The Quiet Site
UK England North West England Cumbria Pooley Bridge
Despite its unusual name, the reality is that the Quiet Site isn’t actually that much quieter than your average campsite. But the name is enough to put off any rowdies or big groups, so it’s certainly quieter than some of the more boisterous Lake District options.
There are a number of other ways in which this campsite truly excels, however. For starters, despite being established for over 50 years, it’s arguably the most forward-thinking and eco-friendly campsite in Cumbria. Home to the UK’s first zero-waste campsite shop and generating almost all of its energy (including the hot water) from solar and renewable sources, it has a commitment to sustainability that’s ahead of its time.
Then there’s the on-site bar, which really feels more like a quintessential village pub. Housed inside a 17th-century barn, with low beams, open fires, trinkets adorning the walls and furnishings made from old whiskey barrels, it’s every bit the real thing. A side room has games like table tennis and air hockey for children, while another is set aside for meetings, yoga or group events and, though it doesn’t serve food, the cellar is well stocked and they have their very own ‘Quiet Pint’ ale.
Yet for all the draw of a good pub and award-winning eco credentials, does the actual camping stand the test? Well, a section of the campsite is admittedly slightly blighted by a herd of statics. But these are nicely separate from the main camping area, where perfectly flat pitches are chiselled into the hillside overlooking mist-shrouded Ullswater in the valley below. To the west is Helvellyn and Fairfield, east are the Pennines and look south for Barton, Hallin and Place Fells. The very top of the campsite has the best views, which have been given over to glampers staying in the 15 ‘Hobbit Holes’. There are a clutch of pods, cabins and bell tent glamping options too. All have access to the campers’ first-rate facilities, which include the likes of super-fast WiFi at your pitch, a children’s adventure playground and even a special bath for washing your dog.
The Quiet Site is ideal for accessing the peace of the Lakes’ pathways, with several bridleways passing close by. On arrival you’ll get a handcrafted local walking guide popped into your hand. They’ve tailored the walks to all family members and interests so you should find one that suits you – whether it’s a full-on lung workout up the fells or an amble with the kids. And if you follow one of the routes that starts at the campsite, you’ve already cheated some extra altitude. Up here on the hillside, it’s a peaceful escape from the hustle and bustle of Glenridding town and the Lakeland summer crowds below. Quiet, in its own special way.
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Details
Facilities
Toilets, showers, baths, basins and four separate family bathrooms. Laundry room, drying room, dog and boot wash room and a covered washing-up area, plus a campers' kitchen with kettles, toaster, microwaves, fridges, freezers, water filter, hot drinks machine, tables and chairs. Chemical disposal point, gas exchange and motorhome service point. Secure bike storage. Children's adventure playground. Dog-walking area. There is a zero-waste shop (the first of its kind on a campsite in the UK) and solar energy is used to heat the showers, alongside other renewable sources for much of the power on the site. Excellent on-site bar in an old barn with a cosy pub feel, including open fire, their own ale on tap and a pool table. WiFi (usually available on the camping pitches as well as in the bar). A (small) library and book swap.
Suitable For
Tents, glampers, caravans, campervans, small motorhomes, dogs – yes. Large groups (unless pre-arranged) – no.
Nearby
You'll be given a sheet with some advice on local walks when you arrive at the campsite and there's plenty of local tourist information at reception. In particular, the eight-mile walk from The Quiet Site to Aira Force Waterfalls is highly recommended and constantly tops the rankings for visitors' favourite day out. On a rainy day the drive takes 10 minutes. For the real headline hikes, Helvellyn and Blencathra are two of the most famous climbs in the Lake District and both within easy reach – both hikes have steep spines if you want to get the pulse racing. If you'd prefer to explore by bike, a local bike hire company delivers to The Quiet Site (£25 per day or £40 for Ebikes). Prices include helmet, lock, pump and repair kit and as long as you give at least 24hrs notice, delivery to the campsite is free. No trip to this part of the Lakes can end without catching the Ullswater Steamer; 10% discount vouchers are available from the campsite reception for the cruise around the lake, which you can join at Glenridding or Pooley Bridge. If you go from Glenridding, jump off at Howtown and take the gorgeous walk back (dogs welcome). History bods may also want to explore nearby Dalemain House (01768 486450); don’t forget to visit the lovely tea rooms.
Food & Drink
The on-site pub really is one of the best we have come across in the UK. They serve a variety of local ales (including their own brew) but no food. But if you’re after some dinner then head to the Brackenrigg Inn (01768 486206) overlooking Ullswater for above-average grub with a change of scenery. On the shores of Lake Ullswater, the Sharrow Bay Hotel (01768 486301) has a Michelin-starred restaurant. You can do lunch or dinner but they’re famous for afternoon teas.
Opening Times
All year.
Why book with Cool Camping?
- Best Price Guarantee, with no fees
- Instant booking confirmation
- Trusted for over 10 years
- A chance to win prizes in our regular competitions
The Owner Says
Ideally situated above Ullswater, at the very heart of the Lake District National Park, The Quiet Site is an award-winning, eco-friendly camping and glamping site. Enjoy stunning Cumbrian scenery and the chance to experience the fells, lakes, cycle tracks, shops and so much more.
The Quiet Site is a family-run campsite situated in a secluded position amongst the stunning fells that overlook Lake Ullswater. This is a superbly maintained and very picturesque site, the facilities being housed mainly in old converted farm buildings. There are many beautiful walks that you can start from right outside the Quiet Site and numerous activities and attractions a very short drive away.
The Quiet Site is in an ideal position for touring both the North and South Lakes by car. We are easily accessible from the M6 motorway (Junction 40) and the charming market town of Penrith, both of which are only seven miles away.
We pride ourselves on being family orientated and also work incredibly hard to be sustainable and manage our environmental impact. Since 2019, The Quiet Site has been home to the UK's first zero-waste shop on a established campsite. Our facilities blocks and hot water are maintained through solar electricity and we are striving towards carbon neutrality.
Looking after the environment and providing a traditional camping experience doesn't mean you have to skimp on facilities, however. The Quiet Site features WiFi (available at most pitches), a playground, a drying room, dog-washing facilities, a laundry room, secure bike storage, a small library and more. The Quiet Site is also renowned for its on-site pub, housed in a 17th-century barn with open fires, ales on tap (4pm–7pm) and a pool table. There is also a children's play area just off the main bar. It’s not surprising that 80% of our visitors have stayed with us before!
Video Tour
Accommodation
100+ traditional camping and caravanning pitches, plus 15 'hobbit holes' dug into the hillside, 14 pods, 8 bell tents and 4 en-suite cabins.
Tent Pitch With Electricity
Caravan & Campervan Pitch
Hobbit Hole
Camping Pod
Glamping Cabin
Location
Contact The Quiet Site, Watermillock, Penrith, Cumbria CA11 0LS
Getting There
On the A66 to Keswick, take the A592 toward Glenridding, turning right at the Brackenrigg Inn. The site is 1¼ mile on your right.
At Penrith board a 508 Stagecoach bus toward Glenridding. Get off outside the Brackenrigg Inn and follow the lane that runs beside the inn, the site is 1¼ mile further along on your right. The campsite can arrange free pick-up from the bus stop.
Reviews
Add Your ReviewRated ★★★★★ over 23 reviews
Fantastic site well placed good facilities and great staff what’s not to like.
Absolutely gorgeous
Quiet site in lovely location
First ever camping trip
The size of hobbit hole and the piece and quite.
Amazing view from our tent!
Friendly and great location
Lovely Place and People
Stunning comfortable stay
Fab July Stay
Great campsite
A lovely weekend
We have just returned from a lovely weekend here! It is a lovely camp site, toilets are nice and clean with plenty of hot water,they even have three family bathrooms with baths ideal for a four year old boy that even manages to get mud in his ears !!! The staff were all really lovely and friendly and we loved the rustic bar with local ales. although the site was busy you didn't feel like it was, as all campers and caravanner's are respectful of each other. clare was really lovely showing my son a birds nest and answering his twenty questions lol. We think its a fab set up with plenty of information from where to walk to where to eat.we will be back for certain!!!
Pod It!
We stayed at this lovely campsite at one of the colder times of year which is why we opted for a pod. Though very basic, it is incredibly cosy and has electricity points so you charge all your gadgets and use your laptop to plan your day. The view from the campsite was stunning and the location was perfect for exploring the Lakes and Ullswater. The pub was a nice touch, though there was extensive taxidermy and it can sometimes put you off your beer to see some poor stuffed creature staring you in the eye. No issues with facilities at all as they were kept clean. Amused that some campers had really settled in with gnomes and white picket fences around their area. Everyone seemed friendly.
The Best Campsite
This is the best campsite we have stayed at. The site is in a great location, with stunning views over Ullswater. The facilities are very clean and modern, the on site pub is very rustic and cosy with a good selection of local brews.
Fantastic Stay
Just got back today from a fantastic stay at the quiet site.
The site had everything we needed from wash areas to clean and tidy shower areas. We had great views from our pitch of the surrounding areas and the site was beautifully maintained and generally in good nick!
I couldn't recommend this place enough, even though it was just me and my gf who stayed, you could see this was a campsite for all as even the bar had a play area for kids.
Hopefully visiting again in November/December.
Fantastic
my favourite campsite! Great location, great great bar, family atmosphere, never too busy. There isn't a restaurant or cafe, but that's not for us anyway. Can use the shared microwave and fridge / freezer, sit back, have a glass of wine under the stars and enjoy the beautiful surroundings
Fantastic Lakes site for kids & dogs
We visited the Quiet Site last weekend (25th - 28th July). It was high season, so the place was fully booked up, with a fantastic feel about it - lots of kids and dogs with chilled out adults. The staff service could not be faulted - always friendly, always helpful over and above what you might expect. There was a great play area for children and a dedicated softplay area in the bar for babies. The site also has two family rooms, complete with baths, for youngsters (a godsend as the ladies power showers were a bit too hot and fast for my 13 month old). The ladies block has recently been refurbished and it was always clean and tidy. The site also has a separate dogwalking field, which proved very handy for our bouncy shepherd dog.
The site's location is stunning - it is literally above Ullswater lake, so you are guaranteed good views (to the point where no-one in our family wanted to move from the site). However, it's also easy to get to; literally 10 minutes from the M6 and Penrith. The campsite supplies you with some recommended walks around the area, including two you can do directly from the site - ideal for a car-free day!
I would definitely use this site again.
Lovely quiet site
We had a great stay here, on the uppermost level of this well organised, terraced site. The children loved the play park, we had plenty of space around our tent, the facilities were good, and clean, and for young children it was great to have a bathroom with bath. There are loads of walks around the site, so you can leave the car alone, and the owners supply a few ideas. We enjoyed a drink of local ale at the bar :)
wild n windy
The Quiet Site provided a great family escape for us at New Year. A much needed break in a very clean and welcoming site. A well drained pitch for our caravan with the essential hook-up for winter comfort. The bar on this site is truly amazing. We stayed for five nights and went every night with our two kids aged 5 and 8. Had a real treat with a singer/guitarist on of the nights when the bar just rocked all night. New Years eve was lovely with free supper provided by the onsite lodge owners. Local walks were amazing too. Cant wait to go back again this year for more songs from Pete Lashley and a lovely New Year supper in front of a roaring fire in 'the pub'.
Highly Recommended
We camped here in a tent for August bank holiday 2013. This was our second trip here in the past 3 years having stayed here in autumn a few years ago. The site has had further improvements made recently including more terraced pitches and electric hookups. The terraced pitches have a pea gravel base so they drain well and are completely flat Which makes a big difference. The place is pristine, the toilet and shower blocks are great and the on site bar has loads of character. The area is beautiful in the summer and you can see Ullswater from a lot of the pitches on site. Our 2 year old son loved being able to play in the park and there's a soft play area on the upper floor of the bar that's open for a few hours during the evenings. Our family has been using this site for 4 generations now so they must be doing something right. Worth every penny.
Great family site
We spent a great week here and would definitely recommend it to families as it feels very safe and we had to drag the kids away from the adventure playground and games room, they loved them. Well situated to explore the Ullswater area and the Aira Force walk from the campsite was stunning. Facilities great and all very clean.
The fantastic quiet site.
We have just returned from here after having a fantastic holiday.
There is a fantastic friendly feel to his campsite which is in a great location for days out in the lakes, the kids on the other hand would be very happy just to play at the site play area.
The showers, toilet block and washing up station were always impeccabley clean which made a huge difference wih small children in tow!
To top it all of the evening pint in the on site pub with huge log fire was the perfect end to a shattering day. Great holiday, fantastic memories!
The Quiet Site
We have just returned from a great weekend here. The site is quite large and mostly used by families. There is a fabulous adventure play area for the kids and also a games room (charges apply). The showers and toilet block are very clean and modern and the showers were warm. A bit more ventilation in this block would be good to eliminate nasty niffs! The pub is cosy with open fires and there is a soft play area upstairs in the pub for small children. The pub is open from 7pm-11pm. There is also a small shop on site.
Overall, the site is pleasant, well-maintained and safe. I am a single mum with 3 boys ages 5, 8 and 10 and I felt very comfortable there.
There is plenty to do in the locality and I would highly recommend this site for families.
Why book with Cool Camping?
- Best Price Guarantee, with no fees
- Instant booking confirmation
- Trusted for over 10 years
- A chance to win prizes in our regular competitions
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