Accessibility at our Northumberland Campsite

This Access Statement does not contain personal opinions as to our suitability for those with access needs but aims to accurately describe theaccessible campsite facilities and services we offer. Guests with specific access needs should consider their own individual requirements and call us in advance of booking if they have any doubts as to whether their chosen accommodation will be suitable.

Introduction

We take a real pride in making our guests feel welcome and aim to ensure that everyone is able to enjoy their visit. Our wardens will be delighted to offer assistance and advice when booking and/or during your stay. Our site offers a peaceful oasis with outstanding 5-star facilities and we ensure that our amenities are maintained to the highest standard. Guests should be aware that the main roadways on site, including access to the amenities building, is via gravel paths and roads. Herding Hill Farm is a dark sky friendly campsite and we have low levels of lighting after dark.

If you have any queries or require any assistance on whether we are suitable as an accessible campsite for you, please phone 01434 320175 or email bookings@herdinghillfarm.co.uk

Pre-Arrival

We cater for tents, caravans, campervans and motor homes, as well as offering a selection of Wigwam cabins, luxury glamping pods and a lodge. We have pet friendly options for all our accommodation. Our tent pitches are grass and our touring pitches gravel hard-standing. Our roads and paths are gravel. One of our Wigwam cabins is kept pet free to cater for our guests with allergies.

We accept enquiries and booking requests by email, online from our own website, via our booking partners or by telephone. Our website and campsite app both contain details and photographs of the facilities at the site. A copy of this Access Statement in larger font can be e-mailed on request.

Herding Hill Farm is in a rural isolated location, just over 1 mile from the nearest town of Haltwhistle up an extremely steep tarmac road without footpaths or street lighting. Shield Hill is not recommended for caravans, but alternative road access is available via the B6318 Military Road. There is walking access to Haltwhistle across fields and rough tracks. We do not recommend that our guests walk down the bank. The nearest railway station is located at Haltwhistle, with trains from Carlisle and Newcastle and there are taxis available from Haltwhistle which should be booked in advance. Buses also run from Haltwhistle in the direction of Carlisle and Newcastle.

The AD122 Hadrian’s Wall country bus runs between Hexham and Greenhead via Haltwhistle and along the Military Road B6318, stopping at the various forts and museums. The bus stops at the campsite entrance and is an accessible service. Otherwise there is no public transport to the site. Unfortunately, we can’t offer a private collection service.

Eco-cabs (Hexham) provides wheelchair access taxis - their number is 01434 600600.

The site is mainly flat throughout, but the car park, roadway and parking areas are gravel, making wheelchair access difficult. The site slopes downwards and there will be uneven surfaces and some potholes.

Car Parking and Arrival

The site has a security barrier which is accessed via a security code provided on arrival. Reception is located outside this gate and has level, gravelled car parking facilities directly outside. On request we can do the registration without guests having to leave their car. There is a seat inside Reception.

Once checked in, guests may park one car on their pitch or next to their Wigwam cabin or lodge. Any additional cars can be left in the car park at an additional charge but space is limited. There is no parking next to the Castle Pods (with the exception of the Accessible Warkworth Castle Pod) and there is a short, but steep walk to the Castle Pods down a gravelled path from the car parking area. There is one level designated car parking space outside our Warkworth accessible pod.

Reception and Shop

These are located at the campsite entrance. There is a large gravel parking area outside. The shop stocks a small range of items, including Northumberland produce, with the closest supermarkets and facilities being located in Haltwhistle (1.2 miles away). Our wardens will assist with the selection of any items in the shop if required. Please note we take only card payments. There are no steps at the entrance. The doorway is 88cm wide and the Reception area/shop is accessible for wheelchairs and pushchairs. There is room for a wheelchair to manoeuvre and turn once inside.

The reception desk is low enough for seated access and a seat is available should it be required. The floor is wood laminate effect. The reception area is lit with fluorescent strip lighting.

The wardens speak English only. To help with communication in the office we can provide pen and paper to write instructions or questions on. All areas and pitches are clearly signposted from Reception with an infographic map e-mailed to all guests prior to their arrival. If required a site warden can show you to your pitch and ensure that you are comfortable.

Tent and Touring Facilities

Grass, hard-standing standard and hard-standing serviced pitches are available. Pitches are pre-allocated prior to arrival and our wardens will utilise reasonable endeavours to account for all the needs of our guests stipulated at the time of booking. We cannot guarantee a designated pitch. All pitches are clearly numbered and marked out by small trees or bushes. Our grass pitches measure 6m*4m as standard, and we gave hard-standing pitches measuring 9m*9m and 8m*6m. All measurements include guy ropes. The hard-standing pitches are level and well drained, but there is a slight slope on some of the grass pitches. The larger hard-standing pitches have 16-amp electric hook-ups available and the smaller touring and the grass pitches have 10-amp electric hook-up. There are 9 serviced pitches which have their own cold water tap and waste water drain in addition to electric hook-up.

All touring pitches are within 100 yards of the Amenities Block. We do have 4 hard-standing opposite the Amenities Block; if you would like one of these pitches please request at the time of booking. Specific requirements can be added in the notes section when your pitch is booked, and our Reception staff will make a note on our system which, wherever possible, locks your request into place.

Our wardens are available to assist with the pitching and levelling of your caravan, campervan or motorhome if required.

Wigwam Cabins

Our Wigwam cabins are located at the lower end of the site, away from the site entrance and are accessible via a gravel roadway. Access to the cabins is via series of 2-3 wooden steps, with a door lip and no handrails. The cabins are not suitable for wheelchair access and are not ambulant accessible. Once inside the cabins there is limited space to manoeuvre and walk around. Some of our cabins have an external hot tub which is accessed via a series of 3 steps. Our Running Water cabins have a small bathroom with sink and toilet at conventional height. Low level lighting is in place after dark to preserve our dark sky status. 

Castle Pods

Our Castle Pods are accessed from the carpark via a steep gravel path and guests must transport their belongings from car to Castle Pod down this path. Low level lighting is in place after dark to preserve our dark sky status. Access to the Castle Pods and to the outdoor hot tub is via a series of steps. There are no handrails on the steps. Once inside the glamping pod there is limited space to move around and our individual Castle Pods are not suitable for wheelchairs. 

Our Warkworth Castle Pod has been designed with accessibility in mind, with level access from car to pod. There is a designated parking space outside the pod, however guests should be aware that the front door to the pod is on the opposite side of the pod to where the car is parked to maximise the valley views. The decking surfaces can become slippery when wet or icy and extreme care must be taken. The doors to the Warkworth pod are large enough for wheelchair access, however whilst there is a wet room shower none of the other facilities have been adapted for wheelchair use and are located at conventional height. The Warkworth pod is large enough to easily walk around in and there are no steps or ramps. The hot tub is accessible via a set of steps and would not be suitable for guests with limited mobility.

Luxury Family Lodge

The lodge with hot tub and its private patio area is accessed via a long ramp, however there is a lip at the bottom which could cause issues for some wheelchair users when accessing. The doorway to the lodge is 81cm wide. The Lodge is all on one level and is equipped with smart TV, fridge, cooker and microwave. It has 2 double bedrooms and a twin room, one of the double rooms has an en-suite room with shower tray, toilet and hand basin. There is also a family bathroom with a shower over bath. The rooms in the lodge are not classed as wheelchair accessible in accordance with BS8300. The hot tub is accessible via a set of steps and would not be suitable for guests with limited mobility. There are steps from the outdoor patio area into the private lodge garden.

Accessible Campsite Facilities

We have one amenity block located in the centre of the campsite, accessed via our gravel roads and paths. Our facilities are open 24 hours a day and have been awarded 5-star status by the AA and Visit England. There are free no-push power showers, under-floor heating, a family bathroom with bath, baby changing facilities and 2 baths available in the ladies toilets. Contrasting surfaces exceed 30 colour points difference for the visually impaired. There is a step down into the shower in each cubicle. The main Amenities Block is not easily accessible using a wheelchair.

The sinks are at conventional height. All taps are conventional push button and the showers are turning ones. A hairdryer and shaver socket are  provided at conventional shoulder height and there are 2 plug sockets in the baby changing cubicle in the ladies toilets. There is level paved access to the amenity block. The flooring is non–slip tiles. A multi-sex sauna is available for private hire with an hours’ notice. The sauna is not accessible using a wheelchair.

We have a dedicated family bathroom which is also suitable for wheelchair/disabled access, the entrance to this is 81cm wide. The toilet in this washroom is 48cm high from the floor to the seat. There are grab rails in the shower area and next to the toilet and there is a seat provided for use in the bathroom area. A red emergency alarm cord is fitted. However access to the amenity building is via a gravel roadway.

There are 2 dishwashing-up sinks located outside to the side of the amenities building. These are conventional height. The door to the indoor camper's kitchen area is not wide enough for a wheelchair.

Coin operated automatic washer and front-loading dryer are available in the campsite laundry.

Water and refuse points are marked on the infographic map. The refuse bins are located at the side of the amenities block, between the Wigwam cabins, next to the BBQ hut and at the side of Reception. Recycling is taken off site to be sorted so guests should deposit all rubbish in the bins provided. Water points are located around the site. The indoor Elsan chemical disposal point is located at the amenities block next to the accessible campsite bathroom. Fire extinguishers are located at the top, middle and bottom of the site. These facilities are all clearly marked on the infographic campsite layout provided on arrival.

Campsite Grounds

Our Northumberland campsite is a flat site which undulates gently. All the paths and road ways are gravel and can be uneven in places. The surrounding area, on which we have relocated our dog walk and secure dog exercise field, overlooks rural countryside and is hilly and rough in places. The walk up to the dog walk can be uneven and care should be taken. A small pond is located at the bottom of the site next to the Castle Pods.

A children's play area is located at the rear of the serviced pitches. Seating is available to those who wish to watch their children play or supervise, with a requirement that all small children are supervised by an adult at all times. The play area has wood bark as a soft-landing area. Seating is available.

A small animal petting farm and football field is located across a rough access track, as well as access to the dog walk. 

There are no seating areas around the site itself other than what is available in the play areas or provided for the private use of guests in the BBQ hut, Wigwam cabins and Castle Pods.

Additional Information

The site wardens and site managers live on site and an emergency contact number is provided to all guests.

All dogs are welcome whether they are pets or assistance dogs although they must be kept on a leash at all times whilst on site. 

There is an EV charging station at the site entrance. Guests should not plug their vehicles directly into the campsite power supply. 

Wi-fi is available free of charge.

Mobile phone reception is reasonable on the site but varies depending on the provider.

Emergency Care

The local hospital is Hexham General – 0344 811 8111 – this has an Urgent Care Centre which is open between 8am and 10pm – 7 days per week. The nearest 24-hour A & E Department is at Northumbria Specialist Emergency Care Hospital, Northumbria Way, Cramlington, NE23 6NZ – 0344 811 8111 or at the Cumberland Infirmary, Newtown Rd, Carlisle CA2 7HY - 01228 523444.

The local medical practice is located at Haltwhistle – 01434 320077.

Contact Information

Address: Herding Hill Farm Camping and Glamping Site, Shield Hill, Haltwhistle, Northumberland NE49 9NW

Telephone: 01434 320175

Out of hours: 07824 162962

Email: bookings@herdinghillfarm.co.uk

Website: www.herdinghillfarm.co.uk

Ordnance Survey Grid Reference: NY713653

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