Great Langdale or Low Wray: choosing a Lake District campsite

The National Trust runs two campsites near Ambleside that suit very different trips. Great Langdale sits at the head of the Langdale valley beneath the Langdale Pikes, a base for walkers who want to leave the tent and head straight up into the fells. Low Wray lies on the western shore of Windermere, England's largest lake, a base for paddling, lakeside walks and slower days (Great Langdale; Low Wray). Both have showers, a shop, laundry and a play area. The real differences are the landscape outside the gate and the way you get a pitch.

Great Langdale: for walkers#

Great Langdale has around 120 informal tent pitches spread across camping meadows, plus 13 hardstanding pitches with electric hook-up for campervans and motorhomes up to 6.5 m, and nine pods. You do not get an allocated tent pitch: you choose your own spot from those free in the meadows when you arrive (guide).

The appeal is what you can reach on foot. The Trust suggests Stickle Tarn, about an hour and a half up beside Stickle Ghyll beneath the Pikes, and a one-hour circuit of Blea Tarn. The 11-mile Langdale Valley cycle trail and the giant redwoods and firs of the High Close tree trail are nearby (Great Langdale). The nearest pub is a couple of minutes' walk away.

Two practical points. The tent fields have no electric hook-ups, and the Trust warns that the site is prone to flooding in heavy rain, so in a wet spell pick higher ground or ask staff where to pitch. Without a car, the 516 Langdale Rambler bus runs from Ambleside, and from Kendal at weekends (guide).

Low Wray: for the lake#

Low Wray has 129 pitches and places to stay, from tent pitches to hardstandings, pods, a cabin and safari tents in the woods. Most pitches are in meadows, some are in woodland and a few are by the lakeshore. Staff direct you to an allocated pitch on arrival, based on the area and size you booked, so book carefully if a lake-view spot matters; not every booking puts the tent by the water (guide). Most pitches have electric hook-up.

The lake is the point. The site has direct access to the shore for launching non-powered craft, Wray Castle stands in the grounds, the Claife Viewing Station is a four-mile walk away, and the ferry crosses to Bowness. Kayaks and paddleboards can be hired in Ambleside, and a wood-fired pizza van runs in season from April to September (Low Wray). The 505 Coniston Rambler bus stops about 0.8 miles from the site.

Side by side#

Sources: the Great Langdale guide, Low Wray guide and main site pages.

At both sites cars stay in a car park rather than beside the tent, so pack in a way you can carry from the car in a few trips.

A weekend at each#

Great Langdale, two days on foot. On the first day climb beside Stickle Ghyll to Stickle Tarn, about an hour and a half each way, with the crags of the Langdale Pikes rising above the water. On the second, take the gentler one-hour circuit of Blea Tarn, or ride part of the 11-mile Langdale Valley cycle trail and finish among the giant redwoods of the High Close tree trail. The pub a couple of minutes from the gate saves cooking on a wet evening (Great Langdale).

Low Wray, two days by the water. Spend the first day on the lake: hire a kayak or paddleboard in Ambleside, or launch your own non-powered craft, then explore the grounds of Wray Castle. On the second, walk the four miles to the Claife Viewing Station above Windermere, and add the ferry to Bowness or a visit to Hill Top, Beatrix Potter's farmhouse, if you want a full day (Low Wray).

Booking rules both share#

The two guides set the same core rules:

• A minimum of two nights, rising to three on Bank Holiday weekends.
• A maximum of four adults per group, whether you book together or separately. Friends who book neighbouring pitches count as one group.
• Quiet hours from 22:00 to 07:00.

Low Wray also takes one-night stays, but only on site, first come, first served, which is a chance on a quiet evening rather than a way to plan a single night. Late arrivals at Low Wray collect a welcome pack from a set point when reception is closed.

Which to choose#

Pick Great Langdale if your days will be spent on the fells and you like choosing your own patch of meadow. Pick Low Wray if you want the lake on your doorstep, a pitch with electric hook-up, or a mix of easy walks, boats and castle grounds. Either way, book early for summer weekends and check the reservation system for current prices, which the Trust shows only when you book. Pages were checked on 8 October 2026.