A new, affordable way to explore one of Northumberland’s most beloved coastal beauty spots has emerged, with the opening of a caravan and campsite.
One of the first beaches you’ll reach if you start at the southern end of the Northumberland Coastal Drive, the windswept sands of Druridge Bay are among the wildest in the county. Even in summer you can have huge stretches of shoreline to yourself, probably why it’s such a popular spot among dog walkers and equestrians – and no wonder it’s been named one of the best beaches near of Newcastle by Condé Nast Traveller.
And now, visitors keen to experience this stunning beach will be able to spend the night in the surrounding park for the first time thanks to the opening of a new caravan and campsite. The family campsite, run by Northumberland County Council, will have 20 caravan or motorhome pitches when fully completed, each available with electricity and water as well as eight tent pitches, all available with electricity.
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However, when it first opened it operated at a limited capacity with 12 motorhome and caravan sites and seven tent sites available. Toilets and showers are in the visitor center and cafe, which opened for the first time in more than two years last weekend.
Eventually, the facilities will include a shower, toilets and toilets as well as a kitchen area for washing up and a waste water disposal point. In terms of things to do, there are miles of country walks and trails within the park, and with the purchase of a permit, an opportunity for watersports on the lake.
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Motorhome users in Northumberland now have more options than they would have had last year, with a year-long trial to allow motorhomes to park in popular coastal destinations set in service earlier this month. Beadnell’s Benthall car park, Amble Braid car park and the car park opposite Bamburgh Castle are all involved in the trial, which costs £12 for campervan overnight stays.
Councilor John Riddle, Cabinet Member for Local Services, said: “It has been a long-standing ambition to allow a limited number of nights’ camping in this country park and it is a spectacular place to stay. This is all part of our major investment and improvement program in our Country Parks and we wanted the first plots to be open as soon as possible.”
Scott Dickinson, Druridge Bay Ward Councilor, added: “I welcome any investment in our area that gives people the opportunity to come and explore in a managed way without taking away its natural beauty from local people. I’m sure the site will be closely managed so that locals and visitors can enjoy the area together.”
Prices start at £30 per night for campervans and caravans and £15 per tent. For more information or to reserve a pitch at the new Druridge Bay campsite, click here.