If you’re looking for a place in Cumbria where you can camp as a group without feeling like you’re constantly shushing each other… hello 👋 You’ve found it.
At Camping at Cardewlees (near Carlisle) we love group get-togethers — big family catch-ups, friendship reunions, birthday weekends, walking clubs, cycling crews… the lot. But (and it’s a friendly but)… group bookings do need a clear policy so everyone has a brilliant time — including the campers who came for peace, the neighbours, and yes… the sheep.
This post explains our group booking policy in plain English, with all the practical bits you’ll want to know before you book.
Why We Have a Group Booking Policy (AKA: We’re Not Party Police)
We’re campers ourselves, so we tend to assume other campers like to camp the way we do:
Kids busy in the daytime, full of fresh air and adventures… then when they’re finally asleep, it’s campfire chats, quiet laughter and a proper natter under the stars.
That’s the vibe we’re built for.
What we’re not talking about is a full-on party. We’re not the place for booming speakers and “who’s still awake at 2am?” energy. We’re here for the kind of evening where you’re sat round the fire, keeping it low-key, and waking up the next morning without feeling like you’ve aged ten years.
What Counts as a “Group Booking”?
We class a booking as a group when:
You’re coming with multiple households / multiple tents or units, and
You plan to camp together as one social group (shared seating area, shared fire pit, shared “who’s making the brew?” rota).
If you’re not sure, don’t overthink it — if it’s a “we’re all coming together” situation, it’s probably a group booking.
Your Two Options: Camp Together or Hire a Field Exclusively
1) Group Camping (Pitches Near Each Other)
If you’re booking individual pitches but want to be close together, we’ll do our best to place you sensibly — but please remember:
Pitch availability and ground conditions matter.
We can’t always guarantee everyone will be in one perfect row like a festival campsite map.
Top tip: Book early for peak season weekends if you want to be together and it will probably be easier for you to send me an email with your details so I can book you in.
2) Exclusive Hire (Best for Proper Social Weekends)
If you want to be able to properly relax and enjoy yourselves, exclusive hire is the one.
This is ideal for:
Big family meet-ups
Birthday weekends
Friendship groups
Celebrations where you want a hub and don’t want to worry about being “too much”
When you hire a space exclusively, it’s yours to enjoy — and it can turn into the kind of social camping weekend you’ll talk about for years. Due to the location of the pods these have to be hired with the electric field which can be an expensive option. The Paddock – non electric field is a more affordable option.
Quiet Evenings & Music Rules (So Everyone Sleeps)
We want you to have fun — we genuinely do. But we also want everyone to sleep.
So here’s the simple rule for group bookings:
All music must be OFF by 10pm.
After that, it’s exactly what most campers actually want:
a quiet natter round the fire,
a bit of laughter,
maybe a hot chocolate (or something stronger… we won’t judge),
and then bed.
We’re aiming for campfire chats, not club night.
If your group knows you’ll want music later than 10pm or you’re planning something with proper party energy, please talk to us first — we’ll be honest about whether we can accommodate it and which option (like exclusive hire) is the best fit.
What Can You Bring? Tents, Campervans, Motorhomes & More
Group camping shouldn’t be complicated.
We accept different camping units within the group — tents, campervans, motorhomes and trailer tents — as long as:
The field conditions allow it (because Cumbria likes to keep us humble with the weather), and
We can place you safely and sensibly.
If the ground is wet, we may adjust parking plans to protect the field and keep everyone from getting bogged in.
Fire Pits, Nights Under the Stars & Being Sensible
We’re a big fan of a proper campfire moment (toasting marshmallows is basically a campsite sport). Fire pits come free of charge in the electric camping field and you can buy firewood from us.
A few important points:
Keep flames controlled and supervised
No disposable BBQs straight on the grass (they ruin fields and hearts) and definitely no campfires on the decking of the pods, the Hubby will get very upset.
Always follow any seasonal safety guidance
If you’re planning a big campfire setup, tell us at booking so we can advise you properly.
Dogs Are Welcome (But They’ve Got to Have Manners)
We’re dog-friendly — bring them along.
For group stays, we just ask the same as we do all our other campers:
Dogs stay under control at all times
Clean up after them (no one wants a surprise in the grass)
Be mindful around other campers and farm animals
Parking & Practical Bits
We aim for parking near your pitch where possible, but it depends on ground conditions. If it’s wet, we may need to adjust where vehicles go to protect the land and keep access routes safe.
We also have a water point available, and we’ll always make sure you know where everything is when you arrive.
How to Book a Group Stay
For group bookings and exclusive hire, the easiest way is to email us so we can get it right first time:
Email: info@campingatcardewlees.com
In your message, include:
Your preferred dates
Approximate number of people / units
What you’re bringing (tents, vans, etc.)
Whether you want exclusive hire or pitches close together
Any special occasion details (so we can help you make it lovely)
