The Quiet Site — Hobbit Holes
Our verdict · Fun, eco-minded and affordable glamping with a genuine Lake District location.
Book it if
You want an en-suite base for Ullswater and the fells without the premium price tag, and like a bit of novelty.
Skip it if
You're after total seclusion or hotel-level luxury — this is a friendly, family-friendly holiday park, not a private hideaway.
Plan your visit
The Quiet Site — Hobbit Holes
From ~£85/night (Hobbit Holes, indicative)
Indicative price at the time of review.
The Quiet Site sits above Ullswater in the heart of the Lake District and has welcomed visitors since 1963. Its 15 turf-roofed 'Hobbit Holes' are among the best-value glamping units in the National Park: insulated underground burrows with their own en-suite shower rooms, a kitchenette, comfy beds and valley views, kept snug by the earth and grass around them. It's a well-run, eco-conscious park with a zero-waste shop, an atmospheric cave-like bar and an on-site eatery, plus easy access to Ullswater, Aira Force and the surrounding fells. It's more holiday park than private retreat — you'll have neighbours and it's popular with families — but for couples who want a characterful, affordable Lakes base with an en-suite, it earns its place. Book early, as the Hobbit Holes sell out fastest.
The good & the bad
Pros
- Excellent value for a genuine Lake District location
- En-suite underground burrows that stay warm and cosy
- Eco credentials, on-site bar and eatery, and a zero-waste shop
Cons
- It's a busy holiday park rather than a secluded couples' retreat
- Hobbit Holes book up fast for peak Lakes dates
How it compares
| Pick | WATTB Score | Price | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.The Fish — Treehouses & Huts | 96/100 | From ~£375/night (huts); treehouses from ~£605 — indicative | overall |
| 2.fforest | 92/100 | From ~£175/night (indicative; often a 2-night minimum) | design-led coastal escapes |
| 3.Loose Reins | 90/100 | From ~£150/night (indicative) | hot-tub romance |
| 4.Kudhva | 86/100 | From ~£115/night (cabins, indicative) | off-grid adventure |
| 5.The Quiet Site — Hobbit HolesThis pick | 82/100 | From ~£85/night (Hobbit Holes, indicative) | value in the Lake District |
Good to know
- Address
- Ullswater, Watermillock, Penrith, Cumbria CA11 0LS
- Nearest station
- Penrith (approx. 8 miles)
- Price
- From ~£85/night (Hobbit Holes, indicative)
- Accommodation
- Hobbit Holes (glamping burrows), pods, bell tents
- Location
- Above Ullswater, Watermillock, Cumbria
- For couples
- En-suite burrow, valley views, cave bar
- On site
- Eatery, bar, zero-waste shop
- Open
- Year-round
Researched by WATTB
- Published
- 2 September 2026
- Updated
- 2 September 2026
- Last verified
- 2 September 2026
We research and rank options from public data, official information and published reviews. How we research →
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