A WORD FROM THE BOSS
Hello everyone, my name is Annie and it is my pleasure to welcome you to our website and to your first look of our idyllic picturesque campsite located in the South West Lake District. I started this business over two decades ago, doing riding tours around the Isle of Skye, before moving myself, the family and the business south to begin the next leg of the journey. Now with our own place, we have been able to offer not just horse rides, but camping, a shop and many more varieties of experience located on this very farm.
Since making it to Baystone Bank Farm in 2016 it has become a family business, my eldest son Jamie takes care of the campsite and my youngest Jack takes care of the farm side looking after our cows and sheep, leaving me to tend to what I love most, our beautiful heavy horses. I do hope you love our site, and we look forward to you joining us and meeting us at our wonderful farm!
ABOUT US
Baystone Bank Farm Campsite is situated in the south western Lake District National Park in Cumbria, in our very own Whicham Valley. This gorgeous little valley is an undiscovered gem, with great views across to Coniston, Duddon, and into the heart of the Lake District, but without the crowding of the Central Lakes it remains a wonderful, quiet area to camp.
The view from your doorstep will take your breath away, while at night the stars shine so brightly. On a full moon you won’t even need a torch. Grass pitches are located alongside our beautiful shallow running stream, ideal of the children to play! All our main site pitches are close to the facilities (no more than 4 minutes’ walk) and each pitch is level with it’s very own fire pit area to ensure every night has a campfire. If you forgot wood, do not worry, we sell bags onsite!
To the south is the Baystone Bank, where the farm name comes from. The ancient woodland on the bank and alongside the stream provides shelter for a wealth of birds and other wildlife, with the occasional deer and plenty of buzzards. If you like the idea of a small and peaceful campsite based on a working farm with sheep, cows and horses meandering around, and buzzards soaring overhead, look no further.
Across the meadow is Baystone Bank Farm’s very own horse riding centre, Cumbrian Heavy Horses. It is the world’s only BHS-approved Heavy Horse Riding Centre, with magnificent shire horses with their great shaggy feet along with other breeds such as the Clydesdale, Ardennes and the rare Suffolk Punch. There are miles of fabulous riding routes on the private farmland and beyond and a variety of horses to suit all levels of experience. Rides are carefully organised as instructional hacks, with tuition, with children’s short rides, 1 hour and longer for more experienced riders.
SUITABLE FOR
- Tents
- Campervans
- Motorhomes
- Caravans
- Roof top tents
- Dogs, cats, you name it!
- Large groups only by prior arrangement via email.
INTERACTIONS WITH GUESTS
We are always about to chat but do bear in mind we spend our lives at the moment living to work as we try and get everything on the farm to a better standard and improved. If there is anything we can do to make your stay the best possible, please let us know in advance – if we can, we will!
If you would like local information or recommendations ask one of our members of staff. If you’re looking for a Campsite Warden, lookout for Green, if you’re looking for a horse staff member, look for the Navy Blue and for the farmers, look out for the Grey jackets.
NEARBY
For those who prefer to stay on their own two feet, there are endless walking opportunities. A series of footpaths run through the farm, with routes up both Black and White Combe (the foothills are accessible from the campsite) and the rest of the National Park on your doorstep. We have a Google Map to show all the available routes here.
Coniston Water (10 miles) is the closest of the main lakes nearby, but there are several smaller tarns that you can walk around, too including Rydal Water and Tarn Hows. Grizedale Forest is only 30 minutes drive away and offers miles of fabulous off road mountain biking. You can read more in our Lake District section.
FOOD & DRINK
We have an onsite café called The Big Horse Shop and Café, selling a variety of hot foods, hot drinks and menu items ranging from Full English to burgers. We open daily between April and October from 8am until 5pm, but for up to date opening times and availability do make sure to check our Facebook page here.
It’s a 5-minute drive or a half hour walk to The Punch Bowl Inn in the local village of Hallthwaites. The pub is right opposite the village hall (and the bus stop) and is rather unassuming looking from outside. There are outside tables round the back, though, and the food is decent and well-priced. Best to ring the Punch Bowl to reserve a table though as they are not open on certain days during the winter months. For more options, drive the 10 minutes to Broughton-in-Furness, where there’s a trio of good pubs open all year round. There is also the Beach Cafe at Haverigg by the sea where there is a playground for the young ones which is about 8-10 mins away and the Harbour pub which is reasonably priced and offers a 3 course Sunday lunch which is good value. Do check our Lake District page for contact details for taxis, pubs and more.
WIGWAM PODS AND GLAMPING
After partnering with WigWam Holidays™, along the terrace and at the end of our campsite we have our new WigWam luxury pods, which can sleep up to a family of 4 including running water, a fitted kitchen, dining table with chairs and an ensuite shower room for an all inclusive glamping holiday like no other. We have also partnered with RotoSpa™ to provide UK made award winning hot tubs to add a taste of luxury to your holiday and to relax in style!
There is a lovely area which was the farm orchard which now has new wooden decking areas with three beautifully furnished bespoke caravans with fairy lights and bunting galore! Kids can run free, enjoying the stream or relacing by the table and chairs enjoying the firelight (fire pits by side of decking, no BBQ or Fire on the decking PLEASE)
Our best available option is our custom built Roundhouse. With well insulated wooden walls and roof keeping you snug in winter and cooler in summer. The accommodation sleeps up to 4 and offers electric, heating, cooking and a lovely log burner inside. It has a fully equipped kitchen and all bedding and towels are provided – the best of the best that the site has to offer. Well behaved owners with pleasant dogs are welcome, this is available to book through our Airbnb here.
Cumbrian Heavy Horses
BHS Approved Centre – Heavy Horse Riding Experiences – Shire, Clydesdale, Suffolk Punch and Ardennes Horses – Horse Riding Holidays – ‘Hands On’ Experience Days – Farm, Fell, Beach and Trail Riding – Short ‘Taster’ Rides – Short Children’s Rides in the Holidays
We are located in the Whicham Valley, in the South West corner of the Lake District National Park. This gorgeous little valley is an undiscovered gem, with great views across to Coniston, Duddon, and into the heart of the Lake District, but without the crowding of the Central Lakes it remains a wonderful, quiet area to ride.