With the summer holidays now a distant memory, October half-term offers families in the North East a perfect chance to enjoy a last taste of decent weather before the dark nights set in. Caravan parks and camping sites across the region are a popular choice for those seeking a mix of relaxation and adventure, often with children and pets in tow.
Glamping options add a touch of luxury
Even those who normally avoid camping may be tempted by the glamping alternatives available, which add a touch of luxury. From Northumberland to County Durham, many sites are within easy travelling distance of Newcastle, set in beautiful countryside or close to beaches.
All sites should be checked for availability and requirements, and there are many more options to explore. Readers are invited to share their own favourites in the comments section.
Northumberland sites
Border Forest Caravan Park near Otterburn is an environmentally-focused site with no nearby shops, restaurants or pubs, offering fresh air, peace and wildlife, plus electric hard-standing pitches. It is said to be ideal for dogs and their owners.
Springhill Farm at Seahouses offers coastal views, easy beach access and proximity to Bamburgh, with camping options, wigwams, lodges, cottages and a touring site. Sycamore Cottage and Glamping Pods in Hexham provides self-catering glamping cabins including the Cedar, described as the 'ultimate family glamping' option, sleeping two adults, up to four children and a travel cot.
Herding Hill Farm near Haltwhistle is a mile from Hadrian's Wall and benefits from Dark Sky Park status, ideal for star-gazing. It offers tent pitches, pods with wood-burning stoves and kitchens, and Wigwam cabins with electricity, heating, a fridge, microwave and kettle, plus en-suite toilets and some with outdoor hot tubs.
Riverside Leisure Park at Wooler, part of Verdant Parks, has a woodland setting for caravans, lodges and pitching spots, and is described as a great base for exploring the 'dunes, golden-sand beaches and castles of the Northumberland coast'. Bolbec Manor Campsite sits on the border of Northumberland and County Durham, offering tent, campervan and motorhome pitches with electric hook-up.
County Durham sites
Bonners Lodge near Consett is on the edge of the Durham Dales in an area of outstanding natural beauty, with electric hook-ups and grass and gravel pitches for trailer tents, touring caravans, motorhomes and camper vans.
The Barn at Easington, which has featured on TV in Robson Green's Great Escapes, is on a re-wilded 30-acre farm on the Durham coast, specialising in eco-camping and nature-based community projects, with camping pitches, cabins, wooden pods and static caravans.
Sharpley Camping is close to the Coast to Coast cycle route and about a 20-minute drive from Durham. All camping pods have a wood-fired hot tub and fire pit, and the site focuses on chilling out rather than partying. Family group bookings are taken after prior approval.
Heather View Holiday Park near Stanhope, another Verdant Parks site, was upgraded this summer with two new 'hideaway' glamping pods and hot tubs. The pods sleep six, making them a good option for families. The company has three local sites in total, with the third being Kingfisher at Bishop Auckland.
