In 1842 it was recorded that Allendale Town was the Centre of Great Britain.  The longitude and latitude readings on the sundial on the church tower are said to substantiate that claim. Although originally considered a town, at the centre of the Northumberland lead mining industry, the old village is nowadays very quiet. In one survey it was considered the best village in England.

Unless you are party to these little known facts, you have probably never heard of Allendale! The nearest conurbation is the charming and vibrant market town of Hexham with its famous abbey, about nine miles from the park. Ten miles away is the best-preserved central section of Hadrian’s Wall, possibly the eighth wonder of the world!

MY KIND OF PARK

A stroll from the village is Allendale Caravan Park, in an area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Many of the parks we feature have upwards of 200 holiday units, plus plus... Allendale has permission for just 44. My kind of park!

The park mainly comprises a long strip of elevated land encased in woodland, and was once the terminus of the former Hexham-Allendale railway, disused for the past 55 years or so. Apart from your neighbours at either side, you have a sense of being surrounded by countryside. Most holiday homes have views across the Allen Valley.

Allendale’s current owners, Mike and Verona Woodhouse, have been in situ for three and a half years and it is, for them, a labour of love – when I arrived Mike was labouring away on site. The size of the park and the hands-on approach of the Woodhouses means that it is very personalised – everyone knows one another and, as a new face on site, people are aware you are there.

There is a comprehensive rule list, but I suspect it seldom needs to be drawn on. The atmosphere is such that people will want to preserve the peaceful atmosphere, and relationships are such that if you wanted to put a shed up, for example, it would be natural to talk to Mike or Verona about it.

HIS KIND OF PARK

When Allendale Caravan Park applied for the David Bellamy Award in 2004, it went straight in at Gold! Such is the setting, and the wide variety of fauna and flora in site, as well as the new owners’ commitment to be environmentally friendly.

Wild birds and animals include pheasant and partridge, woodpecker, red squirrel, deer. Not only has the park the Gold Award, but David Bellamy has been filmed there for a short film to be shown world-wide on the subject of sustainable tourism.

HERITAGE

There are few traces of the industrial past of the area, and the closing of the railway put the seal on that.

No longer can milk be transported to town by rail, and the lead is no longer mined. Milk was once particularly popular as the miners believed it slowed the onset of lead poisoning – I expect they chanted ‘a pinta a day keeps the poison at bay!

Two museums, at Killhope and Nenthead, help keep the past alive. It is hard to believe the area was once so busy – there are lovely buildings to remind the visitor of the past, but nothing more.

Beyond the boundaries of the park, Allendale Golf Club is an attraction to several of the visitors to the caravan park. Fishing is available at Langley Dam, just over two miles away. Horse-riding and pony trekking centres are also close by.

Going into town at Hexham will feel like the big city by contrast, but there is plenty to see and do there, with the prospect of returning to utter peace and quiet.

A NICE FEATURE

The park produces its own news sheet each season, keeping everyone in touch with developments. I think this is a great idea and reflects the friendly nature of the park.

New owners are welcomed and goodbyes said to those who may be leaving.

In this spring’s edition, there is news that the park owners are starting to gather information on the ‘carbon footprint’ of the park. The intention then is to reduce it where possible! Re-cycling collections are also introduced in that issue of the newssheet.

Other news includes activities available in Allendale, such as walks leaflets, an art tour, a free map with details of the agricultural show and flower show.
Entries for the craft section of the flower show are welcome from holidaymakers too.

MIX AND MATCH

I spoke to a family from Washington, co Durham, who had recently bought a holiday home at Allendale. They were looking for a park, so came to check it out. They liked the conservation aspect. Their pitch is at the ‘quiet end’ – I think that means quieter than quiet! – and they love to watch pheasants and hedgehogs. Around their holiday home the family had already put personalised items, some to attract the wildlife. The park boasts no fewer than 87 species of bird!

From home to the park is just 50 minutes, and they consider that an ideal distance. Kids and parents are more than satisified. They like the walk into Allendale and the boys have bikes on site, which keeps them endlessly occupied. There is also a walkway to the stream below, with a bench seat if you want to take it in stages and take in the view.

VERDICT

My friend Mike who accompanied me on this visit is definitely a ‘camping sauvage’ man. To my amazement I found him waxing lyrical about this park, because of the setting and its unspoilt nature. So perhaps it’s a park for retired campers! Certainly in Allendale Caravan Park’s case, the epithet ‘away from it all’ sticks.

TRY BEFORE YOU BUY

If you’d like to have a look at Allendale, you could stay at the four star apartment, recently re-converted from a ground floor part of the old station house. It consists of the booking office, Station Master’s Office, Staff Room and Waiting Room. A sunlounge has been added, and the renovations are attractively modern, while retaining the character of the original building.

This will cost you between £250 and £400 for a full week, and short breaks are also possible. Nothing lost if you take a break there, to see whether it is the park for you. The park is open for owner-occupiers from mid-March through to October, and the apartment is available all year.

Friends and family of the owners are given a discount on their stay in the apartment. A two feet thick wall divides the apartment from the owners’ accommodation, by the way!

FOR SALE

At the time of writing there are four newly developed pitches available for caravans up to 40ft x 13ft and with hard standing for a car. There are currently occupied by show homes, but your own choice could be sited. Two smaller pitches are also available, one for vans up to 35ft x 12ft, the other up to 26ft x 12ft. A new 2-bed Swift Moselle 38ft x 12ft is currently available at £27,870. Pre-owned models are often available – contact park for latest details.

LOCAL INFO

• Local amenities: There’s a Co-op in Allendale, less than a mile from the park, and another at Haydon Bridge, near Hexham, less than five miles away. The nearest post office is in Allendale, too, along with a Lloyds Bank. There’s a garden centre at Shields Green, Hexham (just over 8 miles).
• Health: GP’s services can be found at the Health Centre in Allendale, but dentists and opticians are 8 miles away at Hexham, where there is also a general hospital. Allendale’s Co-op has a pharmacy.
• Public transport: The nearest rail service is from Haydon Bridge to Newcastle or Carlisle for onward journeys. There is no bus service at Allendale, except for school services during term time. Haydon Bridge has an hourly service to Hexham, plus buses on the Newcastle-Carlisle route.
• Eating and drinking: There are three pubs in Allendale, and several more within a few miles. Haydon Bridge has a tandoori and
a chippy, while Hexham
has restaurants for all tastes.
• Entertainment: The single screen Forum cinema in Hexham shows latest releases. The Empire Theatre at Consett (18 miles) has a cinema showing recent releases and also hosts amateur and professional music events, shows and drama. The Lamplight Arts Centre at Stanley (23 miles) hosts shows and an art gallery.

WHAT CAN I DO AROUND HERE?

Wilderness walks – Beyond the local walks and cycle rides, many attractions are within easy reach, including Allen Banks and Staward Gorge, owned by the National Trust, with Victorian wilderness walks and viewpoints and woodland wildlife.

Roman remains – Chesters Roman Cavalry Fort by Hadrian’s Wall is the best preserved of its kind in Britain. The steam rooms, changing rooms and bathing areas all remain, and a museum hosts a collection of the Roman remains.

Hexham highlights – At Hexham, the Garden Station Woodland Garden is a venue for exhibitions and courses, and has eco features of interest and plants for sale as well as an enticing tearoom. The town also has an attractive abbey, and much more.

Forest fun – Kielder Forest Park and Kielder Water have England’s largest forest and northern Europe’s largest man-made lake, with cycle routes, walks, water sports, riding, fishing, and a waterside restaurant at the Tower Knowe visitor centre.

CONTACT

Allendale Caravan Park, Station House, Catton, Hexham, Northumberland NE47 9QF. Tel: 01434 683362. Email: [email protected].
Website: www.allendale-holidays.co.uk

• Open mid-March to October 31
• 15-year licence
• Site fees £1150-£1540
• No sub-letting, but family and friends welcome
• Dogs permitted
• Bottled gas; electricity billed by park
• Ground rent from £1150


This park review was published in the August 2008 issue of Park & Holiday Homes magazine. To order our latest issue please click here.


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