There's So Much More to Herding Hill Farm Than Hadrian's Wall

Our 5-star campsite Herding Hill Farm is perfectly placed for visiting all the attractions of Hadrian’s Wall. Located less than 1 mile from Cawfields Quarry, a Dark Sky Discovery site in the Northumberland National Park, we are in a great spot for a Hadrian’s Wall walk. However, did you know that our location near Haltwhistle, known as the Centre of Britain makes us the perfect and convenient location for exploring other North East landmarks and further afield. It's why we are one of the best campsites in Northumberland.

So why not extend your camping and glamping stay with us at Herding Hill Farm to a week and explore more Northumberland landmarks during your stay? There are plenty of things to do in Northumberland, Tyne and Wear, Durham, Cumbria and Southern Scotland which are all easily accessible from Herding Hill Farm.  Whilst a car is always useful and convenient when staying with us at Herding Hill Farm guests can get a bus or a train from Haltwhistle to the cities of Newcastle on the East and Carlisle on the West making a trip by public transport accessible for those who choose. 

Northumberland National Park 

Herding Hill Farm sites just a half mile or so South of the Southern boundary of the Northumberland National Park. The Northumberland National Park lies entirely in Northumberland and is England’s most northerly national park and extends more than 1,000 square kilometres between the Scottish border in the north to just south of Hadrian's Wall.  

There are so many things to do in Northumberland National Park, especially if you love the outdoors. In the north are the Cheviot Hills, a range of hills that mark the border between England and Scotland. Coquetdale and the Simonside Hills mark the mid-point of the national park. Further south, the Cheviot hills give way to moorland and forestry plantations, of which some of the most dramatic can be found at Kielder Forest. The southernmost part of the Northumberland National Park covers Hadrian's Wall. 

In December 2013 the International Dark Sky Association conferred Dark Sky Park status on an area including Northumberland National Park and Kielder; it is the largest protected Dark Sky Park in Europe. Herding Hill Farm is a Dark Sky Friendly campsite and guests can enjoy spectacular stargazing from the comfort of their own pitch, accommodation or hot tub. 

Famous attractions of the Northumberland National Park, all within a 60 minute drive of 5-star Herding Hill Farm include Kielder Water and the house and gardens of Cragside, Britains’ first “smart” home, now owned by the National Trust close to the lovely town of Rothbury. As well as enjoying a Hadrians Wall walk the website for the Northumberland National Park contains some great walks in the area as well as details of path damage and closure.  

Northumberland Coast and Castles 

Whilst we love the rural rugged countryside surrounding Herding Hill Farm, it can be nice on both a sunny or a blustery day, to head to the beach. Northumberland is blessed with a coastline stretching 100 km from Cresswell in the South to Berwick upon Tweed in the North. Once you have completed a Hadrian’s Wall walk or two why not try a stroll along some of the UK’s most picturesque and scenic beaches including Ross Bay, Bamburgh, Embleton, Druridge and Cresswell. Most of these Northumberland beaches can be reached within a 60-90 minute drive from Herding Hill Farm. 

What makes this Northumberland coastline truly unique is the abundance of coastal castles, the majority of which are true Northumberland landmarks. Our own Castle Pods are named after some of these amazing castles. Iconic Alnwick Castle is worth a day in its own right, particularly for Harry Potter fans and can be combined with a trip to the Alnwick Castle Gardens, particularly spectacular when the roses are in bloom. Alnwick Castle is located outside the small town of Alnwick but if you want to visit a Northumberland castle on the coast why not take a trip to Bamburgh Castle? Bamburgh Castle sits atop a promontory with the most wonderful beach below and the small town of Bamburgh Northumberland is a lovely place to stop and eat on a sunny day. You might even be able to watch a cricket match on the cricket field that sits immediately below Bamburgh Castle. 

Other Northumberland castle worth a visit are Warkworth Castle and Hermitage, and Dunstanburgh Castle and these can easily be combined on a day trip from Herding Hill Farm.  

Newcastle Landmarks 

The city of Newcastle is a 40-minute drive from Herding Hill Farm and as well as being a great place for shopping, entertainment and dining contains some North East landmarks that are worth a visit in their own right. The iconic Quayside and famous seven bridges over the River Tyne between Newcastle and Gateshead are North East landmarks in their own right.  There are a number of museums including the Discovery Museum, Centre for Life, Laing Art Gallery and BALTIC Centre for Contemporary Art. 

Durham Landmarks 

Young and old alike will love Beamish Museum, the world-famous open-air museum located within an hours drive of Herding Hill Farm. Beamish brings the history of 1900 North East England to life and is a well known North East landmark well worth a day out. Ride the trams, explore the mine, visit the town as it would have been and so much more. Special events are held regularly at Beamish Museum. 

Durham Cathedral is a majestic and iconic North East landmark and could be visited at the same time as exploring the fabulous city of historical Durham and its multitude of riverside walks and shopping. 

Northern Lake District 

The lakes and fells of the Northern Lake District National Park are around a 60-90 minute drive from Herding Hill Farm. It is generally accepted that Northumberland National Park is a lot quieter than the Lake District National Park which is why many guests choose to stay with us, but that does not mean that you can’t enjoy a day in the Northern Fells when staying with us. Herding Hill Farm is close to the Cumbrian border and easy access to both the A69 and the M6 mean that you can be on top of a hill by lunchtime. We would recommend exploring the Northern Fells of the Lake District, these can also be quieter than some of the more popular ones down South. Ullswater is the closest lake, from where you can take a paddle steamer and enjoy a walk back round the lake and Keswick would be the closest Lake District town.  The popular Lake District climbs of Skiddaw and Blencathra are both easily accessible for a day’s climb from Herding Hill Farm. In the Summer guests can go to the osprey viewpoint at Bassenthwaite Lake to view these amazing birds that nest locally. Those wanting some outdoor adventure could try Whinlatter Forest Park with mountain bike trails and forest walks amidst the Lake District hills. The citadel city of Carlisle is around a 30-minute drive from Herding Hill Farm. 

Southern Scotland 

Herding Hill Farm is not far from the Scottish border allowing guests to explore parts of Southern Scotland easily in a day when travelling from further afield and staying with us. There are some lovely towns in the Scottish borders including Moffat, Hawick, Jedburgh and Kelso that would be worthy of a day trip in their own right.  The area is steeped in history and rich heritage and there are some wonderful historic monuments including Kelso Abbey, Melrose Abbey, Abbotsford House, the home of Sir Walter Scott and Jedburgh Abbey. 

Herding Hill Farm is a 5-star campsite in Northumberland and is an excellent place to base yourself for a longer trip to explore Northumberland National Park and other famous North East landmarks. We also have a sister campsite Drummohr Camping and Glamping site just outside Edinburgh if you wanted to extend your stay in Northern England and Southern Scotland.