There’s no doubt about the star attraction when you head to the North-West – the wonderful Lake District in Cumbria, with its mighty fells and lakes, remains as alluring as ever. If you’re heading to the area, you’ll want to pick one of the best caravan parks in North-West England to stay at – and that’s where this guide comes in.
In our Top 100 Sites Guide, we reveal the standout campsites from across the UK, giving you a helping hand in choosing the best caravan park to stay at. We then break it down by region, for added ease.
In this round-up, we’re taking a look at the best caravan sites in the North-West, including dog friendly caravan parks and others that are ideal to head to for beautiful views. The region is a magnet for hikers in search of bracing views (and weather!) and for those seeking to bag one of the Wainwrights, the 214 peaks described in the guides by celebrated fell-walker Alfred Wainwright.
Elsewhere, visitors can enjoy Morecambe and Blackpool, or head to Liverpool and Manchester, famous for their music scenes and football teams…
If you’re looking for some more travel inspiration, be sure to check out our best caravan park in Scotland guide too.
Caravan parks in North-West England:
Green Acres Caravan Park
Hillcroft Park
Meadow Falls
Park Cliffe
Park Foot Caravan & Camping Park
The Quiet Site
Ribble Valley Holiday Park
Thornbrook Barn
Waterfoot Caravan Park
Woodclose Park
The best caravan park in North-West England is…
Green Acres Caravan Park
High Knells, Houghton, Carlisle CA6 4JW, greenacrescumbria.co.uk
- Open: 18 March – 31 October
- Touring pitches: 42
- Pitch+2+hook-up: From £29
Well done to Green Acres Caravan Park, Regional Winner of our North-West England category!
Less than an hour’s drive from the beautiful Lake District, the North Pennines and Northumberland National Park, this adults-only caravan park not only boasts a fantastic location, but also offers a relaxed and peaceful touring experience that is tailored to suit every visitor.
Surrounded by manicured hedges against a backdrop of bucolic Cumbrian views, pitches include standard and fully serviced options, as well as premium pitches. These offer the facilities of a fully serviced pitch, with a private picnic bench and extra space. The site’s award-winning toilets and showers are tastefully decorated and furnished with underfloor heating, rainfall showerheads, hairdryers and spacious changing areas.
The amenities include purpose-built disabled facilities and feature non-slip flooring. For four-legged friends, the scenic dog-walk follows a woodland path, and there’s also a dog-exercise area. Other facilities include indoor laundry and dishwashing, and an onsite tourist information centre.
History buffs will enjoy exploring nearby sites such as Hadrian’s Wall and Carlisle Castle, while lovers of the great outdoors have access to Solway Coast AONB and Kielder Water & Forest Park, among others.
You say
- Five-star site! Immaculate, facilities are outstanding and staff are top-notch. Great dog-walk. The place just left us feeling very relaxed and happy.
- Well-presented and maintained, fabulous facilities.
The standout contenders for the best caravan park in North-West England are:
Hillcroft Park
Pooley Bridge, Lake District CA10 2LT Web hillcroftpark.co.uk
- Open: 1 March – 6 January 2024
- Touring pitches: 56
- Pitch+2+hook-up: From £34
Located at the northern end of Ullswater, this site near Pooley Bridge overlooks the water and hosts tents, touring vehicles and static caravans.
The spacious pitches are all sheltered by mature woodland, with a large, modern facilities block nearby. Visitors will also find a shop, children’s play area, games room and doggy shower, plus walks and cycling routes nearby, including the Ullswater Way.
Other attractions include Lowther Castle and the Rheged Centre, for a great family day out come rain or shine.
You say
- Immaculately kept campsite, spotlessly clean facilities, friendly, helpful staff, site feels very secure. Superb location.
- Hillcroft Park is very well presented and looked after. Quiet and relaxing, and just a short walk to the pubs and shops in Pooley Bridge.
Meadow Falls
Meadow Falls, Thornton-in-Lonsdale LA6 3PD, meadowfalls.co.uk
- Open: 1 March – 1 October
- Touring pitches: 5
- Pitch+2+hook-up: From £30
On the edge of the Yorkshire Dales, within walking distance of the charming little village of Ingleton, you’ll find peace and quiet at Meadow Falls.
The family-run site boasts panoramic views of the Trough of Bowland and hosts five fully serviced hardstanding pitches, with 25 tent or camper pitches. Facilities include a toilet and shower block, and a play area. Nearby, visitors can enjoy exploring numerous hiking trails, including the famed Three Peaks, or the splendid waterfalls of the Dell.
The Lake District is a short drive away.
You say
- Amazing spot. Exceptionally clean and tidy facilities. Very helpful and friendly staff. Well-tended grounds.
- Excellent location for Ingleton and very reasonably priced. Stunning views, well-kept site, couldn’t fault it.
Park Cliffe
Birks Road, Windermere LA23 3PG, parkcliffe.co.uk
- Open: 1 March – 18 November
- Touring pitches: 140
- Pitch+2+hook-up: From £34.50
Peaceful and pastoral, with dramatic views of the south Lakes, this park is a stone’s throw from the edge of Windermere.
Park Cliffe has won the Gold David Bellamy Conservation award for its work to protect local wildlife, and the site boasts woodland and lake views. Onsite is a bar/restaurant, shop, children’s play area and luxurious bathroom facilities.
Bowness-on-Windermere is just three miles away, while Moor How and the Langdales can be accessed with ease.
You say:
- Clean, friendly, safe. Amazing staff, fabulous facilities, great location. Well maintained.
- Always greeted with a smile. Facilities clean and well kept, pitches spacious, lovely shop and clubhouse.
Park Foot Caravan & Camping Park
Howtown Road, Pooley Bridge, Penrith CA10 2NA, parkfootullswater.co.uk
- Open: 10 February – 13 November
- Touring pitches: 200
- Pitch+2+hook-up: From £30
This extensive Lake District park overlooks Ullswater. The family-run site has direct access to the water and provides excellent facilities, while still blending into the greenery of the surroundings.
Offering hardstandings and super-pitches, the park provides modern washing and toilet facilities, along with plenty of open space and an onsite bar and restaurant that also has a takeaway service. From the famous Ullswater Steamers to great hiking routes, there’s no shortage of things to do.
You say:
- Beautifully maintained, family run, dog-friendly site. It’s got everything you need for a wonderful holiday.
- Amazing staff. Great site, great walks. Lovely place. Always sorry to leave
The Quiet Site
Ullswater, Penrith CA11 0LS, thequietsite.co.uk
- Open: All year
- Touring pitches: 5
- Pitch+2+hook-up: From £30
With a focus on sustainability and nature, this campsite has been thoughtfully designed with the landscape very much in mind, so visitors can feel at home in these peaceful, rural surroundings.
The park sits between Little Mell Fell and Ullswater, with all-weather pitches overlooking the rolling hills that are such a feature of the area. The onsite facilities are all second to none and include a cosy licensed bar, restaurant, zero-waste shop, games room, modern washroom facilities, and a dog, boot and bike room.
You say:
- Friendly staff, great bar, delicious pizza and crepes, awesome views. Love the sustainability of the place.
- It’s all in the name, with fantastic views over Ullswater. Staff are amazing. What a gem of a place.
Ribble Valley Holiday Park
Hardacre Lane, Rimington, Clitheroe BB7 4EE, holgates.co.uk/our-parks/ribble-valley
- Open: All year
- Touring pitches: 12
- Pitch+2+hook-up: From £25
This site, located not far from the charming village of Gisburn in the Ribble Valley, is one of the newest of the Holgates group of parks.
The rural location offers fantastic walking and cycling, and easy access to Skipton, Clitheroe and Colne.
Further south you’ll find the Tolkien Trail, a wonderful 9km circular walking route that starts and finishes at Hurst Green. In addition, the Forest of Bowland Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and Yorkshire Dales National Park are just a short drive away.
On site, you’ll find private showers, a disabled washroom and serviced touring pitches.
You say:
- Pristine, lovely grounds. Staff friendly and helpful. In a stunning location.
- Lovely staff, good views and very peaceful
Thornbrook Barn
Thornton-in-Lonsdale, Ingleton LA6 3PD, thornbrookbarn.co.uk
- Open: 1 March – 31 October, 21 December – 3 January 2024
- Touring pitches: 42
- Pitch+2+hook-up: From £29
On the edge of the Yorkshire Dales and handily located near the Waterfalls Trail, this touring park is within walking distance of the village of Ingleton.
The 42 hardstanding pitches are all near the modern toilet and shower facilities, with underfloor heating. There is an enclosed dog zone and undercover dishwashing.
The rural location lends itself to stargazing and outdoor activities, while being just a few minutes’ walk from a pub, coffee shop, bakery and butcher.
You say:
- Excellent site, very clean, good-size pitches, everything was 100%. I would definitely recommend. Beautiful views and great location.
- Toilets and showers are immaculate. Pitches spacious, with stunning views.
Waterfoot Caravan Park
Pooley Bridge, Ullswater, Cumbria CA11 0JF, waterfootpark.co.uk
- Open: 1 March – 6 January 2024
- Touring pitches: 31
- Pitch+2+hook-up: From £25
This attractive site is within walking distance of Ullswater’s northern banks. The site offers fully serviced hardstanding pitches set in mature woodland.
There is an onsite shop, a bar, shower and toilet block, outdoor play area and a games field. The location makes this an ideal base for exploring further afield in the western part of the Lake District, with plenty of places to eat, drink and discover, all within walking distance of the campsite.
You say:
- Beautifully kept site. Very relaxing. Spotless facilities. Nothing is too much trouble for the staff.
- Fabulous location, friendly staff, pitches and facilities well kept, within walking distance of Pooley Bridge. Fabulous walks.
Woodclose Park
Kirkby Lonsdale, Cumbria LA6 2SE, woodclosepark.com
- Open: 1 March – 2 January 2024
- Touring pitches: 38
- Pitch+2+hook-up: From £23
On the western edge of the Yorkshire Dales, Woodclose Park is near the River Lune and a mile from Kirkby Lonsdale.
The hardstanding pitches that the site provides are all fully serviced and have access to modern toilets, showers and dishwashing facilities. The park is surrounded by woodland and is a great starting point for the many walking and cycling routes throughout the area.
Silverdale Beach and the Lancashire coast are just a half-hour drive away.
You say:
- Beautiful site, well organised, facilities good, close to river and lots of walks. Helpful staff.
- Lovely site, clean facilities, in a beautiful part of the Yorkshire Dales, and the most helpful owners and staff. A wonderful place to stay.
Still not sure on where to go for your next trip? Then why not check out our best caravan park in Wales guide, where we share our standout picks in the picturesque country.
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