Kestrel Lodge Campsite is a small, family and dog friendly site set in a peaceful corner of the Lake District above Bassenthwaite Lake, 15 minutes from Keswick. Enjoy a peaceful stay with spacious grass pitches, and two hardstanding pitches all with fire pits included. Ideal for keen walkers with the Cumbrian Way passing past the site and set just below Skiddaw. A 20 minute walk to a pub and a 15 minute drive to Cockermouth and Keswick!

Small campsite in the Northern Fells, between Skiddaw and Bassenthwaite Lake, near Keswick

Peaceful spot in the Lake District, ideal for adventurers with the Cumbrian Way on your doorstep!

Quiet dog friendly site, a 20 minute walk from the local pub with communal and private fire pits

About Kestrel Lodge Campsite

Enjoy an outdoor adventure to the Lake District at this quiet spot nestled in the Northern Fells. Set amidst countryside at the foot of Skiddaw you'll feel miles away from civilization, yet just be a 15 minute drive from Keswick or Cockermouth. The site offers just 30 grass pitches, some with electric hook up and all with fire pits available. Each pitch is allocated one car parking space in the parking area and guests can unload and load up their cars from the gravel road so no need to travel too far with your kit! There are also two pitches suitable for small campervans, these are on hardstanding and have an electric hook up included, with beautiful views down to the lake. There is a covered communal area with picnic benches and a communal fire pit for nights around the campfire meeting your fellow campers. An ideal base for any outdoors adventurer, pack your hiking gear, kayak, paddleboard or whatever equipment you need! There are so many wainwrights you can tick off from the site, and in just a short drive to Keswick you're in an ideal spot to explore the Northern Fells. The Cumbrian Way also passes the site's doorstep so there are some great, scenic walks direct from the site, or if you are searching for something more challenging why not attempt Skiddaw? There are also goalposts and a rope swing onsite to keep little ones entertained as well as an insect hotel and woodland with fairy doors! Fire pits are available, dug into the ground and available with your pitch, the site offers these free of charge but asks that you purchase the wood from reception only. These come on a first come first serve basis Dogs are welcome to join you and are included in the price of your booking. The site asks that they be kept on a lead at all times but there is even an enclosed area to exercise them.

Camping pitches are available from March until November, Campervan pitches are available from March until early January.


Facilities and amenities

There is a toilet/shower block with hot showers and coin operated hair dryers. There are also covered area for washing up. A communal covered area in the camping field with picnic benches to cook under if needed. You can also enjoy meeting other campers at the communal fire pit.

The campsite reception is stocked with the basics, here there is an honesty shop that stocks eggs from the free range hens onsite, marshmallows and firewood. There is a secure fenced area for dog walking and an area for children to play games. There is also ice pack freezing facilities as well as a washing machine.

There are a range of shops in Keswick or Cockermouth, a 15-20 minute drive from the site. For meals out, there is the Sun Inn for traditional ales and comfort food, just a 20 minute walk from the site.

adult-only icon

Adult only

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Allow commercial vans

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Allow pets

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Bike hire

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Café / restaurant

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Communal BBQ

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Disabled facilities

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Drinking water

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Electric hookups

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Entertainment

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Family friendly

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Fires allowed

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Fishing

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Games room

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Glamping

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Golf

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Horse riding

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Hot tub

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Internet access

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Kids club

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Kids playground

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Laundry

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Near beach

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Near pub

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Open year round

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Peaceful

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RV pitches

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Shop

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Showers

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Swimming pool

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Toilets

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TV room

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Vineyard

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Water hookups

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Watersports

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W.C. disposal


Map and address

Park address

Kestrel Lodge Campsite,

Kestrel Lodge, Bassenthwaite, Keswick, Cumbria & Lake District, CA12 4QX

Coordinates

54.6844, -3.1738 | NY 24 32

View on Google Maps

Kestrel Lodge Campsite is ideal for...

Couples

Duke of Edinburgh Award

Older children (13+)

Peace and quiet

Young children


There are 30 accommodation options on-site

Bookable pitches and accommodation options

23 x Non Electric Grass Tent Pitches

Max 6 people

Grass pitches for one tent (non electric). One car included per booking, please note cars are not parked with tents. Fire pit provided free of charge, please only use campsites fire pits and only use the wood purchased from reception.

Electric grass pitches

5 x Electric Grass Tent Pitches

Max 6 people

Grass pitches, with a 13 amp electric hook up included. One car included per booking, please note cars are not parked with tents. Fire pit provided free of charge, please only use campsite fire pits and wood purchased from reception.

2 x Electric Hardstanding Campervan/Roof Tent Pitches

Max 5 people

Hardstanding pitches suitable for a small campervan or a car with a roof tent with a 13 amp electric hook up. Max unit length 5.5m. A fire pit is provided but please only use wood purchased from the campsite reception.


Kestrel Lodge Campsite reviews

4.82 /5

34 reviews

97%

would recommend

Overall
4.82
Location
4.79
Value for money
4.91
Service
4.85
Facilities
4.68
Cleanliness
4.85

"Feel so happy and refreshed after our lovely stay at this quiet campsite"

Nicola C - Jul 2024

"Awesome campsite. Views are amazing from every angle"

Dan Y - Jun 2024


2 nights camping

Rob F

0

1

Small Tent - Non Electric Grass Tent PitchesOct 2024

It was in a great location and very quiet. But, the owner made no effort to welcome or contact us. We rang her phone number as it said to do, but no answer. Was never checked on to so see if we were alright and to show us where anything was. Also, there was a shelter for rainy days, but this was in such poor condition, it was so leaky with water, it was hardly worth it.

Site's response

Hi Rob, I am so sorry you felt like this. I sent you a text explaining where everything was and to make yourself at home when you arrive. I also sent an email with a map of the site and an email explaining that due to a family emergency, I won't be around but to contact me if you needed anything and the neighbours were available to help if needed. Admittedly looking into it I can now see that final email failed to send, so I can only apologise you never got this explanation, however I did not get a phone call or reply from you, so I assumed everything was ok. I agree about the shelter it is in need of some repair, we bought the site only a few months ago and it is one of our first winter jobs to do so I can only apologise it wasn't fixed for your arrival. I hope this hasn't put you off staying with us again, where you will certainly get a warm welcome when I've not had to rush off for a family emergency. Best wishes, Cassy

Fantastic

Michael M

0

0

Small Tent - Non Electric Grass Tent PitchesSep 2024

Fantastic little site in an ideal location for access to the hills and Keswick. Local pub is excellent too.

Weekend stay

Louise T

0

0

Small Tent - Non Electric Grass Tent PitchesSep 2024

A nice, fairly quiet campsite. We had a party of cyclists arrive on our second night who were a bit noisy. My grumbles are that I didn't realise that cars would be parked away from our pitch. It wasn't a massive walk, it just would have been more convenient to have it closer for storage. I've given 4 stars for cleanliness as I felt the toilets and showers could have been better, signs of mildew and lots of cobwebs. Good points were that we were warmly welcomed and a well stocked honesty shop. Fire pits were a lovely touch as was the covered area with picnic tables. Local pub is recommended but book early as it's very popular. I would stay at the site again, very handy for Keswick and Northern Lake District.

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FAQ

Check-in is available from 1pm until 7pm. Please let the site know if you're delayed. Check out is due before 11am on your final day.

Your canine companions are more than welcome here with up to three dogs allowed per booking. There is even an enclosed area for you to exercise them in. Please note, the site asks that dogs are supervised and kept on their lead at all time. Breeds and crossbreeds listed in the Dangerous Dogs Act are not permitted.

Yes, fire pits are available free of charge for guests to enjoy, however this is on a first come first serve basis and the site asks that you purchase wood from reception only. For those after al fresco dining, BBQs are allowed but please ensure they are raised off the ground.

Yes, the campsite reception stocks all the basics and there is an honesty shop which stocks fresh eggs from the hens onsite as well as marshmallows and firewood!


The Cumbrian Way offers miles of scenic trails and passes right by the site with walks varying in ability. Or, if you're feeling adventurous and have packed your hiking gear, then head up Skiddaw. It's an epic walk so you deserve a hearty meal at the end at the nearby pub! If it's Wainwrights your interested in, then why not stay here to explore all the Northern Fells.

For a touch of shopping, Keswick is only a 15 minute drive away, where there is a range of shops and restaurants for a day of pottering around the traditional villages or investing in some more outdoor kit!

Other nearby attractions:

  • Lake District Wildlife Park (10 minutes)
  • Lakes Distillery (10 minutes)
  • Derwentwater (20 minutes)
  • Aira Force Waterfall (35 minutes)
  • Buttermere (40 minutes)
  • Honister Slate Mine (40 minutes)
  • Lake Windermere (1 hour)
The listing for Kestrel Lodge Campsite was last updated on October 31st, 2024 at 4:14 PM

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