Overview of Hillcroft Park
Hillcroft Park sits on the hillside above Pooley Bridge in the Ullswater Valley, with views across the surrounding Lake District fells and the northern end of the lake near to Penrith. Ullswater and the village are approximately five minutes away on foot, giving guests easy access to lake cruises, walking routes, pubs, cafés and local shops. Discover more parks offering caravan holidays in Penrith here.
The park has one of the broadest accommodation choices around Ullswater. Guests can stay in lodges, holiday caravans, self catering cottages, glamping pods and camping pods, while touring caravans, motorhomes and tents are also welcome. A larger self catering house in Pooley Bridge provides accommodation for groups of up to 14.
Private hot tubs are available with selected lodges, cottages and the larger house, while designated pet friendly accommodation provides options for visitors bringing dogs.
Hillcroft is particularly well suited to walking and outdoor holidays. The Ullswater Way can be joined from Pooley Bridge, while boat trips from the village allow visitors to combine walking with journeys across the lake. Aira Force, Howtown, Glenridding and some of the best known fells in the eastern Lake District are all within reach.
Families have an upgraded play park introduced for 2026, while practical facilities include a shop, laundry and drying room, modern shower facilities, private bathrooms available to hire and a dog shower for muddy paws after days on the fells.
Hillcroft Park at a Glance
| Location | Pooley Bridge, Ullswater, Cumbria |
| Setting | Hillside park overlooking the Ullswater Valley |
| Accommodation | Lodges, caravans, cottages, house, glamping pods and camping pods |
| Touring & Camping | Touring caravans, motorhomes and tents |
| Hot Tubs | Available with selected lodges, cottages and group accommodation |
| Dog Friendly | Selected pet friendly accommodation and pitches |
| Dog Facilities | Dedicated dog shower |
| Playground | Upgraded children’s play park for 2026 |
| Shop | On park shop with local produce and everyday essentials |
| Laundry | Washers, dryers and drying room |
| Private Bathrooms | Available to hire for camping and touring guests |
| Walking | Easy access to Pooley Bridge, Ullswater and the Ullswater Way |
| Pooley Bridge | Approximately 5 minutes on foot |
| Ullswater | Approximately 5 minutes on foot |
Planning a Stay at Hillcroft Park
| Holiday Style | What Hillcroft Offers |
|---|---|
| Lake District Walking Holidays | Ullswater Way access, nearby fell walks and a drying room for wet outdoor gear |
| Hot Tub Breaks | Selected lodges, cottages and larger accommodation with private hot tubs |
| Family Holidays | Lodges, caravans, cottages, glamping and an upgraded 2026 play park |
| Dog Friendly Holidays | Pet friendly accommodation, countryside walks and a dedicated dog shower |
| Glamping Breaks | Glamping pods and simpler camping pod accommodation |
| Touring Holidays | Touring and motorhome pitches with high quality washroom facilities |
| Camping Holidays | Tent pitches close to Pooley Bridge and Ullswater |
| Group Holidays | Large self catering house in Pooley Bridge sleeping up to 14 |
| Car Free Days Out | Walk into Pooley Bridge for Ullswater Steamers and local walking routes |
Hillcroft works particularly well for guests who want to make the most of Ullswater without staying somewhere isolated from village facilities. Pooley Bridge is close enough to walk to for meals, drinks, shops and boat trips, while the park still has a peaceful hillside setting above the village.
Why is Hillcroft Park a Great Holiday Park?
- Approximately five minutes on foot from Pooley Bridge and Ullswater
- Wide choice of lodges, caravans, cottages, pods, touring and camping
- Private hot tubs with selected accommodation
- Excellent base for Ullswater and Lake District walking
- Upgraded children’s play park for 2026
- Dog friendly stays with a dedicated dog shower
- High quality camping and touring washroom facilities
- Shop, laundry and drying facilities on the park
Hillcroft Park FAQs
How close is Hillcroft Park to Ullswater?
Hillcroft is approximately half a mile from Ullswater and Pooley Bridge. Guests can normally walk into the village and down towards the lake in around five to ten minutes.
Does Hillcroft Park have accommodation with hot tubs?
Yes. Private hot tubs are available with selected lodges, cottages and the larger self catering house. They are not included with every accommodation type, so guests should check their chosen stay when booking.
Is Hillcroft Park dog friendly?
Yes. Selected lodges, holiday homes, pods and pitches welcome dogs. The park also has a dedicated dog shower for cleaning muddy paws after walks.
Can you camp at Hillcroft Park?
Yes. Hillcroft accepts tents as well as touring caravans and motorhomes. Glamping and camping pods provide additional options for visitors who want more shelter and comfort.
Is Hillcroft Park good for walking holidays?
Yes. The park is close to the Ullswater Way and numerous walks around Pooley Bridge and the Ullswater Valley. Boat services from Pooley Bridge can also be used to combine walks with journeys to other parts of the lake.
What is there for children at Hillcroft Park?
A new play park was introduced for 2026, with areas for younger children and equipment for older children. Outdoor table tennis, table football and space for ball games provide additional activities.
Accommodation at Hillcroft Park
Hillcroft offers an unusually varied choice of accommodation, ranging from traditional camping to luxury self catering lodges and cottages.
The lodge and holiday home collection includes two and three bedroom accommodation for couples and families. Many have open plan kitchens, dining areas and lounges leading onto outdoor decking with garden furniture.
Kitchens commonly include a microwave, fridge freezer and dishwasher, while selected newer accommodation also has washing machines and upgraded appliances. Central heating and double glazing make many of the lodges suitable for holidays throughout the year.
Several lodge options have two bathrooms, including an en suite shower room alongside a separate family bathroom. Selected pet friendly lodges provide practical extras for dogs as well as access to the wider walking opportunities around Ullswater.
Private hot tubs are available with selected lodges rather than across the entire range. Guests booking specifically for a hot tub break should choose an accommodation type where this feature is confirmed.
Self catering cottages provide another option for families and couples. Selected cottages include wood burning stoves, private patios and hot tubs with views towards the surrounding fells.
For larger groups, a six bedroom house in Pooley Bridge sleeps up to 14 people and provides six bathrooms, a garden, generous parking and a private hot tub.
Glamping pods combine compact self catering facilities with private bathrooms, while simpler camping pods provide an alternative for visitors who enjoy camping but prefer solid accommodation.
Touring caravans, motorhomes and tents are also welcome, giving Hillcroft a much broader mix of accommodation than a typical lodge-only Lake District park.
Accommodation Comparison
| Accommodation Type | Typical Capacity | Key Features |
|---|---|---|
| Holiday Homes & Lodges | 4 to 6 | Two or three bedrooms, kitchens, decking and selected hot tubs |
| Pet Friendly Lodges | 4 to 6 | Selected accommodation welcoming up to two dogs |
| Cottages | 4 to 6 | Self catering kitchens, private outdoor space and selected hot tubs |
| Large Holiday House | Up to 14 | Six bedrooms, six bathrooms, garden and private hot tub |
| Glamping Pods | Up to 4 | Private bathroom and compact self catering facilities |
| Camping Pods | Varies | Simple pod accommodation for camping-style stays |
| Touring Pitches | Varies | Touring caravans and motorhomes |
| Camping Pitches | Varies | Traditional tent camping |
Practical Accommodation Information
| Kitchens | Microwave and fridge with dishwashers in most lodge accommodation |
| Heating | Double glazing and central heating in lodge accommodation |
| Outdoor Space | Decking or patio with furniture on many self catering stays |
| Hot Tubs | Selected lodges, cottages and group accommodation |
| Bed Linen & Towels | Included with lodge and cottage holidays |
| Pets | Accepted in selected accommodation |
| WiFi | Complimentary with hired lodges, cottages, holiday homes and glamping pods |
| Parking | Parking beside or close to most self catering accommodation |
| Check In | Typically from 4pm for self catering accommodation |
| Check Out | Typically by 10am |
Park Facilities at Hillcroft Park
Hillcroft’s facilities are particularly useful for walking, camping, touring and family holidays. Rather than relying on large indoor entertainment venues, the park has invested in practical facilities that make spending time outdoors in the Lake District easier.
Walking and Ullswater
Location is one of Hillcroft’s biggest advantages.
Pooley Bridge and Ullswater are approximately five minutes away on foot, giving guests easy access to the northern end of the lake without having to drive every day.
The Ullswater Way creates a walking route of around 20 miles around the lake and can be tackled in shorter sections. Ullswater Steamers from Pooley Bridge make it possible to take a boat to another part of the lake and walk back, or combine several sections over the course of a holiday.
The surrounding area provides routes for a wide range of abilities, from shorter village and lakeside walks to longer days on the fells.
Children’s Play Park
The children’s play area was upgraded for the 2026 season.
There is a dedicated area for younger children alongside slides, swings and more adventurous equipment for older children. Outdoor table tennis and table football add further activities, while the open spaces around the park are suitable for football and family games.
Several lodge areas sit close to the play park, which can be particularly convenient for families wanting accommodation near the children’s facilities.
Dog Friendly Facilities
Hillcroft has useful facilities for visitors exploring the Lake District with a dog.
Selected accommodation and pitches welcome pets, while walking country begins close to the park. There is also easy access towards Barton Fell and the wider Ullswater countryside.
A dedicated dog shower is built into the park’s washroom facilities. This gives owners somewhere to wash mud from coats and paws after wet fell walks before returning to a lodge, caravan, pod or tent.
Water bowls are also available around the reception and shop area.
Camping and Touring Washrooms
The main amenities building provides extensive facilities for camping and touring guests.
The washroom complex includes numerous showers, toilets and wash basins, with showers included for guests.
Two private bathrooms can also be hired. These provide a bath and walk in shower and are particularly useful for families or visitors who prefer having a bathroom reserved for their own use during the stay.
Dishwashing areas and modern touring facilities are also available.
Drying Room and Laundry
The drying room is particularly useful in the Lake District, where walking boots and waterproof clothing can easily return from the hills wet.
Guests can leave outdoor gear to dry before the next day’s walk rather than keeping damp boots and coats inside their accommodation.
The laundry room has coin operated washing machines and tumble dryers, while washing powder and fabric softener can be purchased from the shop.
Shop and Local Produce
The on park shop stocks everyday essentials alongside local food.
Products can include sausages, bacon, eggs and bread alongside milk, juice, cereals, snacks, charcoal and disposable barbecues.
This is useful for self catering guests and campers who want to pick up breakfast ingredients or basic supplies without driving into Penrith.
Seasonal Food Vans
Visiting food traders operate at selected times during the season.
These can include freshly made pizza, fish and chips and hot food from the Saucy Sausage van. Dates vary and are weather dependent, so availability changes through the year.
Pooley Bridge is also within walking distance for pubs, restaurants, cafés and takeaways.
Park Facilities
| Facility | Details |
|---|---|
| Walking | Easy access to Pooley Bridge, Ullswater and the Ullswater Way |
| Playground | Upgraded 2026 play park for younger and older children |
| Outdoor Games | Table tennis, table football and space for ball games |
| Dogs | Pet friendly accommodation and pitches |
| Dog Shower | Dedicated wash area for muddy dogs |
| Shop | Everyday essentials and locally produced food |
| Food | Seasonal visiting pizza, fish and chip and hot food vans |
| Private Bathrooms | Two private bathrooms available to hire |
| Showers | Modern camping and touring shower facilities |
| Drying Room | Indoor space for wet boots and outdoor clothing |
| Laundry | Washing machines and tumble dryers |
| WiFi | Complimentary in hired self catering accommodation and glamping pods |
| Reception | Guest information and local advice |
Places to Visit Near Hillcroft Park
Pooley Bridge is the natural starting point for exploring from Hillcroft. The village has pubs, cafés, shops and direct access to Ullswater, with the pier providing boat services towards Howtown and Glenridding.
Ullswater Steamers are particularly useful because they can be combined with walking. Visitors can travel by boat to another part of the lake and follow sections of the Ullswater Way back towards Pooley Bridge.
Aira Force is one of the best known natural attractions around Ullswater. The waterfall and woodland trails can be reached by road, while the Ullswater Way from Pooley Bridge provides a longer walking route of approximately six and a half miles.
Dalemain Mansion and its gardens are close to the northern end of Ullswater, while Lowther Castle provides extensive gardens, historic ruins and family attractions.
Penrith is the nearest large town and is useful for supermarkets, shops and restaurants. Rheged provides shopping, exhibitions, food and family activities close to the A66.
For more challenging walking, visitors can travel towards Glenridding for access to Helvellyn and the surrounding fells, while Keswick and Derwentwater are within reach for a longer Lake District day out.
Nearby Attractions
| Attraction | Approximate Distance | Approximate Journey |
|---|---|---|
| Pooley Bridge | 0.5 mile | 5 to 10 minutes on foot |
| Ullswater | 0.5 mile | 5 to 10 minutes on foot |
| Ullswater Steamers | Approximately 0.5 mile | Around 10 minutes on foot |
| Dalemain Mansion & Gardens | Approximately 3 miles | 5 to 10 minutes |
| Penrith | Approximately 5 miles | 10 to 15 minutes |
| Rheged | Approximately 6 miles | 10 to 15 minutes |
| Aira Force | Approximately 8 miles | 15 to 20 minutes |
| Lowther Castle | Approximately 8 miles | 15 to 20 minutes |
| Glenridding | Approximately 12 miles | 25 minutes |
| Keswick | Approximately 20 miles | 30 to 35 minutes |
Park Reviews for Hillcroft Park Holiday Park
Have you stayed at Hillcroft Park? Share your experience of the accommodation, camping facilities, hot tubs, play area and location near Ullswater to help other visitors plan their Lake District holiday.