Fancy a quieter road trip away from the crowds? Why not take your campervan on the Northumberland 250 route for a tranquil weekend escape?
Words & pictures ❚ Alice Lomas
ROAD TRIPS NORTHUMBERLAND
Few can deny that campsites and popular routes are getting busier. In recent years there has been a fantastic increase in the number of motorhomes and campervans on the road. While it is great to see more people enjoying our beloved hobby, sometimes you do just fancy going somewhere a little quieter.
If you are tired of fighting traffic, struggling to park and edging down busy narrow roads, you’ll find the Northumberland 250 a hidden gem. This lesser-known route takes in the Scottish Borders and a stunningly beautiful stretch of coastline. Right on the English-Scottish border, Northumberland is a rugged county dotted with castles, wild beaches and pretty villages. It lends itself to the perfect campervan road trip.
We started our trip at Kielder Forest; the largest forest in England.
This huge area encompasses a large lake, two campsites, Kielder Castle and a rugged forest road for those who fancy delving deeply into the woods during the summer months. Arriving late on a Friday night, all was dark, except for a few scattered lights in the houses we passed – it felt like a fairytale. Surrounded by trees, Kielder Castle car park allows motorhomes and campervans to stay overnight for £10. It’s a beautiful and quiet spot, with ample space for many ’vans; we were in good company with about 10 other 'vans parked up when we got there, although it didn't feel busy.
Waking up, we were all excited to get cracking on our new adventure. My two young children (aged four and six) were perhaps a little too excited. They love going away in our ‘holiday bus’; so-named because we converted a Renault Master minibus. Everything from their fold-down bunk beds to the little travel-size boxes of cereal excites them. After a quick breakfast, we headed outside to explore.
Kielder Water and Forest Park is home to England’s largest forest and the biggest man-made lake in northern Europe. The area is a playground for cyclists, walkers, campers and families on adventure holidays. A haven for wildlife, having the best dark skies in England means Kielder also boasts a special dark sky area, where astronomy enthusiasts can enjoy stargazing on clear nights.
Ten minutes down the road, we reached the large waterside car park and, although a little drizzly, the weather seemed to be holding up. The girls spotted a huge play area, complete with a castle to climb on, and soon happy shrieks f
