Lakes campsite recommandations for July

Major Dan
Major Dan Posts: 53
edited February 2009 in MTB general
I'm currently organising a Summer (early July) Mountain biking bash for a snowboarding forum I'm on in the Lake District.

Not knowing the area that well, I wondered if anyone has any recommendations of sites for a mixed group of around 12 people. We were thinking of some kind of Rally field that we could all get together rather than being very spread out.

Any we should consider, and maybe any we should most definitely avoid?

M

Comments

  • Dr S
    Dr S Posts: 146
    The National Trust campsite at Langdale is lovely, few miles from Ambleside (lots of routes from here ask for advice in Biketreks), good food at the Old Dungeon Ghyll bar (200yds off)

    Enjoy.
    Kona Kula Supreme, the hardtail
    Scott Spark 20 the softtail
    Cannondale CAAD9 the roadie
  • grumsta
    grumsta Posts: 994
    Wasdale NT campsite is lovely - not ridden round there though.
  • grantway
    grantway Posts: 1,430
    Stayed at Grizdale ONCE
    To be honest It was summer and it was that cold they was thinking of
    shutting the site down.

    Was very happy to leave it all there go in a B&B and come back for the tent
    at the end of the stay.

    To be honest better off in a B&B or sleep in a van than under canvas
    be safe rather than sorry
  • bungalistic
    bungalistic Posts: 543
    Whereabouts do you want to be in The Lakes, Ambleside, Keswick, Penrith?
    Take a look on this site: http://www.explorelakedistrict.co.uk for some campsites in all of the cumbria area.
    I've stayed on one in the Borrowdale valley, nr Keswick which is a nice big flat field, next to a river and a real good swimming hole.
  • BoardinBob
    BoardinBob Posts: 697
    This the Dark Snow bash :wink:
  • Major Dan
    Major Dan Posts: 53
    Indeed it is Bob ;)
  • v23
    v23 Posts: 217
    The thing is with Lake District campsites is that they're often not very receptive to large groups, chances are you won't get onto most of the larger, well serviced sites. You won't be able to book the National Trust ones either, they operate on a first come first served basis, so it might be worth having a ring around some of the smaller ones. A very nice 'wild camp feel' site is at Grange in Borrowdale, 15 min drive to Whinlatter/Keswick/Skiddaw. About 45mins to Grizedale. No pubs though.

    At the very end of Borrowdale at Stonethwaite there's a really nice even wilder feeling campsite near a really nice pub. It's a bit further to the trail centres but there's some good riding to be had on local bridleways and the pub's within staggering distance. Within a half hours walk there's also Black Moss Pot, great for swimming and jumping off the 5m cliff into deep clear water.

    There's also a nice site on the East side of Ullswater, good for Helvelyn and High Street.

    It depends what you want to get done.
  • chrisps
    chrisps Posts: 60
    I would second the Stonethwaite site as being nice if you like camping for the enjoyment of camping (really nice views and location). However, the facilities are dreadful; you will probably catch something if you venture into the toilet block! (Or at least they were when I was there a year or so ago
  • v23
    v23 Posts: 217
    They had a new improved toilet block built last summer.
  • Major Dan
    Major Dan Posts: 53
    Thanks guys, that's a great help.
    We're also planning on getting married whilst there and Ullswater is looking favourite at the moment.
    Does anyone have any experience of Waterside Farm?
    http://www.watersidefarm-campsite.co.uk/index.html

    I've read a few reviews that range from Awesome location to, would never go back because of the loud music coming from numerous tents at 2am!!!
  • RideTheLakes
    RideTheLakes Posts: 209
    You could stay at a youth hostel. I can recommend the Hawkshead one, food ain't too shabbyand close to grerat trails.
    Lake District Mountain Biking
  • v23
    v23 Posts: 217
    Major Dan wrote:
    Thanks guys, that's a great help.
    We're also planning on getting married whilst there and Ullswater is looking favourite at the moment.
    Does anyone have any experience of Waterside Farm?
    http://www.watersidefarm-campsite.co.uk/index.html

    I've read a few reviews that range from Awesome location to, would never go back because of the loud music coming from numerous tents at 2am!!!

    That's the one I mentioned on the Eastern side of Ullswater. It's very nice.
  • v23
    v23 Posts: 217
    Major Dan wrote:
    Thanks guys, that's a great help.
    We're also planning on getting married whilst there and Ullswater is looking favourite at the moment.
    Does anyone have any experience of Waterside Farm?
    http://www.watersidefarm-campsite.co.uk/index.html

    I've read a few reviews that range from Awesome location to, would never go back because of the loud music coming from numerous tents at 2am!!!

    That's the one I mentioned on the Eastern side of Ullswater. It's very nice.
  • v23
    v23 Posts: 217
    Major Dan wrote:
    Thanks guys, that's a great help.
    We're also planning on getting married whilst there and Ullswater is looking favourite at the moment.
    Does anyone have any experience of Waterside Farm?
    http://www.watersidefarm-campsite.co.uk/index.html

    I've read a few reviews that range from Awesome location to, would never go back because of the loud music coming from numerous tents at 2am!!!

    That's the one I mentioned on the Eastern side of Ullswater. It's very nice.
  • Major Dan
    Major Dan Posts: 53
    I'm glad you've made that VERY clear! :D

    Thanks,
    I'll be ringing them next week.
  • lawson_m20
    lawson_m20 Posts: 97
    Have a look at: http://www.ukcampsites.co.uk/

    I've always found that the reviews are honest and pretty accurate.

    Cheers

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