The Caravan Club – September 2019

http://www.camc.com

TOURING UK SITES

34 September 2019 Caravan and Motorhome Club Magazine

Cycling | Consett & Sunderland Railway Path

The Stanhope & Tyne Railway once heaved limestone

across the North East. Now, cyclists follow its course

2 6 m i l e s f ro m Ly d g et t s J u n c t i o n to R o ke r i n S u n d e r l a n d o n

a National Cycle Network route that passes through woods

and wetland and is adorned with artworks commemorating

the region’s industrial past. Riding into Sunderland alongside

the River Wear, you’ll go by the Stadium of Light, the marina

and finally the beach where the North Sea awaits.

Route plan: sustrans.org.uk/ncn/map/route/consett-

sunderland-railway-path

r e t a i l d e ve lop m e nt, b o t h of w h ic h a r e w i t h i n

easy reach of the Club site.

The site itself boasts a state-of-the-art,

refurbished toilet block, an upgraded play area

and a number of new hardstanding pitches.

T h e s i te e nt r a nce h a s a l s o b e e n i mp r ove d , w h i le

motorhome waste points have been added.

A f te r s e t t l i n g i n at t h i s s p a c io u s, t r e e - l i ne d

location, we wasted no time in heading to the

white water facility, hoping to book a canoeing

lesson. But it would seem we were not the only

o ne s ke e n to m a ke u s e of t h i s a cc l a i m e d

attraction – while visitors are more than

welcome to try their hand at canoeing, kayaking

o r p a d d le b o a r d i n g , yo u’ l l ne e d to b o ok a r o u nd

six weeks ahead to be certain of securing a spot!

Sensing our daughters’ disappointment, the

friendly receptionist suggested we could try the

adjacent Air Trail – a high-ropes ‘climbing

adventure course’. Sadly, I had ‘forgotten’ my

trainers and my husband was steeling himself

for the five-hour drive home – so it was up to the

junior members of our party to take on the

18m-high wood and steel structure that

overlooks the Tees.

While my heart was in my mouth just

watching them, they loved it and it was well

worth the £9.95 per person price tag.

S o w i t h a c h i n g a r m s a nd le g s (t h e m) a nd

a slightly stiff neck (me), we packed up the

motorhome and waved goodbye to the North

East. It took me some 40 years to make the trip

to Tyneside. Somehow I feel it won’t take me

that long to return.

Kaminaki Greek Taverna, 92 Church Road,

Stockton TS18 1TW

Contact: kaminaki.co.uk, 01642 607949

Food & drink

Mount Grace Priory, House and Gardens,

Staddlebridge, Northallerton DL6 3JG

Contact: english-heritage.org.uk,

01609 883494

Culture

RSPB Saltholme, Seaton Carew Road,

Stockton-on-Tees, Middlesbrough TS2 1TP

Contact: rspb.org.uk, 01642 546625

Outdoor fun

For the family

“It’s an area we haven’t

covered on other holidays.

We’ve been to the retail

park, Darlington and Great

Ayton where the Cook

monument is. We’d

re c o m m e n d i t to a nyo n e w a nt i n g to

explore the North East and coast.”

Mr and Mrs Varty, caravanners

“It’s a wonderful place to

be. We have the nature

reserve next door, seals

in the river and, of course,

the Tees Barrage. There’s

a Beefeater pub just

outside the gates and a big selection of

restaurants over at the retail park.”

Annora and Dennis Hoole

Member view

Site staff view

White Water Park

Perfectly placed for the Tees

Barrage International Watersports

Centre; shopping fans will love the nearby

retail park, too.

Pitches: 97 | Open: all year

7

Club Site

Rally Nation, Manx Lodge, Low

F a r m , B rot to n , S a l t b u r n T S12 2 Q X

Contact: rallynation.co.uk

Member offer available: camc.com/

greatsavingsguide

MEMBER SINCE...

Jane McGowan joined the Caravan and

Motorhome Club in 2019

sse

GREAT

SAVINGS

GUIDE

Wilf Doyle / Alamy

Inside Durham’s

impressive Cathedral