Guide to Wasdale Campsite

• Wasdale Campsite is popular so please do book in advance online. Please don't travel to the campsite if you don't have a booking.

• In the booking system, choose your pitch, reading the description carefully. On arrival, we'll help you choose your pitch from those available in the field as we don't allocate or reserve specific pitches. 

• Sorry, we can't accept campervans or motorhomes longer than 6.5m or caravans due to access restrictions. We can't accept roof tents/trailer tents as there's no parking on pitches.

• The maximum number of adults allowed in a group is four, whether you book together or separately. This is to help preserve the tranquility at the campsite, which isn't suited to larger gatherings. 

• If you would like to camp next to friends or family, we'll do our best to help when you arrive although we can't always guarantee adjacent pitches. If you are pitching next to friends or family, there should be no more than four adults in your combined group.

• Under-18s must be accompanied by an adult. 

• Child prces apply to children aged 5 - 17. Children aged four and under are free.

• The minimum stay is two nights, and three nights on Bank Holiday weekends.

• We offer a car free discount if you arrive on foot, by bike or by public transport. Please retain any public transport tickets to claim the discount. Ask for details at reception when you arrive.

• We welcome organised groups like Duke of Edinburgh and Scouts. Please complete the group booking form at the bottom of the page and we'll get back to you. 

• You don't have to be a member of the National Trust to camp and we are unable to offer member discounts due to the regulations we are governed by as a charity. If you'd like to be a member and support our work, please speak to the team at reception.

Arriving by car: Wasdale Head is reached from the main A595. From the south, turn right at Holmrook for Santon Bridge and follow signs up to Wasdale Head. From the north, turn left at Gosforth.

Arriving by train: There is four mile mountain walk from Irton and Dalegarth stations, on the Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway. Please note, there is a greatly reduced timetable in winter.

Currently, there's no bus service to Wasdale.

• Please check in from 2pm, for all camping and accommodation types.

• If reception is closed, please follow the instructions posted at the campsite.

• If you'll arrive late, we'll leave your welcome pack at the late arrivals point outside reception with all the information you need.

• On your day of departure, please leave your pitch or accommodation by 10am. We have limited parking space, so if you're staying in the area for the day, please move your car to the National Trust car park.

• If you'd like to extend your stay, please see the teram before 10am to see if we have space available.

• There are 100 natural tent pitches scattered informally across fields divided by trees and hedges. 
• The maximum number of adults allowed in any party is four. This applies whether you book together or separately, and is to help preserve the tranquility of the campsite. 
• Please book your pitch online in advance. Please don't travel to the campsite without a reservation.

• In the booking system, read the pitch descriptions carefully to choose one that's the right size for your tent. Pitches aren't pre-allocated so we'll direct you to a suitable spot when you arrive. Tent sizes are as follows:

  • Small - up to three people (3m x 3m max)
  • ​Medium – up to five people (6m x 5m max)
  • Large - up to 8 people (8m x 8m max)
• Some tent pitches have electric hook-up. If you've booked a tent pitch with electric hoock-up, you'll need to bring the correct electrical cable with a three-pin connector.
• You may be able to add a gazebo, mess tent or tarp depending on your camping pitch size. Additional charges will apply for structures that take up additional space. Please speak to a member of the team when you arrive.
• Please pitch at least 6m from fellow campers. 
• Cars are parked away from the camping fields at Wasdale, but parking is close enough so you can easily transport your gear to your pitch. Feel free to borrow one of the wheelbarrows by the shop. 
• Please bring a torch as it's very dark at Wasdale. 

• Please book your pitch online in advance. Please don't travel to the campsite without a reservation.
• The maximum number of adults allowed in any party is four. This applies whether you book together or separately, and is to help preserve the tranquility of the campsite. 
• The route to Wasdale is very narrow, single track in places with a narrow bridge. This means we can't accept campervans and motorhomes over 6.5m in length.
• The pitches are hardstanding with electric hook-up at the edge of the campsite, next to the National Trust car park. Most pitches are under a canopy of trees. 
• Campervan bays are all different shapes and sizes and are not pre-allocated. There are no additional charges for adding a gazebo or awning if it fits in your bay, but we can't guarantee there will be space. 
• We have chemical toilet disposal facility/Elsan near the facilities block. We don't have a drive-over facility for grey waste.
• Please bring a torch as it's very dark at Wasdale. 
• Wasdale is a special and precious environment, so the only place to stay in your campervan overnight is on the campsite. The Lake District National Park provide information on campervan parking in Cumbria. 

• Think of a pod as a replacement for a tent. You'll need to bring everything you would bring if you were camping in a tent, such as a sleeping bag, pots and pans, a stove and camping chairs. We provide mattresses, but some campers like to put their sleeping mat on top.

• Pods are insulated and have heat, light and sockets. There's a maximum capacity of 10amps, so please bring small travel or low wattage electrical items, particularly kettles.

• There are eight pods in two groups, a mix of Standard Pods, Family Pods and Plus pods.

• Standard Pods are suitable for either two adults and one child, or a maximum of two adults. They are not dog friendly.

• Family pods are suitable for two adults and three small children, or a maximum of two adults. They are not dog friendly.

• Plus pods are suitable for two adults and two children, or a maximum of three adults. They aren't dog friendly. The Plus Pods have a front section with two single beds and mattresses, designed to be used as seating during the day. There is storage space below. The back section has mattresses for another two people, which can be folded up to provide two more seats. There are hooks for hanging rucksacks and jackets.

• Outside each pod, there’s a small deck. Barbecues are not allowed on the deck.

• Your car will be parked in the car park.

• Please bring a torch as it's very dark at Wasdale. 

Tipis 

What’s inside a tipi?

A tipi has a double bed and two tri-fold matresses. It has a woodburner with a starter pack of  logs, some lighting and a table and chairs. There's a camping stove with some cooking utensils like pots and pans. You'll find a full inventory below.

What do we need to bring?

Think of a tipi as a replacement for your tent. You'll need to bring many of the things you would bring if you were camping in your tent, including warm bedding, towels and extra lighting - a wind-up lantern or extra torch is ideal. We also recommend extra blankets, as it can be chilly at night. 

How many people can sleep inside?

A tipi is suitable for up to three adults, or two adults and two children.

Tipi inventory

• 1 x double bed with mattress cover

• 2 x tri-fold mattreses with mattress covers (in grey box behind double bed)

• 1 x table

• 4 x chairs

• 1 x boot mat

• 1 x picnic bench

• 1 x lantern

• 1 x woodburner (not for cooking)

• 1 x fire guard, fire irons and glove (the woodburner gets hot and remains so after use)

• 1 x plastic kitchen unit (outside) with portable basic two-ring gas stove with gas

• 1 x fire extinguisher and fire blanket

• 1 x eco-log pack with matches and kindling (more available to buy from shop) 

• 1 x washing up bowl

• 2 x bin (one for waste, one for ash)

• 1 x dustpan and brush

• 1 x kettle, frying pan, saucepan and basic cooking utensils

• 4 x plates, bowls, mugs, cutlery, and assorted plastic drinking glasses

• 1 x cool box (please collect exchangeable freeze packs from the shop)

• 1 x large re-useable water carrier

Bell tents

What’s inside a bell tent?

A bell tent has four tri-fold mattresses. Some campers like to put their camping mat on top. It has a woodburner with a starter pack of logs. The floor area has a carpet and rugs. There is a light, and a plug socket. Outside on the decking, there's a table with four chairs. You'll find a full inventory below.

What do we need to bring?

Think of the bell tent as a replacement for your tent. You'll need to bring everything you would bring if you were camping in your tent, including warm bedding, towels, pots and pans and a  stove. We recommend you bring extra lighting - a wind-up lantern or extra torch is ideal. We also recommend extra blankets, as it can be chilly at night. 

How many people can sleep inside?

A bell tent is suitable for up to three adults, or two adults and two children.

Bell tent inventory

• 4 x material fold-out mattresses (no bedding)

• 1 x small lamp

• Plug sockets 

• Table and four chairs on the decking area

• 1 x woodburner (not for cooking)

• 1 x fireguard

• 1 x set of fire tools, ash bucket and fire glove (the woodburner gets hot and remains so after use)

• 1 x fire extinguisher and fire blanket

• 1 x carbon monoxide detector

• 1 x starter pack eco-logs including matches and kindling (more available to buy from shop)

The reception and shop is open from 8am. We close at 7pm on Fridays, and at 6pm the rest of the week. Winter hours vary and are posted at reception. It is closed 11am - 2pm for cleaning and maintenace, and then reopens. Winter hours can vary and are posted outside the shop, but are usually 8am - 5pm.

We stock all the basics like milk, eggs and bread, and some camping gear, but we'd recommend you bring everything you need.

We accept cash or cards. 

Showers and toilets: The facilities block has showers, including a family shower room and an accessible shower, and toilets. Hot showers are free of charge. 

Washing-up area: There's plenty of hot water at the washing-up station in the facilities block. Please give the area a wipe down after you've used it, so it's ready for the next person.

Laundry and drying rooms: The washing machine takes tokens for sale in the shop. We don't selling washing powder or liquid so please bring your own. The tumble driers take £1 coins. There's also a heated drying room.

Waste: We have general waste, cardboard recycling and composting facilities. Please put all general waste in the purple bins next to the shop, as it is sorted and recycled offsite by the local council. Please put cardboard in the yellow bins. Please put compostable waste in the green bins outside the facilities block.

Chemical waste: We have chemical toilet disposal facility/Elsan at the facilities block. We don't have a drive-over facility for grey waste.

Freeze packs: There's a freezer in the porch outside the shop where you can freeze your own freeze packs. We don't hire them. The freezer is not to be used for storing food or drink please. 

Gas cylinders: We exchange gas cylinders subject to availability.

Electric Vehicle charging: There's an electric vehicle charging point. a trickle charge point which takes tokens on sale in the shop. Tokens are £1 for one hour of charging, 3.6kw.

Parking: There's no parking on pitches at Wasdale. Parking is at the edge of the site but not too far to transport your gear, and you can borrow a wheelbarrow from outside the shop.

Bike store: There's no secure bike store. We have a bike rack. 

Wi-Fi: There is no Wi-FI.

Mobile phone signal: There is no mobile phone signal at the campsite.

Telephone: There's a public payphone onsite. 

Local information: There's a local information point in the washing-up area, and the team is very happy to answer questions and give more information about the local area.

We welcome dogs free of charge, two per pitch. Let us know when you book. The pods and bell tents are not dog friendly, but one of the tipis is. Please choose the dog-friendly tipi if you need it. Only assistance dogs are allowed in any of the others pods, bell tents or tipis. When at the campsite, please keep your dog on a lead at all times and exercise them away from other campers. Please pick up after your dog right away and use the waste bins provided.

Sorry, campfires are not allowed at Wasdale Campsite. 

Charcoal barbecues are allowed when raised from the ground. Please bring your own as we don't provide any onsite. Please help yourself to the bricks outside the shop for raising your barbecue from the grass. There are two silver ash bins in the store for disposing of ash, charcoal and used barbecues. 

Barbecues are not allowed on the pod decks. 

Caravans, trailer tents and roof tents: Sorry, we can't accept  caravans due to access restrictions, or trailer tents/roof tents as there's no parking on pitches. Eskdsale Campsite is a good option for trailer tents/roof tents. 

Quiet time: Please think of your neighbours and help us protect the peace and tranquility at Eskdale Campsite at all times. No noise 11pm - 7am please.

Please bring a torch, as it's very dark at Wasdale. 

Visitors: If you have a friend visiting you during the day, please let a member of the team know. Visitors must park in the National Trust car park next door. 

Cooking safety: Cooking inside tents or pods is not permitted and can be lethal due to carbon monoxide poisoning.

No smoking or vaping please.

No audible devices please including radios, stereos or other sound systems please.

Drones are not permitted.

Group bookings: The maximum number of adults allowed in any party is four, whether you book together or separately, unless you are with an official group. Official groups, like Duke of Edinburgh, are very welcome at National Trust campsites. Please complete the booking form at the bottom of this page. 

Lost property: If you leave any of your possessions behind at the campsite, please contact us as soon as possible.

We reserve the right to charge you for any storage and delivery costs that we incur in relation to your lost property. We charge a lost property charge of £10 to cover our administrative costs and standard Royal Mail delivery up to 2kgs in the UK to return your items to you. If a request to return your items deviates from these conditions, then we reserve the right to charge you any additional costs.

Where possible, we’ll hold lost property for 28 days after which it’ll be disposed of. Perishables will be disposed of immediately and are therefore unreturnable. In addition, we will only be able to return items permissible by Royal Mail.

Problem or complaint: Every reasonable care will be taken to ensure that the camping pitch, pod or bothy and also site amenities are presented to a high standard. Should you find any cause for complaint, please immediately contact one of the campsite staff, so that reasonable steps can then be taken to rectify the problem. National Trust will not normally make any refunds in respect of complaints made after the Visitor’s departure from the campsite if the Visitor did not make the problem or complaint known to staff during the Visitor’s stay. If you supplied an email address at the time of booking, a survey will be emailed to you for your comments after your stay. Alternatively, a comment form may be completed and left at the campsite reception. All complaints made after the Visitor’s departure should be made in writing by post or email to:

Guest Relations Manager

National Trust Holidays, Heelis, Kemble Drive, Swindon, SN2 2NA

Email: guestrelations@nationaltrust.org.uk.

Small print: In addition to the site rules in this campsite guide, there are terms and conditions that apply to your booking. You can also read them on the campsite notice board.

For up-to-date weather information, visit the Lake District weatherline. The mountain weather forecast is displayed daily at the reception.

The challenge of a day on the fells should never be underestimated. Read up on climbing Scafell Pike, and how to stay safe at our places.

There are no low level climbing routes in the Wasdale Valley. Expect a good walk before you reach access to the start of many spectacular rock climbs. There are classic routes on Gable such as Napes Needle, Tophet Wall and Central Buttress, access for which is approximately 1.5 hours' walk away from the campsite. Grades vary from beginners routes to routes for the highly experienced. Visit UKclimbing.com for more climbing info. To find out if there are any climbing crag bans in place, please use the search facility at The British Mountaineering Council website. Click on 'access' for up to date information on any crag bans.

Wasdale Campsite is a stone’s throw from Wastwater, England’s deepest lake. There is a track leading down to the lake from the campsite which takes about 10 minutes walking. The best places to launch a paddle board or kayak is from the Lake Shore Road where there are parking areas. Fishing is not allowed on river or lake. No sailed craft.

Eskdale Golf Course is off the A595 at CA15 1RL, and Seascale Golf Club is off the A595 at CA20 1QL.

Wasdale is remote, the nearest village, Gosforth, about a 20-minute drive away. It has a well-stocked village shop, cash machine, a cafe and some pubs. Holmrook is 10 miles away, with a fuel station, cash machine and shop. 

The closest pub is a 20-minute walk from the campsite. There are more pubs in the hamlets of Nether Wasdale and Santon Bridge. 

There's a supermarket in Seascale, as well as a pharmacy and doctor's surgery. Whitehaven has most major supermarkets and some larger bankCurrently, there's no bus service to Wasdale. For trains, there is four mile mountain walk from Irton and Dalegarth stations, on the Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway. Please note, there is a greatly reduced timetable in winter.

There's lot of information available on Wasdale, Wastwater and the walking and biking trails in the area on the National Trust website. Wastwater is a designated SSSI, one of many in Cumbria. For a full list and more information, please see English Nature's website.

You can enjoy the coast at Drigg and Seascale (14 miles away), for dunes, miles of sand, fish and chips and ice cream. Silecroft and the St Bees Heritage Coast are a bit further. You can get to the coast by steam train on the Esk and Ravenglass Railway.

Muncaster Castle isn't far away.