The Quiet Site Gingerbread House Review

Updated for NWFA in 2026. Facilities, prices and food offerings may change, so do double-check with The Quiet Site before booking.

When we first booked a weekend in one of the Gingerbread Houses at The Quiet Site near Ullswater, I was really interested to see what proper glamping feels like. We’ve since been back several times as even for someone who doesn’t like slumming it, glamping is great for a mini break. Here’s my honest Quiet Site Gingerbread House review, including what the huts are actually like, who they suit best, what food is available on site and what there is to do nearby.

Where is The Quiet Site?

The Quiet Site is in the northern part of the Lake District, close to Ullswater and not far from Pooley Bridge, Glenridding and Aira Force. It’s in a lovely spot if you want easy access to lake views, walks and some of my favourite parts of Cumbria, but without being right in the middle of the busier tourist areas.

This is a great place to stay for anyone wanting to visit the Aira Force Waterfalls, a National Trust site or just pottering around Pooley Bridge. There are several local public footpaths and walks around the Lake District within easy reach of The Quiet Site, including down to The Brackenrigg Inn and Another Place, The Lake.

What are the Gingerbread Houses at The Quiet Site like?

Really cute wooden log cabins with a shared sleeping area, a small kitchen area, a private bathroom finished to a high standard and outdoor seating. You have full access to all the facilities at The Quiet Site.

The Gingerbread Houses are a really good option if you like the idea of camping but don’t want to deal with the bits that can make it feel like hard work. They sit somewhere between a basic camping pod and a more comfortable glamping stay, giving you your own private space, proper heating and a bathroom, while still keeping that campsite atmosphere. And best of all, no creepy crawlies!

They’re compact, but they don’t feel cramped in the same way a tent or older caravan can, and having your own decking area outside makes a big difference too.

Like most campsites, you can chat with other campers as you pass their plot but the beauty of the Gingerbread huts is, you have your own area if you like your privacy.

Who are the Gingerbread Houses best for?

Gingerbread Houses at The Quiet Site are wooden log cabins, perfect for anyone who fancies glamping.

Gingerbread Houses at The Quiet Site cater for up to 2 Adults and 4 Children. We stayed as 2 adults and 2 teens, which worked, but I think the sleeping ledge would suit younger children better than four older ones.

We took one inflatable mattress and this made such a difference to how comfortable the sleeping arrangements were. Next time, in addition to our own sleeping bags and pillows, we will take more of our own bedding as it was a little hard.

What facilities do the Gingerbread Houses have?

Inside the huts, you get a fully working private bathroom – this is actually a really decent size and the shower is super powerful. The en-suite bathroom is really private – the whole of the cabin won’t hear any noises, if you get what I mean? Who Gives a Crap toilet roll is also provided.

Each gingerbread house has 2 windows, complete with shutters. The door window has in-built blinds for privacy – we did find that the light did come in early morning so something to bear in mind if you are easily woken.

There are simple kitchen facilities that are really clean and just what you need for a 2 night stay. You get a microwave and fridge but no freezer. The fridge was plenty big enough for what we needed (We bought a few ready meals from the local Booths) The site provides a small amount of washing up liquid. If you buy anything from The Quiet Bite (see below), you can reuse the plates for your own meals.

Padded sleeping area with room underneath to store bags.

Outside each hut has a picnic table on the decking area, under a canopy big enough to protect from the elements while you gaze out at the great views on offer at this fabulous holiday park. The outside light is on a sensor so stays on for the duration if you’re sitting outside. This is a godsend if you have sleeping children inside – No more going back to the days of sitting in a dark caravan, trying to get toddlers to sleep!

Heating, lighting, electricity.

Are the Gingerbread Houses warm and comfortable?

We have stayed in the Gingerbread Houses a few times – only one of those occasions found us being slightly chilly overnight but that was because we forgot to put the heating on and it was bitterly cold winter outside. Once that heating kicks in, they are really cosy!

Underfloor heating and running hot water means that you will never go cold. The huts are well constructed and not draughty in the slightest.

Food and drink at The Quiet Site

The Quiet Bite

One of our girls’ favourite parts of The Quiet Site. They loved popping down to order pizza each evening and again, loved their crepes and bacon rolls in a morning.

The Quiet Bite is a sparklingly clean takeaway hut on site. Pizzas are served from 4pm – 8pm (sometimes times differ throughout different seasons). There is a selection of 5 pizza and garlic bread options available. These pizzas are REALLY GOOD! At £12 per pizza, it’s not the cheapest meal but already our girls are asking when we can go back, even if just for a pizza. The staff are friendly and will accommodate different requests – I asked for hardly any cheese and heard others ask for no mushrooms etc. You can order your pizza, pay then go away for the 20 minutes while you wait or sit at the outside picnic benches next to the hut. (It does get busy but they still keep up with demand). In keeping with The Quiet Site being carbon positive, pizza boxes are not used – Your pizza is handed to you on a proper plate that you can either eat there outside or take back to your house/hut/tent/caravan.

There is drinking water and glasses available if you need a drink. Most people take their own beers and cans though.

If you are looking to eat off site, you might enjoy our review of De Brito’s Wheatsheaf which is 30 minutes away by car.

The Quiet Bar

The Quiet Bar is brilliant and quirky if you are after a quiet pint. There are LOADS of stuffed animals which the girls found a little freaky at first. It’s not the place to visit if taxidermy freaks you out! Takeaway drinks are available. There is an outside seating area, board games and a pool table/ air hockey table available too. Reports back from Mr C are that the cask beers were of great quality. Prices are competitive at £4.50 per pint and £1 per glass of soft drink.

The on-site shop

The sustainable shop is great. Cereal, nuts and snacks are available from a dispenser and can be bought in glass canisters or paper bags. The shop is zero waste and carbon neutral. Milk is available in glass bottles.

They even had special occasion cupcakes to buy when we visited. Crafts and home decor is available to buy from local producers – last time we went, we couldn’t resist buying Hamish the Coo by Handmade Designs by Sarah Louise that hangs on our living room wall.

Is The Quiet Site good for families?

The Quiet Site is a brilliant break for all ages. You will find young children loving life on their bikes, older teenagers pottering around and adults sat in The Quiet Bar.

How is the Wi-fi?

Really good! We watched whole programmes on my phone and it didn’t buffer once. I’d even go as far to say that the fast wi-fi is better than at home.

Is The Quiet Site dog friendly?

Yes. There are plenty of dogs (there were loads in the bar when we went). You are expected to keep them quiet and under control (The whole site is super silent after 10.30pm every night) and some Gingerbread Houses do not allow dogs inside.

Things to do near The Quiet Site

This area of the Lake District has less tourism than other areas like Windermere. There are still plenty of amazing places to visit and beautiful walks within a short drive. Even the World of Beatrix Potter is within driving distance if the weather is rubbish.

Aira Force walk and waterfall is your nearest National Trust property and around 5-10 minutes drive away on the banks of Ullswater.

Ullswater Steamers are a little further at about 15 minutes drive.

For a little village, Glenridding makes for a lovely potter around. If you want a slightly larger town, Keswick takes about 25 minutes by car.

Pooley Bridge in the other direction has plenty of cafes and pubs to visit – and I believe there is a new book shop that I must visit next time!

One of our favourite things to do in the Lake District is paddle boarding or open water swimming and Ullswater is the perfect place for it. There are plenty of little coves and small parking areas (National Trust car parks are free to members).

How much does a Gingerbread House at The Quiet Site cost?

For a 2 night stay in June (over a bank holiday weekend) we paid £320. While this is in the upper range of campsites, we really feel we got value for money and as a treat, it was definitely worth it for the 4 of us. Prices and availability can be found on the Quiet Site’s website.

For us, The Quiet Site was exactly the right mix of camping atmosphere and proper comfort. The Gingerbread House gave us the fun of a glamping break without the bits we no longer miss from caravans and tents, and the Ullswater location is hard to beat. We’d happily go back, and next time I’d be tempted to try one of the Hobbit Holes too.

If you’re looking for a different kind of Ullswater stay, you might also like my Brackenrigg Inn review.