Advice on Lake District sites

I've been to the CCC one at keswick and while the location was good the actual site was at the time far below standard of a club site. Location isn't everything. And while it's a short walk into Keswick, it's usually very full although it does have some pie shops now.

The pitches were badly kept, weeds and grass on the 'hardstanding' and the facilities were just plain disgusting really, and were never clean and the site far too crowded and noisy (this was just off peak). Didn't like being shown to a pitch and didn't like the attitude of the warden when I said I wanted another one as it wasn't big enough. Things may have changed now of course. We also found that for travelling anywhere it was far more difficult to get anywhere and back due to the traffic, far easier from the CAMC club sites. 

It depends what people want from a site, we prefer the quieter way of club sites, the CCC is more like a holiday resort all day and evening long but nothing wrong with that of course if that's what you want. 

Edited by me due to now not needing a reply to a post.

There are many sites in the Lake District, some are stunning and some C&MC sites. What you really need to do is consider what you expect from a site and what is essential in meeting your needs for your holiday. Once you have a list of your essential needs then advice would be much easier to provide for you. We love Borrowdale due to its quiet nature and easy access directly into the central fells for walking. Coniston too is good in our opinion and despite the view of some that the travel in is problematic with care it’s fine. School busses and large HGV navigate it as do thousands of caravaners and motorhomers ever year. Troutbeck is well situated for the northern fells, there are a few walks out from site but they are very limited and a car is considered essential. 

+1 there.

if it's a walking a 'town' holiday then choose one near one. If it's walking then choose another.

TB is also good for the Eastern fells (wainwright's) as well, it's possible to do Helvellyn from the site, or a lift a few miles from the site to start at Great Dood, but unless you're a strong walker you'll need a lift back from Patterdale. We did it a few years ago, also a round trip to Great Dodd and Clough Head is certainly possible from the site as well.

It's also very good for the Far Eastern with a short drive up to Glenridding and on to Kirkstone pass.

Just to mention it the road up Kirkstone pass has been completely resurfaced and straighten/widened. Not enough for caravans but most MHs should now have no bother.

We have not stayed at the one called Keswick C&CC site but did stay at the smaller one called Derwentwater C&CC next door. It was immaculately kept. There were only a few pitches free but we were offered a choice and were very happy with the one we picked. The facilities whilst not as good as the CAMC were also well kept and clean. I can thoroughly recommend it to the OP. Both bus stops and food shopping are available a short walk away. It might not matter to the OP as a caravaner, but for ourselves now with a MH it is a much better choice than Troutbeck.

Interestly enough we're looking at booking a cottage there for next year's walking holiday. It's a perfect base for all the accents from Eskdale and Wasdale head. I'm anxious to do Scafell (still missing that one) while I still can. 

Post edit: There's two railway Pullman carriages at the railway there that have been converted into holiday homes! 

Yes I'm sure you're right. This was some time ago but with me, once bitten and all that. 

As mentioned up thread, it really depends what you want to do and what you expect from your holiday.

Do you enjoy walking, serious walking such as scaling large hills and mountains  or just walking around small towns like Grasmere and Ambleside? Do you mind travelling into the lakes or want to be central?

I find these questions posed by the OP impossible to answer as I have no idea what they want.

I can answer base on what I want or what I would have wanted 10 years ago when a lot fitter.

Ther are a couple, one from either club, I would choose for myself. The first would be the C&CC's Braithwaite site, which no one else has mentioned. Easy access, close to a major route through the Lakes, within walking distance of Keswick, and ideal for walks onto a number of both high and lower fells, with a couple decent pubs/restaurants close by. The other is the CC's Dockery Meadow site, a non -facility site in the North West Lakes.