Advice on Lake District sites
Good afternoon.
Looking ahead to next year to stay at the lake district.
Would like to stay around Windermere but not essential.
Has anyone recommendations.
We are currently at Glen Nevis Park which was recommended by this forum a while back and we are very happy with the site,
Thanks.
Phil.
Comments
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Perhaps Skelwith Fold site if you want to be near Windermere, but personally I would choose a different area - the Club site at Borrowdale is a popular choice, though Ullswater remains my favourite patch
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The CAMC doesn't have any particularly good sites in the lake district. Borrowdale as mentioned above is non facility and all under trees, we don't like it. Kendal is under trees as well. Troutbeck Head and Grange over Sands are ok but not within walking distance of anywhere.....
Coniston is sort of ok (ish) but very narrow approach roads in places.....
Best site in the Lake District is owned by CCC at Keswick.
As you are planning to stay next year you might just stand a chance of getting a booking.....!!
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May I throw in two sites on the fringes of the Lake District to avoid the heavily touristed places . On the east side Thacka Lea at Penrith, and on the west side the CCC site at Ravenglass - but for both you really need a car to go daily from those sites to lakes and dales rather than a motorhome
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The Camping and Caravanning Club site called Bownesss on Windermere would be an ideal choice. It is very popular with CCC members and is only a few minutes walk from the lake, ferry to the other side, bus stops (There is actually a bus stop in the car park next to the site although the service from there is infrequent. It is better to walk to Bowness Pier), trip boats, shops, pubs and restaurants.
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ET
The C&CC site at Ravenglass does have the narrow gauge Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway plus a Main Line Station for trips up and down the coast. Both only a short walk from the site. http://www.davidklyne.co.uk/ravenglass_ccc_site.html It's a nice enough location but wonder if people would consider it "proper Lake District"?
David
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I've been to the CCC one at keswick and while the location was good the actual site was at the time far below standard of a club site. Location isn't everything. And while it's a short walk into Keswick, it's usually very full although it does have some pie shops now.
The pitches were badly kept, weeds and grass on the 'hardstanding' and the facilities were just plain disgusting really, and were never clean and the site far too crowded and noisy (this was just off peak). Didn't like being shown to a pitch and didn't like the attitude of the warden when I said I wanted another one as it wasn't big enough. Things may have changed now of course. We also found that for travelling anywhere it was far more difficult to get anywhere and back due to the traffic, far easier from the CAMC club sites.
It depends what people want from a site, we prefer the quieter way of club sites, the CCC is more like a holiday resort all day and evening long but nothing wrong with that of course if that's what you want.
Edited by me due to now not needing a reply to a post.
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There are many sites in the Lake District, some are stunning and some C&MC sites. What you really need to do is consider what you expect from a site and what is essential in meeting your needs for your holiday. Once you have a list of your essential needs then advice would be much easier to provide for you. We love Borrowdale due to its quiet nature and easy access directly into the central fells for walking. Coniston too is good in our opinion and despite the view of some that the travel in is problematic with care it’s fine. School busses and large HGV navigate it as do thousands of caravaners and motorhomers ever year. Troutbeck is well situated for the northern fells, there are a few walks out from site but they are very limited and a car is considered essential.
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+1 there.
if it's a walking a 'town' holiday then choose one near one. If it's walking then choose another.
TB is also good for the Eastern fells (wainwright's) as well, it's possible to do Helvellyn from the site, or a lift a few miles from the site to start at Great Dood, but unless you're a strong walker you'll need a lift back from Patterdale. We did it a few years ago, also a round trip to Great Dodd and Clough Head is certainly possible from the site as well.
It's also very good for the Far Eastern with a short drive up to Glenridding and on to Kirkstone pass.
Just to mention it the road up Kirkstone pass has been completely resurfaced and straighten/widened. Not enough for caravans but most MHs should now have no bother.
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We have not stayed at the one called Keswick C&CC site but did stay at the smaller one called Derwentwater C&CC next door. It was immaculately kept. There were only a few pitches free but we were offered a choice and were very happy with the one we picked. The facilities whilst not as good as the CAMC were also well kept and clean. I can thoroughly recommend it to the OP. Both bus stops and food shopping are available a short walk away. It might not matter to the OP as a caravaner, but for ourselves now with a MH it is a much better choice than Troutbeck.
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Interestly enough we're looking at booking a cottage there for next year's walking holiday. It's a perfect base for all the accents from Eskdale and Wasdale head. I'm anxious to do Scafell (still missing that one) while I still can.
Post edit: There's two railway Pullman carriages at the railway there that have been converted into holiday homes!
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Yes I'm sure you're right. This was some time ago but with me, once bitten and all that.
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As mentioned up thread, it really depends what you want to do and what you expect from your holiday.
Do you enjoy walking, serious walking such as scaling large hills and mountains or just walking around small towns like Grasmere and Ambleside? Do you mind travelling into the lakes or want to be central?
I find these questions posed by the OP impossible to answer as I have no idea what they want.
I can answer base on what I want or what I would have wanted 10 years ago when a lot fitter.
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Ther are a couple, one from either club, I would choose for myself. The first would be the C&CC's Braithwaite site, which no one else has mentioned. Easy access, close to a major route through the Lakes, within walking distance of Keswick, and ideal for walks onto a number of both high and lower fells, with a couple decent pubs/restaurants close by. The other is the CC's Dockery Meadow site, a non -facility site in the North West Lakes.
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Again, on the fringes of the Lakes, is Pennine View at Kirby Stephen. A small, privately owned site - which I have used often because it's handy for our dealer's. When I was there last winter, they were totally re-building the toilet block - and the previous one was good - so it should be top notch. There is a small bar on site - tucked away in a corner that does basic food. When we're up there, we often visit the eastern lakes but it's quite some distance from the central and western regions. Just a thought.
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Hi Phil
In that case I'd stay at the site at Borrowdale for the northern lakes, albeit there is no toilet block. It sits right under Cat Bells which is accessible straight from site. There is both bus and ferry access. Bus stops right outside and can take you as far as Buttermere or Keswick or you can catch a ferry around the lake which will drop you off on the opposite side or Keswick. Even valley walking is great. Also good is either of the Keswick C&CC sites or CAMC site at Troutbeck for Saddleback/Blencathra.
Central Lakes could be Coniston . Ambleside would have to be an independent site, something like Skelwith Fold or maybe a THS at Ambleside if there happens to be one on.
Southern lakes would be the C&CC site at Staveley or Bowness. Even the CAMC site at Kendal .
Stayed at most of them at one point or another.
I love the Borrowdale site but it's not to everyone's taste.
Kendal or Meathop Fell for historical houses, Holker Hall, Levens Hall, Sizergh etc. Troutbeck for houses near Penrith. Ravenscar for Muncaster Castle. Plenty of other places of history, like Castlerigg Standing Stnes (Keswick) or Wordsworth at Grasmere etc.
Just a few hints, there are plenty of others as posted by fellow CT members.
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