FAQS and Booking conditions header

FAQs and Booking conditions

Waterside House is set right on the shores of Ullswater, providing an excellent base for you to explore all that Ullswater has to offer, from a ride on the steamer, to hiking up a Wainwright or simply just sitting and taking in the scenery.

Frequently Asked Questions
 
Q. Can I reserve a pitch by the lake?
A. If you book one of our premium lakeside pitches you can!  Alternatively, the non-electric pitches allow you to choose your own camping location on a first come first served basis after checking in, with 2 of our 3 fields on the Lake's edge!
 
Q. Can I just turn up without booking online?
A. Sorry, no you cannot! We get very busy, so online bookings are required.
 
Q. Can I access the lake and fish on Ullswater?
A. Yes! Two of our camping fields are shoreline and you can fish as long as you've got a rod licence from the environment agency (purchasable online or in most post offices).
 
Q. Can I bring my own boat/paddleboard/kayak/canoe to use during my holiday?
A. Yes, absolutely - it is encouraged! A boat on a trailer costs £7 per night, anything else, (roof rack, inflatables etc.) is free!
 
Q. Do you have availability?
A. You can check availability and prices or make a booking online, click here for the booking page.
Please note: When you put your dates in, our system will show all pitches available, if the type you want is not showing, it means they are fully booked on/around your dates.
 
Q. How much does it cost to camp/glamp?
A. All prices can be found on our Tariff section.
 
Q. When is your shop open?
A. It is open daily, from 08:30 - 20:00 until the end of August. After this it will be 09:00 - 16:00 for the remainder of the 2024 season.
Q. Can I make changes to my booking?
A. You can amend your bookings by logging in here.
Please note: You cannot make any changes that reduce the cost of your booking (please contact us via email if you wish to do this), and you must make any changes at least 14 days before arrival. 
 
Q. Can I have a campfire?
A. As long as you keep it contained and raised off the ground in a fire pit. You must bring your own fire pit, but our shop offers logs, kindling, firelighters and matches to keep the fire going!
 
Q. What time can I check-in?
A. It varies depending on pitch type, please see below:
     Non-electric pitches from 10am
     Premium and all-weather electric pitches from Midday
     Pods and Tipis from 3pm (You can arrive earlier than this, but may not be able to access your accommodation until this time. If you arrive early, please come and have a chat with us in reception!)
 
Q. What time is check-out?
A. Check out times are:
     Non-electric pitches check out around Midday
     All other types of bookings check out at 11am.
 
Q. If I cancel my booking, can I get a refund?
A. As long as you provide more than 14 days notice that you want to change or cancel your booking, you are entitled to a refund (less a £10 administration fee) or a change of dates within the same year.
 
Q. Can I charge my phone/devices anywhere on site?
A. Our office can charge devices for you! It costs £1 per device
 
Q. Do you offer boat hire?
A. We are partnered with Ullswater Wake and Surf, who offer rowing boats, kayaks, paddleboards and wakesurfing. You can book in advance through their website
 
Q. Do you have a cancellation list?
A. We don't. Any cancellations we get are posted to our social media pages, if we get the chance (quite often people book the cancellations before we can advertise them!). Our booking system is live so it is worth putting your dates in every now and then as any cancellations will become immediately bookable.
 
Q. Can we have visitors to the campsite whilst we are on holiday?
A. We allow day visitors, they must come see us in reception and pay to park in our overflow car park, it will cost £6 to park, then £6 per paddleboard/canoe/boat they bring to launch.
 
Q. When is the cafe open?
A. It will be open weekends from 9am until 7pm on Saturday and 9am until 1pm on Sunday for the remainder of the 2024 season.
Pitching Guidance

Please read before pitching

Motor Homes: Please use pitch markers to retain pitch (available from reception with deposit)
Tents: When pitching please give consideration to neighbouring campers. We ask that a 4 metre space is left between tents.  

Particular care must be taken in wet weather to avoid damage to grass. Vehicle movement must be kept to a minimum if the ground is wet.

 Tickets: Please display your ticket prominently. Old or used tickets should be removed from your tent.
For extended stay please re-book by returning your ticket to reception before it expires.
Pitch fees are payable online in advance.. Thank you.

Rules

If you would like to visit Waterside, please observe our noise curfew of 11pm.  If you cannot do this then please DO NOT BOOK.

  • In order to maintain our policy of peaceful nights, we do not encourage late returns to the park. 
  • Last entry to the park must not be any later than 9pm for the comfort of other guests.  
  • Entry to the park is restricted to holidaymakers (tradesman, commercial vehicles are not accepted).
  • Generators are not permitted on site.
  • Fellow holidaymakers must not be disturbed in anyway.
  • Music must be played quietly so other guests cannot hear it.  
  • Noise should not exceed a reasonable level at any time and quiet is required from 11.00pm to 8.00am. Radio’s, car engines, televisions etc. should not be operated between these times. Vehicles may be driven between the park entrance and your pitch/stance, but their use for transport on the park should be kept to a minimum.
  • In the interests of safety please observe the speed limits of 5mph remembering that children may be playing nearby.
  • Pets are welcome but must be kept under strict control at all times. Dogs must be kept on a lead.
  • We allow barbeques at Waterside but they must be suspended from the ground or site furniture. Guarded and raised fire pits are also permitted providing they are supervised at all times and the waste is disposed of in an appropriate manner. Campfires are not allowed.
  • Flying drones from the campsite is not allowed.

We trust you will accept these few rules in the spirit in which they are intended so as to ensure that Waterside House remains a most peaceful and pleasant place in which to spend a holiday.

Camping Booking Conditions
  • We are sorry but we do not accept large or unsupervised groups. Adults may be asked to pay a refundable behaviour bond of £20 each on arrival.  PLEASE DO NOT BOOK IF YOU CANNOT ADHERE TO OUR NOISE POLICY!
  • Noisy parties will be asked to leave and no refunds will be given. 
  • Supervised groups such as scouts and schools are welcome. 
  • Non electric bookings are accepted with a £20.00 deposit, with the balance due 14 days before you arrive. If its a glamping unit or an electric hook-up, 30% deposit is required at time of booking, with the balance being due 6 weeks before arrival.
  • Deposits are non refundable unless cancellation is made 14 days prior to arrival when an administration fee of £10.00 will be charged.
  • Arrival time from 12 noon and departure by 11am on electrics. 
  • Arrival time from 10am and departure by 12pm on non electric grass pitches.
  • Camping fees are non refundable unless 14 days notice is given.  Transfers can be made at the managements discretion, though an administration fee of £10.00 may be charged for this.
  • Bookings can be made through our website. If you want to pay the balance on your booking you can login here to do so. 
  • There is a minimum booking of three nights at Bank Holidays and 2 nights at the weekend. During 2024 the late May bank holiday will have a 5 night minimum booking.
  • One night bookings will not be accepted at weekends.
Tipi and Pod Booking Conditions.
  • There is a 2 night minimum stay in all Glamping accommodation.
  • Arrival time is after 3pm and departure by 11am.
  • Payment must be made in full 6 weeks prior to arrival.
  • Cancellations made with 14+ days notice before your intended arrival date are entitled to a refund less a £10 administration fee or a transfer of dates within the same calendar year.
  • Cancellations made within 14 days of arrival will not be eligible for any compensation.
  • With the Tipis, a £40.00 security deposit for damages or breakages should be paid at the time of booking.  This will be refunded (back into the account you originally paid with) when the tipis have been checked, a member of staff will process this automatically and get in contact if there are any issues. If the tipis are not left as found, have breakages or require extra cleaning then the £40 security deposit will not be refunded.  
  • We strongly recommend you take out your own cancellation insurance.
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