Situated opposite a picturesque county park, Bolam Lake Camping Paddock offers a relaxing almost wild camping stay just 25 minutes from Newcastle. This dog and family-friendly site offers non electric grass tent pitches surrounded by beautiful farmland. Within 30 minutes of the Northumberland Coast and Hadrian's Wall, you will also be in a prime location for days out!

Why choose Bolam Lake Camping Paddock

Almost wild camping on a peaceful family and dog friendly site in the heart of the Northumberland

Situated opposite Bolam Lake Country Park with lakeside walks, canoeing, fishing and a cafe

Within 30 minutes of Newcastle, Hadrian's Wall, the coast and Northumberland National Park

About the site

Surrounded by stunning countryside, this almost-wild camping site offers a true back-to-basics stay where campers can simply relax and enjoy the outdoors. Opposite a beautiful country park, guests will have easy access to stunning walks, fishing, and canoeing. The off-grid site is situated in the heart of Northumberland with just 12 non allocated grass pitches, each without electric and suitable for tents only. Each pitch allows up to six people with space for a gazebo if you're wanting some additional shade. Wake up in peaceful paddocks surrounded by beautiful countryside and woodland, and even be greeted by the friendly neighbouring horses who are always happy to say hello! BBQs are allowed so make sure you bring your burgers with you, and don't forget your chef's apron. Four-legged friends are also welcome to join you for your stay, with up to two allowed per pitch. This is a Wanderlust Camping Club certificated site so guests must be a member, so please add this when booking.

"The night sky was so clear, we got to watch a meteor shower"

Sophie C

"Wonderful memories made, in a beautiful location, with fantastic hosts"

Andrea S

"Amazing paddock with spectacular views"

David M

"Will 100% be back here for sure!"

Georgina W

Bolam Lake Camping Paddock is open from 18/04 to 25/10.

Facilities and amenities

Accessible facilities

Allow commercial vans

Allow pets on site

Café / restaurant / takeaway

Drinking water

Family friendly

Shop

Showers

Toilets

W.C. disposal

WiFi

Peaceful

The site facilities include regularly cleaned portable toilets and washing-up facilities. Please note, there are no showers onsite.

There are great pubs nearby including the Ox Inn, the Dyke Neuk, the Beresford Arms and the Tomahawk Steakhouse, all within a ten minute drive.

For stocking up on supplies, there is a village shop just five minutes away in Belsay, or Ponteland is a ten minute drive away with a supermarket and a selection of pubs, cafés, restaurants and takeaways. Morpeth is a 20 minute drive and has a Lidl and Morrisons.

A note from the site themselves...

We are a small family-run campsite and we have lived in Bolam for 28 years. We opened our camping paddock in 2020 as a bit of an experiment and were so delighted when so many campers came to stay with us in this beautiful bit of Northumberland that we are lucky enough to call home.

We have met so many lovely people during the last two seasons and our aim is to offer campers the type of experience that we enjoy too - beautiful countryside in a peaceful location, spacious pitches, clean well managed facilities and within easy reach of great places to explore.

We are passionate about protecting the countryside so we encourage our guests to reduce and recycle their waste whilst they stay with us.

We live in a great part of Northumberland and would like to share this with you too. We are looking forward to meeting you very soon and we are always on hand to help in any way that we can to make your stay special, David and Jill Fozard.

Bolam Lake Camping Paddock is ideal for...

Older children (13+)

Peace and quiet

Young children

There are 14 accommodation options on-site

Bookable pitches and accommodation options

12 x Non Electric Grass Pitches

Max 6 people

Grass pitches without electric suitable for tents only. All unallocated in a spacious field.

Other accommodation

2 x Non Electric Grass Campervan Pitches

Max 6 people

Grass pitches without electric suitable for campervans only. All unallocated in a spacious field.

Bolam Lake Camping Paddock reviews

4.91 /5

44 reviews

98%

would recommend

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Latest

Showing the most recent reviews from guests

Night of peace

Recommends site

Lisa M

Medium Tent - Non Electric Grass PitchesAug 2025

Myself and my sister stayed for one night for a change of scenery and some peace and quiet. It was perfect. The site was peaceful and scenic. We lived it.

Site's response

Thanks so much for your feedback and we are pleased that you enjoyed your stay with us. Midweek tends to be a little quieter so we are pleased that you could just relax and enjoy a peaceful time in the countryside. Thank you for staying with us and hope you visit again soon.

Great experience!

Recommends site

Aaron H

Medium Tent - Non Electric Grass PitchesAug 2025

We really enjoyed our stay. The hosts are really helpful and friendly and made us feel very welcome. Thank You! Aaron

Site's response

Thanks so much for sharing your feedback and we are pleased that you enjoyed your stay here. We are a small campsite located in beautiful Northumbrian countryside - we offer simple camping but we offer spacious pitches, very clean facilities and great views. We enjoy meeting the great people who stay with us and we hope that we offer everyone a warm welcome. Thank you for staying with us and we hope that you visit again soon.

Camping haven

Recommends site

Ali B

Large Tent - Non Electric Grass PitchesAug 2025

Our hosts were super accommodating, both Jill and Dave came round and had a chat and made sure we had everything we need. The toilets were clean, kitchen area too. We had the best space there with picnic table next to the horses. The bairns loved it - plenty room to run around and nipped into Bolam lake to walk the pooch.

Site's response

Thanks so much for sharing your feedback as we really appreciate it. It was great to meet you all and we are pleased that you enjoyed your stay. We love to see children playing together and the horses seem to like their camper neighbours. Thanks for visiting our lovely bit of Northumberland and we hope you visit again soon :)

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Site tariff

FAQ

What time is check-in and check out at Bolam Lake Camping Paddock?

Check-in is available from 2pm. Departure is due before noon on your last day.

Is Bolam Lake Camping Paddock dog-friendly?

Yes! Dogs are welcome at Bolam Lake Camping Paddock. Dogs must be kept on the lead at all times and not left unattended.

Does Bolam Lake Camping Paddock allow BBQs and campfires?

BBQs are allowed at Bolam Lake Camping Paddock. However, they must be raised off the ground. Open fires are not permitted.

What attractions are nearby Bolam Lake Camping Paddock?

There are many great attractions close to Bolam Lake Camping Paddock, here are just a few:

Bolam Lake Country Park (right opposite the site)
Northumberlandia landform sculpture (25 minutes)
Blyth Beach (35 minutes)
Northumberland Zoo (25 minutes)
Discovery Museum (35 minutes)

Can I bring an awning, gazebo or pup tent with me to Bolam Lake Camping Paddock?

Guests are welcome to bring a gazebo free of charge but pup tents and awnings are only permitted on the campervan pitches.

Things to do on site and in the Newcastle Upon Tyne area

With Bolam Lake Country Park opposite the site, there is plenty to keep you busy without even having to get in the car. The park offers stunning walking trails, a bird hide, canoeing and fishing.

The beautiful Northumberlandia landform sculpture is also just a 25 minute drive away. This unique attraction shows a lady rising out from the earth with miles of footpaths for you to follow.

For a day out at the beach, Blyth Beach (35 minutes) offers a beautiful sandy shore with stunning blue waters, perfect for a dip in the sea. You can grab a fish and chips or bring your four-legged friends for a walk in the designated dog area.

Belsay village is just a five minute drive away with a great village shop that sells all of the essentials and lots of local produce too. Belsay also has a lovely coffee shop and Belsay Hall, Castle and Gardens is a great place for a morning or afternoon out.

If you enjoy walking, well, there's no shortage of great trails, including several routes that start from the campsite to explore more of the stunning countryside. Bolam is also popular with cyclists - a perfect location to explore the many routes for beginners and more experienced cyclists too.

Other nearby attractions include:

Whitehouse Farm Centre (20 minutes)
Northumberland Zoo (25 minutes)
Corbridge Roman Town - Hadrian's Wall (30 minutes)
Discovery Museum (35 minutes)
National Trust - Wallington Hall (5 minutes), Cragside (30 minutes) and Cherryburn (35 minutes)

The listing for Bolam Lake Camping Paddock was last updated on August 23rd, 2025 at 12:12 AM