Co Durham Newbie looking for advice

[razorwire]

Hi,

Im planning on taking my 2 sons away for a few hiking and camping nights in the summer 2007.

However, could anyone tell me where is ideal in the Co Durham area, to camp and have camp fires.

I am really looking for a non camp site, but more somewhere in the wild, where they can observe the countryside and wildlife, both day and night, with few distractions caused by overcrowded campsites.

I am aware of the safety factors regarding fires etc, and do plan to plan it properly well before hand. Thats why Im asking in January.

Any help, would be great.

Cheers

[lewisa]

The British Mountaineering Council offer the following guidelines on wild camping -

Above 1000' / 300mtr contour
Above the last sheep intake wall
Not within 100 metres of human habitation, occupied or not.

Follow those guidelines and you are unlikely to run into trouble. Note though they are only guidelines and landowners can still kick you off, even on CRoW land.


In the past ive found Co. Durham not the friendliest place for wild camping, the pennines to the west of the region are a pretty barren place, exposed, very little woodland. All youve really got are Hampsterly(sp?) and Staley forest, neither are very large, nor are they particularly remote, but they do the job. Other than those you should expect exposure.

Just a thought - if you were willing to head another 40 miles or so north you woud have Kielder forest to play around in, and thats massive.

[razorwire]

Thanks for the reply.

You mention Hampsterly and Staley forest. Are these OK for having a small campfire, without much hastle, or would I have to ask someones permission in advance.

Kielder sounds good, but again, any ideas on campfires?

I am really trying to give my kids the full on camping experience, so the fire part is crucial. The warmth, the clothes drying, and the cooking.. I really cant wait for summer.


CHeers

Eric

[Wolfhill]

Hi Razorwire, welcome to WAB. Not being from your area, I'm afraid I can't answer your question

[lewisa]

Have you done much wild camping in the past?

If the answer is no Id probably give Cty Durham a miss and head to Kielder.

Originally Posted by razorwire

Thanks for the reply.
You mention Hampsterly and Staley forest. Are these OK for having a small campfire, without much hastle, or would I have to ask someones permission in advance.

Hmm, well strictly speaking you should ask permission to camp anywhere, fire or not. I dont tend to though (read: never), but when Ive gone the day after the landowner wouldnt even know Id been there -that includes sorting fire debris as well. Play the game and things tend to come up rosey, or so I find.

Ive camped in one of those woods (I cant recall which it was sorry), group of two with two tents, on motorbikes, bikes hidden in woods, had small fire, didnt have any problems. IIRC correctly finding a place to park that wouldnt scream out 'Campers Here!' would have been a problem (this is a little joke that we have as bikers becuase you can camp in a lot more places and get away with it)

It isnt the fire that gives you away, its the car, usually. Or thats what ive found over the years. The only times ive ever been collared is with the car.

Kielder sounds good, but again, any ideas on campfires?

Kielder is big enough to get lost in. Think Grisedale without the madding crowd. At night its deadly quiet, although you may get other people with the same idea as you, if your a georgie and like camping you will spend a lot of time there. Get lost in the middle and Id be amazed if anyone crossed your path(after 7-8pm at least). Again the fires will be by default against the rules: You avoids the official campsites, you takes yer chances. There is an MOD electronic warfare test facility at one corner of the forest which one has to be aware of, and avoid.

I am really trying to give my kids the full on camping experience, so the fire part is crucial. The warmth, the clothes drying, and the cooking.. I really cant wait for summer.

On that note Id say avoid Cty Durham. If I was a young lad it wouldnt be my idea of fun. In the high remote places there isnt firewood or shelter for miles, and the places where fires and shelter are suitable are good for discreet camping like get there late, pitch, sleep, leave early.

Of course there is always the chance that there is the most perfect esoteric place in the UK hiding somewhere near there, and if anyone else knows please let me know, i wont tell anyone, honest! Not likely though.

HTH.

Oh, and if you do do the big forest thing, a compass is a pretty good idea - and dont be frightened of walking on a bearing to reach the edge and then find your car that way!

And if the worst comes to the worst with Kielder and you get a shotgun and dog dude, there are official campsites in the vaciinity.

[razorwire]

Thanks,

Its been awhile since ive camped myself, I used to be in the TA, so I have a little experience in roughing it, even though its about 15 years ago. Its that experience, which actaully wants me to take the kids, or maybe its a hidden child in me wishing to come out.

Cars, yes, thats a problem, never thought of that little issue too well. Just assumed I could find a car park somewhere, and walk for a bit to a place to setup camp.

Seems like with most things, it going to be trial and error, and if those men with dogs and guns appear, I'll just plead ignorant on the matter, and hope for the best.


Cheers

Eric