Herding Hill Farm | Hot Tub Decking Case Study

Happy campers can now make the most of the great outdoors in style.

Gripsure has supplied the camping and glamping site Herding Hill Farm in Northumberland with non-slip decking to complete the popular site’s ‘Wigwam glamping Pods’ and outdoor hot tub areas. Around 105 of our Gripsure Classic style three-metre boards have been used to create stunning slip-resistant outdoor spaces for visitors to enjoy.

5-star Herding Hill Farm, located just a stone’s throw from the world-famous Hadrian’s Wall, has 17 warm and cosy wooden Wigwam cabins (glamping pods), designed for guests who like a little more luxury when it comes to sleeping under the stars. Gripsure decking has provided the perfect solution to creating all-weather, low-maintenance, non-slip outdoor spaces which perfectly complement the timber-built glamping pods. Our sustainable, FSC and PEFC-approved decking has also been used around the site’s eight, luxurious outdoor hot tubs.

Site Manager Phil Humphreys, a former carpenter, says he’s really pleased with the look and the quality of Gripsure's decking. “We’re a campsite open all year round and in the winter, the weather can be treacherous,” said Phil, who has been working at Herding Hill Farm since 2018. “One of the first jobs I wanted to do was to rebuild the steps to the pods and the designated hot tub areas both to improve guest access and also their visual appearance. I did not believe that composite decking was the right solution. All of the glamping pods are made from timber and I felt like plastic decking just wouldn’t tie-in well. I’d heard about Gripsure’s non-slip timber decking and thought it would be ideal.”

Hundreds of people, including walkers, families and their dogs visit the pet-friendly campsite Herding Hill in Haltwhistle, Northumberland every year, drawn to the site’s incredible wide, open spaces and breathtaking location close to Hadrian’s Wall. Luxury 5-star amenities, including a shower and toilet block with under-floor heating, baths and a sauna, meaning Herding Hill is a favourite with a range of campers and glampers. These range from just-pitch-and-go tenters, caravanners and motorhomers to glampers who are looking for the perfect getaway with at least some of the comforts of home.

Herding Hill is also known as a Dark Skies campsite with spectacular Northumberland stargazing on offer in this area, famous for its night-time views. Having the right outdoor spaces to accommodate such a range of people in such a range of seasons and circumstances was vital.

“The Gripsure decking is working really well,” said Phil, who runs the 10-year-old site with his wife, Sue. “We’re so pleased with it”. Phil also wanted to thank the staff at Gripsure for being so helpful and efficient at organising and then delivering the decking on time – despite being based more than 400 miles away in Cornwall. “I can’t fault Gripsure,” said Phil. “I would absolutely recommend them.”