LIVING HISTORY

Stay in a converted 19th century mine shop
Carrshield Camping Barn is located within the former Barney Craig Mine Shop.  This used to be the largest mine shop in south Northumberland. It is a Scheduled Ancient Monument and was at risk of collapsing beyond repair.  With funding from Historic England and the Heritage Lottery Fund the North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty Partnership renovated the building using traditional methods and existing materials, converting the upper floors into a basic Camping Barn.  It is now owned and managed by Allen Valleys Enterprise Limited, for the benefit of the local community.  ​

A WILD AND REMOTE LOCATION

England's last unspoiled wilderness

The Carrshield Camping Barn is located in one of England’s most special places – a stunning landscape of open heather moors and peatlands, attractive dales and hay meadows, tumbling upland rivers, wonderful woods, welcoming communities, intriguing imprints of a mining and industrial past, distinctive birds, animals and plants and much, much more. In recognition of its special qualities the area has been designated as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB). The North Pennines is also a UNESCO Global Geopark – highlighting its globally important Earth heritage.

Happy Campers!

I was excited to be one of the very first people to stay at the Carrshield Camping Barn after its conversion. We're talking cosy/easy camping in a weather-beating big stone tent! The composting toilet was excellent.  Once the wood burning stoves were lit it was really warm and toasty - and one of the highlights was star-gazing from our beds out of the window!   The remote location was stunning, providing us with a couple of memorable car-free days to walk from the barn up to Killhope Law and back over Black Trod. 
Fiona Knox
This was our second visit in two months and we love it! There’s great walks, you can play in the stream and you can have a fire. It’s really pretty and there’s a great stream with gems and lead stones in it. It’s brilliant for dogs and for climbing rocks.
Second Izzy’s comments; brilliant location, great accommodation and a really great welcome from everyone associated. Can’t recommend it highly enough for a group or large family location.  We will definitely be back!
Izzy Mavro
A massive "Thank You" from the Allen Valley Scouts! We had a great weekend at Barney Craig, ALL of the leaders and Scouts loved the place and what it had to offer and we can't wait to come back.  The space is absolutely amazing.  We have a booking in the calendar for October and we are already looking forward to it.
Bruce Lenton
The Barney Craig Mine Shop, housing the Carrshield Camping Barn, is owned and operated by Allen Valleys Enterprise (AVEL),  a Community Benefit Society set up to support projects that will safeguard the legacy of the Allen Valleys Landscape Partnership project and allow income generated to be used for the benefit of the local community.
Postal Address: Allen Valley Enterprise Ltd, Allendale Village Hall, Allendale, Northumberland NE47 9PR
For any problems with this website please contact the AVEL web administrator
The Barney Craig project was completed with funding from Historic England and the Heritage Lottery Fund
The renovation was managed by the North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty Partnership