Durham Grange Club Campsite

Rated 4 of 5

Peace and quiet

Rated 5 of 5

Facilities and cleanliness

Rated 5 of 5

Location

Rated 5 of 5

Good for families

" COSTA DEL SUNDERLAND " only 12 miles away ON A690

If you are staying or going to Durham Grange why not drive to the Costa del Sunderland for the day . The weather is lovely the beaches are huge and lots of lovely walks and some sea air . Best route is take the A690 past the Park and Ride and keep going on that road right into Sunderland Centre . Traffic usually OK and then follow signs for Roker and Seaburn . It will take you about 35 minutes to the seaside . Plenty of parking at about 60 / 70 p per hour and sea front ( Whitburn Road ) spots are about 6 meters so camper fit ok. I would attach a photo if i could but come and see for yourself . Morrison Store right next to the sea aswell. ! We stay at Durham Grange quite a bit so dont be put off by reports of background noise from A1 .Its not that bad really . Great Wardens here immaculate toilet block and pitches surrounded by trees and a lovely landscape . So... two days here if you can.. Day One Sunderland Sea Front . Day two Durham Cathedral on the Pak and Ride . One of the Best City Beaches and Sea Fronts and Cathedrals you will ever see. . Good camping.

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TB22

Motorhomer

Reviewed on 21/09/2021 00:27

28 reviews

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Rated 4 of 5

Rated 1 of 5

Peace and quiet

Rated 4 of 5

Facilities and cleanliness

Rated 4 of 5

Location

Rated 2 of 5

Good for families

Clean & functional but lacks atmosphere

We had a four night stay at the end of August but I'm not sure we'll be back, unless we need a convenient stop over on the A1, which is right next door! As others have said, you cannot escape the constant noise of the motorway. Not great if you like sitting outside for a quiet glass of your favorite tipple once the kids have gone to bed but not to the extent that it stopped you from sleeping at night. The site is 'functional', i.e. clean and tidy but lacking any atmosphere. Fine as a base to explore the surrounding area but not if you like to spend the day relaxing on site. The wardens we dealt with were pleasant enough but not particularly friendly and perhaps a little too fastidious about following the rules to the letter. We have a VW camper and if we park up with our rear off-side corner on the peg we don't have enough room for our awning. However, despite trying to explain this to the warden, he was having none of it and suggested we moved to a pitch with more room. Not exactly the welcome we needed after a late arrival following a long drive from the other side of Scotland. Speaking to another family with a VW camper, they had a similar attitude problem from the same warden, including telling their ten year old daughter off for riding her bike the wrong way around the one way system! However, despite these negatives, Durham city and the surrounding area is lovely. There is a good park and ride into the city centre the other side of the motorway but is not easy to access from the site. Getting across the dual carriageway and motorway junction with young children was not fun. Not something the site can control but should perhaps be made clearer in the site particulars.

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Campervanner

Reviewed on 15/09/2021 10:27

1 review

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Rated 4 of 5

Rated 2 of 5

Peace and quiet

Rated 5 of 5

Facilities and cleanliness

Rated 5 of 5

Location

Rated 5 of 5

Good for families

Stop the traffic on the A!!

The biggest downside of Durham is the constant roar from the traffic on the A1, otherwise the location is super in both terms of finding when travelling the A 1, 10 minutes down the A690 and you'll be in Durham City Centre., and a local shopping centre at Broomside Ln, Durham DH1 2QU is a mile and a half away, includes a Sainsbury's local, and is across the other side of the A 1, shell filling station is passed on route. When I arrived, to my horror the mover on the van had packed up, and thankfully a person on an adjoining pitch came to assist in getting the last push to get position to the white peg. I then consulted with the Wardens, who provided information of service engineers, and in discussion with one was advised to contact the manufacturer as guarantee was still in date. Result of that, we'll send you a replacement control box to the site, advise the Wardens you're expecting a parcel in two days. Three days later, no parcel, then on the morning of the fourth I had a call from the Warden's Office, your parcel is here. A huge thank you to the Warden's at Durham for all the help and advice they gave in getting the problem solved.

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tony in essex

Caravanner

Reviewed on 03/09/2021 09:38

13 reviews

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Rated 4 of 5

Peace and quiet

Rated 5 of 5

Facilities and cleanliness

Rated 5 of 5

Location

Rated 2 of 5

Good for families

Good, clean stop over, but soulless site

We stayed here for one night as a stop over and overall would recommend highly depending on your needs. If you are travelling on the A1M this makes a great stop off, if you are planning on staying multiple nights I'd maybe recommend else where if you want to use it as anything other than a base for exploring. The site is well run and very clean, however it's very soulless. There isn't a huge amount to say about the site other than it's a square piece of land with some grass, a few trees and pitches. In summary, if you are using it as a stop off or as a base for exploring this is great. If you want to hang around the site during the day, I'd suggest looking elsewhere.

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Motorhomer

Reviewed on 02/09/2021 17:30

1 review

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Rated 4 of 5

Peace and quiet

Rated 5 of 5

Facilities and cleanliness

Rated 5 of 5

Location

Rated 4 of 5

Good for families

Nostalgia ain't what it used to be

Last visited 28(ish)years ago. As might be expected in that time the facilities have been upgraded... Had a lovely 6 night stay. Walked into Durham via the footpath that finds its' way to the banks of the river. Cycling from the site isn't for the faint hearted and certainly ill advised for young children. Staff were approachable and friendly. Ideally situated site for a stop off during a long trek up or down the A1. Some vague drone from the A1 but certainly not enough to put us off a revisit (hopefully after a shorter gap than 28 years!).

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Red Bob

Reviewed on 29/08/2021 18:16

43 reviews

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Rated 4 of 5

Peace and quiet

Rated 5 of 5

Facilities and cleanliness

Rated 5 of 5

Location

Rated 5 of 5

Good for families

A great base for Durham Tyne and Wear .

We often visit Durham Grange site as its nearest to us at Sunderland and have to say its a lovely site always well managed . Well done and thanks so much Wardens . The wardens do a fine job as its a busy site due to members just stopping over from A1m route . Shame really as missing SO much to see from here. ! The so called background noise from traffic isnt as bad as some are saying. In fact we always sleep very well here. So . easy access from the A1M and just 800 meters from the " Park and Ride" to the lovely Durham City... very handy . To drive into Durham by car takes just 10 minutes down the hill and at the second set of lights you will see a multi story Car Park which leaves you right in the heart of the City. Dont want to drive ? No problem The Park and Ride is FREE parking for 100s of cars also designated motorhome places. You just pay the Bus fare (free... if you have a bus pass !! ). The fast service only stops once in Durham Centre . You can easily walk to the P & R but take care when crossing the A1M Roundabout slip roads . Dont try to cross the A690. Stay on the CClub side of road and you will be ok . You could also call Belmont Taxis and they will be with you in a few minutes and pick you up for return .Do not miss visiting Durham Cathedral (one the few World Heritage Sites in the UK ) . In fact the most important building in the North of England. Absolutely make sure you take a Cathedral "guided tour" because even if you dont normally do History this is a very special place with a fascinating history. Durham is a compact vibrant City with huge University.. so a fun city full of pubs etc . Only a short 10 minute walk uphill from Durhams Market Square to the Cathedral and Castle . So what else is nearby ??... . A great Day out will be had at award winning "Beamish Open Air Museum". Another must see up this way north on A1M for 10 minutes and you come to the "Angel of the North" with car park where you can pose for a nice photo . Other local places . Fancy some sea air . A great surprise to many a visitor the sea front at Sunderland is just 12 miles on A690 right in the Centre and head for Roker and seaburn also The National Glass Centre leads to river side walks taking you to three Blue Flag Beaches cafes pubs restaurants on Sunderland sea front. Plenty of Pay and display parking . Most Spaces on the Sea Front are just over 6 meters (so big enough for a mid sized Motorhome.) One mile further along at Whitburn the lovely National Trust Coastal Park and famous Whitburn Lighthouse. The First Electric Lighthouse in the World . Of course you are only 12 miles from Newcastle City Centre as well... Museums, Baltic Centre and Quayside. Or get the train from Durham as its only 15 minute Journey. I have to say the site is "VERY handy" for Durham, Newcastle and Sunderland and not to be missed. Stay a few days why not enjoy !!

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TB22

Motorhomer

Reviewed on 18/08/2021 21:41

28 reviews

3 Helpful notes

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Rated 4 of 5

Rated 1 of 5

Peace and quiet

Rated 5 of 5

Facilities and cleanliness

Rated 1 of 5

Location

Rated 1 of 5

Good for families

Not really 'handy' for Durham.

I visited the site because I wanted to visit the City of Durham. There are no complaints at all about the staff or site or facilities as they are up to the usual standards - excellent. The comment is the location. It might be great for people looking for an overnight while whizzing down the A1(M) but not for visiting Durham. It's too far to be considered handy. An hour's walk or a dangerous cycle. We received sketchy instructions for cycling into the city ( the warden was helpful, of course, but didn't have the information we needed) and almost immediately got lost, had to retrace our steps and cross a busy dual carriage way. I think, if we are to reduce our carbon footprints and encourage walking and cycling then the club might need to reconsider how they bill this site or work with the site to create good cycling maps and signage to make it a pleasant experience to visit Durham. Thank you.

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martipants

Reviewed on 15/08/2021 11:00

1 review

1 Helpful note

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Rated 4 of 5

Peace and quiet

Rated 5 of 5

Facilities and cleanliness

Rated 5 of 5

Location

Rated 5 of 5

Good for families

What a little gem

This was our first visit to Durham Grange but it certainly wont be our last. We only stayed here a couple of nights and really did not want to leave. It location is just off the A1\M. We drove into Durham and the parking their was easy to find. The wardens were really nice and friendly and did a great job keeping the site clean and tidy. People did ignore the band system, so glad that is now finished with but that is not the wardens fault.

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Shevi

Reviewed on 29/07/2021 13:20

18 reviews

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Rated 4 of 5

Rated 2 of 5

Peace and quiet

Rated 5 of 5

Facilities and cleanliness

Rated 5 of 5

Location

Rated 4 of 5

Good for families

Ideal for Durham visit

Site is well maintained and the facilities are spotless and in good condition. The wardens were delightful. The site feels a bit claustrophobic with the vans about a close to each other as they can be. The A1 drone is very noticeable at all times. Irritating to be honest. I would advise taking your car to the park and ride rather than risk a dangerous walk. At this moment on street parking is free after 2 pm (late July) The riverside walk to town is about 3.5 miles and rough in places. Dog enjoyed it. If you want to visit Durham or Beamish and don’t mind the minor negative this is a good place to stay.

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Slowingdown

Reviewed on 26/07/2021 16:33

5 reviews

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Rated 4 of 5

Rated 3 of 5

Peace and quiet

Rated 4 of 5

Facilities and cleanliness

Rated 3 of 5

Location

Rated 3 of 5

Good for families

Durham visit, never again

The facilities were well managed by the site staff. Unfortunately members didn’t follow guidance.Standing in the queue members were saying I just need into the toilet,what don’t they understand. Bands were left on hooks although toilet was empty. The site is a nightmare for members cutting through pitches, down the inside of the car, some redesigning of pitches required. Constant cars and caravans wizzing past into the storage unit, don’t see that mentioned in description. We didn’t even try to go to park and ride, you take your life in your hands. The site staff were friendly and helpful but site could be improved with some investment. Would not use again as expensive for what you get.

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galaxy

Reviewed on 16/07/2021 17:39

8 reviews

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