More holidaying at Thorpe Farm Centre

More holidaying at Thorpe Farm Centre

Work has started to expand Thorpe Farm Centre’s holiday park, introducing new pitches for static caravans and lodges.

Thorpe Farm Centre, which is set in the Durham Dales near Barnard Castle, is expanding into fields to the north of the established park.  Plans for the new area will give more opportunities for people to enjoy self-catering holidays in the location. 

The initial work, which has started in recent weeks, has included upgrading the water supply and drainage systems throughout the park, and installing gas and electricity to the new plots.  Areas will be fully landscaped before lodges and static caravans are installed.  Further expansion is planned in future years which will introduce rentable holiday pods to the park.

Harvey Barkes, of Thorpe Farm Centre, commented: “We’re really looking forward to welcoming more people to Thorpe Farm Centre.  We’re working hard to raise our profile with holiday makers who are looking for a rural holiday, but one with all the useful facilities and amenities that Thorpe Farm Centre provides.

“We’re very proud of the business we’ve grown.  In 2008, my parents started with five touring caravan pitches.  Since then, we’ve built a popular holiday destination, with additional facilities for visitors including a restaurant, farm shop and woodland walks, as well as soft play and a playground especially for the children.”

Mick and Edith Sutherland from Blyth have had a static caravan at Thorpe Farm Centre for 11 years.  They said: “It’s not just us who love a trip to Thorpe Farm Centre. We regularly visit with family, with our grandchildren, and with friends; there’s something for everyone.

“We particularly like that it’s open 12 months, that we can enjoy the caravan in winter as well as summer.  The facilities on the site are great, as are the special events the staff organise.  Also, the local area is another appeal of Thorpe Farm Centre, we really enjoy visiting places like Barnard Castle and Richmond.”

The holiday park is accessed off the A66 at Greta Bridge.  Holidaymakers staying at Thorpe Farm Centre can then easily travel by road to Durham City, the Durham and North Yorkshire Dales, the North Pennines and the Lake District.  Visitor attractions within 20 miles of Thorpe Farm Centre include the Bowes Museum in Barnard Castle, Richmond Castle, Raby Castle in Staindrop and Auckland Castle and the Kyren experience in Bishop Auckland.

In the report on the economic impact of tourism in County Durham published by Visit County Durham in June 2025, it was stated that only 11% of visitors to the Durham Dales stay overnight, with the lack of visitor accommodation often cited as reason for not staying.  It also revealed that overnight visitors spend on average just under £100* per visitor per day, more than three times the average spend of day visitors.

Harvey added: “Visitors to static caravans generally travel short distances from home,  but in the coming years we’ll be growing the areas for touring caravans as well as introducing holiday pods to appeal to visitors from further afield.  We’re keen to help to bring more holiday makers to the area, and in turn increase tourism revenue in the surrounding area.

“The beauty of Thorpe Farm Centre is that it is located with easy access to many places you might want to visit during your stay.  However, if you don’t want to get in the car, you don’t have to.  With facilities for children on site, with beautiful walks and cycle paths in the surrounding area, you always have the option of relaxing where you are and enjoying the South Durham countryside on your doorstep.”