The Quiet Site Review | Eco Glamping in Ullswater
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The Quiet Site is an award-winning sustainable glamping site in Watermillock on the Western side of Ullswater – the ultimate escape to the Lake District!
Glamping is a zero-hassle way to enjoy the outdoors, and The Quiet Site makes this happen with minimal impact on the environment. This is music to my ears!
Read The Quiet Site review to explore the eco-glamping options, shared facilities, and what makes this a carbon-neutral holiday park.
My stay at The Quiet Site was gifted, however, all opinions are my own
The Quiet Site Review
Sustainable Glamping In The Gingerbread House
I’m all about seeking out sustainable accommodation on my travels, and the carbon-positive Gingerbread House at The Quiet Site surpassed my expectations!
The Gingerbread Houses have solar PV roof panels, triple insulation, and ground source heating, and are surrounded by planted beech hedges which have a high capacity for carbon storage.
Even better, they were constructed with recycled materials where possible, blocks from old buildings were repurposed for the foundations, and second-hand beams, and sustainable wood and stone were included in their creation.
So, what was it like to stay in the Gingerbread House?
The spacious accommodation included a sleeping ledge big enough for a family of four, so as a solo traveller I had bags of room. With my cosy bedding and pillows, I slept like a baby! It was helped by the melodic bird song that was so repetitive I seriously thought it was coming out of a speaker as a mindfulness feature. It was just Mother Nature playing a tune!
The private bathroom was modern with a powerful shower that was instantly hot, with recycled toilet roll supplied. The kitchenette had all the mod cons (fridge, microwave, kettle and toaster), I just needed to bring some camping essentials such as cutlery and plates.
The Gingerbread Houses have great attention to detail. There were 6 double plugs with USB ports in useful places, something that is lacking in the design of so many hotel rooms.
The outdoor terrace had a picnic bench, two chairs, and a slab clearly labelled for portable BBQs. For a single traveller, it seemed like a hassle to start a BBQ, however, the smoky waft from the neighbours gave me little pangs of jealousy. Either way, eating my breakfast and dinner in nature with these spectacular views is the best feeling.
More Accommodation At The Quiet Site
When choosing which type of glamping accommodation at The Quiet Site, I was spoiled for choice. There really is a glamping pad for all desires!
Glamping Burrows – These spacious underground hobbit holes go back a long way and merge into the landscape. They are insulated, energy efficient, and have a private WC, kitchenette and elevated views.
Glamping Cabins – A touch of luxury for a romantic getaway. They come with a duvet/sheets, a private WC, a kitchenette, a star-gazing roof window, and a wooden deck with a picnic table or table and chairs.
Camping Pods – Made in Cumbria, these simple timber-built pods are designed to be a more insulated alternative to a tent. They offer more protection from the elements and come with a decking area to soak up the fresh air.
Camping & Touring Pitches – They offer all-weather pitches for tents, motorcaravans or VWs, as well as fully serviced pitches for caravans and motorhomes. Many are sectioned off for privacy, and all have incredible views.
Refuel At The Quiet Bite
The Quiet Bite is a separate zero-waste pizzeria with picnic benches located in front. It’s hard to miss when it is open owing to the hungry folk queuing.
As a big fan of wood-fired pizzas, I couldn’t wait to devour the Mediterranean Vegetable Pizza. This aromatic and crunchy pizza was the perfect pairing to a glass of Malbec and spectacular views of the Lake District‘s Eastern Fells back at my Gingerbread House.
Other options include Margherita, Pepperoni, Prosciutto Ham and Garlic Mushroom, Vegan options, and garlic bread.
Breakfast at The Quiet Site offers a choice of bacon rolls, vegan sausage, and crepes served at the weekends and during holiday periods. Help yourself to the delicious condiments and chutneys Cumbrian-made by Hawkshead Relish Company to add to the flavour!
The menus are simple leading to less waste, the ingredients are locally sourced. The food is served on reusable plates avoiding the use of cardboard takeaway boxes.
The pizza oven does not use fossil fuels, instead, it is fed with wood chips, a waste product sourced within 20 miles.
Get Social In The Quiet Bar
The Quiet Bar is housed in a barn that was purposefully converted in 1963, although the original building and traditional Cumbrian barn were erected in the 16th century.
The quirky décor of wagon wheels, stag heads, animal skins, and beer barrel chairs are in keeping with rustic character. The ornamental stained-glass windows over the grand fireplace add a splash of colour against the dark wood.
It may be called The Quiet Bar, but on Sundays, it is far from quiet! I mean this in a good way as the live music entertainment provided weekly from local talented artists is a big draw factor for glampers from this site and in the surrounding area. The friendly atmosphere in The Quiet Bar makes this a popular haunt on regular nights too.
The bar serves craft beers brewed in the Lake District, as well as fruit gins distilled locally.
If the conversation dries up, clear the table and work your way through the big pile of board games. For the kiddos, there is a separate playroom downstairs with table football, air hockey, and a pool table.
The Quiet Bar has carbon-neutral heating, and thermal insulation in the roof making this a cosy pub and playroom all year round!
Refill In The Quiet Shop
The Quiet Zero Waste Shop is a unique concept on a holiday park, and, as a regular user of refill shops at home, this is a welcome find. I love the idea that it may encourage glampers to seek out their local zero-waste shop and make a conscious change when they return back to everyday life.
The zero-plastic shop also sells locally sourced or fair trade food, books by Cumbrian authors, soap/shampoo bars, bamboo toothbrushes, and locally made gifts and toys.
The Quiet Shop also offers milk and orange juice in reusable glass bottles. You can return them to get your 20p back, just like in the old days with pop bottles before plastic was a thing!
Shared Facilities At The Quiet Site
Shower And Wash Facilities
The newly refurbished modern block with separate unisex rooms containing a shower, WC, and basin was immaculate, not a speck of dirt visible which is miraculous for a holiday park.
The Quiet Shower and Wash Rooms are fossil fuel free and powered entirely by solar, biomass and ground source heat energy.
Camper’s Kitchen
For the campers and glampers without cooking facilities, this is a warm and well-equipped kitchen with tables and chairs to eat your meals whilst charging your devices.
The walls of The Quiet Site Camper’s Kitchen are decorated with positive environmental messages, numerous awards, and practical planning drawings detailing their quest for sustainability.
Play Area
There is a huge field used for general games and a picnic space with a children’s playground with swings and a climbing frame. Great space for chilling close to your glamping pitch.
Handy Links To Plan Your Ullswater Trip
We all need a little help with travel planning, hope you find these links useful for your Ullswater holiday.
FAQs | The Quiet Site
A stay at The Quiet Site is a no-brainer for me, but here are some handy FAQs to help you on your way!
Does The Quiet Site have WiFi?
The WiFi is free and works well in some pitches, the bar, and the shop. I stayed in the Gingerbread House and I was able to work easily with fast WiFi on the picnic bench outside. The ideal scenario is to disconnect to reconnect with nature though!
Is The Quiet Site dog-friendly?
The Quiet Site is totally dog-friendly, as long as the responsible owners inform the holiday park on booking they will be bringing a four-legged friend. There are drinking water and dog bowls, a nearby meadow to let them off their lead, and even a doggy bath to wash them down after a day on the fells.
Is The Quiet Site wheelchair accessible?
Whilst there are some steps to access the Camper’s Kitchen and Camping Pods, there is wheelchair access to other glamping accommodations and shared spaces.
Are BBQs and firepits allowed at The Quiet Site?
There are dedicated stone slabs at the front of the pods at The Quiet Site for disposable BBQs and requested to take them to the Recycle Centre on-site after use.
Firepits and campfires are not permitted at The Quiet Site.
PIN THE QUIET SITE REVIEW FOR LATER!
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