Beadnell Bay Camping & Caravanning

The air here tastes of salt and wild thyme, and at night you fall asleep to the rush of North Sea breakers rolling onto one of Northumberland's loveliest sweeps of sand.

This is proper family-and-dog territory — pitches tucked behind the dunes, a stone's throw from a beach that empties out even in August, with rock pools at low tide and miles of firm sand for running off steam. Campervans and caravans find level ground with electric hookups, while tenters get that bit closer to the dune line. The onsite pool's a godsend when the wind gets up, and there's a shop for morning rolls and forgotten tent pegs. Dogs are welcome (small charge applies), and this stretch of the Northumberland Coast Path pulls in walkers year-round, heading north toward Bamburgh or south past the old lime kilns.

Open every month, so you can have it wild in winter or bustling in summer. Showers and loos are clean and plentiful. Campfires depend on conditions — ask when you arrive. The vibe's reliably friendly, never rowdy, with that particular Northumbrian mix of hardy and welcoming.