Herding Hill Farm: A Brilliant Base for Exploring Hadrian’s Wall

If you’re looking for glamping in Northumberland, a campsite close to Hadrian’s Wall, or simply somewhere a little different for a weekend away, Herding Hill Farm is well worth considering and now one of my favourite escapes.

Set in the Northumberland countryside near Haltwhistle, this small and friendly campsite manages to offer something for almost everyone, from traditional tent camping and motorhome pitches to budget-friendly camping pods and much more luxurious glamping pods with private hot tubs.

I particularly like the way the site combines the feel of a proper Northumberland countryside campsite retreat with some surprisingly luxurious accommodation.

Herding Hill Farm is really easy to get to, being quite near Haltwhistle and only a 5 min drive off the A69 which connects Carlisle to Newcastle.

Where is Herding Hill Farm IN NORTHUMBERLAND?

Herding Hill Farm is at Shield Hill, just outside Haltwhistle in Northumberland, which is considered the centre of the UK and its location is one of its biggest selling points.

It’s only around a mile from Hadrian’s Wall, making it an excellent base for exploring one of the most spectacular sections of the historic Roman frontier. Cawfields Quarry and the surrounding Wall walks are particularly close, so you can leave the car behind and get straight out onto the trails. For anyone visiting Northumberland specifically to walk Hadrian’s Wall, this is a really convenient place to stay and close to my favourite section of Hadrian’s Wall

It’s also close to Haltwhistle for supplies, pubs and places to eat, while still feeling properly rural once you’re back on the farm.

Here you can see the relative small size of of Herding Hill and it’s nice layout. You can also see how close it is to Hadrian’s Wall with the lake at Cawfields next to the wall visible in the top left of the drobe photo. 

A small and intimate campsite NEAR HADRIAN’S WALL

One of the things I really liked about Herding Hill Farm is that it doesn’t feel like a huge holiday park. It’s relatively small and intimate, with a peaceful atmosphere and plenty of rolling Northumberland countryside around it. The site also operates a quiet policy, which makes a difference if you’re looking for a relaxing break rather than somewhere dominated by noise and entertainment.

It’s a 5-star campsite and 5 AA Platinum Pennant site, but it doesn’t lose that friendly, rural campsite feeling.

There are 8 Luxury Glamping Posd with Hot Tubs and 16 more budget freindly pods as well as space for motorhomes and a handful of tents

Accommodation to suit different budgets

There’s a good range of accommodation, which means you can make a stay here as cheap or as luxurious as you want.

Camping and motorhomes

If you’re a traditional camper, there are grass tent pitches as well as touring pitches for caravans and motorhomes, including serviced options.

So you can simply turn up with your tent or motorhome and enjoy the Northumberland countryside without paying for accommodation you don’t need.

Budget-friendly camping pods

For something between camping and glamping, there are the Wigwam camping pods.

They’re insulated, heated and have electricity, with different options depending on whether you want your own toilet and running water. Some can also be booked with private hot tubs.

They’re a great option if you like the idea of camping but don’t fancy putting a tent up — particularly outside the summer months.

This was my luxury pod for the weekend complete with Hot tub and fire pit!

The luxury glamping pods with hot tubs

This is where Herding Hill Farm really stands out and the accommodation I was fortunate enough to stay in on my long weekend at Herding Hill Farm was the luxury glamping accommodation with private hot tubs.

These Castle Pods, are designed specifically for adults and are ideal for couples looking for a more romantic break.

These aren’t just basic camping pods with a bed thrown inside. The Castle Pods have underfloor heating, a wood-burning stove, an en-suite shower room, a properly equipped kitchenette, quality bedding, outdoor seating, a private hot tub and a fire pit. That combination covers everything you would possible need and makes them for me one of the best luxury camping pod stays in Northumberland.

You can spend the day walking across the hills and exploring Hadrian’s Wall, come back tired, light the fire, pour yourself a drink and then jump into your own hot tub and watch the stars if you are lucky as your are in a dark sky area with very little light pollution around you.

The hot tubs are very private with fantatsic views of the surrounding countryside

Inside the luxury Glamping Pods is warm and cosy with under floor heating, comfy double bed, large sofa and fully equipped kitchen 

The pods are great for watching the sun go down and the views make for relaxing slow mornings to enjoy a nice cuppa

Plenty of facilities on site at Herding Hill

Despite being a relatively small campsite, there’s a lot going on.

There’s a heated amenities building with excellent showers, family bathroom facilities, laundry facilities, an indoor campers’ kitchen and even a sauna available for private hire.

Sauna – £10 per hour

The 8-person sauna can be hired privately for £10 per hour, which is a great little extra after a long day walking Hadrian’s Wall.

It’s based in the central part of the shower block and can be accessed with private key from either the mens or womans area. It’s the sort of facility you don’t usually find on a campsite, and it adds another level of relaxation to your glamping weekend.

The sauna is large enough for 8 people, but at £10 for an hour its good value even if it’s just you! Just book your time slot in advance to ensure its the right temperature when you want it

BBQ Hut

There’s also a BBQ hut available for private hire, with space for up to 20 people.

It’s a particularly good idea if you’re visiting with friends or family, and it means you can still have that outdoor camping experience even if the Northumberland weather isn’t playing ball.

Animal feeding

One of the nicest touches for families is the farm’s animal area.

Children can get involved with feeding the animals, with alpacas, a donkey, Shetland pony, chickens, rabbits, guinea pigs and Kunekune pigs among the residents.

It’s a simple idea, but it’s exactly the sort of thing that makes a campsite feel like somewhere children can actually explore rather than simply somewhere to sleep.

Pizza night

Another great touch is the homemade pizza delivery, available to the accommodation on Friday evenings during the season.

There’s something very satisfying about arriving for a weekend of glamping, settling into your pod and having a pizza delivered right to your door rather than having to head back out in search of dinner.

I struck gold on this trip with the stars. Whilst the Friday was overcast – the Saturday night was incredible. I’ve only ever seen this amount of stars in the night sky when wild camping in the Lake District. This is beacause Herding Hill falls within the Northumberland International Dark Sky Park – so there is very little light pollution. So sat in the Hot tub watching the sky was pretty special indeed!

Dark skies and stargazing

Another thing that makes Herding Hill Farm stand out is the night sky. This part of Northumberland is renowned for its dark skies, and is part of the Northumberland International Dark Sky park and the campsite actively embraces that with low-level lighting and stargazing facilities.

If you’re lucky enough to get a clear night, it’s worth turning the lights off, stepping outside and simply looking up.

For photographers, it’s also a fantastic location to combine a day of landscape photography around Hadrian’s Wall with some night-sky photography.

I’ve visited this viewpoint of Hadrian;’s Wall quite a few times and always wanted to see it at sunrise. With Herding Hill Farm only being 8 minutes drive to Housesteads Visitor Center – I thought it was my chnace – so I set the alarm before sunset, mad teh 8 min drive and then 1 mile walk to this stunning vantage poiunt and it ended up being one of the best sunrises I’ve ever seen – something I’ll never forget!

Perfect for exploring Hadrian’s Wall

For me, the location is one of the strongest reasons to stay here. You’re only around a mile from Hadrian’s Wall and very close to Cawfields Quarry, making it an excellent base for exploring the dramatic central section of the Wall.

This is arguably one of the best areas of Hadrian’s Wall for walking, with the landscape becoming much more dramatic than some of the flatter eastern sections.

You can spend the day hiking through Northumberland National Park, visiting Roman forts and following the Wall, then return to your luxury glamping pod and hot tub in the evening. That’s a pretty hard combination to beat.

The Milecastle Inn is teh closest pub at 0.5 miles away and a good spot to sit an enjoy the sunset if the weather plays ball!

Nearby pubs and places to eat

You’re not completely in the middle of nowhere either.

Haltwhistle is nearby, and there are pubs within easy reach of the campsite. The Milescastle Inn is around half a mile away, making it a convenient option for food and a drink without having to travel far.

That gives you a nice balance — countryside and peace when you’re at the site, but pubs, shops and other amenities aren’t far away.

Here’s some of the more budget friendly Glamping Pods, which I have also stayed in. These are cute and cosy with a bed, and smal kitchenette. Some have fixed double-beds and hot-tubs also and can sleep up to 4 I believe, so perfect for families. Just in thsi shot you can also see the BBQ hut to the left which you can hire out.

Why I think Herding Hill Farm is worth visiting

What I like most about Herding Hill Farm is the range of accommodation options available.

You can come here with a tent and keep things relatively inexpensive, arrive in a motorhome, stay in one of the more affordable camping pods, or go completely the other way and book a luxury glamping pod with a private hot tub.

But you’re getting much more than accommodation.

You’re getting a fantastic location for walking, easy access to Hadrian’s Wall, dark skies, countryside, farm animals, a sauna, BBQ facilities and some thoughtful little extras such as Friday night pizza.

It’s also a great base for photographers and anyone who simply wants to spend a few days outdoors rather than sitting beside a swimming pool at a large holiday park.

Final verdict ON HERDING HILL FARM

I really do  highly recommend Herding Hill Farm, particularly if you’re looking for glamping in Northumberland or a relaxing weekend away close to Hadrian’s Wall.

The facilities are great and range of accommodation means it works for different budgets, but if you’re looking for something special, I’d definitely consider one of the luxury glamping pods with a private hot tub.

Being able to spend the day walking Hadrian’s Wall, return to a cosy pod, relax in a hot tub and then sit outside beneath Northumberland’s dark skies is a pretty perfect combination.

For Northumberland camping, glamping pods, hot tub breaks, romantic glamping, family camping or accommodation near Hadrian’s Wall, Herding Hill Farm has a lot going for it.

A small, peaceful campsite in a fantastic location — with enough luxury to make a weekend here feel like a proper escape. I’ll definitely be back time and again.