Gallows Hill

The calls of curlews drift across windswept moorland as evening light paints the Durham hills in shades of amber and purple. Gallows Hill occupies that quintessentially North Eastern landscape where working farmland meets wild upland country, offering straightforward camping in a region still wonderfully free from tourist crowds.

This is a site for those who prefer their camping unpretentious and their countryside unmanicured. Tent campers, caravanners and campervans are equally welcome across pitches that work with the natural contours of the land. County Durham's position between the Yorkshire Dales and Northumberland means you're well-placed for exploring historic market towns, reaching Hadrian's Wall, or discovering the dramatic Heritage Coast without the Lake District price tags.

Facilities keep things simple with showers and toilets provided, while the campfire policy requires checking on arrival – worth asking about if you're hoping for evenings gathered around flames. The vibe here is refreshingly low-key, suiting those who measure a good campsite by the quality of its skies rather than the length of its amenities list.