Kielder wild camping.

[Bobbybus]

Wild camping is not allowed in the park unless you are going to a designated back packing site. Has anybody wild camped nearby, preferably close to the observatory, that they can recommend?

 

[Richardmk]

I've used both the Angler's Arms and the wooded car park behind the Bike hire shop at the castle. If you follow the track to the right of left of the castle entrance there are a couple of wide pull ins. As most of the villagers are employed by the Forestry Commission, there's a likelihood of being asked to move if spotted. A friend recommends the car park in the woods by the viaduct at Butteryhaugh, but not tried that. All are relatively close to the observatory.


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[Bobbybus]

I have now used the Pheasant Inn Britstop, just south of the Dam. Good food and quiet. Went on to the observatory for good evening watching the stars...and clouds.

 

[MattBW]

There is an actual campsite in the forest which may be less hassle.

 

[Bobbybus]

Thanks Matt and sorry for the late reply. (Poor Internet signal)
I've now moved on some what. Most of the Scotland NC 500 now completed plus 3 nights on Skye.
Piccies to follow on return home at the weekend.

 

[JOY29]

There is an actual campsite in the forest which may be less hassle.

where is this? Leaplish? this is all I can find and it seems closed, not sure if this is for winter wonderland?

 

[MattBW]

http://kieldercampsite.co.uk/ closes 12th October.

 

[GrumpyGranddad]

We’re booked in at the Kielder campsite for a couple of nights in July. Question, does anybody know if they allow vehicle movements at night? We want to go to the observatory and obviously wouldn’t get back to the site until gone midnight.

 

[Cloudbreak]

We stopped there last month. The reception was only manned for short periods, presumably as its a community-run enterprise. There is no barrier on the site, so you are free to come and go, and see no reason why you shouldn't transit to what is one of the big attractions (dark Sky's park). Camping pitches are informal but all vehicles must be parked in the designated car park at the end of the field after pitching (other than camper vans).

 

[RockinNRollin]

Noting that the OP's situation has since moved on, but more generally and perhaps I'm going to be unpopular, but if there is a specific prohibition on it, just don't do it - use a proper camping ground or find a friendly hotel/pub (if there is one) and agree with the landlord that if you fill yourself on their food and drink in the evening, you can kip in their car park. Knowingly disregarding a prohibition is only going to increase "anti-camper" sentiments and while you yourself might not cause any problems, you just being there might be enough to encourage a passing other camper/great white to also stop and they are the ones causing an issue.

 

[GrumpyGranddad]

Noting that the OP's situation has since moved on, but more generally and perhaps I'm going to be unpopular, but if there is a specific prohibition on it, just don't do it - use a proper camping ground or find a friendly hotel/pub (if there is one) and agree with the landlord that if you fill yourself on their food and drink in the evening, you can kip in their car park. Knowingly disregarding a prohibition is only going to increase "anti-camper" sentiments and while you yourself might not cause any problems, you just being there might be enough to encourage a passing other camper/great white to also stop and they are the ones causing an issue.

Although I posted on a thread about wild camping the Kielder Campsite is a designated campsite @RockinNRollin
£30 per night. Nearest one to the observatory. Sorry for any confusion.

 

[Camperfamily]

@GrumpyGranddad hope the midges aren’t too bad. We went in late June last year and only survived 1 night, drove home next day!

 

[Happy Snapper]

You can park up overnight for £10 at several car parks around Kielder (the Elf Kirk one offers great views over the reservoir). See the "Overnight parking" section at http://www.visitkielder.com/visit/know-before-you-go for details.

 

[GrumpyGranddad]

@GrumpyGranddad hope the midges aren’t too bad. We went in late June last year and only survived 1 night, drove home next day!

Oh well!
After several trips to Scotland we’ve got the full midge armoury but fingers crossed. If they are too bad, we’ll have to leave :-(

 

[Cali Phillip]

@GrumpyGranddad hope the midges aren’t too bad. We went in late June last year and only survived 1 night, drove home next day!

midges at Kielder can be every bit as bad as Skye.

 

[couplands]

You can park up overnight for £10 at several car parks around Kielder (the Elf Kirk one offers great views over the reservoir). See the "Overnight parking" section at http://www.visitkielder.com/visit/know-before-you-go for details.

Also, for those using an EV camper, there are more EV charge points around Kielder than there are fuel stations (based on my observation of driving around Kielder last year).

 

[Cali Phillip]

Oh well!
After several trips to Scotland we’ve got the full midge armoury but fingers crossed. If they are too bad, we’ll have to leave :-(

I take as std kit in the season.
Head net each
Smidge for midge and ticks.
Vw window screens with midge mesh
Roof with midge mesh in vents
Mosquito killer with HV grid battery powered
A form of onboard toilet to avoid exiting the van sunset to sunrise when its worst.
Amusement at folk doing the midge dance while safe behind mesh.
A white flag to admit defeat and go somewhere less midge coast or windy / strong sun.

 

[yossarian]

Head net each

I have but Mrs Y thinks midges are a mere annoyance. Oh well, nice knowing you Mrs Y.

Smidge for midge and ticks.

Check. And jungle formula.

Vw window screens with midge mesh

Check.

Roof with midge mesh in vents

Check.

Mosquito killer with HV grid battery powered

Mine's old fashioned Pyrethrin based. Similar idea

A white flag to admit defeat and go somewhere less midge coast or windy / strong sun.

Good call. They are bloody evil beasties.

 

[GrumpyGranddad]

I take as std kit in the season.
Head net each
Smidge for midge and ticks.
Vw window screens with midge mesh
Roof with midge mesh in vents
Mosquito killer with HV grid battery powered
A form of onboard toilet to avoid exiting the van sunset to sunrise when its worst.
Amusement at folk doing the midge dance while safe behind mesh.
A white flag to admit defeat and go somewhere less midge coast or windy / strong sun.

Ditto, have all that stuff except the white flag We also carry some citronella candles.
The only place we’ve been REALLY bothered by midges so far was Ardmair Point campsite near Ullapool.

 

[Cali Phillip]

Ditto, have all that stuff except the white flag We also carry some citronella candles.
The only place we’ve been REALLY bothered by midges so far was Ardmair Point campsite near Ullapool.

yes they help too. Strong sun and wind good but those can change rapidly as I can attest to almost falling off on lead climb trying to put a head net on after the wind dropped !
Thats we up there.

 

[The Merle]

Oh well!
After several trips to Scotland we’ve got the full midge armoury but fingers crossed. If they are too bad, we’ll have to leave :-(

Still midge free in the Cairngorms, well in the Glenlivet estate and gorgeous sunshine.
Perfect weather for building a wood store.

 

[Cali Phillip]

It was lively this am with
Midge, wind dropped and had to drive little with meshes in to clear the buggers.

 

[AndrewCook680]

Still midge free in the Cairngorms, well in the Glenlivet estate and gorgeous sunshine.
Perfect weather for building a wood store.

they were hungry at linn of quoich on other side of Cairngorms this morning apparently according to some campers I met on Beinn a’bhuird, but none at corgarff at 05.30 when I started bike ride, it was cold then Though

 

[The Merle]

they were hungry at linn of quoich on other side of Cairngorms this morning apparently according to some campers I met on Beinn a’bhuird, but none at corgarff at 05.30 when I started bike ride, it was cold then Though

You’re not far from me, are you cycling up the lecht. Misty morning, now clearing

 

[AndrewCook680]

No - 62km offroad mountain bike ride and push over 2 munros. I live near Insch (Aberdeenshire) so local day trip.