Skip to content
Boot, Cumbria, UK, CA19 1TH

Eskdale Campsite

An aerial view of Eskdale Campsite, Cumbria
An aerial view of Eskdale Campsite, Cumbria | © National Trust/Robin Kitchin
The main camping field for tents and campervans at Eskdale Campsite, Cumbria
The exterior of a standard pod at Eskdale Campsite, Cumbria

Eskdale Campsite

Low in the valley, with trails by the river and up through the fells to small mountain lakes. Village pubs are a short stroll away.

Grid of 20 images
The main camping field for tents and campervans at Eskdale Campsite, Cumbria
The exterior of a standard pod at Eskdale Campsite, Cumbria
An aerial view of Eskdale Campsite, Cumbria
A large tent pitch at Eskdale Campsite, Cumbria
A campervan on a dual-use pitch with electrical hook-up at Eskdale Campsite, Cumbria
A tent in the car-free meadow at Eskdale Campsite, Cumbria
Reception at Eskdale Campsite, Cumbria
An aerial view of Eskdale Campsite, Cumbria
An aerial view of Eskdale Campsite, Cumbria
The bell tent at Eskdale Campsite, Cumbria
The interior of a bell tent at Eskdale Campsite, Cumbria
The pods at Eskdale Campsite, Cumbria
A family pod at Eskdale Campsite
The view from a plus pod at Eskdale Campsite, Cumbria
The play area at Eskdale Campsite, Cumbria
The accessible wet room at Eskdale Campsite, Cumbria
One of the facilities blocks with showers at Eskdale Campsite, Cumbria
Hardknott Roman Fort near Eskdale Campsite, Lake District
Walk to Stanley Ghyll Force from Eskdale Campsite, Lake District
Walkers admiring the view of the Eskdale Valley, Lake District

© National Trust/Robin Kitchin

Low in the valley, with trails by the river and up through the fells to small mountain lakes. Village pubs are a short stroll away.

At a glance

Type of accommodation
Tents, Campervans, Motorhomes, Pods, Bell tents
Number of places / pitches
110
Seasons
9 Feb 2024 - 25 Feb 2024
1 Mar 2024 - 3 Jan 2025
Minimum stay
2 nights
Dogs welcome per pitch
2

About Eskdale Campsite

Eskdale Campsite is in eight acres of meadow grassland, surrounded by woodland, crags and waterfalls. For panoramic views, you can walk to the nearest small mountain lakes - Blea Tarn or Burnmoor Tarn - in less than an hour, and the whole area can be explored on foot, with a range of bridleways, trails and fell routes for all levels of walking. It only takes a couple of minutes to walk into the village for family-friendly pubs that serve good food and welcome dogs. The campsite has a gentle buzz in the holidays, and is quieter at other times.

From the campsite, the popular Eskdale trail follows the Esk River past St Catherine's Church to cross the water on stepping stones. Cool off by the rock pools here before carrying on to Stanley Ghyll Force, a 60-foot waterfall in a deep gorge. You'll find lots to do in the area, making Eskdale a great choice for a longer camping holiday. Take a steam train from the Dalegarth for Boot station to the coast on the Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway for miles of views.

Check-in is from 2pm, with departures by 10am. To help preserve the site's tranquillity, the maximum number of adults in any booking is four and this applies whether you book together or separately. For group bookings, directions, late arrivals, facility information, electric vehicle charging, local area guides and more, please check the Guide to Eskdale Campsite.

Features and facilities

  • Toilets, available
  • Showers, available
  • Electric hook-up, available
  • Washing-up area, available
  • Laundry, available
  • Shop, available
  • Chemical disposal, available
  • Wi-Fi, available
  • BBQs allowed, available
  • Play area, available

Location

A campervan at Eskdale Campsite, Cumbria

Campervans and motorhomes

Campervans and motorhomes (under 7m long) can choose an electric or non-electric pitch in the main camping field, with or without space for an awning (must be attached to vehicle). Read the pitch descriptions carefully, choosing a pitch the right size for all your equipment, as various sizes of pitch are available. You will be directed to your allocated pitch on arrival. There is not always space for a gazebo or pup tent - the team onsite will let you know if there is space and an additional fee will be payable on site. Sorry, but the site isn't suitable for caravans. It is suitable for trailer tents - just let us know in your booking.

The car-free camping meadow for tents (adults only) at Eskdale Campsite, Cumbria

Pitching your tent

You can choose to book the main camping field or the adults-only, car-free meadow across a small bridge and by the road. There are pitches for all sizes of tents, so please read the descriptions in the booking system carefully and be sure to book a pitch the right size for all your equipment. There is not always space for a gazebo or pup tent - the team onsite will let you know if there is space and an additional fee will be payable on site. For organised groups, like Duke of Edinburgh, please complete the booking form on the Eskdale Campsite Guide page.

The pods at Eskdale Campsite, Cumbria

Pods

There are two small circles of pods with shared picnic tables. They are surrounded by trees near the facilities and a small play area. The pods offer a few simple comforts - a soft floor, heat, light and sockets. Think of a pod as a replacement for your tent, and bring all your other camping gear, including sleeping bags, a sleeping mat, pots and pans, a stove and camping chairs. You can find out more in the Eskdale Campsite Guide.

The interior of a family pod at Eskdale Campsite, Cumbria

Standard Pods and Family Pods

These pods are one room. Standard Pods sleep up to two adults and one child, while Family Pods sleep up to two adults and two children. They are dog friendly. Mattresses and floor mats are not provided in these pods.

The interior of a plus pod at Eskdale Campsite, Cumbria

Plus Pods

Plus Pods have a front and back section. The front section has two benches with mattresses, which can be used as seating in the day and single beds at night. There is storage space under the benches and hooks to hang equipment. The back section also has floor mats, which can be folded up for extra seating. They sleep two adults and two children, or three adults. They are not dog friendly.

The bell tent at Eskdale Campsite, Cumbria

The bell tent

There's one bell tent, with mattresses, a carpeted floor, a light, sockets and a woodburner. There's a deck outside with a table and chairs. Think of the bell tent as a replacement for your own tent, and bring all your other camping gear including sleeping bags, a sleeping mat if you'd like to place it on top of the mattresses provided, pots and pans, a stove and camping chairs. You can find out more in the Eskdale Campsite Guide. Two adults and two children, or a maximum of three adults, can sleep in the bell tent. It's not dog friendly.

An aerial view of Eskdale Campsite, Cumbria
Article
Article

Guide to Eskdale Campsite 

Find all you need to know about a holiday at Eskdale Campsite, including directions, how to check in, dogs, where to find family-friendly pubs and more...

Two walkers and their dogs exploring the ridge around Blea Tarn, Eskdale and Duddon Valley

Things to see and do while you stay

Eskdale campsite is at the foot of the Hardknott Pass, the steepest road in England, and while we don't recommend driving down it to reach the campsite, you might like to walk up, visiting the Hardknott Roman Fort near the top. The Eskdale and Duddon Valley is the only place in England where the mountains plunge almost directly into the sea, descending all the way to the sandy beaches on the West coast of Cumbria.

The shore of Wastwater is just one mile from Wasdale Campsite, Lake District

Challenging hikes and climbs

Harter Fell, Esk Pike and Scafell, England's highest mountain, are all within reach of Eskdale. You could even walk the 10 miles to Wasdale, home to Wastwater, the deepest lake in England and another National Trust Campsite, Wasdale Campsite.

Eelbeck Cottage exterior, Cumbria

Holiday cottages near Eskdale Campsite 

For family and friends who would like to join your holiday, you'll find Eelbeck Cottage (sleeps seven) in the neighbouring village. A little further away, there's remote Bird How (sleeps four) and in Wasdale, Thrang (sleeps five) and Wasdale Hall Lodge (sleeps four).

Exploring the area...

Family walking on a bridge over the river Esk framed with lush greenery
Trail
Trail

River Esk: Steam, ride and ramble walk 

Lake District

A ramble along the River Esk and one of Cumbria's favourite steam railways with lovely scenery of crags, woods, fields and the river.

Activities
Walking
DistanceMiles: 3.5 (km: 5.6)
A walker in waterproof clothing crossing the stone bridge over the River Esk at Eskdale and Duddon Valley, Cumbria
Place
Place

Eskdale and Duddon Valley 

Valleys of many delights

Cumbria

Fully open today
A view of the Wasdale hills reflected in the glassy waters at Wastwater, Lake District
Place
Place

Wasdale 

Towering mountains and the deepest lake in England

near Seascale, Cumbria

Fully open today
Near the ferry on the Claife Estate on the western shore of the northern half of Windermere, Cumbria
Area
Area

Lake District 

Discover the fascinating history and dramatic landscapes of the Lake District – where Beatrix Potter made her home – on foot, by bike or by boat.