Ord House Camping, Berwick and a visit to Alnwick Castle

We headed up the coast with our van and the rental, on a mini Northumberland tour with visiting family. The weather was turning, and because it was our cousins first time camping with a van, we wanted a few home comforts, so we booked Ord House Country Park at East Ord. It’s only about a 10-minute drive from gorgeous Northumberland countryside, historic Berwick-upon-Tweed and Spittal Beach on the North Sea. It was also ideally located, just a 35-minute drive away for our trip to Alnwick Castle the following morning.

The campsite is primarly static caravans, but there is a large touring area located near the facilities. We arrived in the evening, so we made the most of the play park to burn off some energy before heading into Ord House Lounge Bar and Grill, where there’s a designated soft play/kids’ zone. We were able to enjoy a few drinks with our evening meal while the children happily played nearby. The grill offered classic pub meals including pastas, burgers and pizza - something to keep even the fussy eaters happy!

The bathrooms were password-entry and offered everything and more that you’d expect from a 5* campsite. There was a large, warm, modern washroom with a separate room specifically for the showers. It is definitely luxurious and particularly ideal for camping during the colder seasons!

Sam was first up on the campsite, so he set off on his bike while Steve cooked breakfast. We’d planned a day trip to Alnwick Castle and had already booked our passes online. The passes are valid for a 12‑month period from the date of the first visit, allowing unlimited re‑visits during opening times. Alnwick Castle is famous as a film set but has also served as a refuge for evacuees, a teaching college, and remains the family home of the Duke and Duchess of Northumberland — the Percy family have owned it since 1309. Events are listed on the castle’s website, and there are plenty of guided tours that highlight the filming locations, particularly those used in Harry Potter and Downton Abbey. The kids were thrilled at the idea of visiting ‘Hogwarts’ and to relive some of the film magic by joining a broomstick flying lesson. Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone was filmed at Alnwick Castle in the autumn of 2000, and parts of Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets were shot there the following year. The children had a great time pretending to fly on the broomsticks while we pointed out the architectural features we recognised from the films.

Passes allow entry to the State Rooms and include a self‑guided tour to learn about the rich history and architectural design influences of Alnwick Castle. We also saw the early stages of the castle’s kitchen restoration. After a quick tour of the castle (the kids practically ran through), we ventured out to the courtyard for a bite to eat. There are plenty of food options including the Courtyard cafe, a pizzeria and a selection of local visiting food vendors. The kids opted for pizza while we enjoyed hogroast sandwiches.

After lunch we headed to the Artisans Courtyard, where you can explore the fascinating world of medieval life, from authentic crafts and period costumes to swords and knights. The kids loved dressing up and handling some of the medieval weaponry. A particular highlight for them was Dragon Quest. We made our way through the twisting mirror maze, crossed the fiery bridges and dodged swirling whirlpools while excitedly counting the hidden dragons along the route.

After an ice cream, we made our way out through the castle and wandered around the medieval village on the outer grounds. They were demonstrating medieval baking and various period crafts, thoughtfully showing how people lived and worked in those times.

Our day wasn’t quite over… We headed back to the vans and set off for the coast. We booked a surfing lesson for Sam — and the big boys decided to join in as well, paddling out and attempting to catch a few waves together! We ended our day out with a cheeseboard and bits by the beach.