Step onto the Pennine Way
One of Britain’s great long-distance walking trails is easily accessible on foot from the campsite. Perfect for walkers tackling the full trail or guests looking to enjoy a shorter section of this remarkable route.
Beyond the campsite
Explore Northumberland
Woodland paths, open skies, lakes and Roman history. Make Bellingham your base for days at your own pace, from a wander in the village to adventures further afield.
Check availability and book online.
Hareshaw Linn: a woodland waterfall near Bellingham.
Leave the car parked
Walk, cycle and stargaze straight from Bellingham Camping.
Some of Northumberland’s most memorable experiences begin right on our doorstep. Whether you’re following the Pennine Way, discovering woodland walks, cycling quiet country lanes or enjoying the stars after dark, there’s plenty to explore without getting back into your car.
Stroll into Bellingham
Around a 20-minute walk brings you into the welcoming village of Bellingham, with its shops, cafés, pubs and local heritage. A lovely way to spend a relaxed morning or afternoon.
Discover waterfalls and woodland
Set out on foot to explore Hareshaw Linn’s beautiful woodland and waterfall, or discover quieter walks through the North Tyne valley.
Browse our 14 walking and cycling route guides at Reception for more local ideas.
Enjoy a riverside walk
The River North Tyne is approximately a 10-minute walk from the campsite. Enjoy the peaceful riverside surroundings and beautiful Northumberland countryside.
Cycle from the campsite
Explore quiet country roads, rolling hills and beautiful North Tyne scenery directly from the campsite.
Discover the Reiver Trails network, including the longer Bellingham Trail through forest and countryside.
Ask at Reception about local cycling routes and maps, including more adventurous rides. Check current route guidance: waymarking is still being completed in places.
Photograph: illustrative woodland cycling scene, not a Reiver Trails location.
Look up at Northumberland's dark skies
On clear nights, the campsite offers wonderful opportunities to enjoy the night sky.
Our location makes it a lovely place to discover constellations, watch meteor showers and occasionally experience the Northern Lights.
We also share our enthusiasm for astronomy with guests.
Start close to home
Bellingham & Hareshaw Linn
Take time for the places on our doorstep.
Bellingham
Explore the village’s shops, cafés, pubs and local heritage. It is a natural starting point for getting to know the North Tyne Valley and finding walks in the surrounding countryside.
Hareshaw Linn
Follow a woodland route towards the waterfall, with bridges and a landscape rich in ferns and lichens. Wildlife sometimes spotted includes red squirrels, roe deer, woodpeckers, redstarts, dippers and badgers.
Check current route guidance and choose footwear for the conditions.
Make a day of it
Water, woodland & historic places
Choose a day out that suits your interests and the weather.
Kielder Water & Forest Park
Kielder brings together England’s largest forest and Northern Europe’s largest man-made lake, with woodland trails and wide lakeside views.
In spring and summer, nesting ospreys may be seen fishing or watched via visitor-centre webcams. Red squirrels are another highlight, with squirrel hides offering a chance to watch quietly.
The Lakeside Way is approximately 26 miles and open to cyclists. Its hilly, off-road terrain calls for suitable skills and fitness; more adventurous mountain-bike trails are also available.
Ask at Reception for more information and a tourist map of Kielder. Check individual routes, seasonal wildlife-viewing arrangements and activities before setting out.
Northumberland’s Historic Heritage
Roman Northumberland. Explore Hadrian’s Wall, part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and its forts and surviving remains. Housesteads offers an introduction to life on the Roman frontier.
Historic houses & gardens. Discover the house and landscaped grounds at Cragside , or the house, woodland and walled garden at Wallington .
Border history. Bastles and pele towers are reminders of the Borders’ turbulent past. Black Middens Bastle House , a fortified farmhouse, offers a closer look at this history.
Check the official visitor links for current opening arrangements and access information before setting off.
Slow down & look around
Trails by day, stars by night
Leave room for a walk, a cycle ride or an evening watching the sky.
Walking & cycling
Explore with our local route guides. We’ve put together a selection of walking and cycling route guides to help you explore the beautiful countryside around Bellingham. Each guide includes a route description and map. Browse our printed, laminated guides at Reception.
Our local cycling routes are centred on Bellingham and the quiet roads through the surrounding countryside. Kielder offers another option for cycling, including a more demanding ride from the campsite, around Kielder Water and back: approximately 46 miles.
Choose a route to suit your ability and check access, weather and trail conditions before setting out.
Dark skies
Northumberland’s dark skies are part of its appeal. The whole National Park and most of Kielder Water & Forest Park form the protected Northumberland International Dark Sky Park, awarded Gold Tier status in 2013.
At the campsite, we reduce lighting during darker periods where operationally appropriate and occasionally hold Dark Skies weekends. Our owners have long experience of observing the local night sky, including occasional Northern Lights sightings from the site.
Ask at Reception about borrowing a telescope or binoculars, with instruction where appropriate. Equipment is subject to availability and cannot be guaranteed for every stay.
For a planned evening out, explore Kielder Observatory’s current events programme . Seasonal meteor showers such as the Perseids and Geminids may offer another reason to look up.
Clear skies, aurora and meteor sightings all depend on natural conditions. Enjoy the night responsibly and follow the National Park’s official dark-sky visitor guidance .