16/07/2025
The final long season is upon us!
We open this Friday the 18th of July! We are so excited to meet you and welcome you all 🫂
And we rarely ever say anything negative on this page purely because we want everyone to be excited and happy about camping with us (and trust us we are so glad for every single customer/camper)
So you may have seen in the news and social
media about farming i.e: inheritance tax, single farm payment etc being removed. And we also want share our story as simply as we can! 🙉
We have a farm called Keskadale Farm in Newlands Valley, Keswick, we are the 5th Generation currently running/ensuring its survival with our hefted flocks of sheep and beef cattle.🐑🐂
Back in 2021- It was announced Single Farm Payments were to be phased out and farmers (like us) were to start looking at ways to diversify their farms into other streams of income i.e tourism, farm tours, glamping pods etc. You name it we were all to have to start doing something else.
So in that in mind the same year 2021 we took the governments advice and started Newlands Valley Campsite to replace the income we were set to loose in the coming years.
Little did we know how much you lovely people would love our home so much back then. We were so naive as by trade we were just farmers working hard to feed the country like so manu others. And with that being said the tourism industry was not something we had ever experienced before. We hired a few blue portaloos and some showers and worried if people would turn up. And they did, infact they showed up so much we were scrambling for more toilets and facilities. Our first year I think it would be safe to say we learnt ALOT. 😂 But we didnt give up. Because we had no choice but to make it work.
So 2022 came around and with our new arrival baby Jack, we hired better/more toilets and again you guys still showed up and supported us and saw what we were trying to do whilst raising our young children and run our farm inbetween. And whilst we made mistakes if it wasnt for the kindness, patience and trusting of our returning campers we would have felt like giving up. We honestly think our campers are the best!🏕
2023- We welcomed the final member of our family baby Joe👶 However the planning permission for our campsite was rejected. Even though our government was telling us we need to diversify and replace our income and whilst the Lake Distict was struggling to cope with visitors whilst staying environmentally friendly and tackling wild camping, litter and removing used bbqs etc and the constant worry of wildfires on the fells we help manage with sheep. We really thought surely our 5th Generation Farm that wants to open a NON ELECTRIC sustainable campsite for the summer months whilst keeping the land for sheep during the winter would have qualified easily and be a no brainer? NO it was rejected.
Furthermore the government also changed the rules so we could open for 60 days BUT we are only allowed 50 tents under the NEW "Permitted development right". So this would would have a knock on effect to our loyal customers with prices as we still need to hire the same facilities but for a longer time now with less visitor numbers on average. Another blow.
2024- Due to changes in the "Permitted Development Right" there was an overlap meaning we could still do half of the year with good numbers and keeping our prices reasonable whilst taking a hit on the second half of the year.
2025- Our current year has been our most challenging year. We pride ourselves on keeping our prices reasonable because why should it cost SO much to pitch a tent YOU paid for in a field? And trust me we agree.
Due to not getting our planning we have to hire everything and we hire the VERY best we can possibly get all whilst keeping our prices low. Which is not easy when the weather is not on our side.
2026- The inheritance tax. Another blow for farmers simply trying to survive. But we have to get through 2025 first.
So (If your still reading this 😂) How can you help! Well...
-We really hope you support us again this year come rain or shine. Hopefully in the sunshine! 🌞🌞
-If you can support local farmers please do in any possible way.
-When your having your bbqs or veggie kebabs please know its still a farmer that made sure that food was available for you 🫛🥦🍔🌭
Our farming future is very uncertain but we do promise we we wont give up! And whilst this is our home it can also be yours even if its just for a short period because sharing is caring and helps support our farming future.
And finally if you could like, comment or even share our page/post we would really appreciate it 💚
Many Thanks
Newlands Valley Campsite
Family Friendly. Toilets. Showers. Drinking Water. Peaceful. Pets allowed. Staffed.
