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North East England camping

Best campsites in Northumberland

Northumberland is one of the best counties in England for camping, with empty beaches, big dark skies and easy access to castles, Hadrian's Wall and Kielder Forest. This guide rounds up the best campsites in Northumberland by area — from the coast around Bamburgh and Beadnell to the wilds of Kielder — and explains the rules on wild camping.

Campsites listed
8 sites
Best time
May to September is the main season for warm weather, beach days and Farne Islands boat trips. Spring and autumn are quieter, and Kielder is superb for stargazing once the clocks change and the nights draw in.

Why camp in Northumberland?

  • Beachfront pitches a short walk from Bamburgh and Beadnell
  • Dark-sky camping at Kielder, England's largest forest
  • Handy bases for the Northumberland 250 and the coastal route
  • A mix of family holiday parks, quiet adult sites and back-to-nature pitches

Best campsites in Northumberland

  1. 1.

    Springhill Farm

    Near Seahouses, Northumberland coastTouring, camping & glamping pods

    A family-run coastal site between Seahouses and Beadnell with sea views, glamping pods and easy access to the heritage coast. A strong all-round base for first-time visitors to the Northumberland coast.

  2. 2.

    Beadnell Bay (Camping and Caravanning Club)

    Beadnell, near SeahousesTouring & camping

    Set right behind the dunes of Beadnell Bay, this is one of the closest campsites to the beach in Northumberland and a favourite for paddleboarding and watersports.

  3. 3.

    Waren Caravan & Camping Park

    Budle Bay, near BamburghFamily holiday park

    A larger park overlooking Budle Bay with extensive facilities, ideal for families who want amenities on site and Bamburgh Castle just along the coast.

  4. 4.

    Dunstan Hill (Camping and Caravanning Club)

    Embleton, near CrasterTouring & camping

    A well-kept site within walking distance of Embleton Bay and the dramatic ruins of Dunstanburgh Castle, with Craster and its famous kippers nearby.

  5. 5.

    Budle Bay Campsite

    Waren Mill, near BamburghAdults-mostly touring & camping

    A quieter, scenic site near the birdlife of Budle Bay, popular with couples and those after a calmer stay close to Bamburgh and Holy Island.

  6. 6.

    Walkmill Campsite

    Powburn, near AlnwickQuiet riverside camping

    A small, peaceful riverside campsite inland near Alnwick, well placed for the Cheviot Hills, Alnwick Castle and a more rural Northumberland stay.

  7. 7.

    Demesne Farm Campsite

    Bellingham, North TyneTouring & camping

    A working-farm campsite in Bellingham that makes an excellent gateway to Kielder, Hadrian's Wall and the inland leg of the Northumberland 250.

  8. 8.

    Kielder Campsite

    Kielder village, Kielder ForestTouring, camping & pods

    Deep in Kielder Forest and inside the Northumberland International Dark Sky Park, this is the place to camp for stargazing, cycling and forest walks.

Wild camping in Northumberland

Unlike Scotland, England has no general legal right to wild camp. In Northumberland you technically need the landowner's permission to camp on private or common land. Backpack wild camping is sometimes tolerated in remote upland parts of Northumberland National Park if you arrive late, leave early, keep groups tiny and follow leave-no-trace principles — but it is at the landowner's discretion, not a right. Campervans and motorhomes parking overnight in laybys is not wild camping and is discouraged; use a proper campsite or a designated aire instead.

Campsite FAQ

What are the best campsites in Northumberland?

For the coast, Springhill Farm, Beadnell Bay, Dunstan Hill and Waren near Bamburgh are all excellent. For the interior, Demesne Farm at Bellingham and Kielder Campsite are the best bases for Kielder and Hadrian's Wall.

Where are the best campsites on the Northumberland coast?

The coastal stretch between Beadnell, Seahouses and Bamburgh has the highest concentration of beachfront campsites, including Beadnell Bay, Springhill Farm and Waren Caravan & Camping Park.

Can you wild camp in Northumberland?

There is no legal right to wild camp in England, so you need landowner permission. Discreet backpack wild camping is sometimes tolerated in remote upland areas of Northumberland National Park if you follow leave-no-trace principles, but it is not guaranteed.

When is the best time to camp in Northumberland?

May to September is best for warm, dry weather and the coast. Autumn and winter are ideal for dark-sky camping at Kielder, where long nights bring out the stars.