Grizedale Campsite Bowkerstead Farm, Ulverston

I used to camp here in the past, it was a hidden gem and had the bonus of being able to have a camp fire and being quiet and tranquil. My most recent visit at the weekend was my most horrendous camping experience ever. It was like a clubbing in a city on a Saturday night except the loud music just blasted out all day and all night. People were exceedingly drunk and foul mouthed and there seemed no point in complaining as some of the drunkards had already gone on the offensive after someone else had asked them to turn the music down. Neither myself or the rest of my family got any sleep. There was no pleasure in camping here at all.

The facilities, a couple of male and female toilets and a couple of showers was just not adequate for the volume of people staying. Myself and a few other families raised the issue with the owner who just said 'It's the sun it brings everyone from the towns out and they act like they are still in the town' so not much resolve there, he's happy for the money I suppose but unfortunately after the weekend there will be a number of people who won't be putting any money his way in the future.

A really beautiful place but not pleasurable to camp there.

The facilities are described as "excellent" whereas in fact there is only one male toilet, two female toilets, one washing up facility and two male and two female showers all in a dirty condition and the hot water is intermittent, by far the worst facilities I have ever experienced.

On the friday night a group of about 20 staying in the yurts had a birthday party with loud dance music and strobe lights that went on until 5am and then on the saturday night it got even worse as about 50 more people turned up and held a rave party in the barn that went on into the early hours.

Arthur the owner did not seem bothered about the many complaints and no apology was offered.

It was our first time at this site and never again but many of our fellow campers who have camped here before told us they will never return.

A terribly run site with terrible facilities.

Have stayed at Grizedale camp site (Bowkerstead Farm) twice with a group of friends (once in a pod and once in a Yurt) and both times have been an amazing camping experience. The owner of the site will go out his way to ensure you have a good time. A genuinely lovely man. Yurts are well worth the price especially in winter. Luxary in a forest! The owner allows camp fires which adds to the 'proper' camping experience, fire wood can be bought from the farmer. The shower and toilet facilities have been spotless on the two occasions we have been. Brilliant location. Only a 20 minute walk to Grizedale visitor centre (Bike trails, walking trails and go ape) or there are some nice trails into grizedale forrest from the back of the campsite itself. Nice pub called the Eagles Head close by serving lovely food. Would definately reccomend this camp site!!

Having only been camping as a boy and living in London I never thought I would stray from the comfort of my hotel. Then a move to the North East later in life (I am 44) opened my eyes to the beauty of the North East and North West the Lakes specifically. A work colleague suggested Grizdale and Bowkerstead Farm. Now on the drive there passing a number of for want of a better word pretty but sterile camp sites you arrive at Bowkerstead farm and are met by Arthur and a nicer fella you won't meet. He keeps a discreet eye on things and is always on hand should you need anything. The tops for me is the real fires, Arthur supplies the wood for a modest fee £2.50 kinderling and £3.50 for logs, (now this is a working farm with basic facilities and a bloke trying to earn a living yet people still try to swerve paying by picking up there own timber come on people) me I love the fact you can just pitch up build a fire and stare out at the views perfect chill out. Yes the toilets and showers are basic but clean and bring everything you need because you wont find any shops round the corner, blinding pub just 5 minute walk away and Hawks head 10 minute drive, with pubs shops ect, but for me Arthur being as chilled as he is and the real fire are what make a weekend here totally relaxing. Going back this weekend after only having left last weekend because it really is worth a two and a half hour drive to chill and relax for basically nothing (hell I spend more on a takeaway at the weekend than I do for 2 nights here) give it a go and enjoy.

The owner is incredably helpful and friendly.

It's beautifully located, and handy for allsorts of activitys (cycling, walking, riding, running, kayaking, orienteering, Go Ape, Grizedales famous sculptures, etc etc)

The site has free showers, toilets, and washing up area, which are kept very clean.

You can camp in the woods or down on the field, and fires are allowed, providing you don't take wood from the surronding area (dead wood is needed for the wood to survive), you can buy wood on site.

They have camping pods or a yurt if you don't want to take a tent.

The stream and the woods are great for keeping the kids entertained.

Booked a pitch at Grizedale Campsite 8 months in advance, double checked it 2 weeks before leaving and was told it was all reserved for us. Turned up after a 6 hour drive to find our pitch was taken by someone else and the owner I had booked the pitch through did nothing about it. Was fobbed off with the excuse "there are events on this weekend, you won't be able to get a space on another campsite". Had camped here before, was very disappointed that the owner was very unhelpful and was apparently incapable of answering straightforward questions and was full of feeble, irrelevant excuses for his incompetance. Would not recommend, will not book there again. Much nicer campsites with more helpful and friendlier staff elsewhere in the lakes for the same price despite what they say!

Location beautiful at Grizedale Campsite Bowkerstead Farm. Showers free and clean, toilets clean, small river running through, brill for the kids to play in , or just for us grown ups to cool off in... the wooded areas were also great for the kids to explore.........

Very friendly and helpful owner, being able to have a fire was an essential for us, and were even supplied with a metal brasier in which to have a fire..

Very Helpfull owner and his wife at Grizedale Campsite Bowkerstead Farm. very relaxed atmosphere especially in the wooded area where you can have an open fire. Great night time atmosphere though occassionally you do get some 'Twits' who make so much noise it ruins it for everyone else, though in my experience, and we have been there several times now it goes quiet round about midnight to one a.m We don't let the occassional muppet get us down though, its as close to nature as we have got so far and really worth the time. and for £6 per person per night you cant complain. Facilities are showers (though not really enough and you can be waiting quite a while, we boil our own and just basically get 'Minging' for a few days, try it its a laugh. Take midge repellant though you may need it though its not excessive. Great areas in the woods for kids to play and a stream going through the site which kids love to get into when its warm weather. there is a local pub just 10 mins walk away, usual country fayre not bad at all. and the walks into Grizedale forest are superb, though make sure you take decent maps as we were constantly having to help others who had got lost using the tourist maps which are NOT very informative. we use an ordanance survey map of the area and it is very detailed, never had a problem. I would recommend this site to any one who likes the 'Bushcrafty' life and also to those who prefer 'Normal family camping as there is also a large open flat field, though no fires here im afraid. Can get busy. This site is a popular place so get your booking in early. Bank Holidays usually fill it up fast.