Do you stay open all year?

We do not stay open all year.

“We are open 7 days a week until 31st October 2020. All facilities are available.We will be open for weekends only: Friday & Saturday, departure Sunday, during November 2020 for hardstands and Pods only. No tented accommodation accepted due to winter ground conditions. The site closes for the season on 29th November 2020. We plan to re-open late March 2021, dates to be finalised by Feb 2021 when online bookings recommence.”

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?

The Street Diner winter opening hours: Winter Opening hours-click here. This take away offers excellent street food 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.

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.

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!

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. Fridge currently closed with covid restrictions in place.

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 family if the delivery arrives late or there is an issue.

Can I order a takeaway?

No. We have no local takeaway outlets. Takeaway service is extremely limited. Bellingham, 20 miles away, has a chinese takeaway. Perhaps a good idea to visit on the way if you are arriving late.

Where can I eat out?

We are currently limited in our eat offerings. Newcastleton in Scotland is currently out of commission due to the local road being closed.

Find below our closest eateries currently available. Early booking essential, by early we mean days in advance, not hours.

The Pheasant Inn, click here.

The Boe Rigg, click here.

 

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.