A campsite by beach UK, NE

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By Stephen Neale

Don’t tell anyone. But this little gem has been the best kept secret on the camping circuit for more than 20 years.

Bring your own boat and sail from the seawall on the Humber Estuary. If you’re a little less ambitious, there are land drains (similar to canals) to the rear of the campsite that can be navigated for miles.

“It’s like being on the Amazon when the sun shines,” says Simon Taylor, owner of Stone Creek House. “I never see a soul.”

Simon has his own sailing boat in the front garden and is happy to offer advice on navigating the estuary.

Spurn Head – the unique sand, peninsular to the east of Sunk Island – is nearby at the mouth of the estuary.

Dogs are welcome. There’s no electricity, so fill your sails. Perfect. web link

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AMAZON?: Canoe on the Keyingham Drain (By Simon Taylor)

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Camping next to the sand dunes of the North Northumberland Heritage Coast. The National Cycle Route passes next to the site. web link

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A static only site next to the beach. web link

Tourers are accepted on the coastal park. web link

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No camping here. Direct access to the beach.

The site has an outdoor pool with waterslide, and an adventure playground. web link

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Situated on the sheltered sands of a tiny fishing village and just seven miles from the A1.
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Windsurfing, scuba diving, sailing and body boarding are all available. Take a walk along the bay to the nearby bird sanctuary or drive to Bamburgh, Warkworth or Dunstanburgh to view the castles.
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Boat trips from Seahouses to the Farne Islands or across the tidal causeway. Holy Island and Lindisfarne are both popular.

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BEACH: Direct access to coast at Beadnell Bay

VIEW: Campsite next to dunes and beach

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A great site to explore Spurn Point Nature reserve.

Clean toilets, spacious pitches on a site planted with shrubs, plants and trees. There’s fishing available in the pond or in the Humber estuary.

The Crown and Anchor pub is a few minute walk away.

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By Stephen Neale

The beautiful walks along the cliff-top from the Old Hartley campsite make it special. The camp sits on a grassy overhang overlooking the North Sea and the light-house at St Mary’s Island.

All 64 hard standing pitches are a blessing when you see the slope towards the cliff-edge. Most pitches have a sea view, but some don’t allow awnings. Bring plenty of blocks.

There are some issues with getting on and off the site when campers arrive before midday because of the narrow access.

If you’re a young family, this is another of those sites that doesn’t provide loads for kids, but the beach resort of Whitley Bay is within a 40 minute walk, with its cafes, restaurant and shops.

If shopping is your thing, Europe’s largest indoor retail centre is at Gateshead, across the River Tyne from Newcastle. There’s a bus service to Newcastle. Open March to November. web link

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