FAQs

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What type of campsite is Crosthwaite?

  • Crosthwaite is self-catering only.
  • It’s suitable for all ages from the very old to the very young.
  • It is a family campsite with people returning year after year.
  • You may make friends who become lifelong friends.
  • The campsite is run to support the three Keswick Convention weeks. People attend a wide range of meetings each week, depending on their needs and interests.
  • It will probably rain at some point in the week!

What do I need to bring for the week?

We had such a lovely time at your camp this year we would all like to return next year

  • The tent (Don’t forget the poles, pegs and a big hammer!)
  • Camping chair and table
  • Tent lights and a torch
  • Good sleeping bags, pillows and an airbed or similar
  • Bring a solution to charge your phone!. E.G. a power bank or a solar panel.
  • You may want to bring your own solar charger or use your own car charger
  • Catering equipment (Did you pack the gas?)
  • Washing up equipment and tea towels (There are no centralised washing up facilities.)
  • Waterproofs, wellies and an umbrella (And yes when it rains, it really rains)
  • Clothes
  • Toiletries and a towel
  • Bible and notebook
  • Basic First Aid kit

Can I camp with my friends?

Some groups and families like to camp together. We do our best to meet your requirements at the time of booking but we cannot guarantee it. If you book within 6 weeks of the commencement of Camp, Location requests will be considered but may not be fulfilled.

What if I want to invite a visitor for a few nights?

Overnight visitors must be booked in advance and their fees paid to the Site Manager.

When can I arrive?

We really appreciated everything that the team did to make the campsite so welcoming.

Please arrive on Saturday between 1.00 p.m. and 5.00 p.m.

The Site Manager, or part of the team, will welcome you, check your booking and provide you with camp information and wristbands for each member of your group which we request are worn at all times. They will also direct you to your allocated pitch.

We serve refreshments in the campsite marquee on Saturday afternoons.

What happens if I wish to arrive later than the normal Saturday arrival?

If you do want to arrive late or on another day, just add a note with your booking.

What happens if I am delayed?

Call the camp phone on 07971 699305

Can I have an on-line food order delivered to the site?

Yes you can. However depending on the weather and the state of the field collection may need to be from the car park.          Please notify the Site Manager the date and time of the expected delivery so suitable arrangements can made.

When do I need to vacate the site?

On Saturday your pitch must be vacated by 10:00. Should you plan to leave before this please notify the Site Manager to enable to keep an up to date record of campers on site.

What do I need to know about bringing my car?

All those extras we brought, including my sister’s family, were most appreciative of all your hard work & the way you run the site firmly, kindly, warmly, in a Godly manner.

To protect the farmers’ fields we must keep vehicle movements to a minimum.

Cars can be brought onto the field to unload and you can keep your car on your pitch all week, but if you take your car off the field we insist that it is NOT brought back onto the field until your departure.

After the Sunday morning service at Crosthwaite Church the cars can be parked in the school car park by the portaloos.

On the field and the lane we operate a 5mph speed limit at all times.

No cars are allowed to come on the field between 11pm and 8am except by arrangement.

Do you have any camping tips, I have never camped before?

  • If you don’t know where to start ask the site staff who can give advice.
  • Pitch about 2 metres away from the any other tent.
  • Pitch in open spaces away from trees.
  • When pitching make sure that the outer fly sheet doesn’t touch the inner tent
  • Pitch safely and properly. Make sure pegging and guy ropes are firm.
  • Close your tent when you leave, Keswick weather changes fast.
  • Tents are like sound boxes, at night, your neighbours can hear almost every word of your pillow talk.
  • Freezer packs: bring your own with your name and pitch clearly marked. You can refreeze them in the campsite freezer.
  • Please turn your lights out at 11pm, so that everyone can get a comfortable quiet night’s sleep.
  • The weather can change quickly in the Lake District, pack for everything from blazing sunshine to chilly, wet winds.

What facilities can I find in town?

There are two supermarkets and a wide range of bakers, butchers and vegetable shops. The nearby petrol station sells a good selection of food items and gas.

There is a market on Saturdays and Thursdays.

The town has a vast range of cafes and restaurants to cater for every taste and purse.

There is a launderette in town that provides a very efficient service.

There are many camping accessory shops, although there are fewer shops that will sell you a large tent on the spot. Most large tents are sold over the internet, so please don’t expect to buy a large tent in Keswick on your arrival day.

What will my pitch be like?

Please remember the campsite is a sheep field for the rest of the year, so please don’t expect a neatly manicured caravan campsite.

You will be allocated a marked out pitch on arrival, which will normally be 10m x 10m.

The campsite fields are in a flood risk area. In case of flooding, emergency contact numbers are shown at the entrance gates and instructions will be given by the site team.

There is no electric hook up on the campsite.

We provide drinking water standpipes local to your pitch.

In the mornings the fields can be very wet from the dew, wellies, crocs or boots help to keep your feet dry.

You are responsible for the safe and good housekeeping on your pitch. Which means we ask you to keep your fire bucket full and leave the pitch clean, tidy and remove your rubbish and recycling to the bins located next to the portaloos.

When siting your tent please give adequate space to your neighbours and we advise a 2m gap for safety and to ease walking between tents.

Do you have any advice on how to put up my tent and tow my caravan?

If you are towing for the first time , please check that your licence allows you to tow a caravan.

Guides – Camping

How to pitch your New Tent
How to put up a Large Family Tent
Beginners Camping Set – A Race to put the tea on
How to pack a away a Tent
Family camping tips
How to Reproof a Tent

Guides – Caravan

Pre trip Tips
Towing Techniques
How to Level your Caravan
Setup your caravan on arrival
Caravan Fridge Basics
How to erect an awning
Leisure Batteries
All you need to know about chemical toilets

Guides – Travelling

Highways England
Keswick Weather (subject to the local school systems working)

I’m bringing my dog, is there anything special I need to know?

Good dogs are welcome. Always on a short lead (2m max) when on the camp and dogs must not go on the school fields.

What is a typical day on the camp site like?

“Every day is different and an Adveture!”

8:15 – some of us meet for a short time of prayer. (8.30 Sunday)

10:30 onwards the main meetings and children and youth work take place.

Afternoons are free to enjoy all that the Lake District has to offer: a trip on the lake, a cheeky ice cream or a hike up Cat Bells.

7:30 – the evening meetings begin.

Where can my children play?

Thought the campsite was great and the on-site people very helpful.

There is a designated area on the main field with a selection of toys. You are welcome to use the campsite marquee  in wet weather, but children must not be left unattended and are their parent’s or carer’s responsibility.

There are some cordoned off areas marked by hazard tape. If a ball or similar goes into these areas please ask a member of the campsite team for assistance.

We ask all campers to look out for each other. Parents and carers must look after their children.

I want to bring a youth group. Is there anything in addition to a normal booking that I need to know?

Youth groups are the responsibility of their leaders. Youth leaders must have current DBS certificates and cannot make a booking for a youth group without a valid DBS registration.

Can I have a Barbecue?

Disposable BBQs are not allowed.

Gas or charcoal BBQs are allowed but  must be  at least 30cms off the grass.

Beware of carbon monoxide poisoning.

No open fires, firepits or chimineas, are allowed.

Keep your fire buckets full.

Are there any restricted areas around the site?

School fields are always strictly out of bounds.

Cordoned off areas should be observed.

Neighbouring property, especially the allotment, are out of bounds.

Directions to Camp

The camp is situated just off the B5289, about 1 mile North West of Keswick Town Centre, on farm fields next to Crosthwaite Church :  see mapIt is best not to travel via Keswick Town Centre, owing to congestion. Instead, leave the A66 north-west of the town, and travel via Crosthwaite Road, right along High Hill, then right into Church Lane. (Do not attempt to travel along Vicarage Hill, which is very narrow). Turn left at the end of Church Lane, and proceed slowly (5mph max) to the camp entrance.

Is there a delivery address for the campsite?

Deliveries to the Campsite: Campsite nearest postcode CA12 5QG Delivery contact; Site Manager phone +44(0)7971 699305               Please notify the welcome team on arrival if you are expecting an online food shopping delivery.

What facilities does the Camp Provide?

The toilets were always lovely and clean and stocked. We thought the site was lovely and spacious and not over occupied, leaving amply space between pitches worked well.

Showers: Portable showers with individual cubicles are located in the car park next to the portaloos. These will be available most of the day, the exact times will be displayed at camp.

You will need your own toiletries, towel.

Toilets: single sex portaloos are located on the car park next to the campsite.
The toilets sinks are not to be used for washing up pots, pans, plates or dishes.

Chemical toilet disposal point: adjacent to the toilet blocks. Restricted access.
Children must not play in the vicinity.

Rubbish & recycling: bins are located by the portaloos. General waste: please use a tied bin bag and put it in the large wheelie bins. Recycling: glass, cans, paper, cardboard and plastic can be put in the marked wheelie bins. Other recycling facilities can be found in the town on Otley Road.

WIFI: is no longer available at site..

Electric Hook Up: The electrical supply from the school is insufficient to supply mains hook up. We are aware that many people would like this facility but our planning permission does not permit us to operate a generator to provide this facility.

Can I bring a generator and operate it on camp?

In line with our planning permission no generators are permitted on environmental grounds.

We recommend the use of a solar panel as an alternative. Solar panel kits can be obtained from many mainstream Internet suppliers.

Can I fly a drone or kite on site?

No. Flying devices or similar on site are not allowed

What type of security is there on the campsite?

The Camp does not operate a formal security system.

Our campsite has standard farmer’s fences and gates. We carry out twice daily health and safety inspections, as agreed with Keswick Ministries.

We have a very friendly arrangement with the local community police officer who visits the site during the convention.

Fire buckets are provided.

We issue all campers with wristbands on arrival, which we request are worn at all times to enable us to identify legitimate campers on the site.

Like any camp or caravan site, you are responsible for your pitch.

Look after your belongings and equipment and keep your area clean and tidy.

Please tell one of the campsite team if there are any problems or if you see strangers on the field.

Always lock your car when unattended.

No responsibility whatsoever is taken by Crosthwaite Campsite for your personal belongings.

Feedback

We want you to enjoy Crosthwaite Camp and the Keswick Convention. We’re always pleased to have your comments and suggestions for improvements. Email us: Secretary@crosthwaitecamp.org.uk

Welcome Sheets and information

CC Flood Risk Assesment for 2018

CC Traffic Management Plan 2018

Terms & Conditions

Be sure to check out our Terms and Conditions.

2023 Welcome sheet Welcome Sheet 2023[80]