I'm just back from a week spent in Northumberland on a (non-camping) family holiday. Needless to day, I took my tent and camping gear 'just in case'. Well, OK... not really just in case as I was keen to camp in Northumberland as part of my Counties Challenge.
More often than not I use campsites but I am also a devotee of rough camping. By that I mean pitching (preferably with permission) away from campsites on farmland, rough ground, commons, verges, canal towpaths and so on. I draw a clear distinction between rough camping and true wild camping - for me, wild camping means walking/backpacking in (rather than driving) and also means camping in areas of wilderness or near-wilderness.
Anyway, for this trip I had a spot in mind, an area of rough pasture behind sand-dunes on the Northumberland coast. On previous visits I had learnt that although signs warned against camping, it was generally considered OK locally as long as no trace was left. Additionally, I took the precaution of asking the farmer whose land adjoined the coast and he was pretty relaxed about it.
To me, 'leave no trace' is one of the bedrock rules of both rough camping and wild camping so that was no obstacle. The other rule is 'arrive late, leave early' but that too is how I like to camp.
So one evening, just after sunset, I whistled up the dog and gathered together my tent, mat, sleeping bag and the all-important mini-gas-stove and kettle. I got a lift down to the coast and set off into the dunes in the deepening dusk. It didn't take long to pitch the tent and once everything was set up I lingered over a mug of hot coffee watching the last of the light fade over the sea.
I was lulled to sleep by the gentle sound of waves on the shore, an owl in the distance and, later in the night, by the patter of a light rain shower. To be continued...
Northumberland may only be roughly 300 miles north of London but the nights are noticeably shorter up there so waking up early was no problem. In fact, it seemed to start getting light again almost as soon as it had got dark!
Not long after 6am I was sitting enjoying a coffee and watching the seabirds. After walking on the beach with the dog I had everything packed and ready by the time my lift arrived at 7am.
Here are a few photos - apologies for the quality of the ones taken in near-darkness.
Below: I waited to pitch the tent until just before it got dark
Below: once the tent was up I could admire the scene as dusk fell
Below: taken by flash, with the last of the sunset behind the tent
Below: a late night shot - the flash rather startled my terrier
Below: up early not long after sunrise
Below: the tent, the dunes, the sea - an ideal spot
Sounds perfect................. I look forward to part two!!
------------- 2015 Trips
January - Red Squirrel
February - Red Squirrel
March - Gimme Shelter
April - Elie
May - Noah's Ark
May - Riverside, Skipton
May - Blair Castle
June - Braithwaite Bridges
July - The Star
July - Witches Craig
July - Scone
August - Highburn House
September - Gimme Shelter
Fab pics Skip. Sounds like it was worth it. It must have been lovely drifting off to sleep with the sound of the waves. Hope it was not too blustery a night for you!
------------- 2015 Trips
January - Red Squirrel
February - Red Squirrel
March - Gimme Shelter
April - Elie
May - Noah's Ark
May - Riverside, Skipton
May - Blair Castle
June - Braithwaite Bridges
July - The Star
July - Witches Craig
July - Scone
August - Highburn House
September - Gimme Shelter
Looks great Skip. Perfect camping. The word envy springs to mind. Very interesting what you said in your introduction. i.e. Just cos it says No Camping it is still worth asking the land owner. Looking forward to Part 2.
Piglet and Anne, Skip's pitch appears to be on the edge of a low sea cliff which I imagine gets thoroughly washed a couple of times a day. And "Every Little Helps...!"
Quote: Originally posted by Hacksaw Bob on 18/6/2011... pitch appears to be on the edge of a low sea cliff which I imagine gets thoroughly washed a couple of times a day
Quote: Originally posted by krazykamper on 18/6/2011It must have been lovely drifting off to sleep with the sound of the waves. Hope it was not too blustery a night for you!
It was a lovely still evening, barely any wind at all when I dozed off. It picked up a bit when it rained in the night but by morning it was calm again. In fact, despite the repeatedly downbeat BBC forecasts the weather was consistently better than predicted all week - the rain mostly missed us. But, as I say, I only spent one night under canvas so it wasn't much of an issue anyway.
Im trying to work out roughly where you camped in Northumberland from the coastline. Is it as far up as Seahouses Scep? I love that coastline, it has some of the most dramatic and beautiful beaches i've ever seen in the UK. I love the tent. We've a Vango Delta 300 and its similar to the Sigma. Fantastic tents for rough camping. Good luck with the rest of your tour.
------------- Always forgive,Never forget;Learn from mistakes,But Never regret;People change,Things go wrong;Just remember life goes on
Cool campers use Delta Pegs.
The happiest people aren't the ones who have everything they are the ones who make the most of everything they have
Spectacular night just the way it should be, bet the sunrise was amazing
------------- If you want the ultimate, you've got to be willing to pay the ultimate price. It's not tragic to die doing what you love. [email protected]
I love Northumberland, always feel it's a shame there is no camping on the Holy Island. Would be a lovely spot for you rough camping but I think they are quite strict about it. Anyway, great pictures, hopefully heading that way in August.
Amazing family weekend with old steam engines, classic car displays, market stalls, and full catering and bar. And camping on site - Save £25 by booking in advance.
Topic: Roughing it by the sea (with photos)
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