Infomation

Sawmill Campsite at Scots’ Gap is a small (6 acre) campsite run by the City of Newcastle District Scout Council, in a beautiful part of Northumberland. The land has been rented from the National Trust for over 40 years with the aim of providing a facility for Scouts and other youth groups to learn and develop their basic camping skills in an enjoyable and pleasant environment.

There are two camping areas surrounded by trees. The Delf Burn flows down the west side of the site. The facilities are intentionally simple as a back to basics campsite and in Scout Association terms, it is designated as a greenfield campsite. Mains water, paved fireplace areas, flagpole, urinal screen and Elsan pit are provided.

The site is available for groups, such as:

Scout Association

Guide Association

Army & Air Cadets

Duke of Edinburgh (DofE) Groups

Young Fire Fighters

Schools

Home Schooling Groups

Re-enactment Groups

• Police:

  • telephone 999 or for non-urgent assistance 101

• Doctor:

  • Scots’ Gap Surgery (weekdays only)

• Hospitals:

  • Wansbeck (Ashington) (17 miles) 03448118111

  • A&E Newcastle RVI Hospital (20 miles) 0191 2336161

  • Hexham (23 miles) Urgent care 8am - 11pm only 03448118111

  • NHS Non-Emergency Service: dial 111

• General provisions and newspapers:

  • The Village Store, Scots’ Gap Country Store: Robson & Cowan, Scots’ Gap - extensive range of house, garden, farming and camping supplies

• Garage:

  • Robson & Cowan, Scots’ Gap (petrol & diesel)

• Public telephone:

  • Scots’ Gap Bus Services: 508 Gateshead/Newcastle/Belsay/Scots Gap to Fontburn/Rothbury/Cragside – Sundays and Bank Holidays May to October

• Churches:

  • Church of England: Cambo

  • Presbyterian: Middleton Methodist: Scots Gap

  • Roman Catholic: Rothbury, Morpeth and Ponteland

• Public House:

  • Ox Inn, Middleton

• Nearest shops/supermarkets and swimming pools:

  • Rothbury (11 miles), Morpeth (12 miles), Ponteland (17 miles)

• Rothley Crags - MR 81/NZ043 888 access 1 mile.

  • Rock climbing, bouldering and abseiling are possible. (Featured in Northumberland Climbing Guide)

• Simonside Hills - MR 81/NZ024 987 access 9 miles

  • Climbing & extensive walking routes, some of which are waymarked by the Forestry Commission.

• Wannie Line walk - MR 81/033 878 access 1 mile.

  • This circular walk in part follows the route of the dismantled railway. A leaflet detailing the route can be obtained from the National Trust shop at Wallington.

• Conservation work on the Wallington Estate

  • Opportunities arise for Groups camping or visiting to take part in hands-on conservation work with the National Trust. Typical activities are construction projects, eg. steps, wildlife watching and recording (spring and summer) and woodland management e.g. tree planting and felling (autumn and winter). Groups wishing to explore the possibilities can either contact the National Trust direct by e-mail at wallington@nationaltrust.org.uk or indicate their interest via the Camp Site Booking procedure.

• Bolam Lake Country Park (Northumberland County Council) - MR 81/NZ083 820 access 6 miles.

  • A nature reserve, but canoeing and fishing (with permits only) can be undertaken at the eastern end of the lake from 15 June until 15 March. A good network of public rights of way around the Park offer half or full-day circular routes. Self-guided trail guides are on sale at the Visitor Centre. Details and cost of fees can be obtained by telephoning the Visitor Centre 01661 881234.

• Fontburn Reservoir (Northumbrian Water) - MR 81/NZ049 935 access 5 miles.

  • Fishing, but with permits only. A nature reserve and walking route around the reservoir. Rangers and shop 01669 621368

• Wallington House and Gardens (National Trust) - MR 81/NZ028 843 access 3 miles.

  • Mansion set in an extensive garden and parkland. There are walks through a variety of lawns and woodland and an adventure play area suitable for up to 12-year-olds. Longer estate walks encompass wooded valleys and high moorland. Leaflets for self-guided walks are available from the National Trust. The gardens and grounds are open all year round. But with restricted winter opening Tel.: 01670 773600

• Belsay Hall, Castle and Grounds (English Heritage) - MR 81/NZ089 784 access 8 miles.

  • House, gardens and castle can all be explored. The Crag Wood walks takes about 30-45 minutes. Open all the year round but with restricted winter opening Tel.: 01661 881636

• Cragside, Rothbury (National Trust) - MR 81/NU 073 022 access 12 miles.

  • Home of the late Lord Armstrong, Victorian inventor and landscape genius. Cragside is crammed with ingenious gadgets and was the first house in the world to be lit by hydroelectricity. Over 800 acres of woodland and moorland with footpaths and roads for exploration. Gardens and ground open all year. Tel.: 01669 620333

• Apart from the itineraries listed, there are potentially many more places of interest: the Northumberland Coastline, Hadrian’s Wall (a World Heritage Site), Kielder Water and Forest, Alnwick Castle and Gardens. There is also access to Tyneside with museums, galleries, cinemas, theatres and major shopping centres.

• NB National Trust and English Heritage sites offer concessions to Scout and Guide parties and some free entries for educational visits. Advanced bookings are required.

  • Details:

    • National Trust: 0344 800 1895

    • English Heritage: 0370 333 1181