Experience one of the best Lake District touring caravan sites
Located on the edge of Ambleside, Skelwith Fold is a first-class destination for motorhome and touring caravan holidays in the Lake District and Cumbria. It is widely considered one of the UK’s premier caravan parks and boasts a selection of 5 star facilities set in spectacular grounds. This stunning touring caravan site is nestled in over 130 acres of ancient woodland and occupies the site of a former country house and is the ideal getaway for staycations in the Lake District. The touring park is located in a secluded and tranquil forest with a prosperous wildlife including deers, red squirrels and woodpeckers, making it one of the best touring caravan sites in the Lake District.
Some of the Lake District’s best attractions and natural landmarks are just a short drive away, including Windermere Lake, Coniston and Grizedale Forest.
We have a wide range of facilities for our Touring Caravan guests to enjoy.
In fact we are proud to have some of the best facilities of any caravan park in the Lake District!
Our touring facilities include:
- 5 acre recreation area with views to the surrounding fells and mountains, ideal for family picnics. You may even spot a Red Squirrel or family of Deer.
- Fully equipped modern shower and toilet blocks. Two of the toilet blocks even have under-floor heating!
- Trust Library featuring a wide and varied range of books for children and adults. You are also welcome to bring any of your old unwanted books and we will give these to our secret librarian.
- Wi-Fi Internet access is also available.
- Large spacious launderette with washing machines and tumble dryers as well as an extra-large washer and dryer for awkward loads. You’ll also find an ironing board and iron, laundry soap dispenser, large drying room ideal for wet waterproofs and boots, even a vending machine serving Rijo coffee, tea and hot chocolate.
Features
Onsite Laundrette 
BBQ Area 
Dog Friendly Pitches 
Dog Wash Area 
Electric Vehicle Charging Spacious Touring Caravan Pitches
We welcome touring caravans, motorhomes and campervans to our holiday park in The Lake District. Our pitches are set in scenic positions around the park, from which you can admire the stunning views of the surrounding woodland and wildlife. There are two pitch types to choose from; 70 Standard pitches and 22 Premium pitches. Please be aware, although every pitch has an electric hook up, electric is a separate charge.
Please be aware:
- If your vehicle has been converted into a motorhome there are some requirements – see our terms and conditions.
- We can only accept Awnings that extend to 2.5m from the side of your caravan or motorhome.
Pitch Prices
Take a look at our Touring Tariff to view our current rates and season change dates.
Premium Touring Caravan Pitches
Search availability of our Premium Pitches and book online.
- We have 22 Premium hardstanding pitches
- electric hook-up (additional charge)
- fresh water stand pipe
- grey waste drain
- TV hook-up
- large pitches
- and even a picnic table
- dishwasher tokens (1 per evening of your stay)
Select an available check in date and complete your details in the pop up form to get the latest prices for your stay.
Standard Touring Caravan Pitches
Search availability of our Standard Pitches and book online.
- We have 70 Standard hardstanding pitches
- electric hook up (additional charge)
Select an available check in date and complete your details in the pop up form to get the latest prices for your stay.
Stunning Woodland Grounds
We take pride in providing first rate touring caravan pitches for all our guests to ensure you have an enjoyable stay. Our friendly groundskeeping team work hard to maintain the grounds to a high standard and our touring facilities are cleaned at regular intervals throughout the day.
Our Lakeland touring caravan site is the perfect base from which to explore the local area, whether you’re planning a luxurious staycation, a relaxing getaway or action packed outdoor adventure break. There are so many fantastic things to do in the Lake District, you’ll be spoilt for choice when deciding how to spend your free time. Skelwith Fold is the ideal setting for a woodland break in The Lakes. Stay for a couple of nights or an extended getaway to make the most of the beautiful grounds and to explore the renowned Lake District with your family and kids, with your partner and your furry friends!
Dog Friendly Caravan Holidays
Skelwith Fold is the perfect destination for an Ambleside caravan holiday with dogs. We understand the importance of bringing your dog on a staycation with you, which is why we are a dog friendly caravan park. Our park has won numerous awards, recognising our commitment to providing an enjoyable stay for all members of the family. Guests can make use of ‘dog wash’ facilities. Guests are welcome to bring a maximum of three dogs per touring caravan and two pets in both our holiday cottages and six berth pod ‘Wagtail’.
We have plenty of space around the holiday park for dogs to walk around, as well as the stunning countryside of the Lakes. Please beware that owners are responsible with their pets and therefore are in charge of cleaning up after them while on the grounds of the caravan park. They must also be kept on a lead while outside on the park, this is in the interests of the welfare of our furry friends.
Gallery
Video
Touring Vouchers
Gift vouchers make a lovely present for birthdays, anniversaries or Christmas.
Touring Tariff
View any upcoming season and rate changes on our touring tariff page.
Facilities
Take a look at our first class facilities at our Lake District Holiday Park.
FAQs
Are pitches hardstanding?
All of our standard and premium pitches are hardstanding.
The hardstanding pitches are to keep the pitches available and clean throughout the season for you to enjoy your stay at Skelwith Fold.
Where do we check in?
To check in, please park outside Reception and head inside where our friendly team will help you.
To get to Reception, follow the red road from the park entrance. The barrier will open automatically until 9pm. If you are arriving later than this, please call Reception as soon as possible to make arrangements for your arrival. Reception will be on your left hand side.
Our address at Skelwith Fold is: Skelwith Fold Caravan Park, Ambleside, Cumbria, LA22 0HY.
Check out is at 10am for glamping guests and holiday cottages, and 12 noon for touring pitches on your day of departure.
Can we have an early check in?
The availability of an early check in depends on the day. It is more likely to be possible in the low season than the high season, but we cannot guarantee this facility. If you would like to check in early please call us on the day to find out whether we can accommodate you sooner than your regular check in time.
What time can we check in with our caravan or motorhome?
You can check in between 2pm and 9pm.
If you are likely to arrive later, please inform Reception as soon as possible prior to your arrival. If you arrive early, there is a space on our entrance drive to park prior to checking in at 2pm.
When checking in, please park outside our reception building, where our friendly team will swiftly check you in and answer any queries you may have.
Is there a 24 hour service?
Reception is open throughout the day from 9am and can be contacted on 015394 32277.
Out of hours our duty warden can be contacted in emergency only on 07513 040186.
Can our friends and family visit us?
Of course, friends and family are more than welcome to visit! We are delighted to welcome new visitors at Skelwith. We ask that all visitors please sign in at Reception on arrival.
Are dogs and other pets allowed?
Skelwith Fold is a dog friendly park and pets are welcome in most areas, with a maximum of three dogs per touring caravan/motorhome.
Please note however, that dogs may not stay in our glamping units, with the exception of our Wagtail Hideaway which is dog friendly and can host up to two dogs.
Up to two dogs may also stay in both our holiday cottages, No.1 and No.3.
There is a small charge per dog staying with us at Skelwith Fold which helps to maintain the highest standard of stay for both dogs and people staying with us.
Please keep dogs on a short lead under strict control around all touring pitches, holiday homes and glamping units. Dogs may not be left unattended anywhere on the park at any time, including inside your accommodation. Please note that you are responsible for your pets at all time, including cleaning up after them and keeping noise to a minimum to avoid disturbing other guests.
We reserve the right to ask the owner of any dog which causes a nuisance or threat to remove it from the park immediately. We cannot accept any breeds listed under the Dangerous Dogs Act.
Can I stay near my friends or family?
We do not reserve particular pitches prior to your arrival so we cannot guarantee you will be able to pitch your caravan near to your friends or family. We advise that you aim to arrive early to maximise your chance of finding a pitch where you most want to stay, no earlier than our 2pm check in time.
What time can I arrive and what is the departure time for our touring pitches?
You can check in from 2pm to 9pm on the date of your arrival. Please check at Reception. If you believe you may arrive after 9pm please call Reception in advance on 015394 32277 to make arrangements for your arrival.
If you arrive early, there is a space on our entrance drive to park prior to checking in at 2pm.
Please check out by 12 noon on the day of your departure date.
I have a large caravan or motorhome, will I fit on the pitch?
Please contact reception directly on 015394 32277 as a pitch may have to be reserved for you depending on the size of your vehicle.
What is the maximum size caravan or motorhome I can bring?
The maximum unit size we can accommodate at Skelwith Fold is 12m (39ft) please note if your caravan/motorhome is this size, only our premium pitches could accommodate you and a pitch may be allocated to you on arrival. The largest size we can accommodate on our Standard pitches is 9m (29ft).
Please note that awnings must extend no further than 2.5m (8ft) from the side of your caravan or motorhome.
What is the deposit and when is the balance due?
A £50 deposit is due when making your booking for a touring pitch at Skelwith Fold.
For all glamping and cottage bookings a 50% deposit of total amount is required.
The balance is due 14 days prior to your booked arrival date.
If your holiday is within the next 14 days, full payment is required at the time of booking.
How do I book?
You can check availability and book online for our touring pitches, glamping and cottage accommodation either on our website, or call us on 015394 32277.
How old do I have to be to book a holiday?
You must be at least 18 to book a holiday at Skelwith Fold. There must be a minimum of one responsible adult staying with each booking.
No persons under 18 years of age may stay in our glamping or cottage accommodations alone or with guests of the same age or under.
Is the park and facilities accessible?
Common areas such as Reception and the library are wheelchair accessible.
We have also re-laid many footpaths in our woodland areas to make them more accessible for wheelchairs and pushchairs to allow more people to enjoy the tranquillity of Skelwith Fold.
Find out more about our accessibility.
What do I need to bring to check in?
When checking in, please bring your reservation number, we may ask for further details such as surname, postcode ect. This will help make the process quick and easy.
What happens if we arrive late?
Please let Reception know as soon as possible if you believe you will arrive after 9pm to enable us to make arrangements to cater for your arrival. Reception can be contacted on 015394 32277.
What is your booking cancellation policy?
Our cancellation policy is straightforward. If you cancel more than 2 weeks prior to your arrival date we can refund monies already paid. If you cancel less than 2 weeks before, up to midday of your arrival date, a credit will be given for sums already paid. In the case of refunds and credits we may deduct a sum for administration of up to £50 for glamping bookings or up to £15 for touring pitch bookings. Credits are valid for 12 months. Unfortunately, we are unable to refund should you cancel less than two weeks prior to your stay. Whilst staying with us, should you choose to finish your stay earlier for whatever reason, a credit or refund may not possible.
Are there hairdryers available?
Our glamping and cottage accommodations all have a hairdryer provided.
For touring customers, our shower blocks have hairdryers available inside which are free to use.
Can we have a barbecue?
Barbecues are permitted, but we ask that you not place them directly onto the ground, decking or picnic benches as this may cause damage. Please dispose of them responsibly.
Our glamping guests may wish to make use of the sheltered barbecue area located by the Family Hideaway units. Here there are frames built to hold a disposable barbecue tray which you can purchase from our park shop. Please leave this area as you would wish to find it. You may leave the disposable barbecue in the frames at this location for our wardens to dispose of.
If you are staying in the Greenhouse, a full gas BBQ is provided for your use.
Do you have WiFi?
Yes, WiFi is available at Skelwith Fold. Look for “Skelwith Fold WiFi” on your device when on the park, and follow the on-screen instructions to get online.
Please note that we are in a rural location and that we cannot always guarantee a WiFi signal.
Complimentary WiFi is available in each of our holiday cottages. See your Welcome pack on arrival for details on how to connect.
What is the smoking policy on the park?
We operate a no smoking policy in all buildings and around our play area. We also ask that you not smoke within 15ft of any building entrance.
When smoking around the park, please take care not to smoke too close to fire hazards such as gas canisters, and please remember not to litter.
Smoking and the use of e-cigarettes are prohibited inside any of our glamping units and holiday cottages. Charges may apply if this rule is breached.
By law, you should also be further than 6 metres from the entrance of any building if smoking.
Are you a dog friendly park?
Yes we are! Skelwith Fold is considered one of the best dog friendly caravan sites in Cumbria! We welcome friendly dogs of all shapes and sizes to stay in our award-winning grounds. We have a number of dog friendly facilities, including a doggy shower and plenty of fantastic dog walks nearby both in the grounds of the park and further afield in the Lake District National Park.
We kindly ask that you let us know whether you will be bringing a dog with you at the time of booking (dogs are chargeable). Whilst on park, please keep your furry friends on a lead at all times, we have wildlife in and around the park plus a neighboring Farm. Please pick up any deposits and dispose of them in the bins around the site. We have plenty!
Please note that some of our self catered accommodation do not allow dogs. This includes safari tents, family hideaways and The Greenhouse.
We do have a specific dog friendly hideaway pod called Wagtail and both our holiday cottages accept up to two pets!
Dogs are not allowed in the children’s play area, the office, shop or the toilets and must not be permitted to range freely in the woodland areas. Dogs and cats belonging to visitors, are not allowed on the park.
Do you offer early check in or late check out?
Do you have pitches for RVs?
When is Skelwith Fold open?
Skelwith Fold is open this season from 1st March until 17th November 2024. The last evening you can stay at Skelwith Fold for all guests including holiday home owners is Saturday 16th November 2024. The park will reopen for all guests on 1st March 2025.
What is the difference between Standard and Premium touring pitches?
All of our pitches in both the Standard and Premium areas are hardstanding and have electricity hook up available if required.
Our Premium pitches are larger and also include a picnic bench, a TV aerial plug-in point, fresh Water tap and drainage. Also included with our Premier pitches are free tokens to use the dishwashers (1 token per night provided), which are £1 per use for Standard pitches!
How many people can I have staying on my pitch?
We allow a maximum of 6 people and three pets per pitch. Please note, if you bring an additional car there will be an extra charge. Please arrange with reception if you would like to add this to your booking.
Can I request a particular pitch?
We do not reserve particular pitches prior to your arrival so we cannot guarantee you will be able to pitch your caravan near to your friends or family. We advise that you aim to arrive early to maximise your chance of finding a pitch where you most want to stay, no earlier than our 2pm check in time.
Are Windbreaks or Gazebos allowed?
Unfortunately, we do not allow fences, barricades, windbreaks, gazebos and tents between caravans/motorhomes or campervans. Our wardens will kindly request you take these down.