Holiday Parks in Cumbria

BritStays currently lists 13 holiday parks across Cumbria. They range from caravan parks near the coast to lodge retreats, a glamping farm and one large forest resort. Most sleep around six people, so they suit families and small groups best. Couples and larger parties have fewer options and should start looking earlier.

Coast or countryside: where the parks are

Several of the 13 parks sit on the coast in the north west of the county. Silloth has the most, with Solway Holiday Village and Stanwix Park (both sleep 8). Close by in Beckfoot is Rowanbank Caravan Park (sleeps 6). Further down the same stretch are Lyons Manor House in Maryport and Lillyhall Lodge Retreat in Workington. This part of Cumbria works well if you want a seaside holiday rather than one built around the fells.

If you want hills and lakes, look further inland:

• Herdwick Croft at Bassenthwaite, near Keswick, puts you close to the northern Lakes. It sleeps 6 and has a hot tub, WiFi and parking.
• Lowside Farm Glamping in Troutbeck sleeps 12 and is near a bus stop. That's useful if you'd rather leave the car parked.
• Augill Beck Holiday Park in Kirkby Stephen is a quieter choice in the east of the county. It has WiFi, parking and EV charging nearby.
• Eden Lodge Retreat in Crosby-on-Eden and Blaithwaite Country House Estate near Wigton offer the countryside of the north.

In the south, Fell End in Milnthorpe and Hall More in Hale both have EV charging nearby. Center Parcs Whinfell Forest is listed under Kendal.

Families, couples, groups and dog owners

Families have the widest choice, because most parks here sleep 6. Choose Center Parcs Whinfell Forest if you want everything on site. It is the only park in this set with a swimming pool and gym, and it also has a hot tub.

For couples, Hall More stands out because it sleeps 4. Every other park with a listed capacity sleeps 6 or more. A hot tub makes a difference on a couples' break, and Herdwick Croft is the only lodge-style option here that lists one.

For larger groups, Lowside Farm Glamping is the biggest at 12. Solway Holiday Village and Stanwix Park both sleep 8.

If you're bringing a dog, our facility data doesn't currently say which of these parks welcome pets. Check each listing carefully and confirm with the park before you book.

What the facilities tell you

The facility figures are worth reading closely:

• EV charging nearby: 8 of the 13 parks list this, so electric car drivers are well served.
• WiFi: only 3 parks list it. If you need to work or stream, don't assume it's there.
• Parking: only 3 parks list it, so check the arrangements before you arrive.
• Hot tub: listed at 2 parks.
• Pool, gym and spa: each listed at just 1 park.

In short, most Cumbrian holiday parks here are simple bases for exploring. They aren't full-service resorts.

Things to do once you're there

The lakes are the main draw. Derwentwater is the obvious one if you're staying around Keswick, and Ullswater and Lake Windermere are both worth a day. Families can try The Lakes Aqua Park for time on the water.

In and around Keswick, Keswick Museum & Art Gallery and Knox Wood Wildlife Centre make good rainy-day options. Eskdale Mill and the West Cumberland Railway Museum are worth considering too.

If you like National Trust properties, Hill Top and Townend are both listed. Wray Castle and Levens Hall cover castles and stately homes. If you're in the far north of the county, some visitors also make the trip over the border to Gretna Green.

When to book, and what to check

Some kinds of stay are scarce here, so book these early:

• Groups of eight or more: there are only three suitable parks. Book well ahead, especially for school holidays and bank holiday weekends.
• Couples: Hall More is the only park sized for two to four, so book early if it's the one you want.
• Hot tubs: only two parks have one, so plan ahead if it matters to you.

If your dates are flexible, you'll have more choice outside the busiest family weeks.

Before you pay, check these points on the listing or with the park:

• WiFi and parking, since few parks list them
• Whether dogs are allowed
• How you'll get around, as only two parks list being near a bus stop