We stayed at Brandon Ford CL for 3 weeks in July and had a wonderful time. We can understand why it’s so difficult to get a pitch here, and you really do need to book well in advance.
There are two CL sites, the East and West Fields. The pitches are serviced pitches with water and electricity included and grey waste disposal. Pitches are very well kept, with grass mowed regularly, even when Cameron was busy on the farm. The recycling facilities and toilet disposal are clean and tidy, but a sign on the gate may be useful as some people needed directing.
Cameron is very nice and helpful, and regularly calls into the site to check all is OK. Jess sells home made goodies and eggs (hens allowing!). We tried some of Jess’s delicious sausage rolls. Their little boy is gorgeous, and loves to help his dad!
The site itself is very quiet, with the only rare traffic being from the farm. It is next to a nature reserve, and there’s a lovely walk over the river bridge to the next village and The Bosk restaurant (you need to book ahead – sadly, we didn’t manage to get in!). We tried the fish and chip van which calls to the Club site down the road at Breamish on Monday nights – very good!
We were lucky enough to see the stoat which we think lives under the slab by the gate. We also had plenty of birds on our bird feeder – greenfinches, chaffinches, coal tits, blue tits, great tits and more, and the sparrowhawk came for breakfast on a couple of occasions . There were also lots of oystercatchers and buzzards.
We had a wonderful boat trip (Billy Shiels) from Seahouses to the Farne Islands to see puffins, guillemots, razorbills, kittiwakes and seals. Cragside, Warkworth Castle, Dunstanburgh Castle and definitely worth a visit. Alnwick Castle was good, and we saw children enjoying broomstick training. If you intend visiting Alnwick and Bamburgh Castles, consider joining Historic Houses Association, as you get in free, and to other places in the area.
If you need a new gas bottle during your stay, the ironmongers in Rothbury is over £10 cheaper than the local garage.
Out and about, we can recommend The Black Bull Inn at Etal and the Harbour Inn at Amble. More locally, The Tankerville Arms at Eglingham is excellent.
The signage to the site entrance may need to be a little clearer, local regulations allowing. We nearly took the wrong turn and saw others drive towards the ford and need to reverse. But a wonderful stay!!
