Independent Campsite Reviews

I would completely agree with the opinion that this should not be advertising anywhere as being a campsite. The facilities were for cavemen - We (husband and two children) have traveled round Europe and have NEVER seen facilities as bad as these. The only thing going for it was the beach and the horse riding but we did not hang around long enough to try either. With four young children in our party we aimed for this because of the beach, the horse riding and the play park - the latter had not been approved for insurance purposes and with this in mind and the obvious lack of safety factors, we felt that it would be unsafe to stay.

Like nearly all the places that we have stayed, I found this campsite on the Internet. We booked it for 2 nights a month before we intended to stay and when we arrived there at about 7pm during a Bank Holiday Weekend they had no record of our booking.

Despite the fact that the sign at the gate said "full" they said we could find a space and pitch our tent. We found a space, so we parked up and as we were in urgent need of the toilets, we ventured over to the toilet block as a matter of priority! There were three toilets in the women’s' and only one had toilet paper. I was pleasantly surprised when I went to wash my hands and found that there was actually soap in the dispensers. There were one or two shower cubicles. Basically, I walked in, queued for the one loo with the toilet paper, went to the loo, washed my hands and in the meantime did a quick recce of the washing facilities. It didn't take long to come to the conclusion that they were absolutely awful!! I have never seen anything like it. They were in a horrible state, and one that cannot be explained away by a full campsite.

I couldn't picture myself wanting to have a shower there, so when I came out of the loo, I rejoined my male family members who recounted the puddles of urine around their toilets, and we got back in the car and left. Luckily for us, they had asked us to pitch up and then come and settle the bill, or we would have been highly annoyed to have paid for it already. As it was, we were faced with having to find another campsite at about 7:30pm on an August Bank Holiday Weekend, which thankfully we did (see Ord House review).

There is surely another way of staying cheaply close by to Lindisfarne. We saw a couple returning to the campsite on foot from the Island, and it looked to have been a very long walk. I thought that it took long enough to reach the island by car, as there is quite a trek between the causeway and the actual abbey part of the island.

I don't recommend staying at this campsite, even if you want be close to Holy Isle. If you don't have a car I would investigate ways of staying elsewhere and getting to or near to the island by some form of public or organised transport.

I have been to beachside campsites before and they were far far far superior to this one, even though they were just as windswept and/or desolate.

My stay at Beachcomber recently was a very pleasant and peaceful one. I agree the showers could have done with a lick of paint but this did not deter me from using the facilities. The showers were hot and other facilities clean. Having been to campsites all over, including at music festivals, I quickly came to conclude that it's the people who use such facilities that leave them in this state. The facilities on site are more than adequate and the setting, just over the sand dunes to a magnificent beach could not be much improved. I suggest people who want luxury should check in to an over-priced and frilly hotel and leave us hardened campers to appreciate the simpler pleasures in life.....I'm off to Goswick now!

This is a lovely site for anyone who appreciates peace and tranquillity. The beach is endlessly beautiful and even when the site is full, you can always find space here. We have spent many happy times here, and have never had cause to complain. As for 'health and safety' I find that common sense is all that is usually required. It is rare to find a campsite that is not ruined by endless rules and regulations. So the showers are not up to hotel standards, but really, if more people stopped complaining and learnt to clean up after themselves, then it would not be such an issue. The only times I have noticed a drop in standards is during Bank holidays etc, when all the 'fair-weather' campers come out to play! Campsite cleaners are not available 24 hours a day. They do their job in the mornings and evenings, but after that it is up to the individual. Incidentally, the owner of the site is a very nice man who allows his campers to camp in peace! Carry on camping! This site is great!

Beachcomber is a small site in a stunning location. I stayed there last July with some friends and we are planning another trip this year. The beach is fabulous - as is the surrounding countryside. I loved it. The showers/loos were nothing fancy but clean and adequate. I think some of the people who have criticised the site need their heads examining. Especially the person who claims to have observed, "an obvious lack of safety factors". I have to say that neither I nor any of our group found the site unsafe in any way and the children we observed were having a whale of a time. Beachcomber is a civilised reminder that we don't need to be obsessed with health and safety to enjoy a great camping holiday. You just need a bit of common sense. I would urge anyone to go and stay there.

Having just returned from a weeks stay at this site I feel I must write to say that we had a great time. It is such a relaxed campsite, there are no endless lists of do's and dont's, no hassling by the campsite owner about anything, and no pidgeon hole camping spaces, just a field to enjoy. We met a lot of other campers who also seemed to be happy to be there !

I have been going to this campsite for eight years and I go every time I have a holiday! Just so you appreciate how much me and my family love this site we travel for six hours every time we go (we live in Liverpool). The facilities on site are not that of a five star hotel but what campsite’s facilities are? they are perfectly adequate and are always clean. There are no mod cons on the site but I think if there were it would displace the tranquillity and peacefulness of the site. There is a small laundry and washing up area and this is also very adequate. There is also a huge beach, which stretches for as far as the eye can see and the on site stables offers ride out onto it for all ages and abilities. This is a wonderful friendly site and would recommend it to anyone looking for a peaceful easy going holiday and I would be surprised if after one stay at this campsite you didn’t want to come back!

Hope you agree

Jacqueline Age 15

I think that the first two reviews about this campsite, by Caroline and Fiona Waddell are a load of TWADDLE!!! This is a FANTASTIC campsite and its location and relaxed atmosphere are second to none! We are regular visitors to this campsite and the facilities are always, without exception, clean and modern. Please don't let these two reviews put you off - because Beachcomber Campsite is what camping is all about!

I totally agree with Sassy!!! We've been to this campsite a number of times and have had a great time. We found the facilities to be clean and tidy. It's location is fantastic and it's only a short stroll to the lovely beach. I would recommend this campsite to anyone. Look forward to seeing you there sometime Sassy!!

My partner and I were looking for somewhere off the beaten track, and this is it! The site was just perfect, the facilities were just what you would expect for a campsite for PROPER campers - if you want comfort and luxury, go to a hotel! John and Sheila, the owners could not have been more friendly, helpful and courteous. The loos were clean and well supplied with paper, the showers were ditto and the little on site shop had all we needed. The site is literally 30 seconds walk from the beach-absolutely glorious for long walks. The stables were great, and we had a wonderful ride on the beach with Sheila. We can't praise this place highly enough!

I assume that the first two reviewers are connected and either have some reason of their own for slandering the reputation of this campsite, or have totally unrealistic expectations of camping. My family have visited this site every year since our children were babies and have enjoyed every holiday here. The site facilities are absolutely fine and I have always been very impressed with the standards of animal welfare and safety in the riding school. Nowadays this is one of the few schools where inexperienced riders can both receive quality instruction and enjoy the freedom of rides out of the school - which at Goswick usually involve an idyllic hack along the beach.

Beachcomber doesn't pretend to offer luxury, but it does provide space, freedom and everything you need for a happy family camping holiday in an area of great beauty.