hike up Scafell Peak, then cool off with a splash in Wastwater—England’s deepest lake. To stay the night in the park, secure landowner permission and enjoy wild camping, or explore a wealth of public tent pitches, private cottage rentals, and caravan sites at nearby holiday parks.

North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty

Ramble beside rivers and hike over the moors with a visit to North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Visit High Force, England’s biggest waterfall, and then horseback ride, walk, or cycle around the rest of the AONB. Sixteen Dark Sky Discovery Sites deliver stunning night sky displays. Stay overnight in the park at caravan sites or tent pitches in rolling meadows or book a private pet-friendly glamping pod within the park that offers wifi, picnic tables, and toilets.

Yorkshire Dales National Park

In Yorkshire Dales National Park, campers can admire rushing waterfalls in the Gordale Scar or stroll alongside River Wharfe for peaceful picnics on the riverbank. Then summit the Yorkshire Three Peaks on a 39-kilometre circular walk, or try one of the shorter walks up a single peak to take in the views. Home to an official Dark Sky Reserve, Yorkshire Dales National Park is a beautiful spot to linger overnight in a tent or caravan at private caravan parks near River Ribble or farm stays with bell tents, timber pod rentals, and a large camping field.

When to go

Camping near Penrith is most popular from June to August, when warmer temperatures around 19°C and sunny weather make for inviting outdoor adventures. Campers chasing autumn colours should visit from mid-October to early November, when walks by River Wharfe offer vibrant displays. Winter near Penrith tends to be rather wet with average temperatures around 6°C. Layer up and bring along waterproofs for stays between November and March.