Campfire recipes for your camping trip in Northumberland

Campfire Recipes for Your Camping Trip in Northumberland

Northumberland, with its rugged coastline, ancient castles, and star-studded skies, is one of the UK’s most breathtaking places to pitch a tent or park your campervan. But beyond the scenic hikes and windswept beaches lies one of the best parts of any outdoor adventure: campfire cooking. Whether you're setting up base near Hadrian’s Wall, staying in a forest campsite at Kielder, or wild camping near the Cheviot Hills, food cooked over flames just hits differently. And it's even better under a clear Northumberland dark sky.

The smell, the crackle, the feeling of warmth and well-being. Catching up with friends and family, listening to stories, sharing memories and enjoying being together all add to a warm feeling of nostalgia as you watch the flames of the fire flicker. You might even get the children away from their gadgets to join in too! Being outdoors is good for mental health and certain types of food always tastes better outdoors.

Herding Hill Farm is one of the best campsites in Northumberland to enjoy some traditional camping food on a fire pit campfire. We offer fire pits for hire on all our touring and tent pitches and Wigwam cabins and a fire pit is supplied for guests staying with us in our Castle Pods. We don't allow open fires, use of BBQs as a fire or own fire pits. 

Here’s your ultimate guide to campfire recipes for a Northumberland camping trip — simple, hearty, and made for the great outdoors.

Why Campfire Cooking is Perfect on a Camping Trip in Northumberland 

Northumberland’s remote landscapes and designated dark sky areas offer the perfect backdrop for cooking under the stars. With limited phone signal and fewer crowds, there's more time to slow down, build a fire, and enjoy good food and great company. Local butchers, farm shops, and markets across the region also provide incredible ingredients — think Northumbrian sausages, fresh eggs, locally grown veg, and Craster kippers.

Campfire Cooking Essentials 

Before we dive into recipes, here’s what you’ll need to make your campfire recipes a safe success: 

• Fire-safe grill grate or tripod - never place on wooden benches or decking or inside your tent and keep away from local vegetation that could ber set alight by a stray spark
• Cast iron skillet
• Tongs, foil, and heatproof gloves 
• Cool box with essentials (meat, dairy, veg) 
• Bamboo or wooden skewers - remember to soak them in water before using
• Wood or charcoal (check local fire regulations) 
• Matches and firelighters
• Water for extinguishing - never leave a lit fire without dampening down

Cooking Tips for British Weather 

Let’s be honest: even in summer, the Northumberland weather can be unpredictable. Be prepared: 

• Bring a tarp or awning to cook under 
• Have a backup gas stove or BBQ 
• Prep ingredients ahead of time in case it’s too windy or wet
• Hire the camping BBQ Hut at Herding Hill Farm - seats up to 20

Where to Source Local Ingredients 

Make the most of your camping in Northumberland adventure by shopping local: 

• Craster Smokehouse – famous for smoked kippers 
• Turnbull’s of Alnwick – traditional family butcher - there are also good butchers in Haltwhistle 
• Brocksbushes Farm Shop - for seasonal produce 
• Grants Bakery in Corbridge for the largest meringues you will ever see
• Alnwick Market and Hexham Farmers Market – great for local cheeses, honey, and baked goods 

What is a S’more? 

Originating from the US and now a firm favourite child-friendly campfire recipe, a s’more is a roasted marshmallow and melted chocolate layer sandwiched between 2 biscuit layers. The marshmallows are toasted over the fire pit until they are scorched and gooey. The word “s’more” is believed to be a shortened version of “some more”. Our favourite biscuit for a s’more is a rich tea or a digestive. Add a touch of sea salt or orange zest for grown-up flavour. And don’t eat too many, one is normally enough! We offer large marshmallows and skewers in our campsite shop at Herding Hill Farm.

Easy Campfire Recipes to try on your Northumberland Camping Trip

Hot Dogs and Sausages 

One of the simplest and tastiest campfire recipes is a sausage or hot dog done on the griddle plate and served in a finger roll. Vegetarian sausages taste just as good. Top your sausage with whatever takes your fancy – fried onions and peppers, chilli, chutney, relish, coleslaw, mustard, tomato ketchup. If you are feeling creative why not make your own baked beans by combining haricot beans and onions with chopped plum tomatoes, garlic, red wine vinegar, and Worcestershire sauce?

Steam in Foil 

Foil can be used to steam meat, fish and vegetables without them becoming too charred and prevents the outside from burning before the inside is properly cooked. Chicken, salmon and roasted vegetables are all delicious cooked this way. For Foil-Wrapped Campfire Salmon place a salmon fillet (or Craster kippers for local flair) in foil with lemon slices, dill, and butter. Wrap tightly and place in the embers for 10–12 minutes.

Chicken nachos could also be prepared by layering tortilla chips with marinated cooked chicken strips and cheese. Top with diced tomato. One of our favourites is garlic and chilli prawns served with fresh lemon. Traditional camping food such as baked potatoes, potato wedges and corn on the cob wrapped in foil are also wonderful roasted on a campfire, topped with butter and some chilli flakes. 

Fruit is also great roasted in foil over a campfire, perhaps served with some alcohol glaze like spicy rum or melted chocolate like Toblerone. Baked apples with dried fruit and cinnamon are a healthy alternative. 

Cast Iron Skillet

A versatile piece of campfire equipment that can be used to griddle fish, meat and vegetables. For a Northumbrian Sausage & Veg Skillet fry local sausages with onions, peppers, and baby potatoes in a cast iron pan. Add rosemary and a dash of mustard for a flavourful, filling dinner. Campfire Flatbreads can be easily made from a mixof  self-raising flour, pinch of salt, and yoghurt to form a dough. Flatten and cook directly on a dry skillet or over a hot rock near the fire. Perfect with soups, curries, or as a pizza base.

Create a Kebab 

Layer bamboo sticks with marinated meat, fish, shellfish, halloumi cheese and vegetables. The Greek cheese Halloumi is perfect as a fire pit recipe or on a BBQ as it holds its shape as it cooks. There are a huge range of marinades available to buy but it is simple to make your own by combining herbs and/or spices with vinegar and olive oil. Why not serve with a fresh Greek salad? One of our favourites is an Indian style marinade made by combining garlic, ginger, turmeric, garam masala and lemon zest with plain natural yoghurt. Serve with chapatis, pitta or flatbreads. 

One Pot Stews 

Sometimes it pays to be prepared when camping in Northumberland and bring a pre-prepared one pot casserole or stew that can simply be easily reheated over the campfire. Mexican beef chilli, tagine or a vegetable and lentil casserole are perfect campfire recipes when feeding a crowd. Add a hint of chilli or spice to keep you warm on a chilly evening. Spanish bean stew with diced potato, chicken, chorizo and cannellini beans is also a filling option. For a Smoky Campfire Chilli simmer chopped onions, garlic, tinned tomatoes, beans, and minced beef (or veggie mince). Add paprika and cumin.

Breakfast 

Campfire recipes don’t have to be restricted to evening meals. You can create some great breakfast firepit dishes. Add some scrambled eggs, cheese and sausage to a corn tortilla wrap, roll, wrap in foil and then roast on the fire until the sausage is cooked. Burgers can also be eaten topped with a fried egg. Turkish peppers, onions, tinned tomatoes, a sprinkle of paprika and fried eggs (shakshuka) is a great breakfast campfire recipe. 

Cook, Eat, and Connect with Nature 

Campfire cooking is about more than just food — it’s a ritual. It slows you down, brings people together, and makes even simple ingredients feel special. In Northumberland, with its wide skies and wild spirit, every meal becomes part of the adventure.

Fire bowls available to hire from our campsite shop. Fire pits are supplied with matches, a bag of logs and kindling. Additional logs are available to buy iour campsite shop. We offer a range of other Optional Extras including BBQ and meat packs to enhance your stay. Please note that all fire bowls must be hired from us and we do not allow open fires.