Independent Campsite Reviews

Beachcomber Campsite, Berwick-upon-Tweed, Northumberland

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Site Details

  Beachcomber Campsite
Goswick Sands
Berwick-upon-Tweed
Northumberland
TD15 2RW
 
Phone:
+44 1289 381217
Fax:
Website:
www.lindisfarne.org.…
Email:
johngregson@micro-pl…
Online maps:
streetmap.co.uk
MultiMap
Google Earth
Paper maps:
Ordnance Survey Explorer
340 : Holy Island & Bamburgh
Ordnance Survey Landranger
75 : Berwick-upon-Tweed & surrounding area
Latitude:
55°42'22" N
Longitude:
1°55'39" W

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Independent Reviews

Each review represents the opinions of its author. The webmaster cannot confirm its veracity. As with all such information, you must judge for yourself whether you wish to use this review as the basis for any decision you may make.
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These reviews are shown in date order, with the oldest shown first.
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  Author: Fiona Waddell
Total 2 reviews (list)
generally considered accurate, tending to pessimistic
Last Visit: August 2003  
 
This review is rather old. Treat it with care.
 
 
  Remember that people are always more prepared to write and complain than they are to praise good service.  
over three quarters of people who voted thought this review was pessimistic
 
  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.

©Copyright Fiona Waddell and Nick Porter

 
   
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Votes so far
accurate 22
optimistic 5
pessimistic 91
   
 
  Author: Caroline
Total 7 reviews (list)
generally considered accurate
Last Visit: August 2003  
 
This review is rather old. Treat it with care.
 
 
  Remember that people are always more prepared to write and complain than they are to praise good service.  
over three quarters of people who voted thought this review was pessimistic
 
  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.

©Copyright Caroline and Nick Porter

 
   
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Votes so far
accurate 8
optimistic 1
pessimistic 62
   
 
  Author: Jules
This is the only review by this author
Last Visit: September 2003  
 
This review is rather old. Treat it with care.
 
 
nearly all of people who voted thought this review was accurate
 
  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!

©Copyright Jules and Nick Porter

 
   
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Votes so far
accurate 40
optimistic 1
pessimistic 2
   
 
  Author: Jo
Total 2 reviews (list)
generally considered accurate
Last Visit: May 2004  
 
This review is rather old. Treat it with care.
 
 
nearly all of people who voted thought this review was accurate
 
  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!

©Copyright Jo and Nick Porter

 
   
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Votes so far
accurate 31
optimistic 1
pessimistic 0
   
 
  Author: Adrian Newman
This is the only review by this author
Last Visit: July 2004  
 
This review is rather old. Treat it with care.
 
 
all of people who voted thought this review was accurate
 
  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.

©Copyright Adrian Newman and Nick Porter

 
   
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Votes so far
accurate 25
optimistic 0
pessimistic 0
   
 
  Author: Richard Rowe
This is the only review by this author
Last Visit: September 2004  
   
all of people who voted thought this review was accurate
 
  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 !

©Copyright Richard Rowe and Nick Porter

 
   
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Votes so far
accurate 14
optimistic 0
pessimistic 0
   
 
  Author: Jacqueline
This is the only review by this author
Last Visit: April 2006  
   
nearly all of people who voted thought this review was accurate
 
  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

©Copyright Jacqueline and Nick Porter

 
   
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Votes so far
accurate 10
optimistic 1
pessimistic 0
   
 
  Author: Sassy Cracknell
This is the only review by this author
Last Visit: May 2006  
   
nearly all of people who voted thought this review was accurate
 
  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!

©Copyright Sassy Cracknell and Nick Porter

 
   
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Votes so far
accurate 20
optimistic 1
pessimistic 0
   
 
  Author: Anon Last Visit: May 2006  
   
  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!!

©Copyright Anon and Nick Porter

 
   
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Votes so far
accurate 9
optimistic 0
pessimistic 0
   
 
  Author: Chris Stone
Total 2 reviews (list)
generally considered accurate
Last Visit: August 2007  
   
all of people who voted thought this review was accurate
 
  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!

©Copyright Chris Stone and Nick Porter

 
   
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Votes so far
accurate 12
optimistic 0
pessimistic 0
   
 
  Author: Morag McCullagh
This is the only review by this author
Last Visit: August 2007  
   
all of people who voted thought this review was accurate
 
  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.

©Copyright Morag McCullagh and Nick Porter

 
   
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Votes so far
accurate 13
optimistic 0
pessimistic 0
   
 
  Author: Rob Kemmer
This is the only review by this author
Last Visit: July 2008  
   
  My daughter and I are about to visit Beachcomber for the fourth time in three years. I discovered it by chance while cycling the national cycle route that passes nearby and it soon became my one of my favourite places.
The location is stunning, the site is peaceful and safe, the pitches are varied and interesting, the facilities are clean, the stables are lovely and the owners friendly and helpful.
My only criticism is that my daughter will not now let us go anywhere else…..

©Copyright Rob Kemmer and Nick Porter

 
   
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Votes so far
accurate 5
optimistic 0
pessimistic 0
   
 
  Author: nita
This is the only review by this author
Last Visit: May 2009  
   
  Beachcomber campsite is the best campsite in the world! John is flexible, friendly, approachable and relaxed. Sheila who runs the stables and John who oversees the campsite are a great combination. The position of the site is magical and the facilities are very clean. The water is hot and the toilet paper fab.... I have been going to this campsite for years. The flora and fauna are breath taking. As are the night skies and the sunrises and sunsets. I would happily, well actually more than happily spend every spare moment there. In fact if anyone does write negative comments about it, it is because it is so fantastic they are just trying to put people off from going.... because they don’t want it to get too busy!

©Copyright nita and Nick Porter

 
   
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accurate 2
optimistic 0
pessimistic 0
   
 
  Author: Carol
This is the only review by this author
Last Visit: May 2009  
   
  I have recently been to Beachcomber with my husband and 3 young kids. It is fantastic! Everything about it is just amazing. Sheila and John are fantastic. John is a fantastic campsite owner if you need something he will direct you to the place you need to go or he will buy it in so you can collect it from the shop, which by the way is also simple but fantastic.
The stables are absolutely fantastic. The ladies there are very helpful. The rides are fantastic I rode on the beach for an hour with a lady called Jenny who was most pleasant and the ride and horse were fantastic. Whilst my 6 year-old daughter did a lesson then went onto the beach for a little bit and my husband said, and I quote, 'the variety in that lesson was just amazing ' he also mentioned that the young lady who was walking with him was very helpful.
The beach they are beside is amazing goes on forever.
The sunrises and sunsets are something to look out for amazing.

This campsite is just amazing, everything about it is AMAZING. We will not be going to any other campsite for now on this is ours for life. We are hoping to revisit in august. Recommend this campsite to anyone.


©Copyright Carol and Nick Porter

 
   
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Votes so far
accurate 1
optimistic 0
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