OK here's the latest.
I spoke to both site owners today and have the following to add:
Keswick "No lad, no groups!" but I did manage to talk the old boy around and he said it might be ok, but we'd be on the 'alternative' site, which is adjacent to the A66 - tents only. It does have showers and toilets. Probably free 9/10 June no no pre-bookings and not keen on the size of the turnout, so would not commit to booking.
Coniston "That's a lot of people and I'd need a guarantee that you would be quiet after 11pm as we have a lot of families here" "Of course, we're bringing some kids too" I replied
"In that case no problem, you can pre-book and we will arrange to site you all together - just give me a ring with numbers of pitches needed and people per tent"
My big concern regarding Keswick is the uncertainty - tbh if I was driving as far as you guys I'd want to know I defo had somewhere to sleep, rather than driving 15 miles in any direction looking for another site after 5 hours behind the wheel.
Coniston is tourisy and busier, but is in the heart of the Lakes and very picturesque. It is queier than Bowness and Windermere and fine for a base to explore. See map
http://www.aboutbritain.com/maps/coniston-map.aspAs a "local" I'd plump for Coniston Hall, for 3 reasons. 1: Pre-booking available. 2: Owner seems more tolerant of our group and 3: I haven't been for ages
I have emailed another Keswick site
http://www.burns-farm.co.uk/pageController.php just to keep our options open