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Carrshield Camping Barn
  • Home
  • Mine shop history
  • Our facilities
  • A wild location
  • Book your stay

England's last remaining wilderness

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An area of natural beauty, steeped in cultural history

The Carrshield Camping Barn is located on the edge of Carrshield village, in the West Allen valley, part of the North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. It is surrounded by the fells and valleys of “England’s Last Wilderness” that resound with the haunting calls of curlew and lapwing whilst also providing a reminder of the lead mining industry that dominated this area in the 18th and 19th Centuries.
Barney Craig is located at OS map ref. NY803467 (Explorer OL31, Landranger 86/87), post code NE47 8AR.

A great location for exploring

Situated on Isaac’s Tea Trail long distance footpath as well as the classic Coast-to-Coast cycle route (C2C) and close to a number of established mountain bike routes it will appeal not only to walkers, hikers and cyclists, but also those interested in exploring the natural beauty, history and industrial heritage of the North Pennines. For those planning longer trips, Carrshield is within walking distance of Bed & Breakfast accommodation in Allendale, Allenheads, Alston, Upper Weardale and Teesdale and the Youth Hostel at Ninebanks. ​​

Stay on Isaac's Tea Trail

​Isaac’s Tea Trail is a 37-mile (60km) circuit linking Allendale, Nenthead, Alston, and Ninebanks. It crosses high moorland and dips into the valleys of the rivers East Allen, Nent, South Tyne and the West Allen. The route was inspired by a Victorian grocer, Isaac Holden, who walked many miles in this area delivering tea to remote farms and hamlets while raising funds for community projects. You can start and finish Isaac’s Tea Trail at any point, and can walk it clockwise or anti-clockwise. Most people start in Allendale and follow the clockwise circuit. 
www.isaacs-tea-trail.co.uk
www.walkingisaacsteatreail.wordpress.com
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Using the Camping Barn as a walking base

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Local hiker, ​Paul Stafford has kindly curated 10 walks from the Camping Barn from relaxing two hour hikes to more challenging full day treks.  PDF versions of these can be downloaded from this page, the Camping Barn's Facebook page or the outdoor app at Viewranger.com

Walks 6, 8, 9 and 10  (marked with asterisks) are more challenging. Waterproofs, good walking boots and ability to use a compass & map are essential
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WALK 1 A short walk up to The Dodd, returning along the West Allen river (2 hrs).pdf
File Size: 219 kb
File Type: pdf
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WALK 2 High and low along the West Allen river (3.5 hrs).pdf
File Size: 254 kb
File Type: pdf
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WALK 3 High level circuit above Carrshield (3.5 hrs).pdf
File Size: 240 kb
File Type: pdf
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WALK 4 Across the moors to Nenthead (4 hrs).pdf
File Size: 261 kb
File Type: pdf
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WALK 5 Upper river valley and Carrshield Moor (2.5 hrs).pdf
File Size: 253 kb
File Type: pdf
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WALK 6 Killhope Law and the source of the West Allen (4 hrs*).pdf
File Size: 281 kb
File Type: pdf
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WALK 7 Various mining areas and wonderful Ashgill Force (6 hrs).pdf
File Size: 266 kb
File Type: pdf
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WALK 8 Killhope Law, Allenheads, return via East Allen (7.5 hrs*).pdf
File Size: 265 kb
File Type: pdf
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WALK 9 Over the moors to Allendale (8 hrs*).pdf
File Size: 275 kb
File Type: pdf
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WALK 10 West Allen, Mohope and Nent valleys & moors (6 hrs*).pdf
File Size: 267 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

There're so many things to do close by!

It is an ideal location for incorporating into expeditions for groups such as Scouts, the Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme, or outdoor challenge organisations and a perfect base for biking, walking or pony trekking activity breaks.  You'll be immersed in stunning countryside and surrounded constantly by wildlife.  Nearby attractions to explore include the North Pennine Dales; Allendale Town with its Museum of Classic Sci-Fi and annual Folk Festival; the Killhope Lead Mining Museum and Alston with its steam railway; the World Heritage sites of Hadrian's Wall & Durham Cathedral; and Hexham with its beautiful Abbey. Drive just a little further you can visit Kielder Forest, explore the wonderful Northumbrian coastline; the stunning Lake District; or cross the border into Scotland.  Enthusiastic astronomers will appreciate the wonder of the darkest skies in England above their heads each evening, unspoiled by light pollution. And, if you're really lucky, on a clear night you might even be privileged to catch a rare glimpse of the magical Northern Lights.
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Biking
Explore our dark skies
Pony trekking
Loads of culture, heritage & interesting stuff
Walking
Nature at first hand

Nearest local services during your stay

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Nearest railway connections

Haydon Bridge station (14 miles - approx 25 mins by car/taxi)
Hexham station (17 miles - approx 30 mins by car/taxi)
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Nearest shopping

Allendale Coop, Allendale (7.3 miles - approx 10 mins by car)
Alston Co-op, Alston (7.8 miles - approx 15 mins by car)
Spa, Alston ​ (7.8 miles - approx 15 mins by car)
There are Aldi, Tesco, Waitrose and M&S stores in Hexham (30 mins)
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Nearest petrol

Alston services  (7.8 miles - approx 15 mins by car)
​Bridge End, Hexham (17 miles - approx 30 mins by car)
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Nearest taxi services

Baynes Travel, Allendale   tel: 01434 683269
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Nearest takeaway food

Allen Mill Tandoori, Allendale ​ (7.8 miles - approx 10 mins by car)  Tel: 01434 683355​
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Nearest cafes

Hemmel Cafe, Allenheads  (6 miles - approx 10 mins by car) Tel: 01434 685568
Forge Cafe, Allendale  (7.8 miles - approx 10 mins by car) Tel: 01434 683975
Tea Rooms Allendale ​ (7.8 miles - approx 10 mins by car)  Tel:01434 683575​

​Alston (15 mins) also has a choice of cafes
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Nearest pubs

​Allenheads (6 miles - approx 10 mins by car)  - The Allenheads Inn 
​Allendale (7.8 miles - approx 10 mins by car) - Allendale Inn, The Golden Lion Allendale, The 
Kings Head, 
Whifield (8.4 miles - approx 10 mins by car) - The Elks Head, 

​Alston (15 mins also has a choice of pubs)
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Nearest auto mechanic

Paul Gowland, Allendale Tel: 01434 683433
Howard Pringle, Allendale ​Tel: 01434 683210
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
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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
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