Travel from Berwick-upon-Tweed and Bamburgh Castle in the north to Hadrian’s Wall in the south and you realise that Northumberland has more than its fair share of historical sites. Move east to west, across the county, and you’ll see its natural highlights too: from the beautiful beaches of its coast to its forested national park. It’s a county that’s well worth exploring — and probably more than once. Perhaps that’s why people keep returning to Tranwell Farm Campsite. This quiet and peaceful, off-grid site is well situated in the middle of the county, less than three miles from Morpeth and not far (but far enough) off the A1.
The camping field here is surrounded by sheep-grazed fields and backed by the mature trees of a woodland. It makes for a sheltered camping spot, which benefits from morning sun and birdsong. You’ll be fit to enjoy it, too, after a good night’s sleep afforded by the site’s strict quiet-time policy, which asks campers to bed down between 10pm and 8am. But, apart from those who like to party, all are welcome here. There’s space for campers, glampers and campervans, with a choice of grass pitches and hardstanding ones alongside a Lotus Stargazer Belle Tent and a little shepherd’s hut.
The hut, which sleeps two (plus a baby or dog) has its own en-suite facilities, while, for everyone else, there are a couple of communal flushing loos and hot water showers in an immaculately-kept shepherd’s hut-style facilities block. It’s a relatively simple set-up with clear instructions sent before your arrival so you can see yourself in. Tranwell Farm’s owners are third generation farmers, Sarah and Phil, who are often busy tending their flock. They’ll make time to come and say hello when they can, a couple of times a day. And, on sunny mornings, Farmer Phil often pops by to take children to see the farm’s lambs.
There’s a dog walk and a nature reserve to explore on site with a wildlife pond, reservoir and a pair of nesting swans. For a longer hike, there are two pubs a couple of miles away, as well as the town of Morpeth. There’s more farmy-fun less than two miles down the road at the Whitehouse Farm Centre and there are exotic animals at Northumberland Zoo. Then there are those big hitting sites of Northumberland that pull in every direction; the wall is a World Heritage Site, the coast is an area of outstanding natural beauty and inland is a national park. You couldn’t wish for much more than that.
Hosted by Sarah H.
Joined in February 2021Tranwell Farm is three miles from the centre of Morpeth where you'll find interesting shops, recommended restaurants, takeaways and tea rooms, supermarkets and a park and gardens. Places to visit nearby include the family-friendly Whitehouse Farm Centre (01670 789998) just two miles away, N1 Golf Centre (01670 519090), which has adventure and foot golf half a mile from Tranwell Farm, and Northumberland College Zoo (0300 770 6000), six miles away. Northumberland's history can be seen in its many castles and at Hadrians Wall, the course of which passes by about 15 miles south. Perhaps head for one of the Roman forts managed by English Heritage or to the Vindolanda museum for more understanding of life on the wall. One of the closest castles to site is the iconic Alnwick Castle, recognisable as a location for Harry Potter films (01665 511100), 22 miles away. It is just a few miles further to the beaches of the Northumbrian Coast Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
It's a 25-minute walk to smart country pub, the St Mary's Inn (01670 641111) and about the same distance to The Sun Inn (01670 514 153) which is en route to Morpeth and serves traditional pub food. Morpeth itself has plenty of places to eat out with Italian restaurant, Lollo Rosso (01670 514111) a bit of a favourite among campers. For a Sunday roast, you can't beat The Dyke Neuk (01670 772662), six miles from site, and you might spot a familiar face (Sarah and Phil's daughter) helping out with the orders. Morpeth has a choice of supermarkets as well as lots of independent butchers and deli's and there's a farmers' market on the first Saturday of the month. For fresh produce at other times, head five miles from site to Natures Finest fruits at Heighley Gate.
