Introduction
The Lake District is England's national park, and it's the reason van lifers come from all over the country. With 12 major lakes, 21 fells over 2,000ft, a UNESCO World Heritage status, and a literary heritage that stretches back centuries, the Lake District is the beating heart of UK outdoor culture. For van lifers, it's the ultimate playground — mountains to climb, lakes to sail, villages to explore, and countless single-track lanes to get lost in.
But the Lake District has changed. Visit, NPFM (New Planning For Our Mountains) brought new housing policies, public transport has improved, and the landscape is busier than ever. The key is knowing where to go to find the wilder edges.
- Wild camping — Best spots, where to ask permission
- Campsites — From basic hilltop to lakeside parks
- Scenic routes — The A591, B5289, and forgotten lanes
- Fells — Best hikes for every level
- Lakes — Sailing, swimming, wild swimming
- Villages — From Ambleside to remote hamlets
- Budget tips — Avoiding the Lake District price premium
“The Lake District isn't just beautiful — it's transformative. There's a reason Wordsworth, Beatrix Potter, and Ruskin all came here. The light, the water, the mountains — it stays with you. This is the closest England gets to wildness.
Table of Contents
- Wild Camping in the Lake District
- Best Campsites
- Scenic Routes
- Fells & Hikes
- Lakes & Water
- Villages & Towns
- Budget Tips
- Weather
- Practical Tips
- FAQ
1. Wild Camping in the Lake District
Like Cornwall, the Lake District is permission-based. The National Park Authority actively encourages responsible wild camping, and in recent years, they've encouraged "gentleman camping" in the upland areas.
1.1 The High Fells
The highest fells offer the best wild camping. You're far from roads, there's little grazing, and the views are extraordinary.
- Helvellyn — Park at the Rothay or Thirlmere car parks, hike up, camp above the tree line.
- Skiddaw — The northern fell of the central group. Easy access, stunning views.
- Blencathra — The "Hartilade" (rider's back) is one of the best walks in the Lake District. Camping near the summit is wild and dramatic.
- Scafell Pike — England's highest. Camp above Broad Book or Pillar.
1.2 The Lakes
- Windermere — The big one. Busy, but there are wild spots away from the main tourist trail. Head to the eastern end, near Ullswater.
- Ullswater — The most accessible lake. The road along the eastern side has numerous pull-ins.
- Coniston Water — Less touristy, beautiful, and has excellent wild camping potential on the fells above.
- Derwentwater — Westmorland's crown jewel. The road from Thirlstone is stunning.
1.3 The North
- Grasmere — Famous, but the lakeside paths have hidden spots behind the main car parks.
- Aira Force — Near Grasmere, the waterfall is stunning, and there are camping spots along the river.
- The Farthings — A quiet lake in the north. Very little footfall.
1.4 The South
- Coniston — The southernmost major lake. The Brantwood peninsula is beautiful, and the fells above are perfect for wild camping.
- Blea Tarn — Small, remote, beautiful. Near Coniston.
- Irixmere — The wild south of the park. Very little traffic.
“⚠️ Wild camping rules: In the Lake District, you're generally tolerated if you're above 2,000ft, away from roads, and move on after 2-3 nights. The key is being discreet — no large tents, no BBQs, no fires.
2. Best Campsites
1. Linerthwaite Caravan & Camping Park
- Facilities: Showers, toilet, washing-up, shop
- Price: £18-28/night
- Why: Near Windermere, central location
2. Seathwaite Campsite (Near Buttermere)
- Facilities: Basic (tent, canvas, basic parking)
- Price: £15-22/night
- Why: The only major site in the heart of the fells, spectacular location
3. Thirlmere Hotel Campsite
- Facilities: Electric, shower, toilet
- Price: £16-24/night
- Why: Near Thirlmere, quiet, good for hiking
4. Waterhead Campsite (Ambleside)
- Facilities: Electric, WiFi, shop, washing-up
- Price: £22-28/night
- Why: Near Windermere, close to the station
5. Rowlands Gill Campsite (Keswick area)
- Facilities: Shower, toilet, washing-up, electric
- Price: £14-20/night
- Why: Central, good value, near Keswick
3. Scenic Routes
3.1 The A591 — Windermere to Keswick
The main spine of the Lake District. Starts in Windermere, goes through Ambleside, grasmere, and Keswick. Long, winding, beautiful. Every journey offers a different view.
3.2 The B5289 — Buttermere & Seathwaite
The road from Cockermouth to Buttermere via Seathwaite. Narrow, winding, dramatic. This is where the wild begins.
3.3 The A5092 — Coniston to Hawkshead
The "Oatlands Road" runs through the heart of the South Lakeland. Beautiful rolling hills, tiny villages, and the cutest pubs.
3.4 The B5250 — Borrowdale
The road from Keswick to Wasdale via Borrowdale. Dramatic views, narrow lanes, and some of the best hiking in the park.
4. Fells & Hikes
| Fell | Height | Difficulty | Route Length | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scafell Pike | 978m | Hard | 10-12km | England's highest, busy |
| Helvellyn | 950m | Moderate | 8-10km | Striding Edge, Swirral Edge |
| Skiddaw | 931m | Easy | 8km | Easiest of the big three |
| Blencathra | 868m | Moderate | 7km | The "Hartilade" |
| Grasmoor | 815m | Moderate | 6km | Off the beaten track |
| Bowfell | 810m | Moderate | 7km | Near Wasdale Head |
| Scafell | 810m | Easy | 4km | Quiet alternative to Scafell Pike |
| Coniston Old Man | 809m | Moderate | 6km | Best of the south |
5. Lakes & Water
5.1 Windermere
England's largest lake. 10.6 miles long. Most touristy, but the eastern end is quieter. Sailing, paddleboarding, wild swimming.
5.2 Ullswater
The most visually stunning. Long, narrow, surrounded by hills. The road along the eastern side is one of the best drives in the UK.
5.3 Coniston Water
Long, narrow, dramatic. The Old Man of Coniston sits above it. Good for kayaking, sailing, swimming.
5.4 Derwentwater
The most accessible. Westmorland's crown jewel. The isles are car-free — walk or cycle.
6. Villages & Towns
| Town | Notes |
|---|---|
| Windermere | Tourist hub, all amenities, expensive |
| Ambleside | Smaller, better than Windermere, near the Rothay |
| Keswick | North Lakes capital, outdoor gear, great pubs |
| Grasmere | Literary, tiny, beautiful lake |
| Coniston | South, quieter, good base for fells |
| Borrowdale | Remote, beautiful, great for hiking |
| Wasdale Head | The most remote village in the Lake District |
| Hawkshead | A RESTORE, beautiful, literary heritage |
7. Budget Tips
- Shop at Aldi in Windermere or Kendal — cheaper than the Lakes
- Eat in Keswick — Better value than Windermere or Ambleside
- Fuel — M6 junction 35 (Kendal) is cheaper than the Lakes
- Wild camp — Off-season is quieter and cheaper
8. Weather
| Season | Temp | Rain | Wind | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 6-12°C | Moderate | Moderate | Wildflowers, fewer crowds |
| Summer | 14-20°C | Moderate | Light | Busy, beautiful, thunderstorms |
| Autumn | 8-14°C | High | Moderate | Beautiful colours, storms |
| Winter | 2-8°C | High | Strong | Snow possible, some roads closed |
9. Practical Tips
- Mobile coverage — EE is best, O2 is poor in the north
- Roads — Narrow, winding, often single-track. Drive slowly.
- Weather — Can change rapidly. Always carry waterproofs.
- Ticks — Very common in the Lake District. Check after walks.
FAQ
Q: Is wild camping legal in the Lake District? A: Not technically, but it's tolerated above 2,000ft if you're discreet.
Q: What's the best time to visit? A: May to September for weather, shoulder seasons for fewer crowds.
Q: How expensive is the Lake District? A: Expensive. Plan your budget carefully. Wild camp where possible.
Q: What's the best fell for beginners? A: Skiddaw. Easy climb, stunning views, no scrambling required.
