Baysbrown Farm

Bumping along the entry road to Baysbrown Farm you'll wish you'd invested in a tractor instead of a hatchback, but it's difficult to stop spinning on your heels when you first arrive and see truly stunning, panoramic views. The site sits in a set of vast, gently sloping fields at the foot of Bowfell, Langdale Pikes and Crinkle Crags, and any point of the compass reveals a beautiful vista. There are no set pitches or bookings, with everything done on a first come first served basis, but the scale of the site means pitches are usually available even in the height of summer (arrive early on a Friday in peak season, though, as it can fill quickly).

Despite the remote feel Baysbrown Farm is only a short walk from the village of Chapel Stile, where the Brambles cafe does good, simple food and the attached co-op has camping and hiking gear as well as groceries. A crystal clear stream runs along the foot of the site, and a 40 minute walk alongside will take you to Chesters by the River Cafe and Shop. The facilities are well kept, simple and clean, with two toilet blocks for the 200 pitches. Hot showers are free, and whilst there are no electric hook-ups you can charge your gadgets in the farmhouse for a small fee (or just bring a power bank and enjoy the lack of signal). There's often a food truck on site doing breakfast and dinner too. At around £12.50 a night it's fair value for the setting.

Sitting away from the honeypots means it's a good way to escape the maddening crowds, with many people discovering Baysbrown after finding the National Trust's Great Langdale site booked up, but then never returning to its ordered, tagged pitches, as Baysbrown feels just a little more real.