Why visit North East England?
Moors (and more)
The North York Moors. Northumberland National Park. The Yorkshire Dales. You’ll find some of the prettiest parts of the UK in this sizable region made up of Tyne and Wear, Durham and Northumberland – plus a bit of Yorkshire, too. And there’s a whole lot more countryside for camping in North East England as well, including the charm-packed Cheviot Hills and North Pennines.
Cool castles
Grand fortresses – signs of the North East's tumultuous history – are scattered everywhere you turn. Inland, investigate the medieval walled gardens and 200-acre deer park at Raby Castle, then gaze out at the ocean from the coastal castles of Alnwick and Bamburgh.
Seaside settlements
Taking the kids camping in North East England? Settle down near Scarborough for access to child-approved experiences, from riding on the Victorian Central Tramway funicular to checking out oceanic creatures at the SEA LIFE Sanctuary. Whitby is where to go for spooky stories – the crumbling Gothic abbey in this town overlooking the North Sea was inspired by the novel Dracula.
Storied cities
The two main urban centres to visit in the North East are lively Newcastle-upon-Tyne – don’t miss the handsome architecture on Grey Street or the World War II tours in Victoria Tunnel – and Durham. The latter is home to a Norman-era castle, a 13th-century hall with a maze, and a Botanic Garden brimming with tropical plants.
‘God’s Own County’
North Yorkshire is officially part of the North East, but its sister counties – East Yorkshire, West Yorkshire and South Yorkshire are under the umbrella of Yorkshire and Humber. It’s worth planning a trip to these areas for the Viking history of York and ambles through the gorgeously green Yorkshire Dales National Park.
Top North East England things to do
Going camping in North East England? Here are the essential experiences to work your way through.
*Boat around the Farne Islands, David Attenborough’s favourite wildlife-spotting area in the UK
*Admire the Romanesque architecture of Durham’s UNESCO-listed cathedral
*Eat fish ‘n’ chips by the water after wandering around Whitby’s scenic streets
*Attempt to fit the whole of the enormous Angel of the North sculpture into a selfie
*See a real-life version of Hogwarts at Alnwick Castle, the location of the first two Harry Potter films
*Walk across the causeway to Lindisfarne – the mysterious 'Holy Island' – at low tide
The unexplored North East of England
Historic towns and villages
Easy-on-the-eye market towns are dotted around the North East. Head to Hexham in Northumberland for the attractive abbey, then take in the Turkish baths of Harrogate (before or after a feast in the art-deco tearooms). Dine like royalty in Craster too – it’s the birthplace of smoked kippers, a food favoured by Queen Elizabeth and co.
Beautiful beaches
The Northumberland coastline wiggles its way 100 miles down from Berwick-Upon-Tweed by the Scottish border to the River Coquet estuary, with plenty of pretty beaches scattered along the way. Go surfing at Tynemouth Longsands, fawn over former fishing village Robin Hood’s Bay or whizz up the cliffside lift at Saltburn-by-the-Sea.
Animal antics
For your best chance of birding, set off towards the saltmarshes of Lindisfarne and the upland hay meadows of the North Pennines. Enjoy close interactions with owls and hawks at the Andy Howeys Birds of Prey Centre, then see the seals – all 60 or so of them – in the colony by the mouth of the River Tees.
Riding and roaming
If active days out are on the cards, cycle for 21 miles along the Cinder Track, an old coastal railway line linking Scarborough and Whitby, or wander a serene section of Hadrian’s Wall, the almost two-millennia-old Roman frontier. Looking for a shorter walking trail when camping in North East England? The circular route through woodland from May Beck leads to the perfectly framed Falling Foss waterfall and back.
Here’s how
Pick out a campsite in North East England to suit you from our selection (we have lots of filters to help you narrow it down, whether you need access to a toilet and shower or just want a bar and clubhouse within strolling distance.
For a special stay, perhaps you’d like to ditch the tent and find glamping lodges or log cabins in the North East? You could also browse these top options:
*Campsites with electric pitches in North East England
*Dog-friendly campsites in North East England
*North East England family camping
*Adults-only campsites in North East England
*North East England pitches with campfires allowed
Once you're done with camping or glamping in the North East, navigate your way to the North West and see why Wordsworth was such a lover of the Lake District. Or tick another country off your list by crossing the border into spectacular Scotland.
For more info on camping, from what to pack to where to go, check out the articles in our guide.
