Visiting Castlerigg Keswick

Visiting Castlerigg Keswick is just one of those locations that we go back to year after year.  There are two campsites that we have visited.  Castlerigg Hall and Castlerigg Farm camp site.

This year was the first time we stayed at Castlerigg Farm camp site having rang the site opposite to find they were fully booked – not unusual as they are always busy.  We were not disappointed.

Castlerigg Hall has some fantastic facilities, the washrooms and showers are one of the best we have stayed at, but you do pay a premium.  Pitches are well spaced, with all campervan pitches hard standing.  We always opt for pitches at the top, but now they have finished the renovation of the lower toilet block, I would stay on the lower terraces as it’s teeming with wildlife.

Plus the grass areas when its fine weather are perfect for an evening Yoga session.

Back to Castlerigg farm – lovely campsite, toilets and showers not as plush as Castlerigg Hall, but neither is the price tag.  Views from the pitches is another plus for this site, as most have views and being just that little bit higher up the hill (and possibly a little more windswept in high winds) has 360 degree views.

We missed out on a deal with the Caravanning and Camping Club who were holding a Rally there – Gutted – at half the price for a pitch it was quite a saving – however there is next year!!

Castlerigg to Keswick The Scenic route

Using the fantastic App from Ordance Survey we are able to map our route telling us where we have walked and how far…so this was the route from Castlerigg to Keswick.

#Getoutside

Car Parking in Keswick

Like most campervan owners, you are always on the look out for larger parking areas so you dont have to pay for two tickets, or motorhome parking.

Keswick is a busy place, outside and in season.  The football club and sports ground is a great place to park as they do not have lined spaces and for £3 (at the time of writing) is great.  It’s an honesty box and to be fair its worth paying that for the privilege of getting a space that fits our camper.  The rugby club also offers parking from time to time.

Dog friendly Keswick

There are very few places in Keswick that do not welcome dogs with open arms.  The shops, pub and even restaurants allow you in, so there is no sitting out in the cold on a wet day under your umbrella with the pooch.

And I just loved this idea at George Fisher walking shop, where you can borrow a towel for your dog, so they dont get the merchandise wet whilst they owners do a bit of shopping.

Stopping for a bite to eat usually means a quick trip to the Bank Tavern – again always busy, nice food and good beer (well it keeps Daron occupied having left the camper at the campsite!)

Camper Renovation

Mark’s Bay window camper was fully restored outside of the UK and shipped here for its camper interior.  And they have done a great job.  We have fitted our classic camper interior.

The Camper renovation was completed by installing the camper interior just in time for the peak holiday season.

The interior renovation included: Camper furniture, rock and roll bed, flooring, electrics, VW upholstery and overhead locker, finished in our classic camper colour scheme.

Tags: #CamperRenovation #Bay #T2Camper

Camper Weekend pod in stock

In stock – Weekend Pod with Dometic cooker and sink.

Designed with a door, which can be removed to house a fridge if preferred, otherwise can be used for storage.

Finished in Oak with a clear lacquer finish.

Tags: Camper Weekend pod in stock

VW T6 Camper Interior

You have decided to buy a Volkswagen Transporter and convert it to a campervan – there are so many options to consider, the trim level, engine, gross weights? So where do you start?

Volkswagen introduced three main levels of trim some years ago, Startline being the base model, Trendline and HighLine and although over the years the spec has changed slightly the Highline boasts the highest spec of all three with Colour coded bumpers, Alloy wheels, Aircon, upgraded stereo, leather steering wheel and so on…

Then we have Gross Weight – What is that you may ask? Well is it the maximum operating weight recommended by the manufacturer, including the vehicle, drivers, passengers and any contents/luggage.  This is referred to as T26, T28…T32 etc T28 = 2800kg and T30 = 3000kg – you get the idea!

Finally, one of the main things I hear from people is that the engines are all the same??? Well yes they are 2.0 engines but its the horsepower you want to consider.  Many ex fleet vans are 102 or 104 BHP and some converters choose this engine as it tends to be much cheaper to buy, but our preference is the 140 BHP or as the new T6 has 150 BHP – it has that little bit more poke and doesn’t struggle like some of the lower BHP models.

T2 Bay Camper Interior

A beautiful example of a Westfalia T2 Bay. Andrew’s Bay is a fully restored VW Camper and now has it’s beautiful interior by Kustom Interiors in Cornwall.

The camper interior has a Full width Rock and Roll bed, bed front with speakers, overhead unit with table storage, weekend unit, Smev Hob and storage.  Buddy seat with removeable top for additional storage and also a buddy box between the front seats, all upholstered in a fantastic hardwearing marine material.

1974 LHD Bay window – Originally a Westfalia