Bellingham Campsite
Located in the Northumberland National Park and Northumberland International Dark Sky Park – considered to be the most tranquil place in the UK.
Our Review
The #5CChallenge took us with Casper the Caravan up to the North East of England to explore part of Northumberland. Our 'treasure' this time was the Northumberland National Park.
The Camping and Caravanning Club campsite is just outside the village of Bellingham, which is, as they say, 'the gateway to the Northumberland National Park'.
Now before we go any further, I'd like to say just how much we loved Bellingham campsite. Though our first impression was an "Oh"...
First Impressions of the Campsite
It was a long journey to get to Bellingham. The last leg felt a long time as we towed the caravan down the long winding road to the campsite. The campsite is signposted just on the left before you enter the village of Bellingham (if you are travelling from the South - please note the Club's recommended directions to the site).
Our "Oh" was that the site looked quite small, and just off the main road into the village. There was nothing wrong with that; it was just that we were imagining something a little bigger and remote.
The Reception building when you arrive at the campsite
The site consists of one main field, plus a few additional pitches closer to Reception.
There's also a cluster of wooden sleeping pods.
The main field has a one-way system around it, with pitches on both sides of the road. There's also a play park.
The park at the campsite
After pitching up, it was time to explore the site...
Bellingham Campsite is a great place to explore Northumberland National Park
Is it new?
We even had music piped in the gents!
We visited the toilets and shower block. This was not the usual Club branded facilities. A lot of work had been done on these; they were very smart. We even had music piped in the gents!
Opposite the toilet and shower block is the main 'refuge' and recreation room.
Wow!
A modern kitchen, a flat-screen TV and even a log burner in the refuge. This was all very nice.
The Drying Room
The Games Room
Log stove in the Refuge
The Gents
The Showers
The Laundry
The Wash Up
The Kitchen
The Ladies
We popped back to reception and asked, "Is it new?"
"No, not at all", was the reply.
An Interesting History
Bellingham Campsite used to be a boarding school, Brownrigg School. As the site managers explained, it was a bit of a tough place.
they had to break the ice on the surface first
Where the camping pods are today used to be an outdoor pool. The school kids were made to swim in the pool, even if they had to break the ice on the surface first!
One former pupil recently returned to the campsite and said that if they were last out of the dorm, the schoolmaster would give them a whack with the cane. When they were too noisy one lunchtime, he made them all run to the top of the hill at the back of Bellingham. Anyone not back within 5 minutes wouldn't be allowed to finish their meal.
The refuge and rec room were the dorms; the shower block, their ablutions block. Click here to see some old photos of the school.
The school closed in 1985.
So the facilities aren't new, but they have been refitted and maintained by the site staff to a very high standard.
Kids sleeping at Bellingham today have it much better!
Dark Skies
The area is part of the Dark Skies initiative, where light pollution is controlled, enabling you to see fantastic night skies.
Not too far away at Kielder Forest is an observatory that runs events for stargazing. We didn't go and see it as they were fully booked since it is very popular - so don't make the same mistake as we did - book in advance.
we were treated to a sky dazzling with stars
Unfortunately, it was cloudy every evening when we stayed at Bellingham Campsite. However, I left the blinds open on the caravan's skylight above our bed, and at 3 am one night, we were treated to a sky dazzling with stars.
Eco Site
Bellingham is an Eco Site.
If you have a chemical toilet you will need to use the 'Green' liquid instead of the normal Blue and Pink.
Click here to see some on Amazon.
You can also buy some at the campsite's reception.
Walks Near By
The Site Managers have collected a great many walks that you can do in the area, and many go from the campsite. They have a number printed that you can borrow.
We did two walks - well, 2.5 if you count the Easter Trail the Site Managers had created for the kids, complete with a prize of a full-sized Easter egg - which our kids were very pleased with.
Kielder Forest and Water Park
While staying that the Bellingham Campsite went exploring Kiedler Water and Forest Park, which is part of the Northumberland National Park.
We hired some bikes and took a cycle tour along part of the north shore. This is a great family route that's not too hilly. Click here to see the route we took.
Pitches with EHU at Bellingham Campsite
Pitch Types
Accommodation
Campsite Facilities
Shower Details
Showers are free to use and included in the pitch fee.Electric Hook-ups
The site has 16A electric hook-ups.Facilities
Facilities Details
Internet access is available on site. When we stayed (Apr 17) it was free and not using the Club's site wifi.Accessibility Info
Click this link to view their Accessibility DetailsPrices
Bellingham campsite is open most of the year: from March through to the end of the year.
Check In/Out Details
Check-in Time: 13:00|19:00|0|
Check-out By: 12:00|12:00|0|
On The Map
Directions
Please download the directions posted on the Club's website.
Address
Bellingham CampsiteBellingham Camping and Caravanning Club Site, Brown Rigg, Bellingham, Hexham
Bellingham
Northumberland
NE48 2JY
England
Longitude: -2.260158
Latitude: 55.137695