Low Greenside is a small traditional hill sheep farm at the foot of the Howgill Fells in Cumbria's Upper Eden Valley. Known as the Westmorland Dales, the area is a mix of limestone uplands populated by sheep and ponies, and fertile valleys with small farms and villages. It's a truly lovely part of the world to explore, very little changed in the 40 odd years my family has lived here, and with the bonus of great access to the Lake District and the rest of the Yorkshire Dales National Park. We love it here.

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I'm a third generation camper and the second generation to be running the campsite. It was my Gran's idea to have a campsite on the farm. Mum started it up in about 2005 and I took  over in 2016. Just like she did, I love running it. I enjoy meeting all our visitors and keeping everything looking good for them. It's great to take a walk round in the evening, see everyone happy at their campfire and hear how much they like it all. Some of Mum's first campers still come every year - now with children and grandchildren! We're very proud and happy that each year around a third of our campers are repeat visitors.​

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A large area of unmown grass and wildflowers in the centre of the field ensures that everyone can see the fabulous views and unspoiled countryside.  Because there is so much space between each pitch everyone can safely have their own campfire. If you don't want a campfire you won't be bothered by anyone elses's but we think there's nothing like sitting quietly round a fire at the end of the day, toasting toes and crumpets, watching the stars come out in our starry dark skies and other campfires gently winking around the edge of the field. Bliss! We're often out there doing it ourselves...

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The campsite has been an eco-conscious, nature friendly place from the start, organically farmed with a programme of tree planting and areas kept for wildlife.  Each year we do something to improve the place for nature - planting trees and shrubs, establishing wildflowers, putting up bird boxes and feeders for the red squirrels that visit. We now see a  greater variety of birds here, including birds of prey. You're sure to hear the owls at night and you may even see a hare, a hedgehog or a red squirrel strolling by your tent.

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We've always wanted to keep the place looking as much as possible as it has for centuries so we don't have roads or lights on the camping field. This adds to the peaceful atmosphere of the place and gives you the chance of seeing some wonderful starry skies, the Milky Way, shooting stars, and even the Northern Lights. The National Park has designated us as a Dark Sky Friendly campsite in an International Dark Sky Reserve.

 

We're careful about our wider impact on the world too. Recently we built new campsite facilities (formerly housed in a much loved, upcycled caravan) with modern showers and toilets. These are housed in new low-impact timber frame buildings using locally sourced metal and larch timber cladding that'll last without any chemical treatment, insulation material made from 15,000 single use plastic bottles, and all materials carefully chosen for long life, preferably recycled and recyclable. The paints and oils used inside the buildings are all made from natural ingredients. We've installed the most energy efficient boilers we could, water efficient technology, motion sensors on LED lighting, and bat-friendly outside lights. Our waterless toilets are a great success with customers and save 1000s of gallons of water a year. Where we can we also upcycle materials - see if you can spot some of the things we've given a new lease of life to!

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None of this has meant compromising on quality, convenience or comfort and we hope you'll be as pleased with the results as we are.

 

Likewise, the eco-friendly cleaning products and other consumables we buy are all good quality  products that work well and avoid damaging nature - if you haven't tried them before, this is your chance! We buy our supplies locally as much as we can and we always favour smaller, family run and ethical outlets to buy from. You can help us keep our local economy flourishing by shopping locally during your visit.

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Our two glamping accommodations are in a meadow of their own with a little woodland behind. We've really enjoyed making these into the lovely havens they've become and we're ever so pleased with them. Please ask if you'd like to be shown round.

 

Surrounded by its own private garden, is our very beautiful yurt. This was good fun to set up – planning how to make it comfortable, pretty, and fun to stay in; finding vintage furnishings and hand-making other pieces; building its own little kitchen and state of the art composting toilet; thinking up the little touches that would make the off-grid experience enjoyable, convenient and fun. Whether families or couples, everyone who's stayed has been delighted. We're really proud of it so please do take a look at the Far Field Yurt page and reviews.

 

In a super private and pretty spot is our 5 metre Bell Tent, beautifully kitted out for two people and equipped with everything needed for relaxed glamping in peace and quiet. Like the Yurt, the bell tent has its own kitchen and loo, private garden with campfire BBQ, picnic table and comfy double hammock for gazing at the stars and the scenery. We love it and it's been a great success with our guests.

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In 2020 we were proud to achieve a Silver Award  for Green Tourism. This takes every aspect of our business into account - water and energy saving; the goods we buy; reducing and recycling waste; supporting local businesses, services, and community; visitor information; kindness to nature; supporting charities at home and abroad; and our family-friendly music festival held each September. The Green Tourism Scheme supports us in making further improvements and we're not finished yet!

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"Camping as it used to be" has been a winning formula for us as well as our visitors, bringing a rather special kind of person to our doorstep. Our visitors are quietly sociable, considerate of fellow campers, pleased with all we and the area have to offer - peace, fun and relaxation on a proper traditional campsite; great access to wonderful countryside; lovely walking and cycling; pretty villages and interesting market towns with friendly people running the nice little shops, cafes and pubs.

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Low Greenside continues to be a traditional, friendly campsite, never crowded, and with plenty of space for privacy and play. All you need for peaceful, relaxed camping and exploring - and not a hot tub in sight....

 

We look forward to seeing you here.

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Magnus, March 2024