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Social District

93%
·
· Grizedale, England
55 acres hosted by Tom H.
30 tent pitches
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Lake District camping on the banks of Lake Windermere, with direct access to the water.

For days out on Lake Windermere, there’s no better place to stay than Social District. A back-to-nature campsite with exclusive direct access to England’s largest lake, here you can pitch your tent with a view out onto the water in a lovely 50-acre setting. Located next to one of the Lake District’s most popular destinations, the site is flanked by beautiful hikes and footpaths, within close proximity to the south terminal for Windermere ferry and steam train.

The non-electric pitches are kept spaciously apart through a clearing in an oak forest, ensuring privacy for you and your fellow campers. Guests set up camp on the banks of the lake, with access to your own little pebble beach from which to set sail on your kayak or paddleboard or, if you’re brave enough, indulge in some wild swimming. If you're a keen angler, bring your rod for a spot of fishing, too.

The facilities are basic, so come prepared. But there are shared portaloo-style toilets, along with firepits that can be provided for an extra charge; pick up supplies to cook from the farm shop, only a five-minute drive away. The campsite's built for families – the kids will enjoy the high swings on the trees – and dogs are more than welcome, so feel free to bring your four-legged friends. 

But it's the location that's the real highlight here. No other nearby campsite has the kind of access to Lake Windermere that Social District boasts, and everything you need to make the most out of your stay is right on your doorstep. You can get to the Windermere ferry stop in a 15-minute walk, where you can embark on a cruise along some of the area's best attractions – the steam train railway, motor museum, and the lovely tourist town of Bowness-on-Windermere, a bustling hub of shops and places to eat. Then it's back to camp, where you can watch the sun setting behind Windermere as you roast marshmallows around the fire.

From bringing your own paddle board or kayak to experience Windermere’s light waves, to hiring a boat or tucking into some tasty food from a cafe in one of the lakeside villages around the national park. When setting up camp alongside lake Windermere, there is so much to see and do. Our site is perfect for you & your family to spend the day exploring & retreat back to a warm fire as we hire fire pits & bags of wood making your adventures that touch cosier & warm.
Activities
Biking
Boating
Fishing
Hiking
Natural features
Beach
Field
93%
61 Ratings · 37 reviews
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Fraser S.recommends
September 3, 2024
Lakeside Camping
Beautiful site, basic facilities
Social District is hands down the most beautiful camp site location I've ever stayed in, the site is right on the lake front nestled between a couple of small woods with a lively little stream running through it. Beautiful! The campsite is very "back to basics" as advertised so you should expect to be mostly self sufficient. When they say the facilities are basic, they mean it, they are in the back of a lorry and were rather muddy while we were staying. For the higher price tag this site asks I would expect warm water to wash up with (makes it impossible to wash up anything that had fat or grease) - hopefully something they can fix, as the showers are nice and warm. But ultimately, the site was quiet, beautiful and a great experience staying on the lake.
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Anthony P.recommends
August 31, 2024
Lakeside Camping
Friendly owners very helpful even tho we didn’t really need them, good location. Facilities were kept clean and tidy. If it wasn’t for the wet it would have been 100% perfect but that’s down to the weather not the business
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Lauren A.recommends
August 25, 2024
Lakeside Camping
Camping on the lake
We loved camping on toms land. It was absolutely beautiful scenery, though the area was swampy from the rain. The toilets and showers are outdated (in trailers) and can be a trek depending on where you tent up. But was beautiful
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Carla Q.recommends
August 24, 2024
Lakeside Camping
Scenic camping
Beautiful, dog friendly ground right on the lake with several access points so great for kayaking, paddle boarding etc Shower times are restricted and they could do with toilet roll in the loos, but overall a great spot and highly recommended!
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Tristram H.recommends
August 21, 2024
Lakeside Camping
What a Trip.. outstanding.
What a great site, right at the lake. Peaceful, relaxing and the occasional fighter jet going past for entertainment. Perfect environment, can’t wait to go back there. Fire pits available for free, very generous wood for sale. Tom was great helped us out a lot, couldn’t thank him enough. He’s working very hard looking after every one! Thanks for looking after us and our tent as we forgot the poles. Negative…. Not many. Maybe a sign at the fence to show you are at the right place. If I read the website first I would had found it fine though.
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Tristan A.recommends
August 19, 2024
Lakeside Camping
Very friendly owners i felt very welcomed onto the site i would go again
Location
Grizedale, England, United KingdomTo respect the Host's privacy, the precise address of this land will be provided after booking
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Hosted by Tom H.

Joined in July 2022
From the host
Social District is a beautifully positioned, back to nature base for camping having exclusive direct access to lake Windermere. Boasting non electric pitches and stretch of lake frontage, it’s a few minutes drive from local restaurants, near the YMCA’s fun activities (laser tag, watersports and more) and ideal for joining the Windermere ferry. 10 minutes from the National Trust’s Hill Top and set beside an English Heritage museum. Just a stones throw away is the Lake Windermere ferry, allowing you to glide across the lake and reach beautiful Windermere village with parks, shops, restaurants, activities such as boat hire and tours etc. It's the ideal start to a day of exploring. Other activities and places to visit in the area include: * Discover & travel around Lake Windermere via the Windermere Lake Cruises Lakeside terminal connecting to Bowness and Ambleside Lakeside also has a café and Aquarium (15 minute walk, 5 minute drive) * Bowness includes Boat hire, miniature golf, Windermere golf course, Escape rooms, Cinema, Marina, Windermere Wakesurfing, VIP Lake tours, Windermere Canoe & Kayak, Sail N Dine, Brockhole on Windermere (Zipline, mini golf & archery (20 minutes drive) * Ambleside includes Grizdale Forest, Rydal Mount & Gardens, Ambleside Climbing wall, Stock Ghyll Force, Rydal Hall Gardens, Waterhead Pier, Rydal Cave, Hayes Garden World, Wray Castle (30 minutes drive or the Ferry Via lakeside (5 minute drive/15 minute walk) * Woodland Xperiences - a base for 1-2 day rewilding adventures, canoeing, climbing and group activities * YMCA activity sessions - climbing, kayaking, ziplining, abseiling and more * National Trust - Hill Top * National Trust - Fell Foot * Kendal (30 minutes drive) * Go Ape Grizedale (20 minutes drive) * Lakeland Wildlife Oasis (30 minutes drive) * South Lakes Safari Zoo (30 minutes drive) * World of Beatrix Potter attraction (20 minutes drive) Local Walks * Knotts Trails bobbin mill (2 minute walk away) * High Dam (10 minute walk away) * Fell Foot Park ( 5 minute drive) * National Trust Claife Viewing station (15 minute drive) * Gummers How (10 minutes drive) * Estwaite water (20 minutes drive) Walks with waterfall * Aira Force (1 hour drive) * Forces Falls Swindale Haweswater (1 hour drive) * Stock Ghyll Force (35 minute drive) * Whorneyside Force ( 45 minute drive) * rydal Falls at rydal Hall (40 minute drive) * Scale Force Crummock Water (1 hour 30 minute drive) * Stanley Ghyll Force Dalegarth (1 hour drive) Popular Walks * Scafell Pike (1 hour drive) * Old Man of Coniston (35 minutes drive) * Tarns How (20 minutes drive) * Rydal Water (35 minutes drive) * Catt Bells (1 hour 15 minutes drive) * Buttermere & Rannerdale Knotts (1 hour 30 minutes drive)
Nearby attractions

Lake Windermere is full of things to do. Graythwaite Adventure is a 5-minute drive from the Social District, providing outdoor experiences that take place on the lake and in the Graythwaite Estate Lakes. Here you can book everything from axe-throwing, to paddleboarding, to off-roading experiences. Aquarium is a 15-minute drive away, filled with freshwater and marine life – its adorable underwater otter tunnel is a real highlight. The ferry stop for a Windermere lake cruise is next to the aquarium, too, so you can hop on and get a better view of the lake, combining your trip with a number of local attractions. The Lakeside and Haverthwaite Railway takes guests on a journey through time, with steam train journeys around the lake travelling to the towns of Bowness-on-Windermere and Ambleside.

Food and drink

Lakeside Hotel is a 15-minute drive away next to the ferry stop, where you can enjoy fine dining by the lakeside with an incredible view. This is the ideal spot for a relaxed lunch, with the salmon and cream cheese sandwich coming recommended – on sunny days, enjoy al fresco dining on the terrace, or stay indoors in the conservatory. For something a little less pricey, make your way over to the Boathouse Bar and Restaurant, a 10-minute drive from the site with a view of the boats lining the marina. There's a robust wine list here, along with a varied menu that ranges from mussels to duck. If you're heading into Bowness, be sure to stop by the Folk Tap, a well-loved bar in the centre of the town that serves a range of craft beers along with some towering burgers and hearty sandwiches.

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