camping- lake District

[ailsasyl]

Hi all
As we have the camping gear, borrowed tent from sister, happybunny and myself are thinking we may head to the lake district for a short holiday possible 4 nights more if money allows, anyone with advice on a friendly campsite and good things to do in the lakes would br great.
We are not sporty, although HB wold like to canoe again she did this on a school trip several years ago and really enjoyed it, love history, local crafts and good food, we are on a tight budget so things that cost little would be a hugh help. HB almost 15 but is easy to please, no cinema Xbox etc required lol

[FROSTYFRECKLE]

Love the area around Pooley Bridge but don't know any campsites - sorry. There's a grape from the Lakes - something hill - again sorry can't remember the full username

[its hilly]

That'll likely be me Frosty.
But camping is not one I know much about. I will say most small caravan sites and many self catering FARM hols do seem to have campsites attatched, judging from driving past. Sadly cost little and Lakes dont seem to go together that well in some ways. But there are excellent beaches, scenery, and fell walking with stone circles here and there on the south west coast, and you are only an hours drive from places like Ambleside, Winderemere etc. Theres also Lal Ratty at Ravenglass (mini steam railway, lovely scenery) and Muncaster castle nearby, with its Owl Sanctuary and flights.
Frosty I agree Penrith/Pooley bridge area is lovely (I'm in the process of moving to Dacre, just next to Pooley)and I think Waterfoot farm has a small camping area on their site, and close to the motorway...so you could get up to Carlisle, which I believe is at one end of Hadriens wall, the wall itself, and also easy reach of Keswick, Kendal, etc. If you have a good clutch and brakes (and nerves) then a trip over Wrynose or Hardknot pass is essential. And a trip on one of the lakes steamers (if you google it, its start at the bottom is lakeside, but you can go right up with stop-offs) is great too. If you're near Kendal, look up Sizergh tea rooms, they have a gallery onto the farm milking parlour, sounds wierd but fun..not cheap but delicious deli attached with lovely local produce. And theres a castle too.
TBH there are lovely stately homes and castles all over the place here, and each area has its own specialities. Avoid the centre apart from a day trip to see it (pretty but but tourist trap) and you will find little museums, crafts from potters to drystone wallers, and everywhere you turn the most lovey scenery from wild and bleak to lush and forested, or open sandy coast (on the west side)
Nicos is another Grape who knows much of the Lakes and Bilbo Baggins I recall.

[Snadger]

I used to like a little campsite at Brothers Water..............probably not there anymore!

[FROSTYFRECKLE]

It's hilly, yes it's you I was thinking of

[Nessa]

There's a campsite at Birchbank (Birchbank.co.uk) that's really nice. A bit of a trek to get to it and a bit basic but quite cheap. We stayed there in 2008 and had a great time. We go to the Lakes most years for a holiday, if it's just us we'll camp. So we know lots of campsites.

If you like history, there are loads of ruins around, just look on the English Heritage website. I think we've been to them all! at least twice!!!

Have a fantastic holiday. x