Campsites with swimming in Caerlaverock National Nature Reserve

Set up your tent at Caerlaverock National Nature Reserve and dive into a line-up of over 40 campsites perfect for swimming. Clear streams, tidal pools, and hidden lochs dot the area—ideal for wild dips after a day on the trails. You’ll find pitches with hot showers, pet-friendly spots, and plenty of places where campfires are allowed. Look out for native wildlife, especially if you’re keen on birdwatching or spotting otters near the water’s edge. Hiking and climbing routes crisscross the reserve, making it easy to fill your days before cooling off. Top picks like Kestrel Lodge Campsite (79 reviews), Howbeck Lodge (11 reviews), and Hadrian’s Wall Campsite (9 reviews) come recommended by seasoned campers. Prices start as low as £27 a night, with the average around £35. Pack your swimmers and binoculars—Caerlaverock’s waterways and wild spaces won’t disappoint.

97% (50)

Top-rated campgrounds

Set up your tent at Caerlaverock National Nature Reserve and dive into a line-up of over 40 campsites perfect for swimming. Clear streams, tidal pools, and hidden lochs dot the area—ideal for wild dips after a day on the trails. You’ll find pitches with hot showers, pet-friendly spots, and plenty of places where campfires are allowed. Look out for native wildlife, especially if you’re keen on birdwatching or spotting otters near the water’s edge. Hiking and climbing routes crisscross the reserve, making it easy to fill your days before cooling off. Top picks like Kestrel Lodge Campsite (79 reviews), Howbeck Lodge (11 reviews), and Hadrian’s Wall Campsite (9 reviews) come recommended by seasoned campers. Prices start as low as £27 a night, with the average around £35. Pack your swimmers and binoculars—Caerlaverock’s waterways and wild spaces won’t disappoint.

97% (50)

Top-rated campgrounds

1. Howbeck Lodge

94%

(27)

29 units · Tents, Motorhomes · Hesket Newmarket, England

A dog-friendly farm campsite on the northern edge of the Lake District

2. Harebeck Holidays

84%

(22)

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.

3. Cleghorn Farm

100%

(10)

15 units · Tents, Glamping · Lanark, Scotland

*PLEASE NOTE THE CABIN IS AVAILABLE FOR MIDWEEK AND WEEKEND BOOKINGS. CAMPING WILL RETURN IN SPRING 2026.* Cleghorn Farm is a mixed farm just north east of the market town of Lanark. Comprised of 250 acres of fields and woodland and bounded to the south by Mouse Water, it is a beautiful spot to get away from it all without having to leave it all behind if you don't want to. The fields are grazed and cultivated but the woodlands are much as they were at the end of the last ice age with spectacular walks along Cleghorn Glen with the chance to see badgers, bats, deer and all manner of birds among the towering pine and beech trees. The Mouse Water (pronounced moose) tumbles down along the edge of the farm and has some glorious pools for swimming, shallows for paddling and some spectacular water falls before it joins the River Clyde.

4. Oystercatcher Caravan

100%

(1)

1 unit · Glamping · Newton Stewart, Galloway

The 2 bedroom 35 x 12ft caravan is fully equipped for self-catering. With double glazing, central heating and an additional electric fire in the lounge it is warm throughout the year. The boiler also supplies constant hot water. Sorry we do not allow pets. Strictly no smoking or vaping is allowed in the caravan. The caravan can sleep up to 6 persons. Bedroom #1 - with standard size double bed (new mattress for 2025) with fitted wardrobes and cupboards. Bedroom #2 - with two single beds with cupboard space. The lounge sofa has a fold out double bed (new mattress for 2025). All bedding is provided. Lounge / Dining Room - the lounge has large windows and access to the veranda. The room also has fitted cupboards. The dining area has a circular table with 4 chairs. Kitchen - fully fitted with a gas cooker, microwave, fridge, kettle, toaster, pots and pans. Cooking utensils, a 6 piece dinner service and cutlery are also provided. Tea, coffee and sugar are supplied at the start of the holiday, but will not be replenished. Bathroom - with shower, toilet and washbasin. We do not supply towels. Additional - Outside table and 4 chairs. Also Fire and CO Alarms, Thermometer, Wall clock and Tide clock. An information pack of places to visit and eat is provided. The caravan is on the family run Monreith Sands Holiday Park with a great location on the beautiful Galloway coast. Sandy beaches are only a few 100m away. The generally calm waters of Luce Bay are great for swimming or kayaking. Nearby is a golf course plus historic sites and formal gardens. Although the Galloway Forest is know for being a Dark Sky Park and great for stargazing, the whole Machars peninsular is very dark. The Galloway Astronomy Centre (01988 500594) gives stargazing tours.

5. Hadrian's Wall Country Yurts

100%

(13)

2 units · Glamping · Cumbria, North West England

Two yurts with hot tubs in the Cumbrian countryside just a mile away from Hadrian’s Wall

Stories from the community

P

Paul

August 2025

Weekend Trip to Cleghorn Farm

The beautiful cabin is in a lovely quiet private space. There are nice views across to the hills particularly when sat by the firepit. Alex and Lauren made us feel very welcome.

S

Sarah

August 2025

5 m Class B

1 night at Howbeck Lodge

Good roomy level gravelled site especially suited to motorhomes but I was happy there in a camper. Facilities were clean with plenty of hot water. Christine v prompt in her comms.

L

Louise

August 2025

With kids

Weekend Trip to Hadrian's Wall Country Yurts

Absolutely everything about the site was immaculate and so carefully thought out. Beautiful yurts, beautiful surroundings and the most amazing glamping trip.

J

Jason

July 2025

Weekend Trip to Oystercatcher Caravan

Super helpful host. Good location, a very quiet part of Scotland. Accommodation was very fairly priced and well cared for.

F

Finlay

June 2025

Tent

Weekend Trip to Howbeck Lodge

Beautiful campsite on a working farm. Facilities are clean and effective. The animals that we ran into were friendly, especially a little black cat that was very eager to say hello. The location was great, site was peaceful and there was very little wind, even with the poor weather that we got on our trip.

J

Jon

June 2025

Weekend Trip to Hadrian's Wall Country Yurts

Caroline was fantastic! She made the check-in and check out so easy and ensured our comfort throughout, and the yurt and its facilities were perfect! This place is a gem! External cooking facilities were great, as was the wood fired hot tub!....perfect for a just needed getaway! Would certainly stay here again and again!...the yurts décor and cleanliness was exceptional. Top tip...order the pizza oven...its really worth it. Thanks again Caroline....

Pitch and view of surrounding countryside

Lyle

May 2025

5 m Class B

2 nights at Howbeck Lodge

Lovely spot in the farmland, close to the lakes district. Good hot showers and clean toilets. Would recommend.

C

Claire

April 2025

1 m Class B

1 night at Howbeck Lodge

Fantastic rural location but only 15 mins for M6 set on a working farm in a valley. So quiet and scenic Walking distance to village with community pub!