The Quiet Site Lake District hobbit holes – glamping experience 2024

Wow wow wow.. What can I say! We’ve just returned from a 2-night stay at The Quiet Site Lake District glamping experience, a quirky campsite nestled in the heart of Ullswater, Cumbria. After reading some impressive reviews online we were excited to try out this award-winning campsite – and we weren’t disappointed. Staying in the hobit holes really is a surreal experience.

Here’s an in-depth guide to The Quiet Site – Named one of the coolest places to stay in 2020

Where it the Lake District hobbit holes?

Situated between Keswick and Penrith, 20 minutes from the M6, The Quiet Site is in the perfect location for a relaxing break away in the heart of the countryside, yet still within close reach to some of the Lake District’s most vibrant towns.

It’s well signed posted and if you use the postcode CA11 0LS you’ll be directed straight to the site instead of being lost in the middle of a field like most SAT navs send you to!

The Quiet Site is surrounded by stunning greenery overlooking Ullswater Lake with a dramatic mountain backdrop. It really is a picture-perfect place.

Our Experience

Arriving after dark we were warmly welcomed by Pete who showed us to our Hobbit Hole. It was a wet and windy night, but the Hobbit Hole was toasty warm when we got there – thanks guys for leaving the heating on for us before our arrival.

After a long drive, we decided to grab a shower to freshen up. The shower facilities were super clean and the water is hot and powerful – definitely not like most campsite showers where you’re lucky enough to get a dribble of lukewarm water. For all you ladies out there they have hairdryers so you don’t need to pack a travel-size one, making more room for other necessities like wine!

We headed to the Quiet Bar which is onsite where we indulged in a sweet cider and classic red whilst enjoying the roaring open fire. Good news too – your furry friends is allowed meaning we could take our beloved Cocker Spaniel Ruby with us to enjoy the atmosphere of this super cozy bar. Unfortunately, they don’t serve food but have a range of bar snacks readily available for as little as 50p per scoop to enjoy. There are a pool table and plenty of board games to try including Scrabble, Battleships and Domino’s, as well as relaxing music to enjoy.

The next morning we awoke to an incredible view of Ullswater and enjoyed our breakfast on the outside patio benches and pretended it wasn’t only 5 degrees – the view was well worth near pneumonia!

After a busy day tackling the 10-mile walk around Derwentwater situated in the charming town of Keswick we headed back to the Quiet Site to enjoy a delicious home-cooked meal at the nearby hotel, Another Place. Only a 5 minute drive away, this place is perfect for a hearty meal with foods supplied by local vendors. I’d recommend the Cumberland sausage and Rhubarb and custard pudding – yummy!

Unfortunately, it was time to head home… After a swift check out we decided to head to Aira Force Waterfall, an impressive waterfall in a secluded and tranquil area of Ullswater, which gives a feeling of great power and beauty. It certainly makes a good Instagram shot. You can tackle this walk from the Quiet Site itself and takes around 4.5 hours or you can park at the National Trust car park for a hefty £5 for two hours! There’s also a tearoom selling drinks, light lunches, and scrumptious cakes to enjoy to put on all those calories you’ve just burnt – but believe me, it’s worth it.

Our two-day adventure to The Quiet Site was amazing from start to finish. I couldn’t fault the staff for their friendliness and willingness to help, making your holiday the best it can be. The facilities are ultra-modern, yet the campsite it’s self is super authentic. There’s so much to do in the surrounding area, you’ll never be bored. It’s the perfect destination for couples looking for a romantic getaway, families needing a fun-filled break, solo travelers looking to explore the Lake District countryside and groups of friends looking to catch up over a bottle of wine!

Quite Site Hobbit Hole Accommodation Options

There’s a range of Quite Site Lake District accommodation options to choose from, here they are;

• Hobbit Hole – Perfect for families of up to 4 or couples that want a little luxury on their travels. Enjoy the bonus of having a separate toilet and basin in your Hobbit Hole so you don’t have to do the midnight dash to the bathroom, as well as a kettle, microwave, and fridge, enabling you to make a hot cuppa in the morning without having to leave the vicinity of your cozy home from home.
• Caravans and Motorhomes – If you’re lucky enough to own your caravan or motorhome you can set up shop on one of their hard standing pitches, but book in advance to secure your place on “AA’s Campsite of the Year”.
• Camping – If you’re into old school camping, there’s no better place than The Quiet Site. Pitch up on pea gravel terraces meaning mud is virtually eliminated.
• Bell Tents – Basically camping but without the need to pitch ups a tent, which as we all know can be a highly stressful experience! Bell tents are designed to accommodate the variable British weather, with ample ventilation for hot days, as well as being waterproof for those rainy days.
• Holiday Cottages – If there’s a big group of you, why not enjoy one of The Quiet Site’s cozy self-catering cottages and make memories that will last you a lifetime. You’ll instantly feel at home in these well-equipped opened planned cottages.
• Camping Pods – The Camping Pods are a timber insulated hut designed to be used just like a tent, but unlike a tent, it is already set up on the site, ready for you to move in – winner winner!

You can also check out the Lake District Airbnb guide.

Quite Site Facilities

The quiet site offers guests ultra-modern facilities making your stay as comfortable as possible. Here’s a list to name just a few.

1. WiFi – So you can catch up on your favourite Netflix series on a rainy day
2. Zero Waste Shop – Selling a wide range of plastic FREE products including delicious cheeses, nuts, and a fresh bakery
3. Children’s play area – to keep the little ones entertained
4. Super Clean Shower Rooms – Freshen up in the energy-efficient solar powdered shower rooms
5. Dog and Boot washroom – So you’re not trailing mud into your caravan or tent
6. Drying Room – We know it can often rain in the Lake District, so a drying room is a perfect solution to your wet and soggy clothes
7. Dishwashing unit – Enabling you to wash your dirty pops instead of using freezing cold water points that make sure hands turn numb!
8. Chemical disposal point – To get rid of all that yucky mess!
9. Small book library – Exchange your unwanted books for new ones all for FREE
10. Campers kitchen – With kettles, toaster, microwaves, fridges, freezers, water filter, hot drinks machine, tables, and chairs, this is the perfect place to retreat from the windy winter weather and cook up a hot meal
11. Laundry Room – If you’re staying at The Quiet Site for a few days, make the most of their washing machine, tumble dryer and iron

Best things to do near The Hobbit Hole Quiet Site

Keswick

Only a 20-minute drive from The Quiet Site, Keswick is a charming Lake District town full of fun and quirky things to do. Shop till you drop at the many outdoor stores that line the high street, indulge in a luxury hot chocolate at one of the many coffee houses or visit the Puzzling Place, an attraction based on optical illusions.

If you love the outdoors, Keswick is the perfect place for you. There are plenty of walks and cycle routes to try, our favourite being Derwentwater Lake, a 10-mile circular walk starting from the town center, which follows designated paths, through ancient woodland and stunning shoreline.

There are also plenty of activities for the family to enjoy including Go Ape, Keswick Climbing Wall, and Honister Slate Mine Adventure.

Penrith

Situated a 15-minute drive from The Quiet Site Lake District, Penrith is the hub of the Eden Valley. There’s plenty of quirky gift shops, as well as big brands where you can pick up any essentials for your break away. Visit Lowther Castle located a few miles south of Penrith and enjoyed the ancient gardens, adventure playground, café, and gift shops – making it an ideal attraction for the whole family. You can also take a walk to Lacy’s Caves, an interesting walk with fantastic views over the Eden Valley – just be careful if you have little ones at the path can be a bit tricky at times.

Ullswater Steamers

With a 10% discount when you stay at the Quiet Site it’s a perfect trip out for the whole family. Cruise around England’s most beautiful lake, you can even jump off at Howtown and take the gorgeous walk back to Glenridding and best of all dogs welcome.

Helvellyn and Blencathra

If you’re a serial walker you have to tick these off your bucket list. If you’re tackling Helvellyn, I’d recommend tacking the Striding Edge route, you’ll gain a height of up to 850 meters, walk a total of 6.5km and this will take you around 3 hrs. Blencathra reaches 868 meters at Hallsfell Top, its highest point and commands stunning views over Derwentwater. As with all ventures into the high fells, you’ll need to ensure you’re properly kitted out and have allowed for plenty of time (these things always take longer than you think!).

 Best Places to Eat Near The Quiet Site

Granny Dowbekin’s

Perhaps it’s because of the wonderful, old-fashioned name, but I expected Granny Dowbekin’s to be a quaint little tea shop, but it is much more than that. This is a large, modern cafe and restaurant with a comprehensive menu of hot meals, as well as the exceptional teas, cakes, scones, and sandwiches. You can also have beers or wine with your meal – you are on holiday after all! Prices are reasonable and the service is super friendly making it an overall wonderful experience.

1863 Restaurant

1863 is a beautiful small restaurant with a warm and friendly atmosphere. This intimate eating experience offers customers relaxed fine dining experience with seasonal menus made with local produce and expertly served up by a dedicated kitchen team. The service was impeccable; the lovely staff were incredibly knowledgeable and accommodating of my dietary requirements.

The Horse and Farrier Inn

It’s a wonderful place with a relaxing atmosphere serving delicious hearty home-cooked food and friendly, lovely staff. There’s a wide selection of ales and wine to enjoy after a busy day exploring the Lake District countryside.

Final Thoughts

Check out this handy YouTube video;

Our experience at The Quiet Site Lake District beat all our expectations from start to finish, from the staff to facilities and the fabulous location. It’s the perfect place for a night away to get away from the hustle and bustle of city life or just as perfect for a week away with the family.

Don’t forget to check out the best things to do in Ambleside post!