Camping in the Lake District: a valley-by-valley guide

The Lake District is small enough to drive across in an hour and varied enough to spend a lifetime exploring. Where you camp shapes the trip: each valley has its own character, its own fells and its own pub. Here's how to choose.

Great Langdale

The classic. The valley head sits beneath the Langdale Pikes, with Bowfell, Crinkle Crags and the Band rising straight from the campsite. It's the most popular place to camp in the Lakes for good reason: the walking is immediate and world-class, and there are two pubs within a mile.

Walk: the Langdale Pikes via Stickle Ghyll, or the long Crinkle Crags–Bowfell round.
Swim: Stickle Tarn, if you're brave.
Book: weeks ahead for any summer weekend.

Wasdale

The wildest of the western valleys. Wast Water is England's deepest lake, its screes plunge straight into the water, and Scafell Pike, Great Gable and Yewbarrow crowd the head of the dale. The drive in is long and slow — that's the point.

Walk: Scafell Pike, obviously, but Great Gable from Wasdale Head is the finer mountain.
Swim: Wast Water from the lakeshore road — cold, deep and unforgettable.
Know: phone signal is nearly non-existent.

Borrowdale

Green, wooded and gentle in the lower valley, wild at the top around Seathwaite (famously the wettest inhabited place in England). Keswick and Derwentwater are ten minutes away, which makes Borrowdale the best valley for families who want mountains and ice cream in the same day.

Walk: Castle Crag for an easy classic, Great Gable via Sty Head for a big day.
Swim: Derwentwater's southern shore.
Cycle: the lakeshore path to Keswick.

Ullswater

The most beautiful lake in England, according to Wordsworth and a great many campers. Sites along the eastern shore at Patterdale and Glenridding sit beneath Helvellyn; the western shore is quieter. The Ullswater Steamers let you walk one way and boat back.

Walk: Helvellyn via Striding Edge (not in high wind), or the gentler Place Fell.
Swim and paddle: almost anywhere along the shore — this is the paddleboarding lake.
Don't miss: Aira Force waterfall.

Coniston

Coniston Water is calmer and less crowded than Windermere, with the Old Man of Coniston looming over the village. Campsites on the western shore have direct lake access and a Swallows-and-Amazons feel.

Walk: the Old Man via Low Water, with the copper mines on the way.
Swim: the eastern shore near Brantwood.
Rain day: Ruskin's house at Brantwood.

Eskdale and the Duddon Valley

The quiet south-west. No lakes to speak of, but river pools, the Ravenglass & Eskdale narrow-gauge railway, and Hardknott Roman fort. Campsites here are small, friendly and rarely full even in August.

Walk: Harter Fell, or the low-level Eskdale river walk to Stanley Ghyll force.
Swim: the pools at Tongue Pot, Upper Eskdale — the Lake District's finest wild swim.

Practicalities

• Book ahead for Langdale, Wasdale and Borrowdale in season. Eskdale, Duddon and the eastern fells are easier.
• Midges exist but are far milder than Scotland's.
• Weather changes fast. Pack for four seasons regardless of the forecast.
• Fires are banned at most valley sites; fire pits off the ground are allowed at some.
• Cars can stay parked for days — buses (the 555 and 599) and lake steamers link most valleys.

Ready to go? Browse every campsite in the Lake District on Firecamp, or read our first-time camping checklist if it's your first trip.