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This is a beautifully-situated peaceful site adjacent to the ruined Finchale Priory which you should spend the time to explore.
We had chosen the G1 pitch which we found to be at the back of the site and elevated so that we had a wonderful view over the Priory. It was, however, virtually within the Park Homes, more to their detriment than ours I would think as we were facing the other way.
This little village of homes, not holiday accommodation, is for the over 50s and adults only, and apart from cars driving in and out you would hardly know they were there.
The site was only about half full during our midweek stay so was extremely quiet. The facilities were 5*, spotlessly clean and very warm (it wasn't the best of August weather). Lots of hot water at all times, 4 toilets, 2 washbasin cubicles, 2 shower cubicles and a large wet-room with shower, basin and toilet, presumably for the disabled. That was the ladies, the men's was similar, I am told, apart from some urinals instead of toilet cubicles.
The showers, alas, were push button, but at least you got about a minute with each push. My problem with them is that you cannot change the water temperature or the position of the shower head. No problem here as there was plenty of room in the cubicle to avoid the initial cold water.
As previously mentioned, a few more hooks in the shower would be welcome. There was just one on the back of the door, and one cubicle had an additional hanging rail. But full marks for a shelf in the actual shower plus a shower tidy, so somewhere to put all your bits and bobs.
We were on a fully-serviced pitch, our own water and grey waste drain. It was also very level so no chocks needed. The whole site is very well-maintained, grass cut and well planted.
There is a café and little shop which we didn't use, more for the visitors to the Priory, and Wi-Fi available in reception, again not used.
There is a steep hill out of the site and it is a walk of at least a mile down the quiet road to the bus stop outside the prison. There is a bus once an hour which goes to Durham via the Arnison Centre, an out-of-town shopping area with Sainsburys, Lidl (or was it Aldi?) Next, M & S. McDonalds etc etc. Useful, but nothing exciting to be seen there.
We walked into Durham and found it took us nearly an hour and a half. It is an easy walk and we walk at an average speed so we reckoned it was a bit over 4 miles to the centre of Durham and a welcome cup of coffee. Durham is quite compact and very interesting, sitting in the loop of the River Wear.
We enjoyed the Cathedral and the nearby visitor centre which had a good film about the history of the city. Plenty of cafes, restaurants and pubs and a proper indoor market. On another day we caught the bus into Durham and then another to Gateshead, the 21 which took ages as it stopped at virtually every bus stop. Get the X21 which is a bit quicker. We passed the Angel of the North on the way.
We visited the Baltic Centre in Gateshead which has some excellent art exhibitions and which has a good café, but missed seeing the swing bridge do its swing. Back in Durham we took a taxi back to the site and were surprised at how cheap it was, £10. The same distance would cost us a minimum of £16 back home.
We enjoyed our stay but probably would not return as we have now visited Durham and restricted as we are to walking or the bus we did not think there was a great deal more that we wanted to do.
This tucked-away touring park is a wonderfully quiet adult-only haven, overlooking the ruins of Finchale Priory and the sandstone cliffs of the river Wear. However, you need to bear in mind that nothing is in walking distance (except the prison), so plan your food / drive out).
The site is dog-friendly (with dedicate dog walk area). The downside for campervans / motorhomes is that some pitches have quite a slope, so ramps are likely to be necessary. But I noticed that they have some spare chocks available to borrow (though I'm not sure if they have anything for vans, just caravans).
However, all the pitches or of a good size and have easy access to the hook-up - and you don't really feel neighbouring pitches are over-looked.
The residents of the wooden cabins behind the touring park seem to buzz around quiet a lot and don't appear to see the need to keep their speeds down, but it is a kid-free area, so not the end of the world.
The facilities block is a really good one. Code controlled access, which make sense given how many people visit the neighbouring priory and walks. They are nice and warm, clean and spacious, with an accessible wetroom plus two further showers, wash cubicles (one with hair drier) and toilets – more than enough for the number of pitches.
This was an excellent site, beautifully maintained, situated in picturesque countryside with view of Abbey.
Very peaceful and friendly place, and conveniently situated for visiting Beamish and Durham. However, there are also plenty of lovely walks on the doorstep.
Lovely site, peaceful and, in theory, adults only - but because it is next to a private 'holiday village' this means that the children staying there trundle up and down the site road with bikes, balls etc. Cars belonging to the people there started rolling out of the site before 6am as well.
We chose badly when it came to the pitch (from the website) we didn't realise that it was sloping in both directions and needed to do a bit of clever shuffling with the ramps to get almost level, we were allowed to change pitches for the next night which was a great relief.
The loos and showers are good, though more hooks to hang clothes on (and more shower seats possibly?) would help, good to have a door code but the catches are a little tired so the doors don't always close properly making the security obsolete.
All in all a site we would return to if we are in the area again.
We did wonder about this 'Adult only' tag, not having read any reviews beforehand. But thankfully is was just so that there's no screaming children running around! The first thing that stuck me about this site is the security! we arrived about 5pm and couldn't get in.
Thankfully a kind lady that lived there arrived soon after and let us in. You need a security code for everything! I don't know about you, but my memory ain't great so I had to write them down and made sure the notes were with me at all times.
That said, it's a beautiful, well maintained site next to a river with Priory ruins too. Very picturesque. The washing machine/tumble dryer were free to use once you got a hold of the key to the door from the office. The toilet block was fine.
The only down side to our stay here was the water pressure, it was very poor! Great that this site was so close to town though for eating and purchasing a much needed duvet!
Second visit to this wonderful relaxing site, a great place to relax and unwind as you are set amongst the old ruins of the Abbey and the pitches are spacious that add to the calmness.
The facilities are very good and clean and the owners/staff friendly and welcoming so will definitely be returning soon.
Stayed for two nights mid week and it was very quiet, maybe four units the Wednesday night and two on Thursday. Good facilities and clean. Had a short walk around locally the first day.
Thursday we walked into Durham, up the road out of the site then Bridleway past the prison and more or less straight into Durham and all on tarmac paths/small lanes this took about an hour at a steady pace. Durham is a fantastic place to spend a day full of history, very quaint and plenty of shops, cafe's and pubs.
Most pubs are not dog friendly but we found one called Ye Old Yew Tree where we had a few beers and a lovely meal. Must have been 10 real Ales on and the food was lovely all served with a smile. Cathedral well worth a visit, free but donations welcome.
Only slight negative was no general shop within walking distance but we managed.
We booked a pitch online and when we arrived that pitch was already taken and so we had been allocated a different pitch near the rubbish/recycling area. We had no alternative but to stay as it was 1845 on Sunday evening. The man who booked us in was clearly embarrassed and offered to move us to a better pitch the following day as many people would leave on the Bank Holiday Monday. The offer of a different pitch never happened and we soon realised why lots of people left early on the Bank Holiday.
The place was chaos due to the Abbey visitors, they ignored the signs that the campsite was private, they parked many cars there, kids ran about, there were regular visitors to the toilet block. The only people I saw getting advised not to use the toilets were a group of escorted special needs adults!
It was great to see so many visitors to the Abbey, this no doubt helps with the upkeep. I would like to see some of the money used to litter pick as the river opposite the Abbey is a mess
This is the clearly misleading first line on the web page 'Adult only and dog friendly, we can guarantee peace and tranquillity even on bank holidays. '
Management response: Sorry your experience at Finchale wasn’t all you expected it to be but we would like to clarify a few points.
Firstly you booked a week before your stay due to a cancellation and although we did move your plot it was to accommodate another guest who wanted to stay for four nights we didn’t think this would be an issue. The plot you were moved to is a popular level plot and although adjacent to the recycling area the area is surrounded by a six foot fence so was definitely not visible from your pitch.
The priory is a free monument in the care of English Heritage. It is very popular on warm sunny days as it was a bank holiday even more so.
We are sure you noticed that when the abbey closed at 5pm the day visitors left and the promised peace returned. You also commented on the rubbish on the opposite river bank to Finchale. This land is owned by Durham County Council and not in our control.
We have several signs around the park reminding day visitors that the touring park is private for overnight visitors only unfortunately we always get some people who disregard the signage.
You were offered a change of pitch for your second night on the park unfortunately as the park was so busy being a bank holiday we didn’t remind you of this but you never mentioned to any staff or the office of your request to move, we would have been more than happy to help you had you reminded us. as you mentioned there were plenty of plots on the Monday night after the majority of our bank holiday visitors had left. (It is policy for plots to be vacated before 12noon which is why plots were vacated on the morning!)
We hope that you will return to visit us at Finchale again and ensure you that if you visit on a less busy weekend you will get the peace and tranquility that guest return time and again to enjoy.
Stopped here twice within a fortnight to break our journey going up to Scotland and returning. Absolutely lovely site within a perfect location. Easy to find with easy access.
Some parts sloping but we had a serviced site which was on the level. Friendly owners, good walks along the river. Quiet. TV reception not good but with good weather didn't bother us. If visiting you must go to Croake Hall, which is only a few miles away.
Super day out and the lunches in the Hall are fabulous.
What a wonderful weekend we've had at Finchale! A beautifully kept site and despite it being bank holiday we found it to be very quiet and peaceful. The location is stunning. Next to a beautiful part of the river Wear and Finchale Abbey which you can walk around at your leisure.
The staff are very friendly and keep the place clean and tidy. The facilities are good and the showers are nice and hot.
We spoke to a few of the chalet owners who were also friendly and helpful.
Lovely to see Guinea fowls and Peacocks roaming around the site among the caravans but they don't bother anyone.
We took our bikes and cycled to Durham along a beautiful route which leads you more or less straight into the city along the river.
Cannot fault this site. Probably the best we've visited location wise. Can't wait to go back and we plan to very soon.
A lot of the pitches are on a grass hillside sloping badly enough for them not to be suitable to put a caravan on. The site was supposedly full but there was no one on these pitches so was not just us that refused them. We refused 2 and we were then offered one that was hard standing but level. This row had room for 4 units but they were so close together there was no room to park your car between the vans never mind room for an awning. We accepted this as we were tired and just wanted to get settled.
We got pitched up and settled down to have dinner only to find the electric kept going off. After the 3rd time of this happening we rang the office and were told that we were on a 6 amp pitch. No one told us this before we got set up. A 6 amp pitch is no good for a modern caravan.
On speaking to other campers we were informed there were 6 12 or 16 amp pitches and most were making do.
The site is not as attractive as you would expect, the toilets are clean and there is a lovely walk along the river but that's about it. Some areas looked like people were sat in a builders yard.
The maintenance man was helpful but the attitude of the lady on the phone was not and never spoke a word the following morning when we went to the office to say we were leaving.
Management response: We are very dismayed and disappointed to read this review with so very few facts.
We informed the lady when she called we were very busy that weekend and that we only had grass pitches remaining (as it was The Durham Miners Gala), she said that this would be ok. Having been refused a pre-booked plot the Lady then accepted a space on our inexpensive hard standing “D” plots, then to find that she was having problems with the low am-page. (All D plots are 6 amp for those that require them)
We will continue to hold selected pitches for those who have reserved them, We am sorry that she did not see fit to be placed on the hard standing, we were trying hard to accommodate at a very busy time for us.
We find the disgruntled comments comparing our site to a building site unacceptable and in no way do they reflect the views of the many happy visitors we have staying here. The park is a scheduled area and as such no ground works are able to be carried out.
I know this site gets some rave reviews but personally it didn't do a great deal for me.
Nothing actually 'wrong' with it and the toilet and washing facilities are good but for me - too expensive, too small and whilst it is an adult only site what they don't tell you is that the general public can visit the Abbey and that includes children.
Good site to access Durham but I wouldn't go back in terms of any 'wow' factor. The Abbey is attractive.
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Common Questions
Is Finchale Abbey Touring Park child friendly? NO, this site is adult only View all facilities
Where is the nearest shop to Finchale Abbey Touring Park? There is a shop within 5 miles View all facilities
A day of all things motorhome and campervan. The show is held both in the main indoor arena and across the grounds. Catering, hot drinks and food options are available. Easy access to the site and free parking included. Win one of five pairs of day tickets
All reviews and comments are the personal opinion of the review author only , and as such do not represent the view of the UK Camp Site.co.uk.
The facilities shown on this website are a guide only, and you should check with the campsite direct before making any booking. The UKCampsite.co.uk will not be held responsible for any errors or omissions
No Tents 
Caravan Pitches 
Motorhome Pitches 
Small Campervans 
Glamping Units 
Holiday Homes for Hire 
No Statics for Sale 
No Seasonal Pitches 
Electric Hookups 
Hardstanding Pitches 
Fully Serviced Pitches 
Adults Only 
Not Members Only 
Rallies Welcome 
Not Naturist Site 
Dogs Welcome 
No Dogs Allowed 
Groups Welcome 
Toilet Facilities 
Hot Showers 
Washing Up 
No Bathroom 
No Baby Changing 
Laundry On Site 
Drinking Water 
Disabled Friendly 
Chemical Disposal 
No Battery Charging 
Gas Exchange 
Recycling Facilities 
No Kitchen Facilities 
No Freezer / Fridge 
Motorhome Point 
No Wifi Access 
Shop <5 miles 
Bar <1 mile 
Restaurant or Cafe or Takeaway On Site 
No Playground 
No TV Room 
No Games Room 
No Evening Ents 
Fishing On Site 
Wild Swimming On Site 
Indoor Pool <5 miles 
No Outdoor Pool 
No Horse Riding 
No Cycle Hire 
Golf <1 mile 
No Tennis 
Beach <10 miles 
No Watersports 
No Boat Launch 
No Sea Views 
Not Working Farm 
No Campfires Allowed 
Open All Year 
Riverside Pitches 
Public Transport <1 mile
Offroad Dog Walk On Site or Direct Access 
This is a beautifully-situated peaceful site adjacent to the ruined Finchale Priory which you should spend the time to explore. 
