- GPS Coordinates – N54.98620° / W2.42231°
If you’re planning to drive the Northumberland 250, you’re in for one of the UK’s most rewarding road trips.
We love Northumberland so much that we moved here from South Wales—and it doesn’t take long to see why. It’s an incredibly beautiful county where you’re spoilt for choice, whether you’re looking for a peaceful escape or an active adventure.
You can walk miles of unspoilt coastline, explore more castles than any other county, discover the vast landscapes of Northumberland National Park, and experience some of the darkest skies in Europe. Anyone who visits is always amazed—and usually wishes they had longer to stay.
A great way to explore it all is by following the Northumberland 250 route.
The Northumberland 250 is a scenic 250-mile circular driving route through the very best of the county, split into four sections:
Each section feels distinct, making the route easy to explore in one trip or broken into shorter adventures across multiple visits.
Highlights along the route
The coastal section brings impressive castles, wide sandy beaches, and the iconic Alnwick Castle. Walk from Craster to Dunstanburgh Castle and on to Low Newton-by-the-Sea, take a boat trip to see puffins and seals at the Farne Islands, or time your visit to cross the causeway to Lindisfarne — Holy Island — before the tide turns.
In the borderlands, the roads quieten and the landscape opens out. The Cheviot Hills, remote farmland, a 28-arch railway viaduct, and the Ad Gefrin whisky distillery in Wooler are all worth time.
The countryside section winds through picturesque villages like Corbridge and Rothbury, with views across the Cheviots and out to the North Sea — and if you’re lucky, red squirrels and curlew for company.
Then comes the dark skies section, where we are — and where the route saves some of its best for last.
As the route heads inland, the scenery shifts completely. Gone is the busier coastline; in its place are rolling hills, enormous skies, and a deep sense of history pressing up through the landscape.
This is Hadrian’s Wall country — a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Britain’s most extraordinary landmarks. We’re just a short distance from it, which means staying with us gives you the chance to experience it properly, not just as a roadside photo stop.
Walk straight onto the Wall
One of the real advantages of basing yourself here is that you can leave your vehicle behind and explore on foot. Direct footpaths lead straight onto the wall from our site:
You can also walk into Haltwhistle — the “Centre of Britain” — via peaceful footpaths alongside the river, with little for company beyond birdsong.
Explore Roman history at your own pace
The stretch of wall closest to us is among the best preserved, and the surrounding area is rich with Roman history:
That bus connection is particularly useful if you’re travelling by motorhome or campervan and would rather not move your vehicle each day.
After the busier coastal sections, this is where most travellers find themselves changing pace — and often extending their stay.
Guests regularly tell us it’s the quiet that gets them first. There’s no road noise, just the sounds of the countryside. Rabbits run around the site; swallows return each spring to nest; the birdlife keeps keen watchers occupied for hours. And the sunsets over open moorland, followed by skies full of stars, are something you don’t forget quickly.
With over 570 square miles of protected night sky, this is some of the finest stargazing in Europe. Nearby Kielder Water and Forest is home to the UK’s largest man-made reservoir and an observatory for those who want to go deeper. Closer still, the Twice Brewed Inn — just 1.5 miles away — runs its own stargazing experiences.
Hadrian’s Wall Campsite is well placed for exploring the dark skies section of the route, with direct walking access to the wall and all the key Roman sites nearby.
We welcome motorhomes, campervans, touring caravans, tents and roof tents, and offer glamping in our shepherd huts or bell tent. Dogs are very welcome too.
Pitches are available for vehicles up to 8 metres.
This section deserves at least one night — two if you can manage it.
Day 3 — Arrive at Hadrian’s Wall Drive the inland section of the Northumberland 250, check in, and settle onto your pitch or into your shepherd hut. In the evening, walk up to the wall and watch the sun go down over the moorland.
Day 4 — Explore and unwind Visit Vindolanda or Housesteads, walk along the wall or into Haltwhistle, then come back and light the fire pit. No rush.
The Northumberland 250 is all about the journey — but the places you stop are what stay with you. A night or two near Hadrian’s Wall gives you a completely different experience to the coast: more space, more history, and the kind of quiet that’s harder and harder to find.
We’d love to have you. Come and tell us about your Northumberland adventures.
Book your stay at Hadrian’s Wall Campsite →
Most people take 3–5 days to enjoy the route properly, allowing time for stops, walks, and exploring along the way.
Staying near Hadrian’s Wall is ideal for one of the most scenic and historically rich sections of the route. Hadrian’s Wall Campsite offers direct walking access to the wall and nearby attractions.
Yes — the route is suitable for motorhomes, campervans and caravans, with most roads well maintained. We offer pitches for vehicles up to 8 metres.
Yes, most of our pitches are suitable for roof tents.
It’s a circular route, so you can begin anywhere. Many visitors start near Haltwhistle — just 3 miles from us.
Yes — from Hadrian’s Wall Campsite, direct footpaths lead straight onto the wall, so there’s no need to drive.
