Hazel Mount Fellside

A few patches of mown grass, a few sensible rules and a couple of compost loos are just about all that separate Hazel Mount Fellside from a wild camping pitch. This campsite on the quiet western edge of the Lake District offers a place to pitch your tent in natural surroundings with spectacular views. And that’s about all folks. It’s simple stuff: if you’re someone who loves the idea of wild camping, but aren’t quite ready to head into the high fells with a backpack, then this place is for you. It’s somewhere to enjoy the outdoors in all its glory with the basics taken care of, thanks to a thoughtful owner.

That owner is ecologist Ruth, who chose the spot for its natural appeal. We’re not just talking about the pretty view of the Duddon Estuary but the fact that this land has been left relatively untouched. There are scattered patches of woodland among the grassland that’s been grazed rather than intensively farmed. This means it’s relatively biodiverse and Ruth wants to keep it that way. As a result, the few campers who are allowed on site at any one time are asked to exercise a light touch.

Cars are parked out of sight of the camping field, campfires (which are allowed on three of the four pitches) must be raised off the ground to protect it and the whole site is off grid so don’t expect electric hook up. In fact, don’t expect running water either. There’s none of that. Instead, Ruth brings military-style jerry cans with 20-litres of tap water for each pitch to cook and clean with and gives you a supply of drinking water for your first night too. The main pitch, Daisy Camp, which has space for up to eight campers, has a little kitchen unit with a sink and a work surface but other than that self-sufficiency is important here so you’ll need to come prepared.

Having said that, logs are for sale and there are usually a few farm-fresh eggs and a selection of snacks on an honesty table too. For more than that you’ll need to head to the nearby village of Broughton-in-Furness where there are a couple of recommended pubs and a good butchers. Hazel Mount Fellside is on the south-western side of the Lake District. Coniston Water is the closest lake, 600-metre Black Combe is the nearest summit to conquer and sandy beaches on the Irish Sea are just six miles in the other direction. The site is not quite seaside, lakeside, mountainside or wild — but it’s satisfyingly close to all of these.