Two Lake District campsites have been acquired by the Camping and Caravanning Club.

The two sites, Scotgate and Braithwaite Bridges, are owned by Scotgate Holiday Park and located between Derwentwater and Bassenthwaite, near Keswick.

The combined sites cover nearly 18 acres and are just 500 metres apart.

They include 250 camping pitches, 65 hard standings, 21 holiday homes, 13 lodges and a 1.8 acre rally field.

The campsites have been owned, developed and managed by the Stuart family for 65 years and were purchased from the company for an undisclosed sum.

Bob Hill, the Camping and Caravanning Club’s sites director, said: “We’re delighted the Stuart family has decided to work with The Camping and Caravanning Club on the sale of these two popular and nicely-developed sites.

“The Lake District National Park is hugely popular with tourists. Scotgate and Braithwaite Bridges will be a really strong addition to our nationwide network of 104 Club Sites and sit well alongside our flagship operations in the north Lakes. We’re looking forward to continuing our strong association with local businesses and organisations to continue to promote the Lake District as a fantastic location to go camping and enjoy the great outdoors.”

The acquisition brings the Club’s total number of campsites in and around the Lake District to eight.

Martin Stuart, the owner of Scotgate Holiday Park, said: “The two campsites have been an important part of the Stuart family for three generations and we wanted to ensure they continue to provide excellent facilities to campers for years to come by selling them to such a long-standing and well-respected organisation."

The existing six Camping and Caravanning Club Sites in and around the Lake District are: Keswick, Braithwaite Fold, Windermere, Ravenglass, Derwentwater and Kendal.