For some it brings back memories of childhood holidays steeped in the golden glow of nostalgia; for others it's more an association with drizzly weather, the smell of damp canvas and arguments over who's doing the washing up.
Either way, camping is a traditional British family holiday which these days is a far different experience compared to the leaky tents and basic facilities on offer back in the day. Whether 'wild camping' under the stars or unfurling your sleeping bag in a luxury glamping pod, it's become hugely popular in recent years; more so since staycations took off during the pandemic.
Now, with families having rediscovered the attractions of their home country and the joys to be had pitching up in the great outdoors, camp sites are very much in vogue and seem set to enjoy big business again this summer. The North East certainly has plenty of them, offering a perfect base from which to explore the region's attractions and its stunning scenery.
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What's more, modern camp sites offer opportunities beyond holidays under canvas with many of them catering for lovers of caravans and motorhomes too. Here's a round-up of some top sites for camping around Newcastle and the North East, as listed by Google according to reviews. And they include something to suit all tastes, from wild camping to luxury glamping.
Walkmill Campsite
This Northumberland campsite, encircled by the River Coquet, is just a 30-40 minute walk to Warkworth Castle which takes in the riverside, passes the hermitage and then reaches Warkworth's sandy beach. One reviewer called the site "cool" and added: "Beautiful position with a field going down to the river. Friendly, helpful hosts. Facilities well cared for. Would recommend it." Another liked its big pitches and being by the river.
Strawberry Hill Farm Camping and Caravan Park
At Old Cassop in Durham, this holiday park was summed up as "excellent" and praised as a "great location, lovely family-run site" by one visitor. Pitches are a mix of hard standing or grass and it says that for less able campers there's a fully-contained bathroom with disabled facilities. Another reviewer wrote of it: "Great quiet caravan and camping site".
Woodside Ridge Caravan Park
"Brilliant camp site, very clean and well looked after," said one visitor to this family-run rural holiday park at Town Kelloe outside Durham city which is open to tents as well as touring caravans and motorhomes. It also has a small play area for younger children and access to neighbouring woodland and fishing pond. Another reviewer remarked upon its laid-back atmosphere and one added: "Fantastic site, everything you need and friendly staff, highly recommend."
Herding Hill Farm
Billed as an AA award-winning, five-star site, this one near Haltwhistle, Northumberland, also caters for glamping and caravans besides camping and was summed up simply by one happy customer as "best camp site I have been to", while another judged the "impeccable" shower block as "probably the best I've used." It also has a petting farm and BBQ hut, with an open fire with grill and stargazing deck, for get-togethers of up to 20 people.
Leekworth Caravan Park
www.caravancampingteesdale.co.uk
"Excellent site - been coming here for a few years now, lovely calm and quiet" thought one regular visitor to this campsite at Barnard Castle at Middleton-in-Teesdale, while another wrote: "Place is tidy and well secured etc. Lovely river to fish and we love it." On the banks of the Tees, its location is surrounded by the North Pennines and the Teesdale Way cuts alongside it, joining the Pennine Way and Middleton village which is a 10-minute walk away. It also has a stone-build Shepherd's Cottage option.
Haltwhistle Camping and Caravanning Club Site
www.campingandcaravanningclub.co.uk
Set in a clearing in Northumberland's Bellister Wood - once part of Bellister Castle Estate and now managed by the National Trust - this site benefits hugely from its location in the North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and a European Geopark. It's descibed as a haven for wildlife such as rabbits and woodpeckers. One visitor said of it: "Very quiet site, ideal place as base camp" and another noted: "Really pretty site, tucked away down a dead end road in a little dell amongst the woods and next to the river. Was half expecting little pixies to appear on the green! Seriously, it is a good, clean, quiet site I would recommend and quite happily visit again."
Beadnell Bay Camping and Caravanning Club Site
www.campingandcaravanningclub.co.uk
At Chathill in Northumberland, this campsite is across from the beach and has won praise from happy campers including "Amazing site; the staff are the best kindest people ever and "Food shack on site sells excellent fish and chips, and yummy steak pies". As well as having views across the coast and Cheviot Hills, it is within strolling distance of Beadnell and Seahouses - from where there are boat trips to the Farne Islands – and keen bikers might also like to know that the Coast and Castles and National Cycle Routes both pass its entrance.
Barnard Castle Camping and Caravanning Club Site
www.campingandcaravanningclub.co.uk
Reviews of this County Durham site include praise for its very clean toilet block with "plenty of hot water", its playground and "play field", adding there is "a very pretty walk into Barnard Castle itself. A dog lovers paradise." Another said the walk was either along the road or through woods and fields and one pointed out the "very friendly greeting on arrival as usual".
Hadrian's Wall Caravan & Camp Site
www.hadrianswallcampsite.co.uk
Offering a country getaway, this site - on the edge Northumberland National Park, with Hadrian's Wall on its doorstep - invites guests to "watch the sun set in the evening and rise in the morning while listening to the chorus of birds" and, with added attractions such as its starry night skies, it says "nothing can be better for your mind, body and soul." It seems that plenty agree with one reviewer delighted to awake to the sight of rabbits, ducks, chickens and robins. Another said: "Nice camping site and friendly owners" and one who also loved the "so warm welcome" added: "Fantastic campsite within a mile or so of the best bits of Hadrian's Wall. Beautiful pitches set on terraces making it feel very secluded but with lovely views. Facilities are some of the best and cleanest we've seen." There was praise too for the local bus service.
Serenity Camping
Based at Saltburn-by-the-Sea, this "fantastic clean quiet friendly camp site" - as one user described it - as labelled an "outstanding site!" in another review which went on: "Toilet / shower blocks immaculate. Very well kept site with lovely staff. Two pubs in very close proximity as a bonus! Exhilarating walk along the Cleveland Way into Staithes. Will definitely return to this gem of a site." It's located a mile from the sandy beach at Runswick Bay, which was apparently voted best in the UK by the BBC in 2020, and the same distance from the "picture postcard fishing village" of Staithes.
Old Hartley Caravan and Motorhome Club Campsite
Perched on a cliff top overlooking the nature reserve of St Mary's Island in Whitley Bay, this site makes mention of its proximity to the beach and wider North East attractions plus its public transport links. One visitor to the coastal site enthused: "The site is one of the best for sea views, and St Mary's lighthouse. The sunrise is well worth the effort to get up." Another wrote of it: "All very clean; nice clean showers, very good."
Stonehaugh Campsite
Billed as a quiet and relaxed rural site - and a flat one at that - this is situated within Northumberland National Park, between Kielder Water & Forest Park and Hexham. It boasts hot water shower facilities powered by wind turbine and solar panels to be kinder to the environment (although there's electricity there as a back-up). Its setting is in moorland on the edge of the Wark forest and the nearby village of Stonehaugh which apparently was designed in 1951 for the Forestry Commission workers planting the forest at the time. Reviews called it "a lovely well kept camp site" and praise included: "Shower facilities clean with plenty of hot water. Owners were helpful too. Would recommend this site if you want peace and to relax".
White Water Park Caravan and Motorhome Club Campsite
At Tees Barrage, Stockton-on-Tees, this site is adjacent to what's billed as "the largest white water canoeing and rafting course built to an international standard in Britain", if you're feeling active. The area also has an International Summer Riverside Festival and Head of Steam Railway Museum. Those who have stayed left reviews which include "one of the best sites around, been many times over the years" and praise for finishing touches and its being "clean, tidy and beautifully decorated with plants and flowers." It added: "They have really gone the extra mile."
Usha Gap Campsite
This site in Muker, Richmond, sneaked into Google's North East list and perhaps deservedly so as one review praised it as a "fab camp site, one of the best you will ever find." Another pointed out its space, "free hot showers" and numerous walks and pubs within walking distance and one wrote: "Cracking site. Well organised with good facilities, but fab relaxed atmosphere too. That's down to the owners who are super helpful. Great for small kids and dogs too."
Kielder Campsite
Based at Kielder, Hexham, in Northumberland, this remote and rustic independent site is well-placed to take advantage of the area's famous dark sky for star-gazing. What's more, it has no mobile signal so it sounds there is no choice but to properly relax. One review called it: "Basic but lovely site. All you need. Great location for stargazing, walking and bike rides." Another recommended its camping pods and one said: "We love this campsite, it's just fab."
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