Low Wray Campsite

Low Wray is a proper base for exploring the Windermere area, set on the western shore with direct access to the lake. The appeal is the combination of a quiet, leafy campsite and easy days out: Wray Castle is on the doorstep, while the west-shore route to Claife Viewing Station is roughly four miles and fairly level. You can also set off by bike toward Hawkshead or Ambleside, or use the site as a family-friendly starting point for walks around the lake.

Most tent pitches are in open meadows with countryside views, with a smaller woodland area and just a few pitches on the lakeshore or with a lake view. Campervan and motorhome hardstanding pitches are mostly farther back from the water, often with views toward the Coniston fells, and they do not have lakeside pitches. Check the individual pitch description before booking if being close to the shore matters to you.

The site also has simple pods and furnished pods, plus safari tents in the woodland. Pods are a step up from carrying a tent, not a hotel room: bring the camping equipment the particular unit requires, including bedding or sleeping bags and cooking gear where applicable. From the beach, you can launch a non-powered canoe, kayak, or paddleboard and explore Windermere from the water.

There are three facilities blocks with toilets and hot showers, including accessible facilities. The site also has washing-up areas, laundry, a drying area, chemical-toilet disposal, a small shop, and a play area. Campfires and raised barbecues are permitted under the site's rules. There is no need to assume every convenience is beside every pitch: Low Wray is a large, spread-out site.

Some pitches are separated from the parking areas, so getting camping gear to the tent can involve a walk. Wheelbarrows are provided, which helps, but pack with that short carry in mind. The lakeshore is an especially useful part of the site for paddlers and families, while the meadow and woodland pitches offer more space and shelter than the handful of waterfront spots.