The early days of Castlerigg Hall Caravan and Camping site near Keswick. 1963 photo by John Jackson.

Above Castlerigg: A View Across Time

The fell gate going up Walla Crag

The Fell Gate above Rakfoot

The old photo is beautifully composed and processed. Taken just above the fell gate leading up Walla Crag. Beyond the couple climbing the stile is Castlerigg, and Skiddaw as the backdrop. It is difficult to determine the decade this would have been taken. We think it likely to be the 20′ or 30’s.

On Latrigg you can see the wood plantations that are still harvested to this day.

We can see The Derwent Holiday Camp clearly, with the camp pavilion, just above the lady’s head. The hut accommodation and bell tents can also be made out. This is thought to be the oldest permanent holiday camp in the country and first advertised in 1909. You can see that there are considerably fewer trees in the older photo.

Delving deeper

If we look beyond and to the left of the Derwent Camp, that long field is now part of Castlerigg Hall Caravan Park. On old maps there used to be a wiggly hedge going through the centre of that field which in the old photo would appear to be longer present.

Interestingly in the centre, far right, there appears to be traditional haystacks, dotted around the field.

In contrast the field behind the man is known as Butcher Flatt has been grazed, then to the left, Middle Flatt and finally Lower Flatt.

The wall to the left of the wicket gate I can recall my grandfather telling me was removed for the building of Walla Yat’s wall at Castlerigg by Jim Biggar. Certainly the condition of the walls is excellent and the apparent absence of moss suggests they are recently built or very well looked after.

As we move to the foreground I can recall as a child, the raised grassy mound, which has now been eroded away with the volume of rain and footfall.

The Upper Terrace Through the Decades

The top terrace at Castlerigg Hall Caravan Camping Glamping Park

The Top Terraces

One of the upper terraces at Castlerigg Hall, the old photo was taken by myself and my father around 1979. The recent one in 2023. There was a couple of years where my father set up a darkroom in the house and together we took photos around the park to develop.

This photo shows the private static holiday caravans before they were removed a few years later. The barn visible was demolished in 1998 ready for the new facility building seen in the recent photo. The large shed beyond was built by my father and myself in 1981 on the site of a derelict old wooden farm shed.

A large sycamore tree (now felled) in the centre stood above the old toilets at the end of the barn and I recall the time when cleaning the toilets there was a large storm and lightning struck the tree. When I went to look there was a large 4 ft long piece of bark lying at the toilet door entrance. I carved the date on this and it hung in my room where it remained for years.

The collapsed white fence was the last we put up as it was such a chore painting them every year! In 1985 my wife (to be) and I planted the beech hedge you can see. Over the years we have levelled up the terrace, (originally created by my father), tarmacked the road and created seperate touring pitches with water and electric.

Castlerigg Road and the Old Toll Cottage

Toll Bar Cottage with Latrigg and Skiddaw behind

The Old Toll Bar

When Turnpike roads were established toll bars were built for pikemen to live and collect a payment for the use of the road, with a gate for access. Although the old photo is more recent it still conjures images of a time gone by.

In contrast to the modern scene, the narrow road, which has now been considerably widened, looks so tranquil. The gate on the right accessed meadows on Castlerigg which is now part of Lonsties housing estate. Little has changed with the cottage other than the noticeable removal of the chimney stack.

We can see there appears to be a streetlight with a globe top, possibly the first up Castlerigg.

Finally, Skiddaw, unchanged and dominating the skyline, with Latrigg in front, its wooded flanks completing the scene.

The Lower Static Caravan Terraces

A view of the lower static caravans

How things have changed

Both photos are taken by myself 37 years apart. They show the scene from the lower terraces in 1988 and 2025. On the upper image you can see the tentfield toilet block we are building. I have just completed constructing the roof, together with Allan Carruthers.

Over the years both images show the design transition of the static caravan. I think the curved roof caravan is a Pemberton model. The caravan with the red car alongside is a brand new Atlas that had just been recently sited. It has a stove enamel finish as opposed to all the others which would be hand painted every few years. The trees have been planted by my father who had died the year before. I have just cut the grass on the terrace with a strimmer.

It’s intersting to remember the upper image caravans were totally off grid in 1988. Water butts would be wheeled from the single tap on the terrace to the side of the van. A foot pump in the floor would deliver the water to a single water tap in the kitchen basin. There were no toilets or showers inside and owners would have to use the site facilities. Lighting was via gas, the fragile gas mantles so easy to damage. The caravans were significantly smaller, around 8 ft to 10 ft wide and typically around 22 ft long.

On the lower image we have now tarmaced the roads and planted beech hedges to screen the vans. The hedge alongside the footpath and toilet block (which my wife helped me plant) is now well established.

The Campfield Road Then and Now

The road leading to the campfield

Improved campsite roads

The road leading to the Campfield will be instantly recognisable to generations of guests who have camped at Castlerigg Hall. At first glance, very little appears to have changed. However, a closer look reveals just how much work has taken place behind the scenes to improve the camping experience while preserving the character of the landscape.

This road (probably following an older cart track), constructed by my father John Jackson, provided access to the camping field during the early years of the park’s development. Because suitable road-building materials were limited at the time, the surface often became soft after prolonged rain or severe frost. Consequently, it was not unusual for cars and touring caravans to become stuck, requiring assistance from the farm tractor.

Over the years, we have continually improved drainage, strengthened the road foundation and enhanced access throughout the park. As a result, today’s guests enjoy a far more reliable surface while still following the same route used by campers for decades.

You can see where the pedestrian underpass now stands. My father and I built this underpass in 1983 to improve both guest safety and site security. By creating a dedicated pedestrian route, we eliminated problems associated with roadside parking and unauthorised access.

To the left can also see the toilet and shower block that we constructed between 1986 and 1989. Because we completed almost all the work ourselves, apart from the electrical installation and roofing slates, the project took several years to finish. Nevertheless, it marked an important stage in the continuing development of Castlerigg Hall as a leading camping and touring destination in the Lake District.

From Farm Fields to Holiday Park

The view from Castlerigg Hall Farm

THE CREATION OF A HOLIDAY PARK

Although not taken in exactly the same position these two photos give a good comparison of the development of the park. The older photo taken in 1963, by my father, shows the beginning of him creating the caravan terraces.

The photo is taken to the left of where I have taken the modern version and shows the creation of the middle terrace. This was the transition from farm to caravan site as you can still see my parents had their sheep grazing alongside the terracing work.

As we look to the far right of the older photo you can see that Springs Wood is part plantation and across the lake you can see the hill of Swinside carpeted with what looks like a recent plantation scheme. The scar from mining on Barrow fell directly behind is slowly reducing in size, the lead content in the mine spoil affecting the mountainsides’ ability to heal since it was dug out – possible as far back as Roman times.

Castlerigg Hall 1963 and 2023

Skiddaw Views

The top image taken by my father John Jackson in 1963 shows what we now call the triangle area. A visitor squats taking in the view over Derwentwater. Behind the caravan rises Skiddaw, a 3054 ft / 951 m mountain that sits to the north of Keswick. The open wooden gate leads to the camping field.

On the lower image you can see a pollarded oak in front of the silver campervan. This was severly wind damaged recently and, knowing my father planted it, we did our best to save it. Meanwhile on the upper image you can see it as a recently planted sapling.

A couple enjoying the sunset at Castlerigg Hall

Looking Back, Moving Forward

As we look through these photographs and memories, it is remarkable how much has changed and how much has stayed the same. Castlerigg Hall remains a family run business, still owned and operated by the same family who first welcomed campers through the gates all those years ago. While generations have passed, the values that shaped the park from the beginning, a warm welcome, care for the landscape, and a love of the Lake District continue to guide everything we do today.

I find there is a certain nostalgia in remembering the early days of camping: the glow and sound of gas mantles on an evening, water foot pumps in the floor of your caravan, wooden tent pegs driven into the Lakeland soil, and the simple pleasure of spending time outdoors with family and friends. Those experiences helped create countless holiday memories, many of which are still shared by guests who return to us decades later.

Today’s visitors enjoy comforts that would have seemed unimaginable to those early campers. Spacious serviced pitches, electric hook-ups, modern amenities, and even underfloor heating provide a level of comfort while still allowing guests to enjoy the same spectacular surroundings. Alongside these improvements, we remain committed to reducing our environmental impact through ongoing sustainability initiatives and careful stewardship of the landscape that makes this place so special.

Discover our park yourself

What has never changed is our location. Perched above Keswick, with direct access to some of the Lake District’s most celebrated walks and views, Castlerigg Hall continues to offer the perfect base from which to explore the fells, lakes, woodlands and vibrant market town below.

Whether you are returning to relive cherished memories or discovering Castlerigg Hall for the very first time, we would be delighted to welcome you. Come and be part of the next chapter in our story.

Book your Lake District escape today and create memories that future generations will look back on with the same fondness.

Frequently Asked Questions About Castlerigg Hall History

Is Castlerigg Hall still family owned?

Yes. Castlerigg Hall remains family owned and operated by the same family that developed the park from a traditional Lakeland farm into one of the Lake District’s leading holiday parks.

When did Castlerigg Hall become a holiday park?

Development began in the early 1960s when John Jackson started creating caravan terraces while continuing to farm the land.

Was Castlerigg Hall originally a farm?

Yes. Before becoming a holiday park, Castlerigg Hall operated as a working Lakeland hill farm overlooking Keswick and Derwentwater.

How has camping changed at Castlerigg Hall?

Early campers relied on facilities such as gas lighting, foot-operated water pumps and basic amenities. Today guests enjoy serviced pitches, electric hook-ups, modern washrooms and underfloor heating.

Why are these photographs important?

The images provide a unique record of how both the landscape and the holiday park have changed over several generations while preserving the heritage and character of the site.