Ravenscleugh Wild Swimming and Camping

10 3 reviews
Quiet campsite (added by manager 08 Apr 2022)

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Quiet campsite (added by manager 08 apr 2022)
1/8
1/23
Favourite

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  • Small, secluded site on a farm by the Northumberland National Park
  • Hadrian's Wall and Alnwick Castle within a 45-minute drive
  • Private lake on site for swimming; bring your paddleboards or canoes
Wild swimming is a big part of life at Ravenscleugh Wild Swimming and Camping, of course – but that’s certainly not the only draw at this small and secluded spot near the village of Elsdon. Access to the wild swimming lake is free for guests staying on site, whether you fancy taking freshwater dips or bringing along your paddleboards, canoes and kayaks for time spent messing about on the water. You’ll most likely be grateful for the chance to cool off after exploring the area too: the farm has several public paths running through and around it, including the Sandstone Way cycling route. Other paths nearby can take you up to Harwood Forest, Winters Gibbet or Elsdon Roman Camp, and the village pub is a half-hour stroll away too. This spot is notable also for its location on the edge of the Northumberland National Park – and that means not only more hikes and bike outings but also some splendid stargazing (the park is one of the UK’s designated dark sky parks, so it’s often treated to some amazing night-time views that are really worth staying up late for). Back at the site, pitches are nicely sheltered as they’re surrounded by a traditional stone wall with young orchard trees. You’ll have access to fresh water and a washing-up area in the field, and there’s a toilet and shower in the main farmhouse. You’re welcome to have a campfire but only in designated locations, so please check before lighting up.

Campground type

Tent sites 10

Languages spoken

English

Want to know more about camping in Northumberland?

Features

Dogs allowed

Campfires allowed

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 site/unit

Composting toilet

Disabled facilities

Dog park

Drying room

Food shop

Free wifi

Ice pack freezing

Internet access

Laundry

Parent & baby washroom

Pick-up from public transport

Portable toilet

Pub toilets

Public telephone

Shower available

Toilet block

Washing-up area

Wifi

Groups welcome

D. of E. 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

Budget/backpacker

Lake and/or mountain

Peaceful

Remote location

Spectacular scenery

Walkers' paradise

Wild camping

Wildlife haven

Utilities

Charging facilities

Dump point

Electric car charging point(s)

Gas cylinders available

Recycling available

Renewable energy

Nearby amenities

Bar nearby

Convenience store nearby

Dog walk nearby

Public transport nearby

Type

Farm

Tiny (1-10 sites)

Nearby leisure

Canoeing/kayaking nearby

Cycling nearby

Outdoor pool nearby

Location

Ravenscleugh Wild Swimming and Camping

Ravenscleugh Farm

Otterburn

Northumberland

England

NE19 1BW

Directions

Timezone

Europe/London GMT (GMT+00:00)

GPS

55.21502°N
-2.1085°W

Route directions

Using the postcode in a sat nav will only take you so far – usually you will have to continue east for about 300 metres to find the new drive entrance

Nearest transport

Coach
5 km Percy Arms
5 km Percy Arms
7.9 km Hotel
Rail
26.9 km Hexham Rail Station
27.7 km Morpeth Rail Station
28.1 km Haydon Bridge Rail Station
Ferry
23.7 km Tower Knowe Ferry Landing
24.9 km Belvedere Ferry Landing
27.4 km Leaplish Ferry Landing
Airport
32.2 km 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

This is a great spot for cyclists pedalling along the Sandstone Way (Berwick to Hexham), or those looking to try out a shorter stretch of the route; other long-distance routes nearby include The Reivers Way and the Alternative Coast to Coast. More walks and bike riding routes are all over the Northumberland National Park, and it also has options for fishing, horse riding and climbing. There’s a whole lot of history to take in as you explore the area too. Hadrian’s Wall is one of the big attractions – you can visit several sections of the wall these days, or stop in at places like Vindolanda and Housesteads Roman Fort (both 40 minutes’ drive). The Victorian Cragside (25 minutes) and Norman Alnwick Castle (45 minutes) are both well worth a visit too (the latter especially if you have Harry Potter fans on board). If you’re heading towards Alnwick, allocate some time to exploring Northumberland’s fabulous coastline too – Alnwick itself has a great beach, or you could head a little further (an hour’s drive) to the likes of Dunstanburgh Castle and Craster. Heading south instead, there’s always much to do in Newcastle-upon-Tyne (40 minutes).

Water quality at nearby bathing waters

Name Distance Type 2020 2019 2018 2017
Druridge Bay North 35.3 km Sea N/A Excellent Excellent Excellent
Druridge Bay South 35.9 km Sea N/A Excellent Excellent Excellent
Warkworth 36 km Sea N/A Excellent Excellent Excellent
Amble Links 37.3 km Sea N/A Excellent Excellent Excellent
Newbiggin South 37.9 km Sea N/A Good Excellent Excellent

Data source: European Environment Agency

Must see

Cragside House, Gardens and Estate 17.9 km

Belsay Hall, Castle and Gardens 20.1 km

Chesters Roman Fort 20.9 km

Housesteads Roman Fort 26.5 km

Hadrian's Wall Path National Trail 27.7 km

National Trust

Wallington 11.8 km

Cragside 17.9 km

Hadrian's Wall and Housesteads Fort 26.3 km

Allen Banks and Staward Gorge 31 km

Cherryburn 31.9 km

Cycle routes

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

Other

Elsdon - Todholes Circular 2.2 km

Battle of Otterburn, 1388 5.9 km

Greenleighton Quarry - Fontburn Reservoir Circular 10.2 km

NORTHUMBERLAND 10.5 km

Holystone - Lady's Well - Dove Crag - Holystone Common 11.4 km

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.

Reviews

10

Overall rating based on 3 reviews View breakdown

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    1

Only showing reviews for the last 30 months.

Excellent site really friendly

Overall 10/10
Location 10
Value for money 10
Accommodation 10
Facilities / Activities 10
Customer service 10
Child friendliness 10
Cleanliness 10
Wifi No rating
Beattie_sean@hotmail.co.uk B. The reviewer booked through Pitchup.com

Unpowered grass tent site

Liked: Everything great site

Recommend to friends Visit again

Excellent break beautiful scenery and lake

Overall 10/10
Location 8
Value for money 10
Accommodation 8
Facilities / Activities 8
Customer service 10
Child friendliness 10
Cleanliness 8
Wifi No rating
Leanne M. The reviewer booked through Pitchup.com

Unpowered grass tent site

Liked: Friendly owners, there if you have a question and generally nice people to chat to. They have a lovely friendly dog who wanders the site lapping up attention our kids loved her. Sink to wash up and access fresh water on field just a few steps away, toilet and shower are part of the main house just through a doorway and are cleaned regularly. Wild swimming lake was great fun, take a paddle board or just go for a nice swim. Walk the fields passing sheep and cows to the local village Elsdon, where there's a really nice pub with a decent menu and a lovely accommodating owner. All in all a great weekend break and good value.

Disliked: Uneven ground on campsite. I cant say this is a dislike but sheep don't seem to sleep and the Cockerell woke at around 4 in the morning so not for those that don't like the sounds of nature.

Recommend to friends Visit again

Toilet facilities shower facilities, although if site was full there would be…

Overall 10/10
Location 10
Value for money 10
Accommodation 10
Facilities / Activities 10
Customer service 10
Child friendliness 10
Cleanliness 10
Wifi 10
Anonymous The reviewer booked through Pitchup.com

Unpowered grass tent site

Liked: Toilet facilities shower facilities, although if site was full there would be a wait as only one bathroom

Disliked: Sheep poo and uneven pitches

Recommend to friends Visit again

  • Does Ravenscleugh Wild Swimming and Camping have a swimming pool? No View all features
  • Is Ravenscleugh Wild Swimming and Camping dog friendly? Yes View all features
  • What attractions are near Ravenscleugh Wild Swimming and Camping? This is a great spot for cyclists pedalling along the Sandstone Way (Berwick to Hexham), or those looking to try out a shorter stretch of the route; other long-distance routes nearby include … Read more
  • When can I check in and check out of Ravenscleugh Wild Swimming and Camping?
    Camping and caravan
    Arrive:  4 p.m. –  8 p.m.
    Depart by:  noon
    Read more