Glamping in the Lake District is one of life’s greatest pleasures. You get to enjoy the great outdoors, live a rural lifestyle and explore what we reckon is the most beautiful national park in the UK, without having to give up the comforts of home. Luxury Lake District Glamping is all about coming back to somewhere warm and dry, with all the mod cons and a few little extras thrown in for good measure. Some glamping pods, cabins and tents even come with their own private hot tubs, with spectacular views of the fells that will mean you won’t want to ever get out. We’ve rounded up some of the best places to go glamping in the Lake District that offer rather unique accommodation experiences.
Why Lake District Glamping?
We’ve all been there, huddled in a tiny porch, watching the water slowly seep its way through the stitching, wondering ‘whose bright idea’ it had been to go camping in the Lake District. An area that is synonymous with, well, water, and not just the stuff found in lakes.
Having made the effort to get here, after hours contending with traffic jams and train delays, you’re determined to go out and enjoy yourself, regardless of the weather. But at the back of your mind you’re already stressing about not being able to dry out your kit at the end of the day, and not relishing having to put on those cold, damp waterproofs again the next morning.
Despite its deserved weather reputation, for years the Lake District has been luring visitors with the promise of adventure and escapism. More recently, Lake District glamping has really taken off, beckoning those who like the idea of outdoor adventures, but don’t want to camp, and still feel they’re a little bit too hardy to succumb to the comforts of a hotel. Whether it’s yurts, shepherds huts or glamping pods in the Lake District with hot tubs, there’s something to suit everyone.
To save you the hassle, we’ve scoured the Lake District national park to bring you a local’s list of the best places to go glamping in the Lake District.
Best places to go glamping in the Lake District
Grasmere Glamping Pods
Where: Grasmere, Central Lakes
What: Wooden luxury micro lodge pods
WOW Factor: Log burning stove, underfloor heating and glorious mountain views across the vale
When: Open all year round
Want to know more: Grasmere Glamping is based at Broadrayne Farm, nestled in the glorious Vale of Grasmere, just north of the Grasmere village boundary. With classic walks and the famous Grasmere Gingerbread on the doorstep, this Lake District glamping site is ideally located not only for the outdoor enthusiast, but for couples looking for a romantic retreat. Each pod is kitted out with everything you need to be self-sufficient, but you could always treat yourself to a meal out at the pub 400 yards away. Pods are equipped for two adults sharing a double bed and are not suitable for children. Pets are not allowed in the pods.
Drybeck Farm Glamping
Where: Armathwaite, Eden Valley
What: Wood cabins, Yurts, and Gypsy caravans
WOW Factor: Log burning stoves, wood fired hot tubs, views across and access direct to the River Eden
When: Open all year round
Want to Know More: Drybeck Farm is tucked away on the edge of Lake District in the Eden Valley, just outside Armathwaite village. Its location provides good access not only to the Lakes, but also to the neighbouring Pennine Fells. For those who don’t drive or want to leave the car behind, Armathwaite has a train station (on the famous Carlisle to Settle line), and by prior arrangement Drybeck Farm will come and collect you from the station by horse and carriage! What a way to start to your Lake District glamping holiday. The Yurts can sleep four, the gypsy caravans two and Drybeck’s take on the classic Lake District Camping Pod – the ‘Quirky Cabin’ – can also sleep four. Each accommodation has its own private cookhouse and there are eco-friendly compost toilets and showers with eco-friendly shower gel, shampoo and conditioner provided.
The Quiet Site
Where: Ullswater, north-eastern Lake District
What: Bell tents, Camping pods, Hobbit Holes
WOW Factor: Come on, you can stay in a hobbit hole!
When: Open all year
Read More: How to go Wild Camping in the Lake District
Want to Know More: If you want to go glamping in the heart of the Lake District, then the Quiet Site has to be a contender. Don’t let the ease of access fool you (it’s only 15 minutes from the M6), you’ll find yourself surrounded by some of the national park’s most beautiful views and iconic mountains. Indeed Ullswater is our favourite lake (or should we say ‘body of water’ as there’s only one real ‘lake’ in the Lake District). Treat the bell tents, camping pods and hobbit holes as more of a den than a romantic getaway, ideal for those who just want to be out exploring. You’ll be provided with shelter, warmth and electricity, but you’ll need to bring the rest.
Long Valley Yurts
Where: Great Langdale, Moss Howe Farm, Sykeside, or Low Wary – take your pick!
What: 18ft Yurts
WOW Factor: Where to begin, it could be the well-equipped Yurts themselves, it could be the log burning stove, it could be the glorious locations, or it could be the hot tubs available at the Moss Howe Farm site, hmm.
When: Open March to October
Want to Know More: The Long Valley Yurts are a comfy and welcoming retreat from the adventures of the day. With futon style beds, central skylights and a wood burning stove to keep the chill off, there is no mistaking that this is glamping in the Lake District rather than camping. The yurts come with a complimentary basket of seasoned hard wood (for the stove), a camping style twin ring gas hob (at no additional charge) and freshly laundered linen for the beds (including pillows and duvets) – so no need to be squeezing the sleeping bags into the car. Just be aware that if you’re looking to go glamping with hot tubs in the Lake District, they’re only available at certain sites, so choose wisely!
Lakes Yurts
Who: Lakes Yurts
What: Luxurious 16ft yurts in the Lake District
Where: Good question. Currently found in Seathwaite in the glorious Borrowdale valley, at time of writing the company are in the process of moving their yurts to a new site yet to be announced.
WOW Factor: Seathwaite alone is stunning and enough “wow” for anyone. These locally handcrafted coppiced hazel wood yurts are equipped with everything you’d need for glamping in the Lakes including log burning stove, little kitchen area, sofa bed and goose down duvets.
When: Currently Open from around Easter to October
Want to know more: Three yurts are listed at Lakes Yurts, each capable of sleeping up to five (with the fifth being on a camping mattress). With sofa beds, games chest and log burning stove, you’ll easily forget that you are ‘under canvas’. You can’t really ask for a better location, right on the doorstep of Scafell and many other iconic peaks, yet with Keswick only a 20 minute drive away.
Read More: Luxury Glamping in Safari Tents in Cornwall
Kentmere Farm Pods
Where: Browfoot Farm in the Kentmere Valley, Staveley
What: Two Luxury Lake District Glamping Pods
WOW Factor: the location! We used to live minutes down the road from Kentmere Valley and it’s a gloriously spectacular area where we’d often escape to. Peaceful, beautiful and so many adventures on the doorstop with iconic peaks, great walks, the “Three Rivers” mountain bike trail or wild swimming in Kentmere. If you want to escape the ‘rat race’ and lose yourself in nature with very few other people around, you can’t go far wrong with some of the best glamping pods in the Lake District.
When: Pretty much all year round
Want to know more: With the Kentmere Farm Pods only being delivered December 2018 this is very much a new and exciting venture for Browfoot Farm, a working farm in the Kentmere Valley of some 500 acres. The farm is part of the Natural England ‘Higher Level Stewardship’ scheme to deliver responsible environmental farming for the animals and land, and the River Kent is a Site of Special Scientific interest. The Lake District glamping pods are in their own field, and friendly dogs are permitted, but understandably, are requested to be kept under control around livestock. Each pod has free parking for one vehicle, BBQ with outdoor seating, picnic bench, fridge, microwave, toaster, kettle and under floor heating. Lake District Glamping doesn’t get much more luxurious than that!
The Herdwick Huts
Where: Nestled in the grounds of Rydal Hall, Rydal, Central Lakes
What: Shepherd Huts
WOW Factor: Set exclusively in the grounds of Rydal Hall next to woodland and a short walk from a Grotto waterfall viewing point.
When: All year
Want to know more: Five shepherds huts share the site, but are about 20 metres apart, so you still get privacy if you want it. All the Herdwick Huts have the same facilities, four of the five are ‘dog friendly’ and it’s just the views that are different. In addition to a log burning stove which keeps the huts cosy all year round, each hut has kitchen utensils and a cast iron gas hob for basic cooking and boiling the kettle. There is a shared compostable toilet and a modern toilet and shower block just a 3-minute walk away. For those who want to enjoy being outside, each hut has an outside brazier and bench.
Wanderlusts Gypsy Caravans
Where: Eden Valley
What: Traditional horse drawn gypsy bow top caravan
WOW Factor: Want a gentle, care-free, completely “off-grid” break? This has to be it! Travel around the quiet country lanes of Cumbria to a different campsite courtesy of a four-legged friend! Cook your meals over an open fire before retiring to a traditional Gypsy bow top caravan. A very unique glamping experience.
When: At time of writing, provisionally March to September
Want to know more: Wanderlusts Gypsy Caravans are a return to more traditional method of travel. A gentle pace along country lanes, with your accommodation in tow. Don’t worry, you’ll not be left to your fate. You meet up with the owners to leave your car and load up the caravan (but not with too much, think of the horse that has to pull it all!). They then lead you around the lanes to your chosen Lake District campsite, or after some instruction, allow you take the reins, but don’t worry, help will not be too far away if needed. They’ll help you set up camp, show you how to care for the horse before leaving you for the evening, returning in the morning to continue your adventure. The caravan has a double bed with bedding and basic utensils to cook over an open fire. Perhaps the most unusual Lake District glamping holiday ever!
Netherby Estate
Where: Near St Andrew, Kirkandrews-on-Esk, Carlisle
What: Treehouse
WOW Factor: This is not some back garden project for the kids, this tree house comes with a welcome hamper, wood burner, comfy snug, modern kitchen balcony and if there were not enough, a hot tub!
When: All year
Want to know more: Ok, so we know this is not strictly in the Lake District, but this is still a stunning setting with views out across to the Scottish borders, and in the ‘grand scheme of things’ the Lakes are just on the doorstep! The Netherby Estate Treehouse can accommodate up to four people with one double bed and to singles up on the mezzanine level. You can use the treehouse as an exploration base, or just walk the trails of the estates woodland that is teeming with wildlife. If you’re want to go glamping with hot tubs in the Lake District, and want to stay somewhere really unusual, then this is it!
Have you got any more Lake District Glamping sites to add to the list?
