Campsites near Windermere

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Sharing its name with England’s largest natural lake and set close to its shores in Lake District National Park, the modest town of Windermere mainly functions as a gateway to wider Lakeland exploration, along with its shoreside neighbour, Bowness-on-Windermere. From here, adventurers can cruise the open water, setting up camp somewhere along her banks, or head further inland to scale England’s mountainous midlands or sleep beneath the stars in remote rural spots. Seafaring folk can head south or west to the Irish Sea coast, where holiday parks and water sports centres host family-friendly activities, while long-distance trails such as the Coast to Coast Walk or Cumbria Way cut a scenic path through the Lake District’s top outdoor attractions. With so much natural beauty around, camping is quite simply the best ways to stay—choose camping in Windermere to find yourself immersed in scenery from sunrise to sunset.

95% (659)

Top-rated campgrounds

The Duchess's Meadow

4. The Duchess's Meadow

100%
(1)
140km from Windermere · 2 units · Motorhomes · England
Tucked away in peaceful woodland yet just a short stroll from the vibrant heart of Buxton, The Duchess’s Meadow offers the perfect blend of nature, history, and convenience. Set within the private grounds of Corbar Hill House — originally built in the 1850s as a retreat for the Mistress of the 7th Duke of Devonshire — our site sits amid tranquil trees and abundant wildlife. Expect to spot owls, rabbits, woodpeckers, and even the occasional stoat and deer, all against a backdrop of panoramic views across Buxton and the Peak District. Our family fell in love with this land and set out to create a welcoming space where visitors can relax, recharge, and enjoy the beauty of the area. Whether you’re here for a peaceful stopover or a longer stay, you’ll find yourself surrounded by nature yet just a 10-minute walk from Buxton’s bustling town centre. Buxton is famed for its natural thermal spring water, elegant Georgian and Victorian architecture, and rich cultural scene. Home to the magnificent Buxton Crescent, the Opera House, and the gateway to the Peak District National Park, it’s the ideal base for exploring Derbyshire’s scenic walks, limestone caves, and charming villages. At The Duchess’s Meadow, you’ll experience the best of both worlds — the calm of the countryside and the charm of a historic spa town, all from the comfort of your motorhome.
Potable water
Trash
from 
£14
 / night
Damside Campsite

9. Damside Campsite

96%
(14)
140km from Windermere · 10 units · Tents, Motorhomes · England
Well-maintained and peaceful wild camping site in the Peak District Buxton 15 minutes’ drive; Chatsworth House half an hour Dogs welcome; 10 minutes’ walk from a pub; nearby playground Just how remote would you like your holiday accommodation to be? If the answer is fair to middling, Damside Campsite might just be the place for you: this pop-up spot is surrounded by the glorious wilderness of Peak District National Park. Doesn’t get much more blissfully peaceful than that – except for the occasional lowing cow, all is stillness here. Having said that, don’t worry: you won’t have to scramble across hills and dales for a pint: a traditional pub serving real ales and home-cooked food is right in the village of Peak Forest, a 20-minute walk away. Both the site and the pub welcome dogs, though it might be wise to keep them on a lead when walking past the farm animals. This is wild camping; facilities might not be abundant (there are no showers), but they are well maintained and include a portable toilet and a washing-up area. There is also fresh running water, and you’re welcome to start a campfire or a barbecue. You can grab essentials in the village shop, or head to Chapel-en-le-Frith (10 minutes) or Buxton (15 minutes). If you’re here with the kids, the flat, grassy field where you’ll set up your tent makes for an excellent play area on which to run around, kick a ball or fly a kite. A nearby playground has swings, slides, a small adventure course and a multisport pitch. Walking paths start from right outside the farm, or you can drive to hiking areas like Chee Dale Stepping Stones (10 minutes), a dramatic gorge on the River Wye.
Pets
Potable water
Campfires
from 
£20
 / night
Harebeck Holidays

12. Harebeck Holidays

84%
(22)
34km from Windermere · 8 units · Motorhomes, Glamping · Wasdale, England
Nestled between the Western Lake District Fells and the Irish Sea coast this site is situated on a working dairy and sheep farm. Farm tours can be arranged on arrival. A play hut with outdoor games, drying room with communal fridge and freezer (some units have their own small fridge). Natural hedges surround the site. Four fruit trees near the shower block Half a mile to Gosforth village with Shop, Bakery, Cafe, 4 Pubs providing food and an Italian restaurant. Gosforth and Seascale villages have play parks. Muncaster Castle, Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway, Wasdale, Scafell Pike and Sandy Beaches with Cafes selling local ice cream are nearby with most Lake District attractions within an hours drive and Edinburgh a three hour drive away. There are 5 campervan/motorhome pitches, a pod, a modern take on a shepherds hut with underfloor heating, a heated pod and two gypsy caravans with electricity to book. All pitches are on gravel positioned to enjoy views over farmland to Scafell Pike and other fells, they are surrounded by grassy areas with seating and a picnic table. A wooden play hut has outdoor games and toys inside. Awnings can be added on the 3 larger pitches. Tents can be pitched next to units for an extra £10 per night. Barbeques are allowed on gravel with our Gypsy Caravans having a campfire area. There is a communal fridge and freezer, outdoor drying space. Farm tours can be arranged. Wildlife and farm animals can be seen in the surrounding fields. Fresh vegetables and barbeque packs can be ordered with 24 to 48 hours notice. Grocery deliveries accepted from supermarkets. There is also a holiday cottage on the farm sleeping 6 over two rooms. Situated midway between the Western Lake District Fells and the Irish Sea Coast makes this site ideal for lower or higher level walks. Sandy beaches at Seascale and St Bees have cafes selling locally made ice cream alongside play areas to keep children happy. Scafell England's highest mountain is close by as are a number of Wainwrights. Nearby is Muncaster Castle and Gardens with its Hawk and Owl Centre, also Ravenglass (a Roman port with remains of a bath house),  you can ride up the Eskdale Valley on the Ravenglass & Eskdale Railway (Laal Ratty). Perhaps take a stroll to Stanley Ghyll waterfall. They have a cafe at both terminuses with a museum in Ravenglass where nearby you can sample Ravenglass Ice Cream. Wasdale and Ennerdale are close by both valleys having cafes and pubs.
Pets
Potable water
Showers
from 
£25
 / night
Langley Dam Glamping

17. Langley Dam Glamping

75km from Windermere · 5 units · Glamping · England
Nestled in the Tyne Valley, on our beef and sheep farm, at the edge of the North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty Langley Dam Glamping provides high quality, en-suite accommodation in our unique glamping cabins. The six ‘Langley Longboat’ cabins are positioned on the bank of Langley Dam Reservoir, providing exceptional views over the 14 acres of water and towards Whitfield moor. Langley Dam itself is a commercial fly fishery and Troutmaster water. Visitors are welcome, and encouraged, to enjoy the fishing experience that the water provides (charges do apply, but residents have discounted fishing fees). We also have rowing boats that can be hired for fishing purposes. We have created some fantastic 3D showcases of the inside of the cabins. You can use these to get a better feel of how the cabins are laid out. We have created 3 showcases to reflect the 3 types of cabins we have. Humbleton is unique, then The Wonneys which is the same layout as The Rushy Lot, and Wheatleys which is the same as Blackcleugh and Bare Bones.
Pets
Potable water
Campfires
from 
£167
 / night

Sharing its name with England’s largest natural lake and set close to its shores in Lake District National Park, the modest town of Windermere mainly functions as a gateway to wider Lakeland exploration, along with its shoreside neighbour, Bowness-on-Windermere. From here, adventurers can cruise the open water, setting up camp somewhere along her banks, or head further inland to scale England’s mountainous midlands or sleep beneath the stars in remote rural spots. Seafaring folk can head south or west to the Irish Sea coast, where holiday parks and water sports centres host family-friendly activities, while long-distance trails such as the Coast to Coast Walk or Cumbria Way cut a scenic path through the Lake District’s top outdoor attractions. With so much natural beauty around, camping is quite simply the best ways to stay—choose camping in Windermere to find yourself immersed in scenery from sunrise to sunset.

95% (659)

Top-rated campgrounds

The Duchess's Meadow

4. The Duchess's Meadow

100%
(1)
140km from Windermere · 2 units · Motorhomes · England
Tucked away in peaceful woodland yet just a short stroll from the vibrant heart of Buxton, The Duchess’s Meadow offers the perfect blend of nature, history, and convenience. Set within the private grounds of Corbar Hill House — originally built in the 1850s as a retreat for the Mistress of the 7th Duke of Devonshire — our site sits amid tranquil trees and abundant wildlife. Expect to spot owls, rabbits, woodpeckers, and even the occasional stoat and deer, all against a backdrop of panoramic views across Buxton and the Peak District. Our family fell in love with this land and set out to create a welcoming space where visitors can relax, recharge, and enjoy the beauty of the area. Whether you’re here for a peaceful stopover or a longer stay, you’ll find yourself surrounded by nature yet just a 10-minute walk from Buxton’s bustling town centre. Buxton is famed for its natural thermal spring water, elegant Georgian and Victorian architecture, and rich cultural scene. Home to the magnificent Buxton Crescent, the Opera House, and the gateway to the Peak District National Park, it’s the ideal base for exploring Derbyshire’s scenic walks, limestone caves, and charming villages. At The Duchess’s Meadow, you’ll experience the best of both worlds — the calm of the countryside and the charm of a historic spa town, all from the comfort of your motorhome.
Potable water
Trash
from 
£14
 / night
Damside Campsite

9. Damside Campsite

96%
(14)
140km from Windermere · 10 units · Tents, Motorhomes · England
Well-maintained and peaceful wild camping site in the Peak District Buxton 15 minutes’ drive; Chatsworth House half an hour Dogs welcome; 10 minutes’ walk from a pub; nearby playground Just how remote would you like your holiday accommodation to be? If the answer is fair to middling, Damside Campsite might just be the place for you: this pop-up spot is surrounded by the glorious wilderness of Peak District National Park. Doesn’t get much more blissfully peaceful than that – except for the occasional lowing cow, all is stillness here. Having said that, don’t worry: you won’t have to scramble across hills and dales for a pint: a traditional pub serving real ales and home-cooked food is right in the village of Peak Forest, a 20-minute walk away. Both the site and the pub welcome dogs, though it might be wise to keep them on a lead when walking past the farm animals. This is wild camping; facilities might not be abundant (there are no showers), but they are well maintained and include a portable toilet and a washing-up area. There is also fresh running water, and you’re welcome to start a campfire or a barbecue. You can grab essentials in the village shop, or head to Chapel-en-le-Frith (10 minutes) or Buxton (15 minutes). If you’re here with the kids, the flat, grassy field where you’ll set up your tent makes for an excellent play area on which to run around, kick a ball or fly a kite. A nearby playground has swings, slides, a small adventure course and a multisport pitch. Walking paths start from right outside the farm, or you can drive to hiking areas like Chee Dale Stepping Stones (10 minutes), a dramatic gorge on the River Wye.
Pets
Potable water
Campfires
from 
£20
 / night
Harebeck Holidays

12. Harebeck Holidays

84%
(22)
34km from Windermere · 8 units · Motorhomes, Glamping · Wasdale, England
Nestled between the Western Lake District Fells and the Irish Sea coast this site is situated on a working dairy and sheep farm. Farm tours can be arranged on arrival. A play hut with outdoor games, drying room with communal fridge and freezer (some units have their own small fridge). Natural hedges surround the site. Four fruit trees near the shower block Half a mile to Gosforth village with Shop, Bakery, Cafe, 4 Pubs providing food and an Italian restaurant. Gosforth and Seascale villages have play parks. Muncaster Castle, Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway, Wasdale, Scafell Pike and Sandy Beaches with Cafes selling local ice cream are nearby with most Lake District attractions within an hours drive and Edinburgh a three hour drive away. There are 5 campervan/motorhome pitches, a pod, a modern take on a shepherds hut with underfloor heating, a heated pod and two gypsy caravans with electricity to book. All pitches are on gravel positioned to enjoy views over farmland to Scafell Pike and other fells, they are surrounded by grassy areas with seating and a picnic table. A wooden play hut has outdoor games and toys inside. Awnings can be added on the 3 larger pitches. Tents can be pitched next to units for an extra £10 per night. Barbeques are allowed on gravel with our Gypsy Caravans having a campfire area. There is a communal fridge and freezer, outdoor drying space. Farm tours can be arranged. Wildlife and farm animals can be seen in the surrounding fields. Fresh vegetables and barbeque packs can be ordered with 24 to 48 hours notice. Grocery deliveries accepted from supermarkets. There is also a holiday cottage on the farm sleeping 6 over two rooms. Situated midway between the Western Lake District Fells and the Irish Sea Coast makes this site ideal for lower or higher level walks. Sandy beaches at Seascale and St Bees have cafes selling locally made ice cream alongside play areas to keep children happy. Scafell England's highest mountain is close by as are a number of Wainwrights. Nearby is Muncaster Castle and Gardens with its Hawk and Owl Centre, also Ravenglass (a Roman port with remains of a bath house),  you can ride up the Eskdale Valley on the Ravenglass & Eskdale Railway (Laal Ratty). Perhaps take a stroll to Stanley Ghyll waterfall. They have a cafe at both terminuses with a museum in Ravenglass where nearby you can sample Ravenglass Ice Cream. Wasdale and Ennerdale are close by both valleys having cafes and pubs.
Pets
Potable water
Showers
from 
£25
 / night
Langley Dam Glamping

17. Langley Dam Glamping

75km from Windermere · 5 units · Glamping · England
Nestled in the Tyne Valley, on our beef and sheep farm, at the edge of the North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty Langley Dam Glamping provides high quality, en-suite accommodation in our unique glamping cabins. The six ‘Langley Longboat’ cabins are positioned on the bank of Langley Dam Reservoir, providing exceptional views over the 14 acres of water and towards Whitfield moor. Langley Dam itself is a commercial fly fishery and Troutmaster water. Visitors are welcome, and encouraged, to enjoy the fishing experience that the water provides (charges do apply, but residents have discounted fishing fees). We also have rowing boats that can be hired for fishing purposes. We have created some fantastic 3D showcases of the inside of the cabins. You can use these to get a better feel of how the cabins are laid out. We have created 3 showcases to reflect the 3 types of cabins we have. Humbleton is unique, then The Wonneys which is the same layout as The Rushy Lot, and Wheatleys which is the same as Blackcleugh and Bare Bones.
Pets
Potable water
Campfires
from 
£167
 / night

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Campsites near Windermere guide

Where to go

South Lakeland and the Furness Peninsula

Glamp sites, campgrounds, and luxury retreats line the banks of Windermere and her sister lakes, while Morecambe Bay and the Furness Peninsula boast seaside parks within an hour’s drive. From South Lakeland, the Cumbria Way guides hikers north via lakes, pikes, and waterfalls, while the nearby Arnside & Silverdale AONB hosts cycle-friendly routes and wildlife trails.

Copeland and Allerdale

Encompassing much of the Lake District’s western reaches, plus a vast stretch of Irish Sea shoreline, Copeland and Allerdale offer all manner of outdoor adventure. From scaling Scafell Pike and the Southern Fells to sailing on Derwentwater or embarking on the Coast to Coast Walk, there’s plenty to fill your days, while nights are catered for in coastal touring parks, rural campsites, or lakeside lodges.

Eden Valley and the North Pennines

Living up to its name, this idyllic region northeast of Windermere is a destination for hikers, bikers, boaters, and horse riders, thanks to a protected landscape of waterfalls, fells, and lakes. Several long-distance trails pass through the area and the adjacent national park, including the Pennine Way, with overnight options ranging from back-to-basics farm sites to luxury countryside glamping.

Howgill Fells and the Yorkshire Dales

East of Windermere, the Lake District’s dramatic landscape rolls through the Howgill Fells into another of England’s iconic national parks, the Yorkshire Dales. Best known for their wiley, windy moors and boating natural landmarks such as the Cautley Spout, the Dales are a rambler’s paradise, with hill-top camps, no-frills field sites, and luxury pods providing plenty of spots to rest weary legs.

When to go

The Lake District is among England’s wettest regions, so be prepared for rainfall at any time of year. The tourist season starts in April, when Wordsworth’s famous daffodils spring to life, though early arrivals can still enjoy relatively secluded views along the lake shores.

Know before you go

  • The closest major train station is Oxenholme Lake District, which connects directly to London, Glasgow, and Edinburgh.
  • The area is relatively well connected with public transport, though if you plan to travel to more remote spots it’s worth bringing your own vehicle.
  • Bike, boat, and camping gear rental can be found in Windermere and Bowness-on-Windermere, as well as on some campsites.
  • Not all sites take walk-ins, especially in high season, so it’s worth booking in advance.
  • A mile north of Windermere is Ambleside, the starting and ending point for lots of walks and a good spot for hikers. At the far south of the lake is the Lakeside and Haverthwaite Railway, a heritage steam railway with a restored station and short section of lakeside track.