A FAMILY are swapping the world of IT for the world of the dark skies after realising their lifestyle dream and purchasing Brown Rigg holiday accommodation.

With a history dating back to 1938, Brown Rigg, at Bellingham, is one of Northumberland’s most historic camps. It was originally built to get children breathing fresh air by taking them out of polluted industrial towns and cities.

Having just purchased the holiday accommodation, the new owners, Alistair and Sue Hunter, will be encouraging visitors to the area by capitalising on both the facilities and infrastructure of Brown Rigg.

The Hunters have swapped a fast paced lifestyle (Alistair previously worked in IT) for a rural life, running a business the whole family can be involved with.

Brown Rigg is well located to attract holidaymakers, situated in both the International Dark Sky Park and Northumberland National Park.

Covering an area of 24 acres, there is great potential for expansion and development within both the site and the local area.

Brown Rigg Camp School was first built by the National Camps Corporation, but it was never opened by them because of the onset of the Second World War, when it was instead used as a hostel for evacuees.

It was taken over by Northumberland County Council after the war and operated as a boarding school.

Following a period as a riding school, Brown Rigg has most recently been used as tourist accommodation, offering four self-catering lodges in 24 acres of grounds.

The lodges are pet-friendly and have three bedrooms sleeping up to six people.

They are popular with families, special interest groups, walkers and cyclists.

The Hunters have plans to recruit a number of staff from within the community. Combined with the opening of a cafe and small shop, they also propose to install some ‘glamping’ units to offer a wide range of accommodation, all of which will attract more visitors and have a positive impact on the local economy.

Alistair and Sue, who have two sons Jacob and Lewis, are delighted with their new family venture.

Sue said: “Alistair previously worked in IT and he was regularly away from home. We really wanted a lifestyle change; something we could all be a part of and Brown Rigg is just perfect.

“We already have plans in place to sympathetically develop and improve the current site. With its rural location and fabulous scenery, our focus is firmly set on working closely with local businesses, and we are already in discussion with other local providers to use Brown Rigg as a venue for residential educational courses.”

Barclays assisted with funding of the purchase of the site. The bank’s business manager Jane Brown said: “It’s always great to see customers fulfilling their dreams to become self-employed as well as investing in the local economy and creating jobs. Alistair and Sue have some great ideas to take the business to the next level and we look forward to supporting them on their journey at Brown Rigg.”

They will be updating the four lodges with new decor, dishwashers, furniture and fittings. With a view to attracting more walkers and cyclists, they also plan to develop an empty building as a bunk house that can accommodate individuals and groups of all sizes.