Gillside Farm in Cumbria

A group of 18 students stayed 3 nights in the bunkhouse here. Really good facilities particularly the large dining area. Lots of fridge and freezer space and a big oven. A nice BBQ area out the back. Toilets and showers were clean and easily accessible. 20p for a shower was long enough and a good temperature. A great location for climbing Hellvellyn and easy to get into the main village. Beds were comfortable. Noone found the generators too noisy. Appreciated the heating that came on in the evening. Almost perfect for what we needed! The only thing that would add to the experience would be a sofa! A good price for what it was! Thanks!

I know staying in a bunkhouse isn't strictly "camping" but after staying at the bunkhouse facility at Gillside Farm and campsite in Ullswater I just had to share my experience.
and warn fellow travellors.....
The bunkhouse has 2 bedrooms each sleeping 7, and has its own kitchen and dining facilities, with toilet and shower facilities around the back. For £13 per person this seems like a good deal for the extra bit of comfort afforded over staying in a tent. How wrong I was to be....
Myself and 2 friends stayed in the bunkhouse overnight of the 24th Aug 2012 as the location is an excellent base for climbing to the summit of Hellvellyn.
After a 12 mile walk in the afternoon and a few pints in the local I was looking forward to a good nights sleep before tackling the peak the following day. Alas this was not to be....
The bedrooms back onto an hydro-electricity generator. This generator was so loud that the walls and beds in the bunkhouse actually vibrated, and this was a constant noise throughout the night. After tossing and turning with a banging headache and unable to sleep through the noise, in the early hours of the morning I had to drag my matresses from the bedroom into the dining area as this point was furthest away from the generator. I then managed to get a couple of hours sleep despite the banging head.
This was far from the relaxing nights sleep we had in mind before tackling the 3rd highest peak in England.
I made my opinion clear to the owner of the farm as we checked out but having already paid upfront on arrival she displayed a "couldnt care less attitude" commenting that no-one else had complained. I just wanted to post this so other travellers are aware of the noise and perhaps opt for the campsite instead

Relaxed family run site with brilliant access to the footpath for Helvellyn. Short and easy walk beside the beck to the village of Glenridding, with two good general stores, two local pubs and the beautiful Ullswater, longest lake in England. Beautiful scenery and different grades walking for all abilities. Boat hire and steamer trips on the lake. A longer stomp to the White Lion Inn in Patterdale is well worth while. I have stayed 3 times in a tent and twice in statics and it would be my first choice of site to go back to.

i have stayed on this site when camping over a period of many years. That alone should say it all. Friendly family run site. beautiful scenery, lots of walks. not too much hassle to get into town,(if you wish). I can't say enough good things about this site. Lots of friends have gone on my recommendation and they all go back....Although due to circumstances I haven't managed to go camping for a couple of years now, i'm looking forward to going this year. can't wait........