Camping in Ambleside

What's on offer for camping around Ambleside

There are 8 campsites published on BritStays in this part of Cumbria. All of them are listed as camping rather than cabins or caravans, so you'll be choosing between pitches rather than between types of accommodation. The places with the most listings are Ambleside itself (3), Hawkshead (2), and one each in Patterdale, Ulverston and Rydal.

The facility data shows what you can and can't count on. EV Charging Nearby is the most common feature, listed for 5 of the 8 sites. Toilets, Pet Friendly and Near a Bus Stop each appear 3 times. Bar, WiFi and Parking each appear twice, and only one site lists a Restaurant. Some listings will simply be incomplete. Even so, don't assume every pitch has WiFi or on-site food. Check the individual listing, and contact the site if something matters to you.

Choosing the right area for your trip

The data here doesn't flag any coastal sites, so this is a countryside camping trip. The real choice is between a base in or near a village and somewhere a little further out.

• Ambleside: Three options. Low Wray campsite lists Disabled Access and Parking. Keen Ground Farm lists Toilets, Pet Friendly and Near a Bus Stop. Tarn Foot Farm Campsite has no facilities listed, so ask before you book.
• Hawkshead: Both YHA Hawkshead camp site and Hawkshead Hall Camping & Caravan Site list EV Charging Nearby, which is handy if you're arriving by electric car.
• Rydal: Rydal Hall Campsite lists Near a Bus Stop and EV Charging Nearby, so it suits you whether or not you drive.
• Patterdale: Sykeside Camping Site stands out for food and drink, with a Bar, Restaurant and Takeaway Food listed.
• Ulverston: Grizedale Camp Site lists a Bar, Toilets and Pet Friendly.

Families, couples and dog owners

Families: Sykeside Camping Site is a sensible pick. Having a restaurant and takeaway on site means you don't have to cook every night after a long day out. If anyone in your group needs step-free access, Low Wray campsite is the only site here that lists Disabled Access. It also lists Parking, which makes unloading a car full of kit much easier.

Couples: If you'd like a drink close to your tent at the end of the day, look at the two sites with a Bar: Sykeside Camping Site and Grizedale Camp Site.

Dog owners: Three sites are listed as Pet Friendly. Keen Ground Farm and Grizedale Camp Site are two of them. Policies vary, so check the following before you book:

• whether there's a limit on the number of dogs
• whether there's an extra charge
• any rules about leads on site

Getting around without a car

Three sites are listed as Near a Bus Stop, including Rydal Hall Campsite and Keen Ground Farm. If you'd rather leave the car at home, or not move it once you've pitched, start your search with these. Bus timetables can be limited in rural areas, so check them before you travel rather than when you arrive.

Things to do once you're pitched

Several landmarks are listed for this area:

• Wray Castle is a heritage site, good for a half-day out.
• Bridge House and Tabitha Twitchit's Bookshop are both National Trust properties and make easy, low-effort outings.

Other nearby attractions include:

• The Lakes Aqua Park in the Lake District, a likely hit with older children.
• Eskdale Mill, also in the Lake District.
• Keswick Museum & Art Gallery, West Cumberland Railway Museum and Knox Wood Wildlife Centre, all listed under Keswick and worth grouping into one day.
• The Laurel and Hardy Museum and Judges' Lodgings Museum, listed under Morecambe.
• Killhope Lead Mining Museum, listed under County Durham.

Check travel times for the Morecambe and County Durham attractions before you commit. They may make for a long day out from a tent.

When to book, and what to check first

With only 8 campsites listed, choice is limited. The sites with particular features fill up first. There's just one with a restaurant, one with disabled access, and three that accept pets. If you need any of these, book as early as you can, especially for school holidays and bank holiday weekends. You'll have more flexibility midweek and outside peak holiday periods.

Before you pay, confirm:

• whether toilets and showers are on site
• whether you can park next to your pitch
• whether the site accepts dogs
• whether there's any phone signal or WiFi

Pack for changeable weather whatever the month. Bring a backup plan for wet days, such as one of the museums above.