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Foxholes Castle Camping

Shropshire Sy9 5 Ha, Shropshire, England
1 acre hosted by Foxholes C.
Views, views, views (and wildlife)

To wake up feeling literally on top of the world, or on top of Shropshire, at least, makes a truly invigorating start to any morning, and that’s the feeling you get when you greet the day at Foxholes, whose expansive grassy plateau is surrounded by far-reaching views of magnificent hills, which wistfully beckon campers on to the Shropshire Way running through the campsite, and deep into their bucolic embrace.

There can be few campsites in England that enjoy such a vista: the foothills of the Cambrian mountain range, the famous bulk of the Long Mynd, Stiperstones – in whose Roman lead mines Wild Edric is said to be buried with his soldiers, ready to fight should England ever be endangered – and a cornucopia of other bumps, knolls and mounds that make up part of the 139-mile loop that is the ShropshireWay. With almost a 360-degree panorama, it’s as near to heaven as a "hillophile" is ever likely to get.

Four sprawling, natural camping areas are spread out among 10 acres. A sloping field at the back accommodates tourers and caravans; a cosy half-acre enclave suits tents requiring shelter; above that is the field that feels like a hilltop Iron Age fort (only without the ramparts); and there’s a further, more out-of-the-way field, which has been largely left to meadow. Campers arrive and pitch up in all weathers, but less hardy souls can book the comfy, clean bunkhouse in the farmyard that sleeps six and costs a bargain £10 per bed per night.

Owners Chris and Wendy bought the property in 2006 and opened for business the following year, and they are experienced, easy-going hosts – just as long as you don’t attempt to throw anything away that can be recycled. How else would they be able to make their castellated-roof tin knight, plastic recycling bin guard or papier-mâché notice board? They will readily invite visiting conservationists and the occasional camper into their kitchen for a cuppa and a chat, and their eco-friendly stance affects everything they do, with new eco-facilities that feature solar-powered showers and loos that are flushed by rainwater.

Pass by the metal sculpture of a fox skulking around a hedge, down towards the path that leads to the nearest town, Bishop’s Castle, to find a little Buddha under the trees, collecting coins for the local air ambulance (Shropshire’s roads are too windy and narrow to receive emergency vehicles quickly). Each year the town plays host to a May Fair (the weekend after the first May Bank Holiday); a walking festival (the second week of June); a stone-skimming championships (the last Sunday in June); a carnival (the first Sunday in July); and a beer festival (the weekend after the carnival) among others. Phew! Or merely leave the crowds behind by tackling a section of a long-distance footpath.The Offa’s Dyke Path, Wild Edric’s Way, and the Kerry Ridgeway are all within striking distance, the last of these doubling as a cycle route if you’re a peddler rather than a plodder. Meanwhile, at basecamp, wildlife is nurtured, and the hedgerows left to grow freely, which pleases the birds that thrive here, and adds to the morning welcome. Just pack earplugs!

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Location
Shropshire Sy9 5 Ha, Shropshire, England, United KingdomTraditional, ancestral territory of various First Nations according to To respect the Host's privacy, the precise address of this land will be provided after booking
Hosted by Foxholes C.Joined in February 2011
From the host
Foxholes Castle Camping is a Touring Campsite for tents, caravans and camper-vans.We have a heated shower block that has  solar powered showers with boiler back -up and we harvest rain water for toilet flushing. there is a warm dry washing up shed with free fridge freezer and charging pointsOnsite we also have a heated bunkhouse which sleeps 7- 3 sets of bunk beds and 1 single bed,There is a covered outdoor seating area and a small kitchen with fridge, single hob, kettle and microwave, china, cutlery and pans, please bring your own sleeping bags.  Eco cabin which sleeps 8 and a Datcha that sleeps 6 are also available.both fully heated and equipped with wet rooms. Foxholes is situated on the Shropshire Welsh Border an area known as the Welsh Marches, ten minutes walk on the Shropshire way from, the beautiful market town of Bishops Castle. It is an ideal campsite to explore the countryside, on foot, bike on road, or off road. With The Long Mynd, the home of the Midland Gliding Club, Wild Edric’s Way and Offas dyke.
Nearby attractions

For a small town, Bishop’s Castle is a happening place. Each year it plays host to a May Fair (weekend after the first May Bank Holiday); a walking festival (second week of June); a stone-skimming championships (last Sunday in June; 01588 638818); a carnival (first Sunday in July; 01588 650446); party in the park (third weekend of July) and a beer festival (weekend after the carnival; 01588 630144) among others. If you fancy flying above them all, treat yourself to a paraglide (07774 856056). Or merely leave the crowds behind by tackling a section of a long-distance footpath. The Offa’s Dyke Path, Wild Edric’s Way, and the Kerry Ridgeway are all within striking distance, the last of these doubling as a cycle route if you’re a peddler rather than a plodder. Further afield, you’re just a short drive from Stokesay Castle (01588 672544), just outside Craven Arms, which is reckoned to be the finest fortified manor house in the country, dating originally from the 13th century. A few miles further down the A49, the market town of Ludlow has its own, rather impressive castle (01584 873355), and a long-standing foodie reputation that belies its diminutive size, with any number of great pubs and places to eat, busy shops and a thriving annual food festival held every September.

Food and drink

The Castle Hotel (01588 638403) has a reputation for excellent dishes created from locally sourced produce, and has some wonderful gardens at the back. The Three Tuns in Bishop’s Castle (01588 638797) is a good local that serves its own real ales (brewed around the corner) along with decent food – excellent steaks and high-class pub grub. There’s a farmers’ market in Bishop’s Castle town hall every third Saturday of the month, and an ordinary fruit and veg market there every Friday. Sol Delicatessen (01588 638190), at the top of the High Street, is also full of delicious nibbles and lush liquids with which to wash them down. If you want the full-on foodie experience, make the short journey to Ludlow for dinner at the frankly brilliant Mr Underhill’s (01584 874431), the town’s only Michelin-starred restaurant; or plump for the more pubby but excellent food at the Unicorn (01584 873555). For a proper village pub experience, try the friendly Kangaroo Inn in Aston-on- Clun (01588 660263), where owners Michele and Simon will make any campers extremely welcome.

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