Experience Cumbria’s real countryside

Lakeland Camping Barns offer a unique opportunity to stay in ancient farm buildings at an affordable £7 per person per night and experience Cumbria’s stunning lakes and lofty peaks literally from your doorstep.

In a former life they might have been a stable, corn store or cattle byre now cleverly converted to provide simple, roomy self-catering accommodation for eight to eighteen people all year round. Owned and run by farmers, each has a character of its own but in common they all have sleeping, cooking/eating and washing areas, are watertight, and in stunning locations. Some have all the amenities under one roof, while others have a separate barn for each facility, all adding to their distinctive appeal.

New Eco-Barn
The latest addition to the Lakeland Camping Barn network, Wythmoor, is in an environmentally sensitive area north east of Kendal on the Walney to Wear coast-to-coast cycle route and close to the Dales Way long distance footpath. Recently converted with sustainability in mind, the 19th century barn uses solar panels to provide free hot water and has underfloor heating via a ground source heat pump, while electricity is from a wind turbine.

It sleeps twelve with two upstairs sleeping platforms and two bed spaces below; there are two toilets/shower rooms, one of which is fully accessible.

Most of Cumbria’s twelve camping barns lie within the scenic National Park and are located across the county from the northern most flank of the Lakeland fells near Caldbeck, west to the coast at St Bees and east to Howgill Fells. Several are in the northern Lakeland area with the most southerly being six miles from Coniston. Some are on either the Coast-to-Coast or Cumbria Way national long-distance paths while others are close to the Cumbria Cycleway.

Often described as ‘stone tents’, they are particularly popular with outdoor enthusiasts such as groups of mountain bikers, fell walkers, rock climbers and canoeists but also have great family appeal and their affordable price opens up the opportunity of a holiday in the Lake District to everyone. An adult must accompany all young people under the age of eighteen. Anyone can book a barn for sole use, which is a requirement for families with children under five years and pet owners.

Facilities
Sleeping areas are usually communal although the largest has four separate sections. Most provide mattresses on a raised sleeping platform but good sleeping bags are essential.

As a minimum, living areas have tables and benches plus a slab for preparing food and cold running water but guests need to bring utensils and a camping stove; many also have hot water and some offer cooking facilities.

The great majority of Lakeland Camping Barns now have hot showers and all have at least one flushing toilet. Heating is generally simple such as an open log fire or stove while others offer a heater for hire but do check before making a reservation as some don’t have heating and one more remote barn has no electricity so a torch should be packed.

For those not wishing to self-cater, cooked Cumbrian breakfasts might be on offer from the owner farmer but most guests will take a trip down to the nearest good food pub to sample some quality local produce or cook a BBQ and dine al fresco under the stars.

Barn-to-Barn Walking and Cycling Breaks
The Lakeland Camping Barns network has compiled a series of circular barn-to-barn walking and cycling routes enabling guests to stay at a different barn each night without using a car or public transport. Once they book, walkers and cyclists are provided with maps sealed in waterproof plastic covers based on Ordnance Survey data.

All the routes start and finish at the same barn enabling those who arrive by car to leave their vehicles at the first location for their journey back home. Luggage transfer is available if booked in advance. Visitors can also opt to stay an extra night or two at any of the barns to do some local exploring or try other activities.

The walks, which are based around central Lakeland within the National Park, range from around 5.75miles/19km up to 9.5miles/15km per day. Graded according to difficulty they take in high ridges, cairns, tarns and river valleys all offering spectacular Lakeland views. The three-night cycling route is located in the Northern Lakes with daily rides, all graded moderate, ranging from around 12miles/19km to 30.5miles/49km.

Booking Information
The price of £7 per person per night covers the accommodation; electricity, heat and any meals are usually additional. For sole use the £7 charge should be multiplied by the maximum number the barn can accommodate, i.e. sole use of a barn sleeping eight would be £56 per night. Individual barns may be reserved for stays of up to one week and they all have car parking areas.

Take a virtual tour of each barn, check availability and book online at Lakelandcampingbarns.co.uk.

Details and full descriptions of facilities at each barn, including how far they are from the nearest pub and shop can also be viewed online.