The Best Campsites in the Lake District for Motorhomes

Finding the best Lake District campsites for a motorhome means filtering out the tent-only fields, the sites with access roads that would challenge a Smart car, and the pitches that flood after moderate rain. The Lake District has hundreds of camping options, but motorhomes have specific requirements - hardstanding or firm ground, adequate access width, and space to manoeuvre without reversing into a hedge. Here are ten of the best motorhome sites in the Lake District that we can recommend, based on what our customers tell us and our own experience.

Southern Lakes

1. Park Cliffe, Windermere. Sits on the hillside above Windermere, about three miles from Bowness, with views across to Moor How and the Langdale Pikes. The hardstanding pitches are well-drained, level, and spacious - this is not a site where you are squeezed in nose-to-tail. Electric hook-ups, water, and drainage on every touring pitch. The facilities block is modern and clean, and there is a small shop, a bar serving breakfasts, and a street food kitchen. The site has won multiple awards including Best Family Campsite in North West England. Note that motorhome pitches have a maximum length of 7-8 metres, so check before booking if you have a larger vehicle. Book early for summer - this one fills up quickly for July and August. Best for couples and families who want a hillside base with fell views. Approach from Newby Bridge on the A592 - do not use sat nav as it may route you along narrow lanes.

2. Hill of Oaks, Windermere. On the eastern shore of Windermere, south of Bowness. Direct lake access with a private jetty and boat launching facilities, which sets it apart from most other sites. Hardstanding and grass pitches available, with hook-ups. The access road from the A592 is straightforward for motorhomes. The site has a bar and restaurant on site, and the Lakeside and Haverthwaite heritage railway is a short drive south. Best for families who want activities and waterside access.

3. Skelwith Fold, Ambleside. A large, well-established site set in 130 acres of woodland between Ambleside and Skelwith Bridge. Hardstanding pitches available throughout, with good spacing between vehicles. The woodland setting provides shelter and privacy. Ambleside is about a mile away on foot via a pleasant lane, and Skelwith Bridge (with its waterfall and the Chesters café) is even closer. The access from the A593 is clear and well signed. Best for couples and families wanting a woodland base near Ambleside.

Central Lakes

4. Castlerigg Hall, Keswick. Perched on the hillside south of Keswick with panoramic views to Skiddaw and the northern fells. The pitches are terraced, with hardstanding options and hook-ups. The access road is steep in places but perfectly manageable in a motorhome - just take it slowly. Keswick town centre is a 15-minute walk downhill (and a slightly longer walk back up). The stone circle at Castlerigg is a five-minute drive. The site has good modern facilities and a small shop. Best for walkers who want Keswick on the doorstep.

5. Borrowdale Caravan and Motorhome Club Site. One of the finest Lake District campsites for a motorhome experience, set in National Trust woodland near Grange-in-Borrowdale, on the western shore of Derwentwater about five miles from Keswick. The site has 59 hardstanding pitches with 16 amp hook-ups, and the woodland setting is beautiful - red squirrels are regularly spotted. Important: this site has no toilet or shower block. You will need your own onboard facilities, which all our motorhomes have, but it is worth knowing before you book. The final approach involves a narrow lane and a double hump bridge at Grange - follow the site's recommended directions rather than sat nav. Maximum outfit length is 7.5 metres. From the site, you can walk to Derwentwater's shore, climb Castle Crag or Catbells, or catch the bus into Keswick. The hamlet of Grange, with its tea room on the river, is a short walk. Best for experienced motorhomers who value a peaceful woodland setting.

6. Sykeside Camping Park, Patterdale. At the southern end of Ullswater in the Patterdale valley. A well-run family site with hardstanding pitches for motorhomes and full hook-ups. The location is superb for walking - Helvellyn via Striding Edge starts from the valley, and Place Fell directly above the site offers a shorter alternative with outstanding views. The Ullswater steamer calls at Glenridding, about half a mile away. The site has a pub on site (The Barn End Bar) which saves driving in the evening. Best for walkers and couples wanting an Ullswater base.

Western and Northern Lakes

7. Syke Farm, Buttermere. A small, family-run campsite in Buttermere village, surrounded by some of the finest fells in the Lake District. The pitches are on grass, but the ground is generally firm and the site is well drained. No hook-ups, which keeps the site quieter and less crowded than electrified alternatives. The lakeside walk around Buttermere (about four miles, flat) starts from the village, and the views of Haystacks and Fleetwith Pike are exceptional. The Bridge Hotel and the Fish Inn in Buttermere village are both within walking distance. Best for couples and experienced motorhomers who do not need hook-ups.

8. Wasdale National Trust Campsite, Wasdale Head. At the head of Wasdale, beneath England's highest mountains. This is as dramatic a campsite location as you will find anywhere in England - Scafell Pike, Great Gable, and the Screes tower above you, and Wastwater stretches out below. The access road is narrow (single track with passing places for the last few miles), so this is not one for the largest motorhomes - check your vehicle width before committing. Grass pitches, no hook-ups. The Wasdale Head Inn, one of the most famous climbing pubs in England, is a short walk away. Best for experienced hill walkers and adventurous couples.

9. The Quiet Site, Ullswater. Near Watermillock on the western shore of Ullswater. As the name implies, this is a peaceful, low-key site with a no-noise-after-10pm policy that is actually enforced. Hardstanding pitches available with hook-ups. The site has its own pub (The Old Barn), a children's play area, and a farm shop. Walking routes around Ullswater are accessible from the site, and the Aira Force waterfall is a few minutes' drive away. Best for families and couples who want quiet over activity.

Something Different

10. Low Wray, Ambleside. A National Trust campsite on the western shore of Windermere, away from the Bowness crowds. The site has lake access with a small beach and canoe launching area. Hardstanding pitches are available with hook-ups. The access road from the B5286 (Ambleside to Hawkshead road) is a bit narrow in places but fine for standard motorhomes. The setting - lakeside, wooded, with views across to the eastern fells - is difficult to beat. The nearest pub is the Drunken Duck at Barngates, which is worth the short drive for excellent beer and food. Best for families wanting waterside Lake District camping away from the crowds.

Booking Tips

These Lake District campsites are popular with motorhome hirers, so for summer bookings (July and August), reserve three to six months ahead. National Trust sites can be booked online through their camping website. Caravan and Motorhome Club sites and Camping and Caravanning Club sites are bookable through their respective platforms. Independently run sites often take phone bookings and may hold pitches for shorter notice.

Check pitch dimensions before booking if you have a larger motorhome (over 7 metres). Some sites have specific pitches for larger vehicles and others have length restrictions. Hardstanding is worth requesting for any visit - Lake District rainfall is substantial, and grass pitches can become soft quickly. If you are not sure what to expect from campsite facilities, our Lake District motorhome guide covers tips for making the most of your trip.

Finally, check access roads. Sites in Borrowdale, Wasdale, Buttermere, and Langdale all involve stretches of narrower road. None are impassable, but they are less comfortable in a large motorhome than the A-road approaches to Keswick or Windermere. Know your vehicle's width and plan your approach accordingly. Our packing checklist is worth reviewing before any Lake District camping trip, and plan your route carefully to allow extra time on narrower roads.