Dragonfly Camping

View prices & book 9.7 66 reviews
Camping field
Setting up in the walnut orchard
Walnut orchard pitches
Wilder pitches in walnut orchard

  • Pop-up campsite among woodlands at a Co. Durham working farm
  • Durham city centre 15 minutes' drive; 20 minutes to the coast
  • Dog-friendly site; choose from main field or wilder orchard pitches
Want to spend some time deep in the delightful Co.Durham countryside? Don’t particularly want to have to make a long diversion from the main road to get there? Book yourselves a space at Dragonfly Camping – this splendid spot is part of a working farm surrounded by woodlands, and yet it’s no more than 15 minutes’ drive from either the A1 or the A19. You’ll probably start to notice the peaceful atmosphere as you make your way down the farm track to the camping area. At this point you’ll need to make a choice – will you set up in the main field (a popular choice for groups and families because of its open space and proximity to facilities), or among the trees in the Walnut Orchard for more of a secluded wild camping-style experience? Either way, you’ll have access to toilets and showers, along with water points in the camping fields. You’ll be allowed to bring your dog along too – perhaps to accompany you as you wander through the woods and grasslands around the site, looking out to see what sort of wildlife you can spot. Once you’ve stretched your legs on site, there’s much more to explore in the area – including outings to the Durham Dales, the Durham Heritage Coast and, of course, the city of Durham itself, which is about 15 minutes’ drive away. You won’t have to go that far for your picnic supplies though, as you can pick those up at the convenience store five minutes’ drive away in Wheatley Hill (which also has a café and a couple of takeaways).

Campground type

Tent sites 50
Rent a tent 2
Open now
Opens April 17
Please note
  • Under 18s must be accompanied by their parents or legal guardians.
  • The park does not accept breeds/crossbreeds listed in the Breed-specific legislation (i.e. Pit Bull Terrier, Japanese Tosa, Dogo Argentino, and Fila Brasileiro).
  • Dogs are not allowed if you are staying in the accommodation units.
  • If making a fire, the fuel, logs and coal have to be purchased on site.
  • Guests are advised to bring a good quality flashlight with them as parts of the park are unlit.
  • Please note that the toilet/shower facilities are unisex.

Languages spoken

English

Spanish

Open from Thu, Apr 17 to

Reviews

  • 86%
    10
  • 1%
    9
  • 9%
    8
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    7
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    6
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    5
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    1
Location
10
Value for money
10
Accommodation
10
Facilities / Activities
9
Customer service
10
Child friendliness
10
Cleanliness
10
Wifi
7

98% would recommend this campground to a friend

98% would stay here again

What customers say

Highly recommended, spacious campground with a peaceful, 'wild camp' feel. Friendly, helpful owners, varied pitches, and clean, basic facilities. Fire pits available, great value. Access road can be tricky, but overwhelmingly positive feedback & many plan to return.

Summary AI-generated from Pitchup.com customer reviews

Reviews page 1 of 7
Arrival date (latest first)

Beautiful site, great facilities, owners are lovely - I cannot fault a…

Overall

10 out of 10
Location
10
Value for money
10
Accommodation
10
Facilities / Activities
10
Customer service
10
Child friendliness
No rating
Cleanliness
10
Wifi
No rating
Maria D.

Primitive grass and earth tent campsite

Liked Beautiful site, great facilities, owners are lovely - I cannot fault a thing. We camped in-between walnut trees which was just magical.

Recommend to friends Visit again

Owner was a delight to talk to enjoyed speaking to him

Overall

10 out of 10
Location
9
Value for money
10
Accommodation
10
Facilities / Activities
10
Customer service
10
Child friendliness
10
Cleanliness
10
Wifi
No rating
Macauley C.

Primitive grass and earth tent campsite

Liked Was perfect in every way wasn't your typical place we're there's a park and all regimented you pitch up we're you like you enjoy your time it was a beautiful place. The kids ran around for hours amd hours in and out the tress and bushes. Lovely fire pits all around with the service to buy log wood honestly loves the place it was camping amd not glam camping just proper camping

Recommend to friends Visit again

Many positives, but room for improvement. Would visit again!

Overall

7 out of 10
Location
9
Value for money
6
Accommodation
No rating
Facilities / Activities
5
Customer service
9
Child friendliness
5
Cleanliness
8
Wifi
No rating
Richard T.

Primitive grass and earth tent campsite

Liked First time camping in 40 years, went with my two boys, wasn't sure what to expect. Positives from my particular perspective: The site was beautiful, with great views, countryside picturesqueness, woodland trees, and an orchard on the campsite.
The hosts are very friendly, welcomed us and were always available throughout. We bought firewood from them and really enjoyed having a campfire each night by the tent.
The facilities are two toilets and two showers in a modified section of the farmhouse, a bit rough-hewn perhaps but the kids thought it was adventurous. Outside is a sink with hot water for washing pots.
Nearby the hosts have set up a sheltered social area for gathering and chatting, with interesting mechanical artworks on display.
Loved being able to sit each night and skygaze, listen to the birds, watch the swallows skimming the grass for bugs, and greeting the horses in the neighbouring field. Little one found a newt and a frog in the grass and thought that was great.
Had a fab two-night break. I'd say this site is rustic and close-to-nature. Will definitely consider visiting again next year.

Disliked I don't like writing negatives, but if I were to make a few suggestions to improve the experience for someone like me (late forties, two kids, not a regular camper), I would suggest firstly to keep the grass mown short. It came up above our ankles in places and made trudging to the facilities harder than it needed to be. Kids couldn't play so well in the free areas.
The social gathering area is accompanied by music, played on an outdoor system. Not particularly loud, but audible from half the site. We were pitched down the slope so couldn't hear it, and it was probably inaudible from the orchard too. If you're looking for a quiet camping experience, make sure you pitch up away from the main building.
As mentioned, it's been a few years since I last went camping, and on reflection I think the price was a little high for what we got. I expected slightly more complete facilities, such as lighting in the toilet block (at night you can't see much), maybe a couple of dedicated sinks for brushing teeth and washing hands (aside from the dish washing kitchen sink), and maybe shower cubicles that protect you from the elements better. The quirkiness of the facilities was attractive, but perhaps less than practical.

Recommend to friends Visit again

Lovely stay at this campsite, our hosts were really friendly and always…

Overall

9 out of 10
Location
9
Value for money
9
Accommodation
9
Facilities / Activities
9
Customer service
10
Child friendliness
10
Cleanliness
9
Wifi
No rating
Adam R.

Primitive grass and earth tent campsite

Liked Lovely stay at this campsite, our hosts were really friendly and always about to offer advice on the surrounding area. The site is rustic but I loved that, would go back.

Recommend to friends Visit again

Everything you need … hot shower, peace, and fresh eggs.

Overall

10 out of 10
Location
10
Value for money
10
Accommodation
10
Facilities / Activities
10
Customer service
10
Child friendliness
No rating
Cleanliness
10
Wifi
No rating
Anonymous

Primitive grass and earth tent campsite

Liked Tranquility - sitting in the meadow watching the swallows. And listening to the owls at night. This is real camping!

Disliked Nothing … just perfect :)

Recommend to friends Visit again

Beautifull location, quiet, Lots of space, friendly, creative and helpfull people…

Overall

8 out of 10
Location
10
Value for money
9
Accommodation
9
Facilities / Activities
No rating
Customer service
9
Child friendliness
No rating
Cleanliness
9
Wifi
No rating
Walter D.

Primitive grass and earth tent campsite

Liked Beautifull location, quiet, Lots of space, friendly, creative and helpfull people

Recommend to friends Visit again

Absolutely loved it here, it was very quiet and peaceful giving a…

Overall

10 out of 10
Location
10
Value for money
10
Accommodation
10
Facilities / Activities
10
Customer service
10
Child friendliness
10
Cleanliness
10
Wifi
10
Jem L.

Primitive grass and earth tent campsite

Liked Absolutely loved it here, it was very quiet and peaceful giving a lovely wild camp sort of feel- the fire pit and picnic tables really added to the warm feel. The hosts were extremely friendly and I felt very safe as a female solo camper. I will 100% be a returning customer- thank you so much

Disliked Nothing at all

Recommend to friends Visit again

Great little site….Toilets and showers clean,

Overall

10 out of 10
Location
10
Value for money
10
Accommodation
10
Facilities / Activities
10
Customer service
10
Child friendliness
10
Cleanliness
10
Wifi
10
Keith F.

Primitive grass and earth tent campsite

Liked Great little wooded area
Good Fire pits
Pleasant and helpful owners

Disliked Nothing

Recommend to friends Visit again

Good value for money, owner's are lovely. Well worth a visit.

Overall

8 out of 10
Location
10
Value for money
10
Accommodation
10
Facilities / Activities
8
Customer service
10
Child friendliness
10
Cleanliness
10
Wifi
No rating
Peter G.

Primitive grass and earth tent campsite

Liked Lovely spacious site with small wooded area you can camp in.
Quite peaceful.
1.5 miles from pub and small shop.
Basic toilets and shower facilities.
Multiple fresh water points.
Decent mobile signal

Disliked Access road is really poor, bikes, scooter riders need to take care however, tok my time and was fine.

Recommend to friends Visit again

Great campsite, lots of options for where to pitch up, the wooded…

Overall

10 out of 10
Location
10
Value for money
10
Accommodation
10
Facilities / Activities
No rating
Customer service
10
Child friendliness
10
Cleanliness
10
Wifi
No rating
James O.

Primitive grass and earth tent campsite

Liked Great campsite, lots of options for where to pitch up, the wooded area was great. We were met on arrival and given a quick tour and shown to a nice spot to camp. 7 year old loved it.

Recommend to friends Visit again


Features

Leisure on park

Bar or club house Cycle hire Evening entertainment Fishing Fitness centre Indoor swimming pool Kids' club On-site restaurant/cafe Outdoor swimming pool Playground Recreation room/arcade TV room Takeout Tennis Watersports

Amenities on park

Bath available Car parking by site/unit Composting toilet Dog park Drying room Free wifi Grocery store Ice pack freezing Internet access Laundromat Parent & baby washroom Payphone Pick-up from public transport Portable toilet Pub toilets Restrooms Shower available Washing-up area Wifi

Groups welcome

Family friendly Motorcycle friendly Scouts welcome Single-sex groups welcome Student groups welcome

Rules

Barbecue grills allowed Barbecue provided Campfires allowed Commercial vehicles allowed Dogs allowed Dogs allowed all year

Camping 2.0

Jumbo tent sites

Themes

Budget/backpacker Forest Hikers’ paradise Peaceful Remote location Spectacular scenery Wild camping Wildlife haven

Utilities

Charging facilities Dump station Electric car charging point(s) Propane/gas cylinders available Recycling available Renewable energy

Nearby amenities

Bar nearby Convenience store nearby Dog walk nearby Nearby farmers' market Public transportation nearby

Type

Farm Medium (26-50 sites) Pop-up campground

Location

Dragonfly Camping

Carr House Farm

Town Kelloe

Durham

Co. Durham

England

DH6 4PS

Directions

Timezone

Europe/London +0100 (GMT+01:00)

GPS

54.72923°N
1.44885°W

Route directions

Turn down the signposted track (marked Carr House Farm) at Town Kelloe and follow all the way to the farm.

Nearest transport

Bus
6.3 mi Bus Station
10 mi Interchange Stand 1
10 mi Interchange Stand 2
Rail
6.3 mi Durham Rail Station
8.6 mi Seaham Rail Station
9.8 mi Newton Aycliffe Rail Station
Ferry
13.4 mi Transporter Bridge North Side
13.4 mi Transporter Bridge South Side
18.2 mi Newcastle International Ferry Terminal
Airport
15.1 mi Durham Tees Valley Airport
23.7 mi Newcastle International Airport

Please note: All distances on this page are calculated "as the crow flies" - please check actual distance depending on your mode of travel using the Get directions button above.

Local attractions

Attractions and activities nearby include: - Wingate Quarry nature reserve: five minutes’ drive - Durham (cathedral, castle and botanic gardens): 15 minutes - White Hill Woods: 15 minutes - Blackhall Rocks beach and Durham Heritage Coast: 20 minutes - National Trust - Crook Hall Gardens: 20 minutes - Adventure Valley theme park: 25 minutes - Binchester Roman Fort: 25 minutes - Angel of the North: 25 minutes - Beamish, the Living Museum of the North: half an hour - Kynren live attraction: half an hour - Raby Castle, Deer Park & The Plotters' Forest: 35 minutes - Heddon-on-the-Wall (for Hadrian’s Wall): 45 minutes.

Water quality at nearby bathing waters

Name Distance Type 2020201920182017
Crimdon 8 mi Sea GoodExcellentExcellentExcellent
Seaham Beach 9.3 mi Sea N/AGoodExcellentExcellent
Seaham Hall Beach 9.4 mi Sea N/AGoodGoodExcellent
Seaton Carew North 11.4 mi Sea N/AN/AGoodGood
Seaton Carew Centre 11.7 mi Sea N/AExcellentExcellentExcellent

Data source: European Environment Agency

Must see

Durham Cathedral 5.9 mi

Durham Castle 6 mi

Durham Coast 7.3 mi

Hartlepool's Maritime Experience 10 mi

Locomotion:The National Railway Museum at Shildon 10.4 mi

National Trust

Washington Old Hall 12.3 mi

Ormesby Hall 16.7 mi

Souter Lighthouse and The Leas 17 mi

Gibside 17.4 mi

Holy Jesus Hospital 17.9 mi

Cycle routes

Find local routes on the National Cycle Network - over 12,000 miles of cycling routes.

Other

Cassop Vale 0.9 mi

Cassop Vale - Cassop Moor - Old Quarrington 1 mi

Littletown - High Haswell - Littletown 3.9 mi

Haswell to Hart 3.9 mi

Croxdale Hall 4.3 mi

Please note: All distances on this page are calculated "as the crow flies" - please check actual distance depending on your mode of travel using the Get directions button above.

Nearest campgrounds

Unfortunately, we have no nearby bookable campgrounds.

Want to know more about camping in Co. Durham?

Frequently asked questions

  • Does Dragonfly Camping have a swimming pool? No View all features
  • Is Dragonfly Camping dog friendly? Yes View all features
  • What attractions are near Dragonfly Camping? Attractions and activities nearby include: - Wingate Quarry nature reserve: five minutes’ drive - Durham (cathedral, castle and botanic gardens): 15 minutes - White Hill Woods: 15 minutes - Blackhall Rocks beach … Read more
  • When can I check in and check out of Dragonfly Camping?
    RV, travel trailer and tent sites
    Arrive:  1 p.m. –  8 p.m.
    Depart by:  11 a.m.
    On-park accommodation
    Arrive:  1 p.m. –  8 p.m.
    Depart by:  11 a.m.
    Read more
  • How much does it cost to stay at Dragonfly Camping? From $48.38 (for 1 night, 2 adults) - prices may change depending on your dates and party.