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Baystone Bank Farm Campsite

96%
·
· Millom, Cumbria, England
1 acre hosted by Jamie G.
17 motorhome/tent pitches · 7 motorhome pitches · 13 tent pitches
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Creature comforts
Enjoy the comforts of home in nature — including real toilets, showers, and kitchen.
Lake District camping on a working farm with a stream to splash in, campfires encouraged and a horse-riding centre on the doorstep

Baystone Bank Farm has the feel of farm from time gone by. In the south-west of the Lake District, at the foot of White Combe mountain, it’s setting is as English as they come. Traditional Swaledale sheep dot the surrounding slopes and a mighty Shire horse grazes in the neighbouring field, as if an old horse-drawn plough has just been unshackled. This is ‘rural’ defined.

Through the centre of the site runs a small and very paddle-able stream, its waters funnelled down from White Combe and Black Combe, the hulking mountains that rise north of the campsite. Across the stream a collection of non-electric grass pitches are perfect for tent campers, while, on the nearer side, more grass pitches are joined by slate grey hard-standings for campervans or caravans. In total, the campsite still remains a small and peaceful affair, with space for kids to run free and build dams in the stream, while parents enjoy the tranquillity of pitching on one the Lake District's smaller, lesser known campsites.

Those who want the location but without the camping are also catered for. There’s a handful of pre-pitched bell tents, decked out with proper beds and soft furnishings, and a custom-built, timber roundhouse set on the campsites raised terrace area. There’s also a separate orchard, through a gate at the end of the site, which has been specifically set aside for groups of campers, who want to book together and have a space all to themselves.

The campsite is just one of many feathers in Baystone Bank’s hat. Along with continuing to farm Swaledale and Blackfaced sheep on the surrounding fells, it is also home to the Cumbrian Heavy Horses Riding Centre, where you can saddle up on the largest of horse breeds, including shire horses and Clydesdales. There are steeds for all sizes though, and all levels of ability, so campers are welcome to saddle up and head out on one of their guided hacks.

Those who prefer two feet to four need no telling that the walking here is excellent. Several footpaths run right through the farm’s own land and trekking up to the top of White Combe and along the ridge to Black Combe is a must. Standing in isolation as the ridge does, it offers excellent all-round views, of the Irish Sea to the west and across the crinkling mountains of the rest of the national park to the east. In the distance below, the likes of Muncaster Castle, the Esk estuary and the North Walney National Nature Reserve all offer just a glimpse of the many other attractions on the doorstep.

Activities
Biking
Fishing
Hiking
Wildlife watching
Natural features
Beach
Forest
Mountainous
Farm
96%
120 Ratings · 208 reviews
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Janice D.recommends
August 31, 2024
Grass Pitch by the Stream 5
Beautiful natural campsite
One of the most picturesque and beautiful campsites I’ve been to. Definitely worth camping next to the stream, loved drifting off to sleep listening to it bubbling along. Does get very muddy when it’s raining but the camp managers had mud tracks you could use.
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Michael F.doesn't recommend
August 19, 2024
Hard Standing Pitch EHU 6
Facilities fall well short…….🙁
Really disappointed. Bad: Toilets (male and female) / shower / washing up all in one space. Gents toilets - 2 tiny cubicles and 1 urinal for this size camp site is not enough. Showers were dirty. Can see the shower trays are not regularly cleaned. Wife kept her flip flops on! Need to shower before 09:00 or before 18:00 otherwise the hot water has run out. Poorest facilities we have experienced in the Lakes. Good: lovely location. Easy coastal access and 30 mins from Coniston inland. Nice views. Stream running through the site - good for kids to play in. Overall: we like clean facilities with hot water. Not asking a lot but this site fell woefully short.
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Basudha R.
August 5, 2024
Car Free Zone Grass Pitch 16
When I messaged the host there was no reply. This was before our arrival date. We were welcomed by a lady staff who looked like she didn’t want to be there. She was very abrupt and unapproachable. The site is in a beautiful place. However, we felt the camp pitches were too close to one another. Obviously with school holiday period it’s bound to be busy. I’d suggest to go during less busier times if you do decide to go. Another thing- the toilets were filthy. In women’s toilets there were no loo rolls for the whole night until very late next morning and one was out of order. Luckily, we had our own loo rolls with us. The same lady staff came in the morning and was very rude. She wasn’t happy when the door with out of order sign was open. I informed her people were probably opening it to use the loo roll from there which I did see it happening. She slammed the door hard and said this isn’t supposed to be open very rudely. The sink in one of the showers we used seemed clogged as it wouldn’t drain. Reading previous reviews which mentioned very clean facilities were not true. Like I said the site is in a beautiful surrounding. Maybe when it’s not busy you’d be able to enjoy. We booked for 2 nights but left after one night. Mainly because it showed rain for the 2nd day and the pitches being too close which we did not like. Obviously this is based on our experience. We wouldn’t go back there as it left a bad taste. The little cafe and the people there were lovely though.
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Garry A.recommends
July 30, 2024
Hard Standing Pitch EHU 2
Lovely relaxed atmosphere, great for family’s and groups, beautiful location, facilities were good, clean and value for money.
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Ana João S.doesn't recommend
July 15, 2024
Car Free Zone Grass Pitch 18
The camping site was lovely next to the stream, but the owners were always a bit rude and never made us feel welcome to the camp.
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Collette B.recommends
June 24, 2024
Hard Standing Pitch EHU 5
Nice clean facilities, staff really helpful will definitely return 😀
Location
Millom, Cumbria, England, United KingdomTo respect the Host's privacy, the precise address of this land will be provided after booking
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Hosted by Jamie G.

Joined in May 2018
From the host
Baystone Bank Farm Campsite is a small family campsite situated at the foot of Black and White Combe in the picturesque Whicham Valley within the South Western borders of the Lake District National Park. Whether relaxing with your family, having a base for activities, having a romantic break, walking the miles of footpaths starting right here or simply exploring this beautiful and unspoilt part of Cumbria we offer a fabulous location for your holiday! With miles of pristine beaches just 5 minutes away this area offers a multitude of things to do, from simply getting out into the countryside, castles with huge gardens to explore, joining us here for a ride out with the UK's only British Horse Society Approved Heavy Horse Riding Centre 'Cumbrian Heavy Horses', or simply relax on site, listen to the burbling stream which runs through the site, get the BBQ going, and enjoy the tranquillity!  Be it camping, glamping in the bell tents or booking to stay in our own unique 'The Roundhouse accommodation, or a stay with your motor home or caravan we can cater for your requirements! We have a special area, 'The Orchard' for private bookings, which is fenced separately and is secure - ideal for groups.  - Dogs are welcome as long as they are kept on leads at all times due to the farms horses and other animals. Also on site is world renowned Cumbrian Heavy Horses, a unique riding centre in that they use the magnificent Shire, Clydesdale and other pure heavy horse breeds for riding...with rides to suit all abilities this can be a fabulous addition to your holiday! Baystone Bank Farm is also a working fell farm, we have Swaledale and Scottish Blackface sheep, chickens, cats and dogs as part of our family! Local stores, traditional pubs and restaurants are situated within a ten minute drive of the farm. The site is open all year (including camping for the hardy!), although parking on the grass is not allowed in wet conditions, please park your vehicle in the car park (only a short walk from your pitch). The bell tents are seasonal, available to hire from Easter until the end of October half term We hope you will enjoy your visit and come back to join us in future!
Nearby attractions

Across the meadow is Baystone Bank Farm's very own horse riding centre. It is the world's only BHS-approved Heavy Horse Riding Centre (07769 588565 or 01229 777764), with magnificent shire horses with their great shaggy feet along with other breeds such as Clydesdale, Suffolk Punch, Brabant and Percheron. 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, and start from 1½ hours (longer fell and beach ride experiences are available to suit experience levels). 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. 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.

Food and drink

It's a 5-minute drive or a half hour walk to The Punch Bowl Inn (01229 774457) 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 also about 8-10 mins away and the Harbour pub which is reasonably priced and offers a 3 course Sunday lunch which is good value.

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