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Social District

87%

· Grizedale, England

55 acres hosted by Tom H.

15 tent pitches

Amazing views

Hipcampers say this spot has amazing views.

Lake District camping on the banks of Lake Windermere, with direct access to the water.

For days out on Lake Windermere, there’s no better place to stay than Social District. A back-to-nature campsite with exclusive direct access to England’s largest lake, here you can pitch your tent with a view out onto the water in a lovely 50-acre setting. Located next to one of the Lake District’s most popular destinations, the site is flanked by beautiful hikes and footpaths, within close proximity to the south terminal for Windermere ferry and steam train.

The non-electric pitches are kept spaciously apart through a clearing in an oak forest, ensuring privacy for you and your fellow campers. Guests set up camp on the banks of the lake, with access to your own little pebble beach from which to set sail on your kayak or paddleboard or, if you’re brave enough, indulge in some wild swimming. If you're a keen angler, bring your rod for a spot of fishing, too.

The facilities are basic, so come prepared. But there are shared portaloo-style toilets, along with firepits that can be provided for an extra charge; pick up supplies to cook from the farm shop, only a five-minute drive away. The campsite's built for families – the kids will enjoy the high swings on the trees – and dogs are more than welcome, so feel free to bring your four-legged friends.

But it's the location that's the real highlight here. No other nearby campsite has the kind of access to Lake Windermere that Social District boasts, and everything you need to make the most out of your stay is right on your doorstep. You can get to the Windermere ferry stop in a 15-minute walk, where you can embark on a cruise along some of the area's best attractions – the steam train railway, motor museum, and the lovely tourist town of Bowness-on-Windermere, a bustling hub of shops and places to eat. Then it's back to camp, where you can watch the sun setting behind Windermere as you roast marshmallows around the fire.

From bringing your own paddle board or kayak to experience Windermere’s light waves, to hiring a boat or tucking into some tasty food from a cafe in one of the lakeside villages around the national park. When setting up camp alongside lake Windermere, there is so much to see and do. Our site is perfect for you & your family to spend the day exploring & retreat back to a warm fire as we hire fire pits & bags of wood making your adventures that touch cosier & warm.

Activities

Biking

Boating

Fishing

Hiking

Natural features

Beach

Field

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87%

27 Ratings · 15 reviews

Michelle D.recommends

August 6, 2023

Lakeside Camping

10/10 Would Recommend!

Beautiful land, stunning views and perfect for families, friends or couples. Nice clean facilities and honestly, will 100% go back!

Suzanne S.recommends

August 3, 2023

Lakeside Camping

A lovely campsite

Although the weather wasn’t kind on this trip this is the perfect campsite if you are looking for a campsite with a pitch right next to the Lake. The campsite isn’t too busy either so there is a good distance between tents. Will be returning when the weather is better for some Paddle boarding and picturesque views

Danielle S.recommends

June 8, 2023

Lakeside Camping

Little piece of heaven on earth!

Wow what an incredible spot! So beautiful felt like we were in New Zealand! Will definitely be back again next year and will bring some of our friends with us. Managed by Tom and his team, they were so friendly and helpful and the site is a little piece of heaven on earth. Can't wait to come back again soon!

Tom Y.recommends

May 28, 2023

Lakeside Camping

Great camping (once we found it!)

What a beautiful spot! I came here with my 2 young children. Great views of the lake and surrounding hills. It’s a camp-where-you-want type of place and surprisingly spacious for a bank holiday weekend. The facilities are basic but the advert actually said no showers but they have them. They only have hot water for a couple of hours in the morning and evening tho I think. Great place to launch you canoe or SUP from, there is a little beach and the water is shallow. It looked safe for little people to paddle about in. There were a few groups of young people playing music in the night but it went off about 11pm and tbf I did the same when I was 20! It felt safe and friendly overall. Finding it is easy enough if you follow the directions on the website. Google maps directed me to a nearby ‘Bobbin mill’ but the campsite is a few hundred yards further along the road, through a gate and down a gravel path which is suitable for most vehicles if taken slowly. A sign on the gate would have made life much easier! We would definitely camp here again.

Na ?.

May 1, 2023

Lakeside Camping

Lovely basic site but pricey

It's an awesome spot right by the lake. It's a first come first served pitch arrangement and everyone seemed to space themselves out. There wasn't much noise and there were a few group camps on site. Most of the noise was coming from an event across the lake but it was ok. Great location for exploring the area and great for older kids who are water safe. I don't think it is worth £50 per night though. We've stayed lakeside in Welsh sites for much less with hookup and better facilities. Maybe it's a Windermere thing! The facilities were clean and basic. Toilet roll ran out Sunday morning so don't forget to bring your own. There was lots of wildlife around with water fowl, pheasant and deer. The camping ground gets very boggy after rain so be prepared for some fun getting vehicles out. Prob not the best place for VW type campers as we had some difficulty. Staff gave a friendly welcome and the site was clean. Instructions to the site are not clear if you are travelling from the South it's a right turn not a left turn into the gate. There was nowhere to dispose of recycling or rubbish so be prepared to take that home with you. Finally they are extremely keen on the off by 11am rule. In fact in 30 years of camping I've never had staff sit in car and watch us all pack up! We were off at 10:59 phew!!

Lewis M.

September 6, 2022

Lakeside Camping

Great campsite only real issue Is the toilets they could do with getting a real set up in place as the porta loos smelt but saying that the host were great and the little swimming area was class

Location

Grizedale, England, United KingdomTo respect the Host's privacy, the precise address of this land will be provided after booking

Hosted by Tom H.Joined in July 2022

From the host

Social District is a beautifully positioned, back to nature base for camping having exclusive direct access to lake Windermere. Boasting non electric pitches and stretch of lake frontage, it’s a few minutes drive from local restaurants, near the YMCA’s fun activities (laser tag, watersports and more) and ideal for joining the Windermere ferry. 10 minutes from the National Trust’s Hill Top and set beside an English Heritage museum.

Nearby attractions

Lake Windermere is full of things to do. Graythwaite Adventure is a 5-minute drive from the Social District, providing outdoor experiences that take place on the lake and in the Graythwaite Estate Lakes. Here you can book everything from axe-throwing, to paddleboarding, to off-roading experiences. Aquarium is a 15-minute drive away, filled with freshwater and marine life – its adorable underwater otter tunnel is a real highlight. The ferry stop for a Windermere lake cruise is next to the aquarium, too, so you can hop on and get a better view of the lake, combining your trip with a number of local attractions. The Lakeside and Haverthwaite Railway takes guests on a journey through time, with steam train journeys around the lake travelling to the towns of Bowness-on-Windermere and Ambleside.

Food and drink

Lakeside Hotel is a 15-minute drive away next to the ferry stop, where you can enjoy fine dining by the lakeside with an incredible view. This is the ideal spot for a relaxed lunch, with the salmon and cream cheese sandwich coming recommended – on sunny days, enjoy al fresco dining on the terrace, or stay indoors in the conservatory. For something a little less pricey, make your way over to the Boathouse Bar and Restaurant, a 10-minute drive from the site with a view of the boats lining the marina. There's a robust wine list here, along with a varied menu that ranges from mussels to duck. If you're heading into Bowness, be sure to stop by the Folk Tap, a well-loved bar in the centre of the town that serves a range of craft beers along with some towering burgers and hearty sandwiches.

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