Any time you spend in the Lake District is good for the soul. It thrills your eyes, your body and your mind. Despite visiting a few times it has always been in a hotel – so when we decided to try out the glamping pods at Park Cliffe Camp site just a few miles south of Bowness on Lake Windermere we knew it was going to be a different experience. But being in the great outdoors – there is nothing better. To read all about the full weekend check out Podding in the Lakes.
Accommodation
As well as the standard pitches for tents and touring caravans, Park Cliffe offers Glamping Pods and Static Caravans for hire. We stayed in the Glamping Pods of which the site offers 3 types; the standard and family pods which sleep up to 4 and 5 respectively and come with carpeted floors, electric sockets and a small heater. The pods are high enough to stand in and have a spacious deck out the front. The Premier Pods are a t-shape and in addition to the above come with a double bed and bunk beds with mattresses and a clothes rail.
The Premier were booked for our weekend so we booked the family style and therefore had to bring our own camping mattresses along with a bit more camping equipment. We were a party of four in our pod and there really was plenty of room for all of us to sleep and get ready.
The best thing about the pods was the view from the decking. We looked right out over the lake and you just never tire of the vista (well when you could see it – it rained quite a bit).
(The Statics are fully fitted with everything you need and again come with decking. They will permit dogs with prior notice and after checking the costs seem pretty reasonable).
Facilities
The campsite has a small reception where you can get a few walking guides and advice/leaflets on the local area. There is also a small park for the children with swings and a climbing frame which our little ones enjoyed, however, they also loved splashing around in the stream that runs through the campsite (both with and without shoes. There was also a small games room and we enjoyed an hour or so here when the weather turned.
There is a small but well stocked campsite shop which is in between the restaurant and the shower block. This incidentally was clean and had plenty of hot water. You can hire private bathrooms for the duration but this to us was an unnecessary luxury.
Whilst it isn’t on the campsite there is a small hill called Moorhow behind which is great to go and climb and be rewarded with great views of the lakes.
Restaurant and Bars
Park Cliffe has a small restaurant and bar on the site and this was a welcome addition for us. Mr TWB arrived a bit later in the evening on the Friday so this was super convenient. In fact due to the weather we ended up eating here both nights as the rain on the Saturday was so bad that cooking outdoors (as we had planned) just was not an option.
The restaurant served breakfast, lunch and dinner and had a decent enough menu. I liked the fact it offered a few meals at smaller sizes for adults (the standard size were huge). The kids menu also had a decent choice. The food was all pretty reasonably priced and we were happy with the quality.
The bar offers free Wi-Fi and has Sky Sports for those sports enthusiasts.
Location
The campsite is located about three miles south of the town of Bowness near to Lake Windemere it is just off the main road (well it is still the country so not too busy) and quiet. There is a great walk, Gummers How, just down the road as well as the National Trust property Fell Foot. So even if you are there for just a couple of days and didn’t have transport you would be able to get out and walking without too much trouble.
Service
Both the reception staff who helped us find a great walk that would not be too challenging for Ella and the restaurant and bar staff were really friendly. The site, quite obviously has a lot of return customers who are really at home at Park Cliffe and help create a great atmosphere.
Summary
We originally booked Park Cliffe because our first choice site was booked up. I don’t think we were expecting to like it as much as we did and that is always the joy of travelling and exploring. We were really happy with the site – it is really clean, with good facilities but without it taking away from being a rural offering. The location is brilliant and the Glamping Pods a great alternative to having to pack and set up a tent.
Would we recommended Park Cliffe – we already have and a lot of friends have visited and enjoyed it just as much as we did (a few have returned too).
We would definitely consider staying again and will continue to let people heading to the area know about all it has to offer.
thetravellingwilbennetts 