Wildscapes Retreat and Campsite
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- No-frills family campsite with spectacular Howgills views in Cumbria
- Bowness-on-Windermere 45 minutes’ drive; Ribblehead Viaduct 50 minutes
- Set between the Lake District and Yorkshire Dales national parks
Site type
3
10
This site has no on-site shower facilities.
Under 18s must be accompanied by their parents or legal guardians.- The site does not accept breeds/crossbreeds listed in the Dangerous Dogs Act (i.e. XL Bully, Pit Bull Terrier, Japanese Tosa, Dogo Argentino, and Fila Brasileiro).
- Bookings must not be for more than 14 consecutive nights.
- Guests are advised to bring a good quality torch with them as parts of the site are unlit.
- Please note that the toilet facilities are unisex.
- If reception is closed on arrival: please contact the number provided on your booking confirmation.
Languages spoken
English
Open from Fri, 4 Apr to
Pitch types & availability
Non-electric hardstanding and grass tent or trailer tent pitch
6 people maximum Ground type: Hardstanding and grass
Pitch size: Max 8.0m width x 8.0m depth (26.2ft width x 26.2ft depth) Calculated area: 64.0m² (688.9ft²)
Arrival daysFrom £20 1 night, 2 adults
View prices & book
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Non-electric grass motorhome pitch
6 people maximum Ground type: Grass
Pitch size: Max 8.0m width x 8.0m depth (26.2ft width x 26.2ft depth) Calculated area: 64.0m² (688.9ft²)
Arrival daysFrom £25 1 night, 2 adults
View prices & book
Reviews
Voted 80% of visitors View breakdown
would recommend this site to a friend
would stay here again
Only showing reviews for the last 30 months.
Terrible experience – avoid this place
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Non-electric hardstanding and grass tent or trailer tent pitch
Liked: Nothing
Disliked: The entire place was full of animal faeces — it was absolutely disgusting. The toilets were extremely dirty and unhygienic, and the whole site felt completely neglected.
We spoke to Suzie, the person in charge, who initially agreed to give us a refund due to the poor conditions. However, after we left, she changed her story and refused to refund us. This kind of behaviour is dishonest and shows a complete lack of professionalism.
Do yourself a favour and stay somewhere else — this place is not worth your time or money
Recommend to friends Visit again
From the manager: Hi David,
I’m sorry to hear that your experience didn’t meet expectations. I want to offer clarity for future guests and respond to your concerns sincerely.
When your group arrived, it included six people, though the booking was made for three. When I addressed this, you informed me you wouldn't be staying due to the compost toilets not being what you had expected — clearly mentioned in our listing. I suggested following up via Pitchup or by email, and I welcomed a discussion about a refund.
After our conversation, you emailed me directly, and I offered you a 50% discount on a future stay as a gesture of goodwill — despite the circumstances. I believe this was a fair response.
The toilets were clean, as confirmed by both myself and other campers on-site at the time, and I’m proud of the consistent positive feedback we receive about our facilities and the peaceful atmosphere here.
I understand we won’t be the right fit for everyone, but I do take all feedback seriously and always aim to improve. Wishing you all the best in your future travels.
Suzie
Cozy small campsite surrounded by gorgeous views and sheep with their lambs.…
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Non-electric hardstanding and grass tent or trailer tent pitch
Liked: Cozy small campsite surrounded by gorgeous views and sheep with their lambs. Facilities were clean, fellow campers were friendly. Composting toilets were clean and didn't smell terrible, well stocked with loo roll. Site was easy to drive to and easy to find
Disliked: Couldn't get the lights in the toilets to work so ended up taking a torch in with me
Recommend to friends Visit again
Basic, but lovely, wild site with a very friendly owner.
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Non-electric hardstanding and grass tent or trailer tent pitch
Liked: Beautiful Views & stream running through.
Only 10 mins from M6, so good stop off on way to Scotland.
Another 10 mins to lovely Kirkby Stephen, so chips still hot once pitched up.
Good coffee & cake a few minutes mins drive away at a local art gallery.
Greeted & directed on arrival.
Managed to find a level spot to pitch
Composting toilet better than expected.
Recommend to friends Visit again
Friendly hosts Communication was fantastic prior to arriving Beautiful location…
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Non-electric hardstanding and grass tent or trailer tent pitch
Liked: Friendly hosts
Communication was fantastic prior to arriving
Beautiful location
Recommend to friends Visit again
From the manager: Thank you for your review. We hope to see you again.
Location, welcome, pre stay contact and info.…
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Non-electric hardstanding and grass tent or trailer tent pitch
Liked: Location, welcome, pre stay contact and info.
Recommend to friends Visit again
From the manager: Hi Steve,
We are now open again, and I am just going through some reviews. I just wanted to thank you for your review. We hope to see you again this year. Suzie & Sam
A beautiful, simple and friendly campsite away from the hubbub.
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Non-electric hardstanding and grass tent or trailer tent pitch
Liked: The peace and quiet, and the simple but functional and useful facilities.
Recommend to friends Visit again
From the manager: Hi Peter,
We are now open again and I am just going through some reviews. I just wanted to thank you for your review. We hope to see you again this year. Suzie & Sam
The view…
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Non-electric hardstanding and grass tent or trailer tent pitch
Liked: The view
Recommend to friends Visit again
From the manager: Hi Jake,
We are now open again, and I am just going through some reviews. I just wanted to thank you for your review. We hope to see you again this year. Suzie & Sam
Lovely little campsite with friendly host!
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Non-electric hardstanding and grass tent or trailer tent pitch
Liked: Campsite just as expected from description.
Fire pits are a great touch and plenty of them, we were greeted as soon as we arrived from a friendly host and we could buy a big bag of wood for the fire for £10.
Toilets were lovely and clean.
Kids loved having a little splash in the stream, overall we all had a great time!
Disliked: Nothing!
Recommend to friends Visit again
From the manager: Hi Devin,
We are now open again, and I am just going through some reviews. I just wanted to thank you for your review.
We hope to see you again this year.
Suzie & Sam
Nice situation great pub close by and handy for the motorway…
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Non-electric grass motorhome pitch
Liked: Nice situation great pub close by and handy for the motorway
Disliked: Not keen on the lack of showers and the eco toilets
Recommend to friends Visit again
From the manager: Hi There
We are now open again, and I am just going through some reviews. I just wanted to thank you for your review. We are having some indoor showers and toilets installed this year. Keep updated with us and we hope to see you again this year.
Suzie & Sam
Lovely tranquil spot!
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Non-electric hardstanding and grass tent or trailer tent pitch
Liked: Peaceful, beautiful scenery, small and secluded. Pleasant, friendly owner, lovely little stream. Very relaxing stay! Bonus of being very dark, got to see northern lights! Although composting toilets, these were very well looked after. Drinking water taps at both ends of site.
Disliked: A few wasps buzzing around, some parts were a bit boggy, some parts were hard to bash tent pegs in....but none of this was really an issue!
Recommend to friends Visit again
From the manager: Hi Helen,
We are now open again, and I am just going through some reviews. I just wanted to thank you for your review. What a shame about the wasps! I am glad you managed with the pegs. We have found that there is a small area where its not so easy.
We hope to see you again this year and just let us know you are coming so we can thank you again.
Suzie & Sam
Features
Pop-up campsite
Dogs allowed
Campfires allowed
Leisure on site
Bar or club house Cycle hire Evening entertainment Fishing Fitness centre Games room Indoor swimming pool Kids' club On-site restaurant/cafe Outdoor swimming pool Play area TV room Take away Tennis WatersportsAmenities on site
Bath available Car parking by pitch/unit Composting toilet Dog park Drying room Food shop Free wifi Ice pack freezing Internet access Launderette Parent & baby washroom Pick-up from public transport Portable toilet Pub toilets Public telephone Shower available Toilet block Washing-up area WifiGroups welcome
Family friendly Motorcycle friendly Single-sex groups welcome Student groups welcomeRules
Barbecue provided Barbecues allowed Campfires allowed Commercial vehicles allowed Dogs allowed Dogs allowed all yearThemes
Budget/backpacker Lake and/or mountain Peaceful Remote location Spectacular scenery Walkers' paradise Wild campingUtilities
Charging facilities Chemical disposal Electric car charging point(s) Gas cylinders available Recycling available Renewable energyNearby amenities
Bar nearby Dog walk nearbyType
Farm Pop-up campsite Small (11-25 pitches)Nearby leisure
Fishing nearby Golf nearby Horse riding nearby Restaurant nearbyLocation
Wildscapes Retreat and Campsite
High Greenside
Greenside Lane
Ravenstonedale
Kirkby Stephen
Cumbria
England
CA17 4LU
Directions Timezone
Europe/London BST (GMT+01:00)
GPS
54.42973°N
-2.45045°W
Nearest transport
Coach
Rail
Ferry
AirportPlease note: All distances on this page are calculated "as the crow flies" - please check actual distance depending on your mode of travel using the Get directions button above.
Local attractions
Water quality at nearby bathing waters
| Name | Distance | Type | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Morecambe North | 29.4 mi | Estuary | Good | N/A | Good | Good |
Data source: European Environment Agency
Must see
Sizergh Castle and Garden 16.4 mi
Levens Hall & Gardens 17.7 mi
High Force Waterfall 18.6 mi
The World of Beatrix Potter 19.4 mi
Windermere Lake Cruises, Bowness 19.6 mi
National Trust
Acorn Bank Garden and Watermill 16.2 mi
Sizergh Castle and Garden 16.4 mi
Townend 18.7 mi
Windermere and Troutbeck 18.9 mi
Hill Top 21.6 mi
Cycle routes
Find local routes on the National Cycle Network - over 12,000 miles of cycling routes.
Other
The Howgills Traverse - Sedbergh 2.8 mi
Smardale Wildlife Reserve 3.3 mi
Kirkby Stephen - Nateby - Wharton Hall - Lammerside Castle 4.9 mi
Great Asby Scar Circular 5 mi
Kirkby Stephen - Nine Standards Rigg 5.1 mi
Local events
- Kendal Calling (Thursday 31 July 2025 – Thursday 31 July 2025)
Penrith, Cumbria 16.1 mi
Please note: All distances on this page are calculated "as the crow flies" - please check actual distance depending on your mode of travel using the Get directions button above.
Offers
Conditions apply - see pitch type section for details
Nearest sites
Unfortunately, we have no nearby bookable sites.
Want to know more about camping in The Lake District and Cumbria?
Frequently asked questions
- Does Wildscapes Retreat and Campsite have a swimming pool? No View all features
- Is Wildscapes Retreat and Campsite dog friendly? Yes View all features
- What attractions are near Wildscapes Retreat and Campsite? Local attractions and activities include: - Ravenstonedale (pubs): five minutes’ drive - Kirkby Stephen (market town): 10 minutes - Gamelands Stone Circle: 15 minutes - Smardale Gill Viaduct (walks): 20 minutes - … Read more
- When can I check in and check out of Wildscapes Retreat and Campsite?
Read moreCamping and touring Arrive: 2 p.m. – 8 p.m. Depart by: 11 a.m. - How much does it cost to stay at Wildscapes Retreat and Campsite? From £20 (for 1 night, 2 adults) - prices may change depending on your dates and party.