Frequently Asked Questions
Here you will find some answers to common questions. Use the tabs below to reveal answers. If you have a question that is not answered here, scroll down to send a message.
Do you stay open all year?
We do not stay open all year.
We have some periods of the season where we have been privately booked for events and are closed to the public. The dates are:
September 10th - 12th 2021 The Dirty Reiver previously cancelled re-run.
October 15th -16th 2021 Kielder Chiller previously cancelled re-run
October 22nd - 23rd 2021 Kielder Descendant Enduro
October 29th - 30th 2021 Peoples Star Party.
Apart from the dates above we remain open until October 28th. We close until late Mid March 2022. With online bookings taking place, if all goes to plan, from February 2022.
I have a Kielder Discovery Pass, do I get discount, if so, how do I book?
We offer a generous 15% discount to all discovery pass visitors, with further bonuses after three visits. For further updates use this link: Kielder Discovery Pass link-click here.
I have a vehicle I use to sleep in, not a tent. Can I do this?
We request that you book and use a hardstand. If you don't require electric, let us know and we'll refund the difference. We do not allow vehicles to park on any of our grass.
I can't get to your site before 7.00pm, is that a problem?
It can be if the site manager is unaware. E-mail your intentions if possible and we'll go from there. If you have been out of reach and arrive late, ensure you read the pitching information on the site office door prior to setting up. Failure to pitch in the correct area or parking on the grass may incur the wrath of a thousand beasts. You could be banished from Kielder to a dark place for an eternity. [In a nutshell: you'd have to shift if you were in the wrong place.]
Can we use a generator on site.
No, not at any time.
Midges!
This information is reliant on a number of factors, we are giving you what normally occurs in this region: Midges are active from the end of May through to early September. Weather plays an important part in their activity. A midge does not enjoy: Wind, cold, extreme heat or heat from a hot sunny day. They will become active if it is warm, moist, overcast or no breeze. They are prevalent when the sun starts to set and in the morning....before I forget and all through the night.
Midges reside in the grass and undergrowth all around the Kielder area along with other parts of the UK. We strongly advise not to stay during these dates if you have any medical or emotional concerns. It is not up to site staff to inform you on midge forecasts or preferred pitches.
Does the area accept card?
Kielder campsite and Kielder Waterside and all information centres accept chip and pin/contactless payments. There is no cashback opportunities. The local Post Office can supply cash from a UK bank account, using a chip and pin card. [Local Post Office hours apply]
I'm going to the observatory. Can I return late to your site?
We do not have any access restrictions to our site. Late arrivals to our site must drive slowly and reduce all noise accordingly. For example, not slamming car doors and talking loudly. Sound carries on our site at night. For tented visitors who wish to return after the observatory, please inform the Manager who will show you the late night car parking area. This is for late night departure as well as your return.
All of your hardstands come with electric hook up. I don't need it.
You will need to book and pay for your hardstand and electric hook up. Send a covering e-mail explaining that you will not be needing the electric. We refund your card as soon as we read the message. This has been very successful so far.
Can I use a fire-firepit-firebowl on your site?
Yes, provided that it is high enough off the ground not to damage our site. We ask you to act responsibly around it. Logs are limited so bring your own supply. Do not cut trees down from the surrounding area. Bellingham or Newcastleton, on the way in can supply logs. [9-5 hours Mon-Sat only]
Where can I eat locally?
Kielder Castle and Cafe Street Diner: this take away offers excellent street food outside the gates of Kielder Castle; not forgetting their fantastic Fishy Friday Scampi, Fish, Chips + extra's. Check out their menu board for details. This is a take away, no delivery service outside Kielder Castle. For more details go to their FB page: Street Diner FB page. Current opening hours are Wednesday - Sunday 9.30 am - 4.30 pm.
Anglers Arms Pub: Situated ten minutes walk, through the campsite, towards Kielder Castle the Anglers offers beer, wine, spirits and serving food from midday until 8.00pm. Takeaway offered, no delivery, from 5.00pm until 8.00pm. Current closure is appoximately 10.00pm. Track and trace required, table service only. For bookings phone: 01434 250230
Can I bring a Barbecue?
Any barbecue off the floor that will not damage the ground is fine. Please use disposable barbecues with care. Disposables are not to be used on our benches, wooden structures or directly on the grass. Use a slab, rock or the gravelled areas on site.
Always dispose of the used coals, hot or cold, in the metal bins next to our main refuse area. Or empty into the river running through the site. No contaminating products please, only ash/wood. If in doubt use the metal bins.
Can I use a Cobb Cooker?
By all means.
Do you sell Calor or Camping Gaz?
We have limited supplies and cannot guarantee stocks: this is subject to availability. Please contact us prior, if you can. Local stockists are quite a way off and are not available Bank Holidays or on a Sunday. Planning required! You must have a like for like empty before you can purchase the replacement gas.
What shops are in the area?
We have very little to offer in the local area. No off-licence and no local shops. Ensure you bring everything with you. Our most asked for items are consumbles: bread, milk & butter. We have an onsite freezer and fridge you can use. We suggest freezing such items, allowing them to defrost slowly, or if you are here for a while put them in our freezer and defrost the day before. Please make sure your items are sealed or secure before placing them in our communal fridge or freezer. Bags and a method of labelling is provided to assist.
Kielder Waterside has a small shop at reception with limited stock.
The nearest shops: Bellingham - 30 min drive. Newcastleton - 30 min drive. Both have small supermarkets and village butchers. Not 24 hours, please check village websites for details.
Bellingham links:
Co-op. Bellingham Craft Butcher. Bellingham Hardware and Country Store.
Newcastleton links:
Directory of all outlets in Newcastleton.
Can I get an online shop delivered to the site?
Yes. Asda and Tesco will deliver. We take no responsibility for your orders. This is an arrangement between you and your retail provider. Ensure you bring supplies to feed your group/family if the delivery arrives late or there is an issue.
Can I order a takeaway?
Yes, we have a limited service from the Anglers Arms. They are currently serving food for takeaway at the following times: 5.00pm - 8.00pm Mon - Sat. Sunday is currently just Sunday Dinners. [Give them a call to check] Bellingham, 20 miles away, has a chinese takeaway. Perhaps a good idea to visit on the way if you are arriving late. Please do a Google check for their opening times.
Where can I travel to eat out?
Find below our closest eateries currently available. Early booking essential, a few small establishments with a large catchment area. During peak times you will need to book early, by early we mean days in advance, not hours.
Scotland is just 3 miles away, see what they have to offer:
The Grapes Hotel - Newcastleton
The Liddesdale Hotel - Newcastleton
And back into England:
I would like a quiet pitch please. Which one is best?
The site is promoted as a small yet quiet site. All pitches are quiet. Due to it's longitudinal shape there are no 'out of the way' or 'tucked in the corner' locations. There are no pitches 'under the trees'.
I want to pitch my tent with my friend please.
The tent pitching area is a large area of grass with a track running through it, no formal pitching plan. [See the site map found on our webpage] The visitor selects their part of the grass. Work it out amongst yourselves, if one arrives early....bagsie a bit of grass nearby and use one of our reserved signs, held in the office, to secure your friends pitch. Numbers of tents or people need to be aware of our noise/group booking policy. Anti-social behaviour or noise after 10.00pm will not be tolerated during your stay.
I have a tent and want to stay next to my friend who has a motorhome.
This is a judgement call from the manager and depends on how busy the site is. It is not a given. We are not too keen on this occurring having caused friction in the past. A discussion prior to booking is required.
Do you have electric hook up for tents?
We only have a few hook ups for tents. These are booked as a separate pitch on our booking page. If you do not see electric hook up for tent offered, then they are fully booked.
Do the large tent pitches come with electric?
No.
Do you allow dogs onto your site?
We allow well behaved dogs on site. They must be on a lead at all times; picking up after your dog and dispose of any doggy doo in our refuse bins is statutory. Failure to comply will result in eviction from the site. Our static caravans have a no-pets policy.
Do you charge for pets on site?
There is no charge for dogs that we allow on site.
Are the local establishments dog friendly?
The Anglers Arms pub in Kielder village and the Boat Inn, Kielder Waterside, allow dogs in the bar area only. The Cafe at the Castle, Kielder Village, is dog friendly too.
Can I bring my dog to stay in a pod?
Yes, providing the pod is left as requested. We respectfully ask dog owners to bring a mat/bed or blanket for your dog to lay on.
Can I bring my dog to stay in one of your static caravans?
No. We have a no pets policy with regards our static caravans.
Is there a maximum number of dogs we can bring?
We do not have a number, as long as the dogs are safely and responsibly managed around the site. This includes on and around your pitch.
Do you have a list of breeds we cannot bring?
No. Once again, as long as any owner controls their dog in a safe and responsible manner, around site and on or around their pitch, we too, are happy to accommodate.
Where can we walk our dog?
Under The Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 ( CROW Act ) most of the wooded areas around Kielder offer you the right to roam. This opens up hundreds of hectares for you and your pet. If your dog is good on recall this is even better as you will be able to walk your dog off the lead. There are currently no farms nearby rearing livestock. If you have any issues or questions, be sure to ask on arrival. For further info checkout the Forestry England webpage: Dog Code Forestry England.
Are you close to Kielder Water?
We are 10 minutes walk, 5 minutes by bike to Kielder Water. The route is accessible by foot or bike. Use google maps to find our exact location.
Can I bring Kayaks, canoes or boats, or swim on Kielder Water?
There are stringent rules regarding using Kielder Water. The link shown on this page was current at time of publication. Please refer to Northumbrian Water direct for any further questions or confirmation. Rules for using Kielder Water.
Can I swim or paddle in Kielder Water?
There are stringent rules regarding using Kielder Water. The link shown on this page was current at time of publication. Please refer to Northumbrian Water direct for any further questions or confirmation. Rules for using Kielder Water.
Where can I fish locally?
Kielder Water can be fished with a current rod licence, available online and a day permit purchased from either Tower Knowe or Kielder Water reception. Prices and conditions are available either online or by phoning: 01434 251000. You can also fish our local burns. For further information go to: Kielder Burn fishing link.
With no mobile signal, what happens in an emergency out of hours?
There is a pay phone on the ablutions wall. Using this, members of the public can phone for the emergency services. This is a free service and does not require coins. There is an out of hours button to phone the site managers house for other emergencies or incidents. Note: phoning for citronella candles at 9.00pm is neither an emergency or an incident.
How can I be contacted with no mobile signal?
We have a payphone on site, you can arrange a time to either phone out or have persons phone in. [It accepts incoming calls.] We have a limited wi-fi service around the car park area where you can contact others via differing apps.