Our first ever trip in our caravan back in 2011 was to Doe Park near Barnard Castle, 6 years later we’re back, but at a different site – namely Pecknell Farm. We picked up the ‘van in the rain, waded through a couple of ‘lakes’ in Chester-le-street which were causing some traffic problems and then headed South on the A1.
We arrived at the site and reported in to reception. Following a barrage of questions we were finally allocated a hardstanding pitch and left to set-up. The weather had turned for the better and we soon had everything done and relaxed in the ‘van for the rest of the night.
Sunday, we headed for a walk into Barnard Castle itself. This is a good walk from the site using public footpaths, most of which are proper footpaths/roads so it made for quite an easy walk. Barnard Castle is a very typical Northern town, albeit up quite a steep bank! We enjoyed a wander around, stopped for a coffee and then headed back to the site. The weather was still very pleasant so we managed to sit out on a couple of occasions. We retired to the ‘van when the sun went down and enjoyed the rest of the day.
The site itself is well set out. There are 5 hardstanding pitches and a field behind which hold a lot more grass pitches. EHU is available and rated at 10A. Water, CDP and waste is all available from a utility building situated by the toilet block. The toilet block is based inside one of the outbuildings and is of a good standard. Showers are also provided, although we didn’t use them. My only gripe would be the booking in procedure, which seems at odds with what we requested. Our booking was placed via phone, as email is not an option. A landline number must be given as well, a mobile phone is not accepted apparently? I requested a hardstanding pitch with EHU at the time of booking, when we arrived we were asked if a grass pitch would be acceptable as only one hardstanding pitch was left, and another motorhome might arrive? No, we’d like our hardstanding pitch as ordered please, especially following the rain we’d just experienced. Despite this odd booking experience the site is very nice and well priced.
- Date: 1st April 2017
- Nights: 2
- Pitch #:3
- GPS: 54.555446, -1.957060
- A66 > B6277