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Camping at Cardewlees

99%
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· Carlisle, Cumbria, England
1 acre hosted by Becki G.
4 glamping pitches · 10 motorhome/tent pitches · 5 motorhome pitches · 18 tent pitches
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Best in North West England: 3rd place
Named one of the best Hipcamps to visit in 2024.
Becki is a Star Host
Star Hosts are highly rated, responsive, and committed to providing incredible experiences.
Creature comforts
Enjoy the comforts of home in nature at some pitches — including real toilets, showers, and kitchen.
A welcoming, family-run farm campsite between the Lake District and Hadrian's Wall

Walkers, couples, groups, kids, dogs, tents, campervans, motorhomes and glampers: all are welcome at Cardewlees Farm. It’s the sort of campsite guest list you’d expect at a huge holiday park with a rulebook as long as your arm. But Cardewlees is quite the opposite; a small live-and-let-live campsite where respect keeps things running smoothly. There’s respect for your camping neighbours; respect for the ponies, sheep and cows in the surrounding fields and respect for the idyllic rural location between the northern Lake District and the Scottish Border. Most of all though, there’s respect for the welcoming Glaister family who have decided to share a little piece of all this with us lucky campers.

There’s no formal campsite reception but, as you pass the house and farmyard, someone will come out to welcome you. More often than not it’s Becki, with between one and four children and a dog or two in tow. If not, it’ll be her husband Johnny or his dad, Billy who are just as happy herding cattle as campers. They’ll tell you what’s what and point you towards the camping meadows – one for pod campers and one for tents and tourers; both with views of Cumbrian countryside overlooked by distant fells.

There are three simple camping pods, five hard-standing caravan pitches and 10 undesignated pitches for tents. Facilities are simple and shared but there’s electric hook-up for everyone and campfires are allowed. In fact, if you see Becki striding towards you as you throw another log on the fire, she’s more likely to be on her way to join you for a drink by the fireside than to tell you to douse the flames.

When you’re relaxing on site, gazing at stars or the surrounding countryside, it’s hard to believe how incredibly well-connected by road and rail this place is. It’s just five miles outside Carlisle: easy to get to and to explore from. The Lake District is a half hour drive south and Hadrian’s Wall, the Scottish border and the west coast are the same distance in other directions. With something exciting to explore at the end of every compass point, along with the site’s ‘everyone’s welcome’ policy, this place is a bit of an all rounder. Glampers with a lust for luxury will want to look elsewhere but couples with caravans, walkers with backpacks and families with kids will all enjoy the farm setting. And it’s a great spot for people who want to explore the Lakes without the high prices and the hustle and bustle of some of the larger sites in the national park at night. No single campsite can suit all campers all of the time, but this one is certainly giving it a good go.

Activities
Biking
Fishing
Hiking
Wildlife watching
Natural features
Beach
Forest
Lake
River, stream, or creek
99%
34 Ratings · 24 reviews
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Natalie D.recommends
September 26, 2024
The Paddock - with stunning views
Easy to find and nice and quiet. Facilities clean and as described. Would recommend as a great stopover
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Michael T.recommends
August 26, 2024
22 - Electric hook up grass camping pitches
Lovely little campsite, with everything you need. The owners were very nice and helpful. Lovely views and a nice farm. Had a great time staying here over the bank holiday.
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Karen M.recommends
August 15, 2024
24 - Electric hook up grass camping pitches
Absolutely amazing campsite with wonderful hosts we enjoyed every minute of our first stay there and will definitely be going back.
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Charlotte C.recommends
August 14, 2024
The Paddock - with stunning views
We stayed at the paddock for a quick stop in the lakes on our way up to Scotland. It was just what we needed! A lovely honesty shop on arrival and clean toilet facilities in the paddock with us too. Would happily stay here again! We don’t need frills, just the time in the outdoors together!
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Natasha J.recommends
August 2, 2024
20 - Electric hook up grass camping pitches
It was amazing staying here! The whole family were super friendly and so helpful I loved waking up to the farm animals every morning and it was a great break away from the city where we live. We would definitely love to come back again in the future. Thank you for a wonderful holiday ❤️
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Lisa A.recommends
July 30, 2024
The Paddock - with stunning views
Lovely Site, facilities were good, I spoke with Becki a few times on the phone for various reasons and she was really helpful and seemed lovely. Would recommend.
Location
Carlisle, Cumbria, England, United KingdomTo respect the Host's privacy, the precise address of this land will be provided after booking
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Hosted by Becki G.

Joined in July 2019
From the host
We are licenced through Carlisle City Council and are able to offer pitches for fifteen touring stances. Five of these are fully serviced on hard standing suitable for caravans, motorhomes or trailer tents, the remainder being grass pitches with electric hook up ideal for tents. Touring pitches and tent pitches have a female and male toilet along with a disabled access toilet with baby changing facilities. Guests also have access to two large shower rooms The pods have shared facilities offering a male and female toilet and a shower. The campsite over looks rolling farm land which is crowned by a view of local fells. We are perfectly situated for visiting the Lake District with the North Lakes only being a 30 minute drive away. We are ideally situated for anyone wanting to complete the Cumbria Way, which is one of Britain's most popular long distance footpaths. The surrounding area also boasts a number of beautiful cycle paths. Local amenities include a swimming pool, garage, Co-Op, number of restaurants, play areas, banks and local traders. We hope to offer our visitors a relaxed and friendly atmosphere where you can enjoy the scenery and some quality time with your loved ones. We also have three camping pods available for those that want a little more comfort. Each pod comes equipped with mattresses, hot and cold running water, a kettle, a toaster, a microwave and a small fridge freezer. What makes our pods special is the outside space. Each pod has it's own large garden area, fully enclosed to ensure that children and dogs can play safely whilst you enjoy the view on the decking.
Nearby attractions

The campsite is situated on the edge of Dalston village in the middle of Cumbrian countryside and is perfect for walking, cycling and exploring. It’s not far off the last section of long-distance route, the Cumbria Way. It’s also just 10 miles (about a 30-minute drive) from the northern edge of the Lake District National Park with all its walking, climbing, fell running and wild swimming opportunities. Skiddaw is one of the closest peaks to summit and Bassenthwaite and Ullswater are the closest lakes. Cardewlees is also just five miles outside of Carlisle. The city is home to the combined Carlisle Castle and the Cumbria Museum of Military Life as well as Tullie House Museum and Art Gallery (01228 618718). For more history – head to Vindolanda Fort and Roman Army Museum (01434 344277), just south of Hadrian’s Wall and about 25 miles from site. Closer, and likely to be a hit with younger kids, is Walby Farm Park (nine miles from site; 01228 573056) an all-weather attraction with animals, rides and play equipment. The long sandy beach at Allonby and the seaside town of Silloth are less than 20 miles away.

Food and drink

The closest pub is The Blue Bell in Dalston village, just a mile and a half away, and there’s another at the other end of the village, The Bridge End Inn (01228 710161). For cakes and lunches, the Country Kitchen Cafe (01228 711431), also in the village, is recommended and there’s an Indian restaurant, The Mango Tree (01228 710333) and a chip shop for takeaways. To stock up for a barbecue on site, try the nearby Cranstons butchers. Cyclists might like to visit the Woodside Welcome Cycle Café (01228 710764) which is on a couple of national cycle routes.

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