Situated between Grasmere and Keswick at the foot of Helvellyn on a small sheep farm and catering for campervans and motorhomes, Thirlspot Farm Camping is a relaxed touring site with direct access to Sticks Pass. Take in the sweeping countryside views and unspoilt scenery from your grass pitch.

4.34 /5

187 reviews

86%

would recommend

Overall
4.34
Location
4.46
Value for money
4.5
Service
4.28
Facilities
4.06
Cleanliness
4.41

Great location

Marilyn G

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Sprinter-Type Campervan - Non Electric Hardstanding PitchesAug 2023

We really like this type of campsite! Good location with great walks straight from the site. Good pub next door with Wi-Fi (site is a bit of a black spot). Next to a busy road but didn't bother us and certainly didn't stop us sleeping! Can't fault it and would happily stay again.

Okay, but a little rough and ready

Janice M

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Single Axle Caravan - Electric Hardstanding PitchesAug 2023

This is a farm campsite and there are few facilities. The shower block is basic, but there is plenty of hot water. Lovely location but busy road close by. Easy to find

No surprises

John W

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Single Axle Caravan - Electric Hardstanding PitchesAug 2023

Smallish site right on the A591 between Keswick & Grasmere. The hardstandings are behind trees close to the road and there is a fair bit of traffic noise, which can be intrusive depending on time of day, but earplugs at night helped for the early morning lorries going by, but generally its not as bad as it seems, its just background noise which you become accustomed to. Bit of confusion arriving, you must go to the farmhouse before parking up as a lot of the pitches are pre booked, so the owner/farmer sometimes has to ask vans to move. Some couples parked up and went to the pub which was a ball ache for the camp owner. We were given our pitch number and code to the toilets, which was wrong 😬 but easily sorted. There is an old small building which houses the male and female toilets in separate parts. The men's has two stalls, 3 urinals , 3 small sinks and two showers, the women's 3 stalls and two showers and 4 sinks. They are very clean but quite dated and in need of some upgrading. The water was nice and hot for showers/washing etc. Could maybe do with some clothing hooks for hanging kit when washing and some shower racks in the shower so you don't have to put your toiletries on the floor. Adequate for most purposes though. There are only two washing up sinks, one outside which is cold water only and one in the vestibule of the men's shower which is extremely hot when run for a little bit. There is a foul waste trap which is obvious and easily accessible, I'm not sure about grey water disposal points? The site is on a working farm so you have to be realistic about expectations for the price. The owner is very nice and helpful but will generally leave you to enjoy your break. There is no signal for Internet as most rural campsites but there is a pub/hotel next door so you can use their Wi-Fi after getting the code and you get close enough. Right by the site are bus stops, 1 going to Keswick and one going the other way to Lancaster stopping at various point including Grasmere, it only costs £2 for any single bus journey on Lakeland buses no matter the distance and if you have an OAP bus pass its all free. If you like to walk Ordnance survey map OL5 covers most of the area including routes up Helvellyn etc. There are walks and public footpaths directly through the back of the farm, just close the gates when you go through unlike some, much to the annoyance of the farmer. All in all a good little site but no frills, you get what you pay for, basic, functional, and adequate services within a lovely area.

Overnight stay

Gillian P

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VW-Type Campervan - Electric Hardstanding PitchesAug 2023

Basic but great for a one night stay.

Very noisy

Andrew J

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Single Axle Caravan - Non Electric Hardstanding PitchesAug 2023

Very disappointing as the area is spectacular, but the site is literally off a very busy A road and feels like a lay-by. The vans & camper vans were tightly packed together and the facilities were not clearly marked and did not encourage use. One night stay would be tolerable, but we would've moved on if we hadn't already paid for our pitch. One redeeming feature was the water tap for each pitch which mean we could connect direct to water supply. Ironically, there was a sign asking for no noise after 10pm but you wouldn't know, as the cars, lorries, bikes and vans did not listen!

Lovely spot, very peaceful

Hayley W

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Motorhome - Electric Hardstanding PitchesAug 2023

Lovely spot, be aware that there is no Wi-Fi on site, however the lovely pub next door does have Wi-Fi if you need it.

Thirlspot stay for 2 nights

Kerry I

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VW-Type Campervan - Electric Hardstanding PitchesAug 2023

Adequate facilities, good location for walks & quiet. Toilets clean, hot shower, great pub & food next door.

Value for money

Gary T

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VW-Type Campervan - Electric Hardstanding PitchesAug 2023

This is a very basic site, but has all the facilities you need with a pub next door (but book for dinner). The road noise was a little inconvenient, but with the roof closed on the van, it was fine. As with all camping spots, you get what you pay for and I felt this was worth the money.

Great spot for walkers with a van

Cordelia M

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VW-Type Campervan - Non Electric Grass PitchesAug 2023

Pleasant little campsite around 6 miles from Keswick. Friendly welcome, has everything you need, including a pub with good food right next door (make sure you book!), but not much more. Perfect if you are looking for a comfortable base to stay and do some walking. The road which runs along the side of the campsite is national speed limit and straight so seems to be a favourite with speeders during the day, but OK overnight and the site itself is well. protected by a stream and mature trees. Just be careful as you leave, especially if on foot.

Our stay

Kristine S

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Sprinter-Type Campervan - Electric Hardstanding PitchesAug 2023

Great location for loads of stunning walks.

Such a lovely little farm with a lot of walks surrounding the area

Michelle M

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VW-Type Campervan - Electric Hardstanding PitchesJul 2023

My husband and I planned a trip to the lakes and didn't know what campsites to stay at. However, Thirlspot was one of which we chose due to wanting to climb Helvellyn. On arrival, the owners were very polite and helpful showing us to our pitch, they just allowed you to get on with your stay. Facilities were very clean, which is an added bonus. There is a lovely pub right next door to the site called The Kings Head Inn, which serves amazing food and the staff made you feel very welcome. I will definitely be booking to stay at this campsite again 😊

Great location

Lorna F

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Motorhome - Electric Hardstanding PitchesJul 2023

Difficult to spot the signage from the road, but once found, a quick check in at the farmhouse. Pitch relatively flat. Showers and toilets really clean. Fabulous views from pitch. No frills, basic site with clean amenities.

Lovely site in great location

Jim S

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Single Axle Caravan - Electric Hardstanding PitchesJul 2023

We had a lovely stay, very helpful site owner who had some great stories to tell and helped us out with some advice on the local area. Perfect spot to climb Helvellyn from, and striking distance to Keswick, Grasmere and Ambleside. Bus stop outside the site and a good pub with good food next door. No internet signal at the site, which didn't really bother us, although you could jump on the free Wi-Fi from the pub next door.

Thirlmere

Mollie G

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Single Axle Caravan - Electric Hardstanding PitchesJul 2023

Lovely first stay here, facilities good and clean. Pub close by was handy with the Wi-Fi as no signal on camp, but that's fine. Nice walk to Thirlmere lake and could see where the infinity pool was. However, didn't get to go in due to weather.

Basic but reasonably priced and clean

Isabella K

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VW-Type Campervan - Electric Hardstanding PitchesJul 2023

Lovely little campsite in an ideal location. The facilities are basic but clean and well kept. Perfect for dog owners as there's lovely walks all around the campsite. The pitches are very good sizes with plenty of space around. It would have been useful to have more signage up for the facilities as it took us some time to work out where the dish washing and waste emptying facilities were. Would recommend for couples and dog owners if you are looking for a reasonably priced, beautifully located and central campsite in the Lake District.

Thirlspot

Phil T

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Sprinter-Type Campervan - Electric Hardstanding PitchesJul 2023

Ticked all the boxes for our stay. A good base for hiking in the area, our choice was Helvellyn which was perfect. Infinity pools close by (30) mins walk up a fell direct from the site. Pub next door, perfect for drinks and food if needed. Bus stop across the road, every hour into Keswick. We will be back.

Great location for Helvellyn

Claire G

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VW-Type Campervan - Electric Hardstanding PitchesJun 2023

I'd definitely recommend this campsite for people wanting to climb Helvellyn as one of the paths begins right from the site! It's by a main road but we didn't find it to be noisy with traffic throughout the night. It's also nice and small so there was never any waiting round to use the facilities. I'd definitely recommend!

Great site, great location, great pub next door

Tracey B

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VW-Type Campervan - Electric Hardstanding PitchesJun 2023

Nice little site, basic facilities which were lovely and clean. Early check in after 11am and depart at 11am too. Walks straight from site up Helvellyn and Thirlmere lake. Pub next door has great food and reasonable. Would recommend site. Ideal location to explore.

As expected, great place!

Abbie P

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VW-Type Campervan - Electric Hardstanding PitchesJun 2023

On a main road but great location for convenience. Could barely hear the road once I was in my vehicle. Only 10 minute drive from Keswick, all one road so very easy. Facilities were well kept and people were very nice. Views the other side to the road were amazing as well. EHU had no problems either. Great place.

Our stay

Dan H

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VW-Type Campervan - Non Electric Grass PitchesJun 2023

Basic facilities, but great for access to mountains and waterfalls. Small and quiet, ideal for couples. Great pub next door.

Great little site

Lisa B

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VW-Type Campervan - Electric Hardstanding PitchesJun 2023

Good little site. Owner pleasant and helpful. Facilities good. Beautiful views of the mountains all around. Bus route to Keswick very handy. Site is at the side of a main road but is quiet at night so not a problem. The hotel next door is closed after 9pm as it is then for residents of the hotel only.

Excellent value

Kate M

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VW-Type Campervan - Non Electric Grass PitchesMay 2023

We really enjoyed our stay here. The owner was helpful, the parking is level, and it's not too crowded being a small site. The showers are super hot, the toilets are clean, and it's a good location for hiking Helvellyn (we drove ten miles to Glenridding, but you can hike from the campsite). Excellent value for money. The main road can be busy, but it didn't bother us and it's quiet at night. Will definitely stay again.

Great location

Tamzin G

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VW-Type Campervan - Non Electric Hardstanding PitchesMay 2023

Great little campsite and perfect for solo campers or couples wanting to explore the area.

Basic site, a great location for hiking

Sheila T

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Single Axle Caravan - Non Electric Hardstanding PitchesMay 2023

This site is very basic and cheap. Adjacent road was rather noisy, but had read about it in previous comments. Additional signage would be advantageous as turning off a main road could easily end up in the farmyard. Signage for grey water and chemical toilet would also be handy, although other campers directed me. Pub in opposite side of farm driveway very handy and serves traditional good food.

Great little site

Chris M

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Motorhome - Electric Hardstanding PitchesMay 2023

Small well equipped site, clean and tidy with an abundance of freshwater taps. Close to Keswick and handy for the general Lakes areas. Only downside was the proximity to a main road with subsequent traffic noise, but it was ok in the evening. Nice pub on the doorstep.