David Jackson

EUROPE’S FAVOURITE CAMPING DESTINATION

Posted on February 11, 2026

Castlerigg Hall Holiday Park in Keswick has been voted the most popular camping destination in Great Britain by campers from 33 European countries. The accolade comes from the ACSI, Europe’s largest publisher of camping information, which represents more than 9,400 campsites across the continent.

The family-run park, operated by the Jackson family since 1938, topped the poll for its combination of location, quality, and hospitality. David Jackson, who runs the park with his wife Jill and son Josh, said the award was “ a fantastic feather in the park’s cap” and praised his team for their contribution.

Castlerigg Hall offers a range of accommodation, from traditional camping pitches to luxury holiday caravans and touring pitches for motorhomes. The park also features innovative Hex Pods, sustainable glamping units with underfloor heating powered by renewable energy, furnished living areas, and kitchen and bathroom facilities beneath hexagonal glass roofs.

Earlier this year, the park won the 2025 Cumbria Tourism Award for Regenerative Tourism, recognising its commitment to protecting and enhancing the natural environment. Castlerigg Hall is a longstanding member of the Holiday and Residential Parks Association (HARPA).

ABOVE: Outside the Dutch headquarters of the ACSI, David Jackson and his wife Jill and their son Josh receive the organisation's top UK award from two of its senior holiday park inspectors.

PARK OWNERS SET TO SCALE 200 PEAKS

Posted on March 12, 2024

PARK OWNERS SET TO SCALE 200 PEAKS

Two Lake District holiday park owners are joining forces this year in a bid to climb all 214 Wainwright fells, and to land a windfall for Cancer Research UK. David Jackson of Castlerigg Hall near Kenwick, and Daniel Holder of The Quiet Site near Ullswater, are dedicating their marathon effort to the memory of their fathers.

Both men lost their dads to cancer at a young age – David when he was 22 and Daniel when he was just 16. The pair have set themselves the target of raising £5,000 over twelve months through a Just Giving page called Fells for Our Fathers (www. justgiving.com/page/fellsforourfathers).

David and Daniel discovered their shared losses last year during a conversation following one of their outings together on the fells. Said Daniel: “We both really enjoy tackling high level trails in the Lake District, and the subject came up when we were talking over a beer after one of our climbs. “We thought it would be great if our outings were able to make a difference to the work of Cancer Research and the many ways in which they support those affected.

“Bagging all of the Wainwrights in one year appealed to us both a challenge, and we’ve been delighted at all of the donation pledges that have so far rolled in,” he said. Alfred Wainwright (1907–1991) hand wrote and illustrated a series of seven volumes describing the ascents and views from the summits of 214 Lakeland fells.

The parks owned by David and Daniel attract many guests keen to explore the Lakeland fells, and each provides a range of accommodation from camping pitches to luxury glamping. Both are long-established family businesses and have achieved a number of awards – including five-star tourist board grades – for their quality standards and care for the environment.