Bolam Lake Camping Paddock

View prices & book 9.8 294 reviews
Visitor image of the peaceful paddock & lovely views
Visitor image of the beautiful rainbow over the site
Green surroundings
Aerial view over the site

  • Dog-friendly wild camping site opposite Bolam Lake Country Park
  • A 25-minute drive from Hadrian’s Wall; 40 minutes from the coast
  • Barbecues permitted; walking/cycling routes and a food shop nearby
Wake up in peaceful paddocks surrounded by the Northumberland countryside and finish off the day with a lakeside walk. Bolam Lake Camping Paddock is a dog-friendly wild camping site opposite Bolam Lake Country Park, so head out in search of birds, picnic on the shores or grab a homemade scone from the café and visitor centre as you please. These paddock pitches are enclosed in a peaceful area next to a woodland where it’s pretty sheltered, and they have rather scenic views of the surrounding farmland. Still, while it may be pretty nicely tucked away, there’s still much to do out and about. Belsay, a scenic village with a small shop and café, is 45 minutes’ walk away (or a five-minute drive) and Ponteland is another spot with a selection of local shops, pubs, cafés, restaurants and takeaways. Of course, there’s Hadrian’s Wall too (Heddon-on-the-Wall is 25 minutes’ drive away). The splendid Northumberland coast is 40 minutes’ drive away, and to the north, the Scottish border is within reach too if you’re looking to cross into different territories. As for walking, well, there's certainly no shortage of trails around, including several routes that depart from the site. When you feel like mixing things up with a cycle instead, there are routes for both beginners and pros surrounding the site too. Wherever you end up during the day, you’ll likely want to make sure you’re back in time for sunset, as there are lots of ways to unwind – perhaps with a walk around the lake or knocking back a few burgers with a barbecue.

Site type

Motorhome pitches 4
Tent pitches 8
Caravans for hire 1
Open now
Opens 3 April
Please note
  • This site has no on-site shower facilities.

Admission

  • At least one of the party members must be aged 18 or over.
  • Under 18s must be accompanied by their parents or legal guardians.

Occupancy

  • Group bookings of 4 or more adults are not permitted (couples and immediate family members excepted).
  • No hen/stag parties permitted via Pitchup.com.

Languages spoken

English

Open from Fri 3 Apr to

No availability here for your search criteria

Pitch types & availability

Reviews

  • 88%
    10
  • 5%
    9
  • 4%
    8
  • 0%
    7
  • 1%
    6
  • 0%
    5
  • 0%
    4
  • 0%
    3
  • 0%
    2
  • 0%
    1
Location
10
Value for money
10
Accommodation
10
Facilities / Activities
9
Customer service
10
Child friendliness
10
Cleanliness
10
Wifi
7

99% would recommend this site to a friend

98% would stay here again

What customers say

This peaceful campsite boasts beautiful views and is located opposite Bolam Lake, offering lovely walks. Hosts David and Jill are consistently praised for their exceptional friendliness, helpfulness, and attentiveness, ensuring a welcoming atmosphere. Facilities, particularly the portaloos and washing-up area, are frequently described as immaculately clean and well-maintained. Spacious pitches, the presence of horses in adjacent fields, and the tranquil setting are highlights. Fire pits are available for hire, and the site is considered great value. Some guests note the absence of showers and hot water, though this is generally accepted for a 'Wanderlust' style campsite. A few reviews mention noise from other campers, particularly a large group of teens in one instance, and occasional issues with wasps. The managers actively address concerns and appreciate feedback.

Summary AI-generated from Pitchup.com customer reviews. Last updated 25/08/2026

Filter by topic

Reviews page 1 of 30
Arrival date (latest first)

Beautiful site

Overall

10 out of 10
Location
10
Value for money
10
Facilities / Activities
9
Customer service
10
Child friendliness
No rating
Cleanliness
10
Wifi
No rating

Non-electric grass tent pitch

Liked Everything, lovely pitches, friendly owners, clean and tidy. Beautiful views
Couldn't fault anything and will definitely be back to the site.

Recommend to friends Visit again

From the manager: Thanks so much for sharing your review and we are so pleased that you enjoyed your short stay.

We offer simple camping in a great location so we hope that you could just pitch up, relax and enjoy the countryside.

Thank you for staying with us and we hope you visit again very soon :)

Great photos too!!

Great little get away without the fuss of having your own tent

Overall

10 out of 10
Location
10
Value for money
10
Accommodation
10
Facilities / Activities
10
Customer service
10
Child friendliness
10
Cleanliness
10
Wifi
No rating

Betty bell tent

Liked Loved the bell tent. Loads of room and everything we needed for our little break.
Hosts were lovely. Couldn't do enough for us. Great value for money.

Disliked Nothing

Recommend to friends Visit again

From the manager: Thanks so much for sharing your feedback and it was great to meet you all.

Your comments are so helpful to other guests who may like to try a family camping trip without the hassle of setting up a tent and bringing lots of equipment.

Betty, our bell tent was a bit of an experiment this year but she's proving to be very popular for short breaks.

Thank you for staying with us and we hope you stay with us again in the future.

Fantastic camping spot

Overall

10 out of 10
Location
10
Value for money
10
Facilities / Activities
10
Customer service
10
Child friendliness
No rating
Cleanliness
10
Wifi
10

Non-electric grass tent pitch

Liked Great place, peaceful and relaxing.
Next door to the Bolam Country Park.
Jill and David are wonderful hosts.
I am already planning another camping trip.

Recommend to friends Visit again

From the manager: Thanks so much for sharing your feedback and thanks too for sharing your great photographs.

We are so pleased that you enjoyed your short stay and we look forward to you staying with us again on your next camping adventure!

Absolutely brilliant campsite

Overall

10 out of 10
Location
10
Value for money
10
Facilities / Activities
10
Customer service
10
Child friendliness
10
Cleanliness
10
Wifi
10
Edd M. 1 review

Non-electric grass tent pitch

Liked Fantastic hospitality

Recommend to friends Visit again

From the manager: Thanks so much for sharing your feedback and thank you for staying with us

It's really important to us that our guests feel welcome, have clean facilities and everything they need for a comfortable stay.

Thank you for staying with us and we hope to see you all again in the future.

Lovely area…

Overall

6 out of 10
Location
10
Value for money
10
Facilities / Activities
10
Customer service
1
Child friendliness
No rating
Cleanliness
10
Wifi
10
Ako Q. 1 review

Non-electric grass tent pitch

Liked Lovely area

Disliked Staff were rude, left us without wood that we found all night and its cold. Kicking our wood because we didnt buy his wood. My friends are asian and he is talking about how you cant treat uk like the middle east. They come for a nice night and were very repectful and got met with racist remarks.

Recommend to friends Visit again

Amazing camp site would definitely recommend

Overall

10 out of 10
Location
10
Value for money
10
Facilities / Activities
10
Customer service
10
Child friendliness
10
Cleanliness
10
Wifi
No rating

Non-electric grass tent pitch

Liked I liked hat we were made welcome from getting there and David and Jill checked in to make sure everything was ok

Recommend to friends Visit again

From the manager: Thanks so much for sharing your feedback and we are so pleased that your first camping trip with children has been a positive experience.

Thanks for sharing your photographs too.

We enjoy meeting the lovely people who stay with us and it's great to see families spending time together in the countryside.

Thank you for staying with us and we hope you enjoy many more camping adventures :)

Well maintained, extremely helpful, everything that…

Overall

10 out of 10
Location
No rating
Value for money
10
Facilities / Activities
7
Customer service
10
Child friendliness
10
Cleanliness
10
Wifi
No rating

Non-electric grass tent pitch

Liked Well maintained, extremely helpful, everything that was needed

Recommend to friends Visit again

From the manager: Thanks so much for sharing your feedback and we are so pleased that you enjoyed your short stay with us.

We are a small Wanderlust campsite so we offer simple camping but it's important to us that our guests have everything they need for a comfortable and relaxing break in the countryside.

Thank you for staying with us and we hope you visit again soon.

Very friendly and welcoming site, will definitely be back.

Overall

10 out of 10
Location
8
Value for money
10
Facilities / Activities
9
Customer service
10
Child friendliness
No rating
Cleanliness
10
Wifi
No rating

Non-electric grass campervan pitch

Liked Pitch was flat, the owners are very welcoming, and overall it is a very nice and relaxing atmosphere.

Disliked Nothing that was not pointed out in the description of the site.

Recommend to friends Visit again

Brilliant friendly hosts of a well…

Overall

10 out of 10
Location
10
Value for money
10
Facilities / Activities
10
Customer service
10
Child friendliness
No rating
Cleanliness
10
Wifi
1
Anonymous

Non-electric grass tent pitch

Liked Brilliant friendly hosts of a well operated and clean site. We are now four year visitors and will be sure to go next year too. Horses are lovely for the kids too.

Disliked Only downside is a lack of on-site recycling but we took it home so it’s fine.

Recommend to friends Visit again

From the manager: Thanks so much for sharing your feedback and it was great to see you all again.

It's really important to us that our guests have clean facilities and everything they need for a comfortable stay.

We are a Wanderlust site who encourage guests to take home/recycle as much of their waste packaging etc as possible. We send out information to all guests to highlight this but we do provide glass recycling, bin sacks for waste and collect all rubbish daily but we will certainly review this and offer more recycling facilities if possible.

Thank you for staying with us and we hope to see you all again next year :)

Lovely, value for money but basic.

Overall

9 out of 10
Location
10
Value for money
10
Facilities / Activities
8
Customer service
10
Child friendliness
10
Cleanliness
9
Wifi
No rating

Non-electric grass tent pitch

Liked Lovely location. Was given a very warm welcome and the pitches were well spaced out. The site was very neat and tidy and obviously well cared for.

Disliked The porta loos weren’t the best but a large part of that was down to the people using them to be fair. Noisy, inconsiderate guests making noise beyond the 9pm curfew.

Recommend to friends Visit again

From the manager: Thanks so much for sharing your feedback and your brilliant photographs of the campsite and Bolam Country Park.

We are pleased that you enjoyed your stay and it was great to meet you both.

We are a Wanderlust site, located in Northumbrian green belt so we offer basic but clean facilities. The portable toilets are cleaned and checked three times each day - we are very sorry if they were not the high standard that we try to maintain on the evening you stayed with us.

The majority of guests are brilliant and always respect 9pm quiet time but just occasionally a small number have to be asked to adhere to campsite rules. We are always available if there is any problem.

Thank you for staying with us and we hope you visit again in the future :)


Features

Leisure on site

Bar or club house Cycle hire Evening entertainment Fishing Fitness centre Games room Indoor swimming pool Kids' club On-site restaurant/cafe Outdoor swimming pool Play area TV room Take away Tennis Watersports

Amenities on site

Bath available Car parking by pitch/unit Composting toilet Dog park Drying room Food shop Free wifi Ice pack freezing Internet access Launderette Parent & baby washroom Pick-up from public transport Portable toilet Pub toilets Public telephone Shower available Toilet block Washing-up area Wifi

Groups welcome

Family friendly Motorcycle friendly Single-sex groups welcome Student groups welcome

Rules

Barbecue provided Barbecues allowed Campfires allowed Commercial vehicles allowed Dogs allowed Dogs allowed all year

Themes

Peaceful Wild camping

Utilities

Charging facilities Chemical disposal Electric car charging point(s) Gas cylinders available Recycling available Renewable energy

Nearby amenities

Bar nearby Dog walk nearby Shop nearby

Type

Small (11-25 pitches)

Nearby leisure

Climbing nearby Cycling nearby

Location

Bolam Lake Camping Paddock

Belsay

Northumberland

England

NE20 0HE

Directions

Timezone

Europe/London BST (GMT+01:00)

GPS

55.1332°N
1.8688°W

Nearest transport

Coach
2.4 mi The Arcade
2.4 mi The Arcade
3.1 mi Road end
Rail
7.6 mi Morpeth Rail Station
9.2 mi Newcastle Airport Metro
9.4 mi Pegswood Rail Station
Ferry
19.1 mi North Shields Ferry Terminal
19.3 mi Newcastle International Ferry Terminal
19.4 mi South Shields Ferry Terminal
Airport
9.2 mi Newcastle International Airport

Please note: All distances on this page are calculated "as the crow flies" - please check actual distance depending on your mode of travel using the Get directions button above.

Local attractions

Want to feel like lord or lady for an afternoon? Belsay Hall, Castle and Gardens (10 minutes' drive) should soon ignite that fantasy. The medieval castle and gardens are one of a couple of historic properties around. The National Trust’s Wallington (10 minutes) has cycle hire so that visitors can take in views of the historical house the traditional way. Hikes-wise, Shaftoe Crags (10 minutes) has a circular walk with plenty of bouldering spots along the way. Hike along the historic Hadrian’s Wall to Housesteads Roman Fort (40 minutes) too. For beach time, Blyth and Cresswell are both excellent sandy options, and both about 40 minutes away – the former has beach huts while the latter has sand dunes. Those with kids are likely to be keeping their eyes peeled for easy entertainment options too. Very handily, Whitehouse Farm Centre (20 minutes) runs animal feeding sessions as well as things like tractor rides, and Go Ape Matfen (25 minutes) has a treetop assault course for the extra brave. Newcastle upon Tyne city centre (half an hour) has plenty of family-friendly attractions to add to that.

Food and drink

  • The Ox 2.4 mi
  • Beresford Arms 2.8 mi
  • Dyke Neuk Inn 3.1 mi
  • The Highlander 4.1 mi
  • The Waggon 4.8 mi
  • The Plough 6 mi
  • St Mary’s Inn 6.1 mi

Parks and play

  • Adventure Playground 3.8 mi
  • Wwallington Play Train 3.8 mi
  • Play Fort 3.8 mi

Family days out

  • Belsay Castle Visitor attraction 2.2 mi
  • Belsay Hall Visitor attraction 2.3 mi
  • Wallington Hall Visitor attraction 3.7 mi
  • Ogle Castle 4 mi

Public transport

  • The Arcade 2.4 mi
  • Kirkwhelpington Road End 5.9 mi

What’s nearby

  • Higham Lake Trout Fishery Fishing 5.4 mi
  • N1GOLF Centre Morpeth Golf course 5.5 mi

Local services

  • Robson and Cowan Country Store 3.9 mi

© OpenStreetMap contributors

Must see

Belsay Hall, Castle and Gardens 2.2 mi

George Stephenson's Birthplace 10.9 mi

Prudhoe Castle 11.6 mi

Cragside House, Gardens and Estate 12.5 mi

Chesters Roman Fort 12.9 mi

National Trust

Wallington 3.8 mi

Cherryburn 12.1 mi

Cragside 12.8 mi

Seaton Delaval Hall 15.1 mi

Holy Jesus Hospital 15.2 mi

Cycle routes

Find local routes on the National Cycle Network - over 12,000 miles of cycling routes.

Other

Bolam Lake - Shaftoe Craggs circular 0.05 mi

BELSAY HALL 2.3 mi

Hartburn Circular 2.8 mi

CAPHEATON 3.2 mi

WALLINGTON 3.7 mi

Please note: All distances on this page are calculated "as the crow flies" - please check actual distance depending on your mode of travel using the Get directions button above.

Want to know more about camping in Northumberland?

Frequently asked questions

  • Does Bolam Lake Camping Paddock have a swimming pool? No View all features
  • Is Bolam Lake Camping Paddock dog friendly? Yes View all features
  • What attractions are near Bolam Lake Camping Paddock? Want to feel like lord or lady for an afternoon? Belsay Hall, Castle and Gardens (10 minutes' drive) should soon ignite that fantasy. The medieval castle and gardens are one of a … Read more
  • When can I check in and check out of Bolam Lake Camping Paddock?
    Camping and touring
    Arrive:  2 p.m. –  Anytime
    Depart by:  12 p.m.
    On-site accommodation
    Arrive:  2 p.m. –  Anytime
    Depart by:  12 p.m.
    Read more
  • How much does it cost to stay at Bolam Lake Camping Paddock? From £25 (for 1 night, 4 people) - prices may change depending on your dates and party.