Overview of Herdwick Croft Holiday Park

Herdwick Croft Holiday Park sits beside Bassenthwaite Lake in the northern Lake District, surrounded by open countryside and views towards Skiddaw and the surrounding fells, view more holiday parks in Bassenthwaite here.

Now part of Lovat Parks, Herdwick Croft combines self catering holiday homes, hot tub accommodation, a couples glamping pod, touring and camping in one of the quieter parts of the Lake District National Park.

Current holiday homes are mainly two bedroom layouts sleeping four, with several accommodation grades providing different levels of space, decking and facilities. Selected holiday homes have private hot tubs and selected accommodation welcomes dogs.

Couples can choose a one bedroom glamping pod designed for two, complete with its own private electric hot tub and outdoor space.

Touring caravans, motorhomes, campervans and tents are also welcome. Electric and non electric pitches are available alongside modern washrooms, water points and practical camping facilities.

Herdwick Willy's Bar & Bistro has reopened following refurbishment and now gives guests somewhere for drinks, hot drinks, snacks and light food without leaving the park. A small park shop is also available for everyday essentials.

Bassenthwaite Lake is immediately beside the park and can be reached on foot for lakeside walks, watersports and fishing. Lake District Wildlife Park, The Lakes Distillery and Armathwaite Hall are also exceptionally close.

Keswick is approximately seven miles away, while Cockermouth, Whinlatter Forest and many of the northern Lake District's best walking routes can be reached easily.

Herdwick Croft Holiday Park at a Glance

Location	Bassenthwaite Lake near Keswick
Setting	Northern Lake District countryside beneath Skiddaw
Operator	Lovat Parks
Holiday Accommodation	Two bedroom holiday homes and glamping
Sleeps	Main holiday homes sleep up to 4
Glamping	Couples pod sleeping 2
Hot Tubs	Selected holiday homes and glamping accommodation
Dog Friendly	Selected holiday homes plus touring and camping
Touring	Touring caravans and motorhomes
Camping	Tent pitches
Electric Pitches	Available
Hardstanding	Touring options available
Bar & Bistro	Herdwick Willy's
Shop	Small park shop
Playground	Children's outdoor play area
Dog Facilities	Dog wash and additional pet facilities
WiFi	Superfast WiFi
Bassenthwaite Lake	Immediately beside the park
Keswick	Approximately 7 miles
Rental Season	Holiday accommodation available year round

Planning a Stay at Herdwick Croft Holiday Park

Holiday Style	What Herdwick Croft Offers
Hot Tub Breaks	Selected holiday homes and couples glamping with private hot tubs
Couples Breaks	One bedroom glamping pod and two bedroom holiday homes
Family Holidays	Two bedroom accommodation, camping and children's play area
Dog Friendly Holidays	Selected holiday homes, dog friendly pitches and dog facilities
Touring Holidays	Hardstanding and electric touring options
Camping Holidays	Tent pitches with modern washrooms and water points
Walking Holidays	Bassenthwaite, Skiddaw and northern Lake District walks nearby
Watersports Breaks	Bassenthwaite Lake beside the park
Fishing Breaks	Bassenthwaite Lake fishing available nearby with appropriate permit
Exploring the Lakes	Keswick, Cockermouth and Whinlatter within easy reach

Herdwick Croft particularly suits visitors who want to stay close to one of the Lake District's quieter lakes rather than in the middle of a busy town.

The combination of hot tub accommodation, touring and camping also makes it suitable for mixed groups who prefer different styles of stay but want to holiday in the same location.

Why is Herdwick Croft Holiday Park a Great Holiday Park?

• Beside Bassenthwaite Lake in the northern Lake District
• Views towards Skiddaw and surrounding fells
• Private hot tubs with selected accommodation
• Couples glamping pod with private hot tub
• Touring, motorhome and camping pitches
• Dog friendly accommodation and pitches
• Herdwick Willy's Bar & Bistro
• Keswick approximately seven miles away

Herdwick Croft Holiday Park FAQs

Does Herdwick Croft have hot tubs?

Yes. Private electric hot tubs are available with selected holiday homes.

The couples glamping pod also has its own private hot tub, making Herdwick Croft particularly suitable for romantic Lake District breaks.

Is Herdwick Croft dog friendly?

Yes. Selected holiday homes welcome dogs and the touring and camping areas are dog friendly.

The park also has dog focused facilities including a dog wash, while Bassenthwaite and the surrounding countryside provide plenty of walking opportunities.

Can you camp at Herdwick Croft?

Yes. Herdwick Croft currently welcomes tents alongside touring caravans and motorhomes.

Electric and non electric pitches are available, with modern shower and toilet facilities, water points and other practical camping amenities.

Is there somewhere to eat at Herdwick Croft?

Yes. Herdwick Willy's Bar & Bistro has reopened following refurbishment.

The venue currently provides drinks, hot drinks, snacks and light food, although opening times and the food offer may continue to develop following the park's recent change of ownership.

Can you fish at Herdwick Croft?

Bassenthwaite Lake is immediately beside the park and is known for species including pike, perch and brown trout.

Fishing is on the lake rather than a private Herdwick Croft fishery, so anglers should obtain the appropriate licence and check current local permit arrangements before fishing.

How far is Herdwick Croft from Keswick?

Keswick is approximately seven miles away and can normally be reached in around 15 minutes by car.

The park is also on a public transport route linking the Bassenthwaite area with surrounding towns.

Accommodation at Herdwick Croft Holiday Park

Current Lovat Parks holiday accommodation at Herdwick Croft centres on modern two bedroom holiday homes alongside a distinctive couples glamping option.

Two Bedroom Holiday Homes

The current principal holiday home range sleeps four guests across two bedrooms.

Layouts normally combine one double bedroom with one twin bedroom.

Open plan kitchen, dining and lounge space gives couples and families somewhere comfortable to relax after days walking or exploring the Lake District.

Kitchens are equipped with:

• cooker
• microwave
• fridge or fridge freezer
• kettle
• toaster
• crockery
• cutlery
• cooking utensils

Central heating and double glazing allow the accommodation to be used comfortably throughout the year.

Bed linen and towels are included.

Higher Grade Holiday Homes

Higher accommodation grades provide additional space and facilities.

Private outdoor decking is included with selected grades, providing somewhere to sit outside and enjoy the surrounding countryside.

Selected accommodation also adds an en suite WC or shower, larger kitchen equipment and additional practical features.

Hot Tub Holiday Homes

Private electric hot tubs are available with selected two bedroom holiday homes.

The hot tubs sit outside the accommodation and provide a particularly useful feature after long walking or cycling days in the fells.

Dog friendly hot tub accommodation is also available within selected grades.

Couples Glamping Pod

The glamping pod is designed specifically for two guests.

It uses a one bedroom, single level layout with a king size bed and its own kitchen area.

Facilities include a fridge freezer, microwave and coffee making equipment alongside central heating and WiFi.

Outside, the pod has private decking and a private electric hot tub.

It provides an alternative for couples who want something more compact and distinctive than a conventional holiday home.

Touring Caravans and Motorhomes

Herdwick Croft has a substantial touring area for caravans and motorhomes.

Current pitch options include electric hardstanding and upgraded hardstanding electric pitches.

Facilities include electric hook up, water points, modern washrooms and pitch side parking.

Awnings and barbecues are permitted subject to park rules.

Camping

Tent camping is available alongside the touring pitches.

Both electric and non electric options are promoted within the current Lovat touring and camping range.

Campers have access to showers, toilets, water points and other shared touring facilities.

Dogs are welcome.

Accommodation Comparison

Accommodation Type	Bedrooms	Sleeps	Key Features
Two Bedroom Holiday Homes	2	4	Self catering kitchen, heating, WiFi and bed linen
Holiday Homes with Decking	2	4	Additional outdoor living space
Hot Tub Holiday Homes	2	4	Private electric hot tub
Dog Friendly Holiday Homes	2	4	Selected accommodation accepting dogs
Glamping Pod	1	2	Couples accommodation with private hot tub
Touring Pitches	—	Varies	Electric and hardstanding options
Motorhome Pitches	—	Varies	Touring facilities and water points
Tent Pitches	—	Varies	Electric and non electric camping

Practical Accommodation Information

Holiday Home Bedrooms	Two
Holiday Home Capacity	Up to 4
Glamping Capacity	2
Hot Tubs	Selected holiday homes and glamping
Kitchens	Equipped self catering kitchens
Microwave	Included
Fridge / Freezer	Included depending on accommodation
Decking	Selected accommodation
Heating	Central heating
Bed Linen	Included
Towels	Included
WiFi	Included
Dogs	Selected holiday homes and touring/camping
Parking	One vehicle space per booking
Holiday Check In	Normally from 4pm
Holiday Check Out	By 10am
Touring Check In	From 12pm
Touring Check Out	By 10am

Park Facilities at Herdwick Croft Holiday Park

Herdwick Croft is undergoing investment following its move into the Lovat Parks group, but it remains focused on outdoor Lake District holidays rather than becoming a large entertainment resort.

Its strongest facilities are the bistro, children's play, touring amenities, dog facilities and immediate access to Bassenthwaite Lake and the surrounding countryside.

Bassenthwaite Lake

Bassenthwaite Lake is the defining feature of the location.

The shore lies immediately beside Herdwick Croft and can be reached on foot, giving guests easy access to lakeside scenery and walking.

Bassenthwaite is quieter than many of the central Lake District waters and has particularly strong wildlife interest.

The surrounding landscape is dominated by Skiddaw and the northern fells, providing excellent scenery even for visitors who do not intend to climb the higher summits.

Watersports on Bassenthwaite

Bassenthwaite supports a range of non motorised watersports.

Paddleboarding, kayaking, canoeing, windsurfing and sailing are all associated with the lake subject to current access rules and weather conditions.

Bassenthwaite Sailing Club is nearby for more formal sailing facilities.

Visitors bringing their own equipment should always check current launch permissions and lake regulations before entering the water.

Fishing on Bassenthwaite Lake

Bassenthwaite is known for fish including:

• pike
• perch
• brown trout
• vendace

Fishing is not operated as a Herdwick Croft facility and anglers need to follow the lake's current licence and permit requirements.

The proximity of the water nevertheless makes Herdwick Croft useful for visitors who intend to combine a Lake District holiday with fishing.

Herdwick Willy's Bar & Bistro

Herdwick Willy's has reopened following refurbishment under the new ownership.

The venue provides drinks, hot drinks and light food, giving guests somewhere to stop without travelling into Keswick or Cockermouth.

The offer is still developing following the 2026 reopening, so opening days and menus should be checked during the stay.

Its return is particularly useful for campers and touring guests who may not want to cook every evening.

Park Shop

A small shop provides everyday essentials and useful camping supplies.

This is particularly convenient for touring guests and families who need basic items without making a dedicated supermarket trip.

Children's Play Area

An outdoor children's play area provides younger visitors with an activity close to the accommodation and touring areas.

This gives families something to use between longer days out around the Lake District.

Dog Friendly Facilities

Lovat Parks has introduced a stronger dog friendly offer at Herdwick Croft.

Current facilities include a dog washing station alongside smaller touches such as dog bowls and treats.

Touring and camping pitches welcome dogs and selected holiday homes are also pet friendly.

The surrounding lake and fell landscape then provides a huge choice of longer walks.

Touring Washrooms

Touring and camping guests have access to shower and toilet facilities.

Water points and electric hook ups are available, with family facilities also included within the current camping offer.

Laundry

Laundry facilities are available for longer touring and camping stays.

WiFi

Superfast WiFi is now promoted across the park.

This is a useful improvement for a rural Lake District location where mobile signals can vary considerably.

Park Facilities

Facility	Details
Bar & Bistro	Herdwick Willy's
Shop	Everyday and camping essentials
Playground	Children's outdoor play area
Dogs	Selected accommodation and dog friendly pitches
Dog Wash	Available
Bassenthwaite Lake	Shoreline immediately beside the park
Watersports	Available locally on Bassenthwaite subject to access rules
Fishing	Bassenthwaite Lake nearby, permits and licence required
Touring	Hardstanding and electric pitches
Camping	Electric and non electric tent pitches
Showers	Touring and camping washrooms
Family Bathrooms	Available
Water Points	Available
Laundry	Touring facilities
WiFi	Superfast WiFi
Parking	One space per booking

Places to Visit Near Herdwick Croft Holiday Park

Bassenthwaite Lake is the closest attraction and can be explored without travelling far from the accommodation.

Lake District Wildlife Park is approximately a quarter of a mile away and has more than 100 species, making it one of the easiest family days out from the park.

The Lakes Distillery is also extremely close and offers tours, tastings, food and a shop.

Armathwaite Hall sits on the opposite side of the park area and provides spa facilities and dining, with day spa options available subject to current booking arrangements.

Cockermouth is approximately five miles away and combines Georgian streets, independent shops and Wordsworth House and Garden.

Keswick is approximately seven miles away and is the main visitor town for the northern Lakes, with shops, cafés, Theatre by the Lake and easy access to Derwentwater.

Whinlatter Forest is one of the area's strongest destinations for mountain biking, walking and woodland activities.

Nearby Attractions

Attraction	Approximate Distance	Approximate Journey
Bassenthwaite Lake	Beside the park	On foot
Lake District Wildlife Park	Approximately ¼ mile	Short walk
The Lakes Distillery	Very close	Approximately 5 minutes on foot
Armathwaite Hall & Spa	Very close	Short walk / drive
Cockermouth	Approximately 5 miles	10 to 15 minutes
Keswick	Approximately 7 miles	Around 15 minutes
Derwentwater	Approximately 8 miles	15 to 20 minutes
Whinlatter Forest	Approximately 10 miles	Around 20 minutes
Castlerigg Stone Circle	Approximately 10 miles	Around 20 minutes
Honister Slate Mine	Approximately 17 miles	Around 30 minutes