Tag Archives: Campfires

Kent and Sussex Campsites

11 Mar

My mental image of the south east of England, particularly the areas of Kent and Sussex, is rather a domestic one.  This is the area that I grew up in, and while I always appreciated it was a pretty area, I would have never imagined it as a holiday destination.  However, I have noticed many rather fine looking campsites in the area and I am being forced to re-assess my opinion.  Check these out:

The Secret Campsite

‘The Secret Campsite is a peaceful, tents only campsite for nature lovers, real campers and their families, who are looking to explore Sussex, Brighton or Lewes. Our woodland meadow camping pitches are large and secluded and come with their own camp fire pit and free hot showers.’  This place looks pretty special, a prime example of unexpected Sussex loveliness.  At this campsite you also have the opportunity to try out an amazing tree tent, you may have seen it on ‘George Clarke’s Amazing Spaces’ on  Channel 4.  As this site does not allow campervans I may be forced to try out one of their ‘Secret Shelters’, one of which is a Tree Tent. It looks so cozy!

Dernwood Farm

‘At Little Dernwood Farm we have one  of the largest blocks of coppice woodland in East Sussex. They are formally identified as semi-natural ancient woodland being the vestige of the dark and forbidding forest that covered The Weald in ancient time, and the camping field is set within the very heart of  these 70 acres of woodland.’ Brilliant!  Woodland camping plus the added attraction of a functioning traditional farm selling high quality products to cook over your campfire.  Car free, so no campervans again, but the opportunity to hire bell tents and safari tents.  Aiming to be real ‘Wild Camping’ so no showers, although you can borrow a solar shower bag – intriguing!

Blackberry Wood

‘The Campsite has a maximum of 20 tents and the camping pitches are in cosy little private woodland glades’. Blackberry Wood is possibly the original ‘wild camping’ campsite in Sussex. It was featured in the Guardian a few years ago and since it has been very popular, in fact people often book a year in advance.  One has to assume they do what they do very well.  They have now added a gypsy caravan, a london bus, a wooden lodge and a helicopter  (yes, I said helicopter!) to their accommodation options.  Sadly no campervans again – I am detecting a pattern here!

Image from http://www.dailymail.co.uk

Kitts Cottage Campsite

Located very close to the well known campsite WoWo,  close to the Bluebell railway and the Ashdown Forest (home of Pooh Bear!), Kitts Cottage offers woodland camping, views, campfires and a great family friendly eco-camping vibe.’The camping ground is set in and around  a natural glade – a forest clearing if you like, although in this case the open area that surrounds the site runs to nearly 20 acres. Pitches are set both in the glade itself or along the outside of its circular edge.’ And hurrah, they accept campervans!

Forgewood Camping

In Kent this time, not far from Tunbridge Wells, Forgewood has all the right ingredients – woodland, campfires and a laid back feel.  It is situated on the Eridge Estate, a large estate originally created by William the Conqueror, the campsite itself  covers a large area. I visited the Eridge Estate last year for a festival and I can vouch for it being a beautiful location and though I have never visited Forgewood myself it has often been recommended by friends.

Image from forgewoodcamping.co.uk

Nethergong Nurseries Camping 

Another Kent campsite, love it for it’s name alone!  The campsite is part of a fruit and vegetable supply business – the type that offers those weekly veg boxes, so you can get yourself some good quality produce to enjoy at the campsite. It seems to be a lovely spot for nature watching and has some stocked ponds, great for fishing, pond dipping and paddling. UK campsite reviews are positively glowing and The Independent says ‘Nethergong Nurseries is the perfect kids’ playground: full of secret paths that promise adventure, and nooks and crannies in which to hide‘. Very tempting!

Image from The Independent

Kent and Sussex are literally thick with great camspites!  Sadly for me many of them do not accept campervans. Campervan prejudice – so unfair.  Oh well, I guess I’ll just have to rent a helicopter!

UPDATE

Eco Camp UK

How could I have missed these very beautiful looking campsites! And they accept campervans by arrangement.  Hurrah!

 ’Beech Estate Woodland Campsite and Wild Boar Wood Campsite offer ‘off-grid’ forest camping through our Bell Tent ‘glamping’ experiences, with Beech Estate also offering Forest Tent Pitches. The Bell Tents and Pitches are set apart in the trees, giving solitude and privacy. The woodland campsites also provide the chance to meet and relax with friends, family and fellow campers around the campfire.’

Image from Trip Advisor

I have not included all the campsites I have come across because, well, I am supposed to have a life away from researching campsites but I have to say the area provides a rich seam!

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Why aren’t there more campfire campsites?

31 Jan

I spend a lot of time (no, really A LOT) combing through the internet for campsites that allow campfires. Occasionally, I come across one I haven’t seen before but mostly I am seeing the same places coming up.  It never ceases to amaze me.  I know I’m a tad on the obsessive side on the subject but surely most people enjoy a campfire?

Camping is all about slowing down and enjoying the simple things in life. The campfire is the perfect embodiment of this.  Taking the time to light the fire, to teach the kids about fire, to roast some marshmallows, maybe cook and to enjoy the warmth and as the evening draws in.  How can anyone camp without it?

The fire provides a focus to camp, it provides warmth and light.  And the flickering, crumbling interior of the fire provides entertainment that never ceases to fascinate.

So why, WHY don’t more campsites allow fires?  There are so many ways to do it.

Dig proper fire pits surrounded by stones as they do at Thistledown Farm.

Love getting a small cooking fire going in the morning.

Provide an off ground fire pit at each pitch as they do at Beeches Farm.

Great views.

Hire out fire braziers for the evening as they do at Alpine Grove.

Alpine Grove

Seriously, campsites can make a few quid out of this – and why shouldn’t they?  Campers love it; a campsite with campfires is a lovely sight in the evening, as the smoke drifts, kids learn how to roast marshmallows, and the flicker of firelight lights the happy faces of the campers.

Ok, I may be slightly over romanticising it.  If it’s windy and the smoke is constantly whipping round making eyes stream, or the marshmallows keep falling in the fire or if you just can’t get the fire going it may not be all smiles but it will be a learning experience, and personally I feel a bit odd just sitting in a field at night without a fire!

C’mon all you campsites – get with it!!!

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Campsite Review: Cornish Tipi Holidays, Nr Port Isaac, North Cornwall

2 Sep

Top Village

Where: Cornish Tipi Holidays, nr Port Isaac, North Cornwall

How Much: For camping, £45 per night

Campfires: Yes, in dug pits surrounded by stones.

Wood: Yes, sold by the warden. Also it is possible to collect wood in the woods, ask Oggy for good places.

Types of camping: Tents, campervans and Tipis (different prices)

Facilities: Showers, toilets, outside washing up areas, lake with row boats and life jackets.

The Review:  I was very much looking forward to visiting Cornish Tipi Holidays, it is truly a destination campsite.  the location is stunning – a wooded valley centred around a quarry lake.

The woods are filled with wild flowers, mature native trees, dappled sunlight and the gentle splashing of  a shallow woodland stream. The crowning glory of the woodland is the sparkling  lake.  Surrounded by trees, with wooden pontoons jutting into the lake, the deep, clear water invites the dangling of feet.  Impressively there are some rowing boats and canoes along with essential and plentiful life jackets for all shapes and sizes freely available.   The tipis are dotted through the woods, some in little groups and some in solitary clearings.  It really is a very beautiful place.

Woodland walks

Hanging out by the lake

Occasionally, breaking the peace of the wood you will hear the buzz of the warden’s quad bike as he roams the site attending to his visitor’s requests and managing the woodland.  He met us on our arrival, with a friendly but professional patter he showed us around and took us to our pitch.

Having walked through the lovely woodland I was a tiny bit disappointed that we were in the ‘meadow’.  A large field at the  top of the valley, it was almost empty but the grass was quite long and thistly.  However, to his credit Oggy quickly re-appeared with his drive on mower and cut a good portion of the field around us to make it a little friendlier. He also dug us a fire pit and edged it with rocks.  Perfect.  A recently built wooden foot bridge led us from the meadow to the top Tipi village and our nearest toilets and washing up area.

We had some warm and sultry weather while we were at Tipi, it was perfect for hanging out by the lake.  Quite a few people swam in the lake. It was very deep and cold.  There were a couple of floating islands providing rest stops for swimmers, however, it was not a good area for younger kids to splash about, there is no beach area. The boats are great and of course we made a mini raft and sent it off sailing on the lake.

Away from the lake, the woods are good for a gentle stroll and perhaps a little nose at the scattered Tipis.  There is a lovely clearing through which the stream meanders and provides a safer area for younger kids to play around in water.  This area is used for weddings, which are not scheduled during August but if you visit on a weekend in another month you may find this area out of bounds to non-wedding guests.

A tent pitched in a Tipi clearing.

Although we were in the meadow other campers in tents were able to camp among the trees on tipi clearing which where ‘resting’. (vehicles are not allowed in the wood). However, there where some benefits to the meadow, principally a near solitary camping experience in peak season in Cornwall!  Also, being relatively high and with an unobstucted view, we had one night of fantastic star watching.  It was the height of the Perseid meteor shower and we spent several hours lounging next to the fire counting shooting stars in a fantastically clear sky.

Stargazing

As you can probably tell I did think this site was pretty special, however, it did have flaws.  It is expensive at £45 per night just to camp.  The price meant I was less forgiving of the toilet facilities.  The toilets nearest to us were clean enough but the shed in which they where housed was fairly old, cobwebby and not of a very sturdy construction.  The other big problem was with water supplies. A lot of the site uses a gravity fed water system, however, the areas of the site that were at the top of the hill had to have water pumped up by a generator (Tipi is completely off grid, has no mains electricity).  This system did not seem completely effective and there where water shortages which affected some showers, toilets, washing up areas and stand pipes. To be honest I did not find it  a serious problem but I did speak to other visitors who had found it an issue.

Hand washing area

What’s nearby?

Although the area felt like it was miles from anywhere it was actually close to Bodmin Moor, Port Isaac, Rock, Padstow, Tintagel and Boscastle.  If you can tear yourself away from the woods and the lake there is plenty to see in the area.  We tried out cycling on the Camel Trail from Wadebridge.  The Camel Trail works on a system of licences bought by the cycle hire shops from the council, in order to prevent over crowding on the trail.  Subsequently, we found that we couldn’t do the part of the trail we had hoped to do from Wadebridge to Padstow as all the licences for the day had already been sold.  So it’s worth remembering either book in advance or get there early.  As it was, the Wadebridge to Bodmin section was quieter and still very pretty so no great loss.
Cornish Tipi Holidays is a very lovely place to camp. The lake, woods and general magical feel of the place is certainly worth experiencing. If only it where a little cheaper I would have stayed there for as longer!

And finally I can’t resist sharing with you just a few more photos of this beautiful spot!

Check out some more brilliant campsites using the Campsite Map tab at the top!

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Campsites I want to visit!

25 Jun

Camping

This weekend  we did not go camping.  Phew, I think we needed a break. Plus of course, it gave me a chance to research some more campsites I want to visit.  I have a spreadsheet that I add campsites to as I find them (is that very sad?), so I thought I would share them with you. Perhaps some of you have visited them and can tell me if my hankerings are with or without reason.  Also do let me know of any campsites you recommend!

All these sites allow campfires.

Camping in Oxfordshire

Turkey Creek

Turkey Creek Campsite (odd name!)  is on the Swindon side of Oxfordshire, near the Uffington White Horse and Waylands Smithy Barrow – amazing places

‘Situated on Westmoor Farm in the beautiful Oxfordshire countryside, Turkey Creek is a secret retreat hidden away in a woodland setting without TV, computers or all the gismos where you can spend some ‘quality time’ with your family and friends.

Our farm is just 1 mile from The Thames path at Tadpole Bridge, where there is a very popular pub and restaurant. Fantastic walks along the Thames eastwards will take you through a Wild Fowl Trust Site, if you head to the west it will take you to The Swan at Radcot and beyond to the Riverside at Lechlade, the Thames Path is ideal for both walkers and cyclists.’

To be honest the website is not that inspirational there is very little info, but that almost makes it more appealing. How come they are so casual that they don’t bother adding loads of lovely photos?  Is it because only special people know about it and visit it?  I want to be one of those special people! Plus, a friend recommended it to me.

http://www.turkeycreek.co.uk/

Britchcombe Farm

Brithcombe Farm is also on the Swindon side of Oxfordshire.

I have visited this campsite, but it was a few years ago.  We had a good camp there and enjoyed the climb up to the Ridgeway and the views of the Uffington White Horse.  It is a working farm and there are at least three large fields so it’s is a good one for group camping.  Facilities are basic but adequate.  I would love to return to see if it has retained its earthy charms!

It does not have its own website.

Tel: 01367 821022

Camping in Dorset

Brig’s Farm

Brig’s Farm, Nr Charmouth and Lyme Regis, Dorset

‘Brig’s Farm is a 12 acre small-holding nestled in the hills 2 miles from the Jurassic Coast in the far corner of West Dorset. It is a truly beautiful area full of winding hedgerowed lanes and public footpaths. Charmouth, famous for its fossils, is only 2 miles away and Lyme Regis is close too.’

Lyme Regis and Charmouth are fabulous places to visit, I am very excited to have found this campsite so close to Charmouth.  It looks like there are sea views too. Only downside is that it is only open in August.  Shame. Still might just be able to fit it in!

http://www.brigsfarmcamping.co.uk/

Riverside Lakes

Riverside Lakes is in Wimbourne in deepest Dorset.

‘It’s a chilled out campsite with the intention of allowing nice respectful people a chance to enjoy a relaxing experience within a natural setting. We do not want large groups of screaming kids or drunken louts, just people that like to enjoy the great outdoors experience where you can have a chat around a real fire’

Oh my word! This one has an island you can camp on!  Clearly not accessible to my campervan but still a great feature.  Campervans are restricted to a certain area which is always slightly upsetting to me but probably great for other campers.   The other slightly annoying issue is that it is a ‘Camping and Caravanning Site’, but only one member of a party needs to be a member and you can join on site.  Any campsite which features water heavily will always be a big lure for me.

http://www.riverside-lakes.co.uk

Camping in Wales

Ynysfaen Campsite

Ynysfaen Camping is in the  Brecon Beacons, Wales

‘Ynysfaen is all about peace and tranquillity – a basecamp to explore and enjoy mother nature doing what she does best. We’re not into late nights so we have a ‘no noise policy’ after 10.30pm. On the other hand, we love early mornings – and waking up to the sounds of the babbling River Usk, the dawn chorus, and the gentle clucking of chickens. If you share this sentiment, then you should really enjoy Ynysfaen.’

After we visited Priory Mill Farm near Brecon, I came home a little underwhelmed by the campsite but in love with the area, and started searching for other options.  This is a lovely looking Brecon Beacons campsite, but, I fear no campervans – can’t believe it, more Campervan Prejudice. Sob.

http://campingatynysfaen.co.uk/

Penpont Camping

Penpont is also in the  Brecon Beacons, Wales  (NOT to be confused with Penpont Caravan Park in Dumfries)

 ‘Camping is how it should be at Penpont! The site, the old Rose Garden, has an incredibly informal layout – no lines of designated pitches but a variety of small private spaces amongst the mature trees and shrubs with a central open communal space. From May onwards we erect a large white funky awning, in the Rose Garden’s open space, which provides great shelter to gather under should the weather not be so kind! Alternatively there are some riverside pitches and if you’re lucky you’ll see the otters, the kingfishers, the dippers and other wildlife.’

Penpont is another Brecon Beacons campsite; set within the grounds of a large manor house with its accompanying gardens.  It looks seriously idyllic. Camping in an orchard, with a river, and river pools for swimming. Amazing.  Finding it hard not to rush off right now. Can’t anyway because website proclaims ‘Booking very necessary’, I can imagine why

!http://www.penpont.com

 Tir Abbey Campsite

Tir Abbey is nearish Swansea, South Wales

‘Tir Abbey is a small farm situated on top of the Drummau mountain above the Swansea Valley with fantastic panoramic views. This is a ‘back to nature’ camping holiday as the only facilities are two compost toilets and a water standpipe with natural spring water (regularly tested). There is no electric, although we do have solar lights in the toilets. There are no shops for 3 miles, eggs from our own hens can be bought from the farmhouse. We have plenty of wildlife up here so it is the ideal retreat for artists, birdwatchers, and people who just love the countryside.’

A very lovely looking basic site.  The main attraction appears to be the views.  That is good enough for me!  Fires in braziers only.

http://www.tirabbey.com

Black Mountains Yurts

Black Mountains Yurts is in Mid Wales.

‘Pwllycwrw is situated in Llandefalle, one of the largest yet under-inhabited parishes of Wales. Situated in the heart of Mid Wales, our smallholding looks out with the most amazing views over the Black Mountains and the Brecon Beacons. 

In a separate field from the yurts, you have your own showering and toileting facilities, as well as your own large campfire. ‘

As the name suggest this site has grown up around yurt accommodation but they also have a large camping field with only ten pitches. It looks like a very peaceful and remote area, with lovely views.   The fire pit is a large communal one.

http://www.blackmountainsyurts.co.uk

Nantcol Waterfalls Campsite

Nantcol Waterfalls Campsite is in Snowdonia, North Wales

‘A unique camping experience awaits you here at the award winning Nantcol Waterfalls campsite. Nestled at the foot of the rugged Rhinog Mountain range and yet a mere 2 miles from Shell Island and it’s golden sandy beaches.’

Not just waterfalls but a river area good for kids and ropeswings. Hurrah!  This area of Wales is so beautiful, also near to the beach at Shell Island.  (There is an enormous campsite at Shell Island which used to have a great reputation for wild camping but I fear can suffer from loud and large groups, I haven’t been there but this is what I have heard!).  Probably not the quietest campsite but in great location and brilliant for kids.

http://nantcolwaterfalls.co.uk

Camping in Cornwall

South Penquite Farm

South Penquite Farm is high on Bodmin moor in Cornwall.

‘Unlike most camping in Cornwall, there are no marked pitches and we limit the number of people on site so that there is plenty of room for everybody to stretch out. We also sell home produced lamb burgers and sausages, as well as bags of wood so that you may experience the ultimate in cool camping – a campfire!’

I love camping on a wild moor, this looks very good, set on a working organic beef farm, with all of Bodmin at the gate.  There is a lot going on at the farm including Bushcraft courses – excellent!

http://www.southpenquite.co.uk

Keveral Farm

Keveral Farm is near Looe, Cornwall

‘We offer you a small, eco-friendly campsite, spread over three different locations around the farm. There is a good amount of space between the tents.

You can take a 15 minute walk through the woods to the beach in the daytime, and sit around a campfire at night.’

This site has a very hippy feel to it, the organic farm was originally a commune, now with camping, yurts etc.  Walk to beach through the woods! Music to my ears!

Lower Penderleath Farm

Lower Penderleath Farm is nr St Ives, Cornwall.

I have been researching campsites for a tour of Cornwall this year, this looks good.  The website is very brief but reviews on UK campsite are positive.  Sounds like it doesn’t get crowded in the summer and there is a communal fire or fire buckets to hire. Also it is close to St Ives, somewhere I’ve never visited but would very much like to.

http://www.lowerpencampsite.4t.com

I have more. But that’s enough for now I think.  Do let me know of any great campsites you recommend, or of course any to avoid!

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Campsite Review: Abbey Home Farm, near Cirencester

11 Jun

Where: Abbey Home Farm, nr Cirencester, Cotswolds.

How much: £3 each for adults, £2 for kids.  No other charges.

Campfires: In braziers only, bring your own or hire one for £5

Wood: sack of soft wood £4, sacks of ash £5. Kindling £1. Do not collect your own

Types of camping: Campervans, carlesss camping or camp with car

Facilities: Composting toilets, bush showers

The review: Half term has been a serious wash out, I felt very sorry for anyone who had booked a week camping in the downpour. Cold and wet, not fun and what’s worse  things start to get expensive, looking for indoor activities and eating out.  However, as the end of the week approached I noticed some little sun icons appearing on the weather maps.  It looked like there would be a break in the weather, sunny spells! I’ll take that!

I had recently come across a campsite only about an hour from us that looked promising Abbey Home Farm, near Cirencester. So Saturday morning, clothes packed, food sorted off we went.

As we approached the busy farm shop it was a little disquietening to find absolutely no reference to a campsite.  However, secure in the knowledge that I had thoroughly read the website, I reasssured the doubtful husband and went into the shop, which turned out to be an absolute cornucopia of organic goods.  A wide variety of stock, incuding fresh produce, bread, frozen foods, chocolates, cakes, jars of sauces, pickles, and lots more.  Even a large section dedicated to textiles, clothes and jewellery, all ethically sourced.  There is also a large and attractive cafe. If I lived in Cirencester, I’m sure this would be a regular haunt!

The Organic Farm Shop, Cirencester

The very lovely ‘Organic Farm Shop’.

The lady behind the counter, turned out to be the owner.  She was very pleasant and informed me that there was only one other family currently on the site and the cost was £3 per adult, £2 for children and £5 for hire of the brazier.  Absolute bargain!!

We were given a code to get into the gate for the campsite, which was actually back down the lane and up the main road a little to another gate. The track leading to the campsite passes through a field of barley, with red poppies bursting out of it.  Very pretty.

At the campsite itself there are two fields seperated by a mature hedge.  One side is for carless camping, no vehicles at all are permitted onto this field, wheel barrows are provided to carry your gear. The other side of the hedge is for campervans and those who want their cars with them.

In the middle of the picture the hedge, on the right the campervan/car camping field, on the left the carless camping field

I was a little disappointed as the view from the carless field was much better than the campervan side, however, I couldn’t really complain as we had the whole field to ourselves!

Carless camping field

View from carless camping field.

The very empty campervan field.

In fact, the view from our field was over a flat field of  barley with a few trees on the horizon.  Not unpleasant but not inspiring, althought there were some good skies!

We had been given a map of the whole farm.  There is a lovely little woodland, some yurts in a seperate area, the farm shop, some free range pigs and a shortish walk around the fields.  A beautifully carved totem pole marked the start of the walk and invited us to explore.  The walk itself was mainly around some crop fields, pretty enough but no wow and the kids were a little underwhelmed.

Silliness.

It brings you around in a very well signposted circuit back towards the farm shop where we stopped to get few extra supplies.  They also sell wood and kindling, you can bring your own but no foraging in the woods!

Woodland exploring.

The final part of the the walk takes you back to the campsite through the woodland, undoubtedly the best part of the walk and unless you have a hankering for wide open skies I would recommend just exploring the woods.  Dotted around you will find carved trees and sculptures, plus plenty of wild life, our fellow campers saw a deer up close standing in the middle of a path.

The woodland is also home to the ‘facilites’ .  The facilites consist of two composting toilets each for men and for women, a hay bale pissoir for the men, a stand pipe tap with wooden platform for hand washing, and two bush showers. Now, I thought it was all rather charming, although you wouldn’t catch me trying to have a shower – you have to warm some water on your fire and bring it over and pump it with a foot pump to create the shower, umm, no I think a babywipe wash will do actually! My husband, who is far more practical about these things pointed out that it was all a bit musty and in the rain would be a little too open.

Composting toilets

The facilites!

Composting toilets, woodland

The ladies! There are two toilets in there, and yes there are doors.

View from inside ladies! Rather lovely I reckon.

Bush shower – a step too far for me!

As I always find with composting toilets there were no nasty smells and  the kids where perfectly happy using them.  Make sure you take some loo roll as there was none.  If you are a bit choosy about your tolieting facilites this may not be your kind of place and to be honest for more than a couple of nights it would probably stretch my positivity a little. However, it really isn’t an unpleasant experience, so if you are a bit unsure just try it, it will be fine!

As we were only staying one night we didn’t get to explore the area.  However, I understand Cirencester is a very pleasant market town, historically an important Roman settlement; and nearby is the Cotswolds Water Park and Country Park, lots of fun for kids.

One final thing that needs to be mentioned unfortunately is a down side.  The roads are not very close to the camping area, but somehow the geography of the place means that there is a fairly constant background hum of traffic.

Another reason why, for me, this site is great for a one night stop over or for a short weekend break but I would be disapointed to have a holiday marred by the traffic noise. A real shame, not much the owners can do about it.

I don’t think I have ever been to such an empty campsite, and I doubt it is ever crowded, however, the experience of the campsite with more people would undoubtedly be different.

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Alternatives to Cloud Farm

4 Jun

Cloud Farm is in a glorious location but it is well known and can get very busy at peak times so here are a few alternative spots to consider, all campsites that allow campfires!

Doone Valley Campsite - Practically next door to Cloud Farm, right next to the ford.  It also offers riverside camping and allows campfires.  It too can get pretty busy at peak times but it does also have some fields that can be reserved for groups.  Facilites are basic but purpose built and well maintained.  A nice campsite, just avoid peak times. You do need to book here.

Leeford Farm Camping – Close to the village of Brendon you will find Leeford Farm, again offering riverside camping and campfires. You can turn up without booking.  See my full review here.

Between Leeford Farm and the village of Bredon we spotted a mysterious field, signposted ‘camping’.  There were no facilites as far as we could see and just a group of three campers in the field.  We noticed a campfire in the field but it was off the ground in some kind of fire brazier. The flat areas which you could camp on were bit elevated so offered some lovely views.  Who you paid, how much, etc, etc – no idea, but maybe worth a visit? If you are feeling brave.

Millslade Camping – Just on the other side of Brendon to Leeford farm, near to the village hall.  It is a tiny site, next to the river again, though with steep banks and the river is quite deep and fast flowing here. Campfires are allowed.  I haven’t camped there so hard to comment fully but I had a good look around and spoke to some campers.  There is a trailer unit with toilets, fresh water and showers are available at the Millslade B&B which is a bit of a stroll down the lane. The road runs alongside the campsite, behind a big hedge, it is a very quiet road though. Real back to basics camping, I thought it looked like a really lovely spot.

Caffyns Farm – Not in the East Lyn Valley, but near Lynton and the Valley of the Rocks. I wish I had spotted this before we set off on our last visit to Exmoor. Caffyns Farm was bought in 2011 by the people who created ‘Cloud Farm’ as a camping destination.  They seem to be applying the same principles, campfires encouraged, turn up and camp flexibility, a beautiful location and a real passion for creating a great campsite.   Pretty sure this will be the campsite I head for next time we go to Exmoor.

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Campsite review: Leeford Farm, Doone Valley, Exmoor.

4 Jun

Where: Leeford Farm, Exmoor

How much: £6 each for adults, £3 for children under 5

Campfires:  On the floor, no official fire pits,  just make a fire.

Wood: £4 for a ‘small’bag and £5 for a large bag of very nice Ash.  Very good value! No kindling sold.

Types of camping: Tents, campervans, motor homes, anything really. Electrical Hook up available but no hard standing.

Facilities: Unisex toilet and shower block.

The review: In my ‘campsites to visit’ spreadsheet (yes, I am that obsessed), I have a campsite I have annotated as ‘Leeford Farm, the new Cloud Farm?’.  Having found Cloud Farm packed to bursting, the natural response was to try Leeford Farm, only a few minutes drive down the valley.

Leeford Farm offers riverside camping.  There is one large flat field, bordered on one side by the river, and a couple of other fields that have some flat areas. Campfires are allowed and the farmer comes round selling bags of very well priced and good quality logs.

Leeford Farm, the river runs along within the trees.

The other edge of the field.

It is not quite as picturesque as Cloud Farm, the land around is mostly sheep fields but don’t get me wrong it is still a very pretty spot.  We happened to pitch next to the place where it is easiest to get down the the river, a little river beach,  the perfect spot for that morning cup of tea and endless entertainment for the kids. Kingfishers and an otter have been spotted here.

A fellow camper had made this cool river seat out of the stone around. Perfect cup of tea spot!

Way down to the little river beach.

The facilities do need a mention, this is not four star camping.  The facilites are basic.  However, there are two toilets and two showers.  The showers are apparently pretty good and certainly spacious.  There is also an under cover washing up area.  All of this is housed in a repurposed farm building.  it is not luxurious or attractive but it does the job.  Although, there were quite a lot of campers the toilets were always as clean as you could reasonably expect them to be.  I didn’t much fancy using the towel hung on the back of the door to dry my hands though.

Leeford Farm – facilities.

We camped on the very busy Jubilee weekend and by Sunday the site had filled up considerably.  In fact we were almost squeezed out of our pitch by a large group of family tents which pitched right next to us.  The very affable farmer, Ray, has not instituted any rules which is good in some ways but perhaps a minimum distance from the next tent would be good.  There was also a large group on the other side of the field playing guitar and singing very loudly until quite late, fortunately we were far enough away that we couldn’t hear them.  I would not have been happy if we had pitched next to them though. Perhaps a curfew on music would be good.

However, this is all part of the rough and ready nature of the site.  It does accept large groups and you can rock up without booking.  Ray and some neighbouring campers assured us it was never usually that busy, so I would still be willing to give it another go.

There is no website but Ray can be contacted on 01598 741231 or 07974 443476

You can walk into the village of Brendon from Leeford Farm, there is a tea room for cream teas, with an attached restaurant for evening meals  and a pub which serves food.  At busy times you will need to book to eat at either for evening meals, although the pub does also do a small takeaway menu.

Check out more alternatives sites along the Doone Valley (or the East Lynn River Valley) and in the area.

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Campsite Review Updated – Beeches Farm, Chepstow, Forest of Dean.

28 May

Where: Beeches Farm, Nr Chepstow, Forest of Dean

How much: £6 per adult, £4 per child, under 3′s free.  £2 per dog per visit!

Campfires:  In stone fire pits or very strurdy braziers, free.

Wood: Sold at reception

Types of camping: Tents, campervans, caravans, motorhomes.  Electric Hook up available.

Facilties: Toilet and shower block with indoor and outdoor washing up facilities.

A return visit to Beeches Farm, can’t resist an update to my original review.  First things first, getting there – print out the directions and take them with you. Sat Nav hasn’t got a clue.  Secondly, if it is going to be a nice weekend, email and book as early as possible and ask for a pitch in God’s Window.  If you are quick enough you will get a pitch right at the front of the site with view like this.

However, if you don’t get a God’s Window pitch don’t be glum, there are lovely views all over the campsite, its just this is the best place if you want nothing in front of you.  They have a large overflow field so you can usually get a pitch.  There is lots of space, pitches indicated by the placement of the sturdy metal fire braziers or stone fire pits in some places.  You don’t have to pay to hire them, logs and kindling are available to buy.
Adjacent to the campsite, accessed in the bottom corner, are the fabulous Tydenham woods.  Follow the path and signposts to the Devil’s Pulpit for a lovely forest window view of the winding river Wye and the ruins of Tintern Abbey. Ask the friendly and helpful chap who runs the site for directions if you aren’t sure.

Or take the path down to Tintern for pubs, tea rooms and the opportuunity to visit the famous ruin.  A steep walk back from Tintern though.

There aren’t any streams or ropeswings but there are lots of slopes and wide open spaces. It never ceases to amaze me how much fun a child can have with a good slope.  Roll down it, run down it, roll hula hoops and balls down it, have a race back up – seriously it can keep them entertained for ages.  If you go at the right time you may also be lucky enough to find a pen of baby piglets, irresistibly cute for children and adults alike.

Beeches Farm is on the edges of the Forest of Dean which holds outdoor adventures galore.  Canoeing on the Wye, climbing through the trees at Go Ape!, exploring at so many different sites through out the area.  We visited Wenchford for dappled shade and a fantastic shallow stream winding its way through the site.  It is a very popular place but there is lots of space for picnics and barbecues and the stream is unbeatable.

Mini Rafts in action

This visit was sunny and wonderful, last time it rained.  Even then the views are fabulous and the woods provide cover if it is a bit on the rainy side. Tips on how to get your kids to enjoy a longish walk to come in a future post.

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Campsite Review: Eweleaze Farm, nr Weymouth, Dorset

28 May

Where: Eweleaze Farm, Nr Weymouth, Dorset – ONLY OPEN in AUGUST

How much: It’s a bit complicated, you will need to check the website, but one weekend night for two adults and two young children cost us £38, it is cheaper on weekdays.

Campfires: Yes, anywhere you like (in accordance with safety regulations)

Wood: Yes, sold in the farmyard £5 per bag.

Types of Camping: Tents and small campervans only.  Bell tents can also be hired, set up and ready to go from Honeybells.

Facilities: Mostly composting toilets, a few flushable toilets, solar heated showers, very basic outdoor washing up areas, shop, bakery, wood fired pizzas, coffees etc.  Animals to pet, hay bale kids fun, puppies to walk, ponies to ride!

The Review: Campfires, sea views and its own private beach! I could barely contain my excitement as we approached Eweleaze Farm on a sunny August day. As we drove up the track, the Red Arrows, mid display, appeared in the sky above us.  It was an auspicious start to our visit.

The site spans a number of fields, infact it is easily the biggest site I have been to, open as a campsite only in August, the rest of the time pasture land.  Not all of the fields have sea views and little of it is flat.  The fields closest to the beach and with the best views are carless.  Which also made them the emptiest.   With a little determination we did locate a spot with a decent view, my helpful hint is get there early if you are going for the weekend. Though if you aren’t so bothered about the sea view there is loads of space and pretty pastoral views all around.( On our second visit we found a great spot in East Field close to the outward bound holiday camp, plenty of space and sea views.)

The whole atmosphere of the site is of a  family friendly festival; lots of bell tents and flags and kids enjoying the freedom.  In the central area there is a fairly well stocked shop, you can also get stonebaked pizzas and various other snacks and hot drinks.

Great for the kids is also the thoughtful addition of a barn with hay bales to climb and throw themselves off, and a selection of friendly animals who happily nestle among the picnic tables.

This goat is ALWAYS standing on a table!

Pigs LOVE icecream!

Kids can also ‘help’ walk the farms sheep dogs and some of the older puppies – a very popular activity!

The beach is stony and there are a fair number of steps down to it. If you walk along to the right some way you will reach a more sandy section of the beach.  Nothing can beat going to the beach in your pyjamas.

Off to the beach in our pyjamas

The toilets are composting toilets.  They are absolutely fine, just don’t look down.  There are solar powered showers which are apparently pretty good and water taps all over the place. As it is usually a farm it lacks some niceties like a washing up spot, warm water or sinks for washing your hands. There are lots of groups, I didn’t notice any rowdiness but plenty of people sitting up late talking (with various degrees of loudness) round the campfire.(NB in 2012 there were washing up areas and an attempt at warm water for them!)

It is possible to walk along the coast path from the campsite in either direction, towards Durdle Door and Lulworth Cove or Weymouth.  Lots of areas to explore.

In all a bit rough and ready, but the central area gives the place a nice focus and of course you can’t ignore that beach and sea views.  You should try to book in advance.  However, they are very flexible.  If they appear to be full on the Saturday but not on the Friday it is possible to book for Friday night only then extend your visit once you are there. It is also possible to add you and your family, car tent etc to a friends booking even on arrival. They have a nearby sister site called Northdown Farm open in July, no sea views but same formula.

Beach.

If you like camping with a fire you might need one of these:

Portable Fire Pits

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Campsite Review: Wo-Wo (Wasbourne Manor) Campsite, Sussex

24 May

Camping with friends at Wo Wo.

Ok, lets get the negatives over with the toilets and showers in the central reception area are in portacabins and up quite steep steps.  A bit tatty and not very many of them.  There are also composting toilets and portaloos dotted around, usually in a reasonable state. It took us a little while to discover these different toilets as there where none in our field. But that aside, lets move on to the good stuff!  Lovely woods, a stream, ropeswings galore, plenty of space and of course, great fire pits often with benches. There are lots of great places for kids to explore, stepping stones, tree trunk bridges, loads of great stuff to discover.  It is quite a big site but as it is separated into several different fields, fringed by copses of wood and streams, so it still feels quite intimate but with lots of space to explore.

They also have a rather a unique music venue.  I wish I had taken a photo as it’s hard to descibe, but basically there are large covered areas around a central large fire pit.  The covered areas are constructed from great big logs and canvas, all very aesthetic and big enough to provide cover for quite a lot of people.  As I understand it there are evenings of music and campfire entertainment. Its a bit like a mini festival.  However, if you don’t fancy being sociable don’t be put off, the music area is in its own field, you could happily spend the evening oblivious of the nearby jollities.

Next door to the campsite, maybe a ten minute walk away, is Sheffield Park Station, home of the Bluebell railway.  Not cheap, but if there are any rail enthusiasts in the family it is a must visit.  Also nearby is the fabulous Ashdown Forest.  Loads of lovely walks, check out this site for some inspiration  www.ashdownforest.org.  But be assured you can stop in any of the forest carparks and have a lovely wander on the forest  (mostly not forest but heathlands!).  The Ashdown Forest is the original setting for Winnie the Pooh so see if you can find the original bridge where the game of pooh sticks was invented.

Wo Wo is a great site, it gets booked up though so make your reservations.

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