Gordon Turnock remembered 'pillow fights after lights out, and after being warned by Mr Harrison and other teachers ( Castle View Senior School Hylton Castle in Sunderland) on several occasions. "We were told at about 12 o’clock at night to get dressed and walk about 2 miles by which time we were very tired and stopped carrying on and went straight to sleep."placeholder image
Gordon Turnock remembered 'pillow fights after lights out, and after being warned by Mr Harrison and other teachers ( Castle View Senior School Hylton Castle in Sunderland) on several occasions. "We were told at about 12 o’clock at night to get dressed and walk about 2 miles by which time we were very tired and stopped carrying on and went straight to sleep." | Sunderland Antiquarian Society

Your best Sunderland memories of Middleton Camp including pillow fights in the middle of the night

By Chris Cordner

Digital specialist in nostalgia

Published 17th Jan 2026, 06:00 GMT

Ghosts, pillow fights and glorious walks. You got it all if you were a Sunderland youngster who enjoyed a visit to Middleton Camp.

The famous venue in the countryside has hosted hundreds of Sunderland youngsters over the years and we asked some of them to share their memories.

Here’s what they had to say and to enjoy more Wearside nostalgia, visit the Sunderland Echo website and click on the retro section.

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The bin strike which caused a mountain of rubbish in Sunderland.

I'm stunned by the 'old wives' remedies that Sunderland people used.

Join Chris Cordner for a trip down memory lane every month with the free Wearside Echoes newsletter

Teamwork paid dividends for these Sunderland youngsters on a sunny obstacle course at Middleton Camp in 1993. Carol Bambrough remembered: "I also went twice in the sixties, a bit nervous the first time because of the older ones frightening us about the "ghost". "I remember going into the village and buying a present to take home for mam."

5. A present for mam

Teamwork paid dividends for these Sunderland youngsters on a sunny obstacle course at Middleton Camp in 1993. Carol Bambrough remembered: "I also went twice in the sixties, a bit nervous the first time because of the older ones frightening us about the "ghost". "I remember going into the village and buying a present to take home for mam." | se Photo: se

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Pupils of Bishopwearmouth Girl's School enjoy the sweet country air and sunshine at the Middleton in Teesdale summer camp. Janice Thompson said: "Spent my 12th birthday there in 1958, very basic then."

6. Janice's birthday

Pupils of Bishopwearmouth Girl's School enjoy the sweet country air and sunshine at the Middleton in Teesdale summer camp. Janice Thompson said: "Spent my 12th birthday there in 1958, very basic then." | se Photo: se

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Norma Naisbett said: "Went twice 1956 with West Southwick School. Happy memories."

7. Memories from the 50s

Norma Naisbett said: "Went twice 1956 with West Southwick School. Happy memories." | Sunderland Antiquarian Society Photo: Sunderland Antiquarian Society

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Gill Stephenson Button remembered: "Food terrible, cold, but enjoyed the walks and having a laugh."

8. Gill enjoyed the walks

Gill Stephenson Button remembered: "Food terrible, cold, but enjoyed the walks and having a laugh." | se

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