If you head west out of the Cotswolds and stop before you reach the Wye Valley you’ll find yourself in an area of Gloucestershire that remains largely uncharted.

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Rectory Farm

UK England South West England Gloucestershire Gloucester

A tiny, flat, rural campsite on a Gloucestershire farm.

If you head west out of the Cotswolds and stop before you reach the Wye Valley you’ll find yourself in an area of Gloucestershire that remains largely uncharted. Here the River Severn slides calmly through flat fields in which simple labourers toil away with mattock and scythe until their daily bread is won. Or so it once was, probably. In the midst of what is now a thoroughly modern rural landscape sits Rectory Farm, a modest 60-acre sheep farm sitting just outside the quiet village of Ashleworth. The camping area has the feel of a back garden crossed with a farm site. On one side there are flowerbeds spread out around the owners’ house, while on the other a flock of sheep mosey about mulling over which juicy blade of grass to go for next. A static caravan is tucked away to one side, while a trampoline provides children with endless hours of bouncy giggles. There are no other facilities here as yet, but the owners do have plans to install a loo and shower in a barn sometime soon. If you visit around August Bank Holiday you’ll be able to experience the maelstrom of creative invention that is the local scarecrow competition, held annually at Ashleworth, a mile to the east. In 2009, Douglas Bader and a singing Loch Ness Monster were pipped by a Cyclops. Meanwhile, just two fields away, there’s a pub (actually a hotel bar, but that does mean it serves food from 8:30am, which is definitely a bonus if you’re a few cornflakes short of a breakfast).

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Details

Facilities

Loos: No. Showers: No. Other facilities: CDP. Stuff for children: Trampoline. Recycling: Everything. Dogs: On leads (there are sheep about). Fires: No open fires; BBQs off grass. Other: No.

Nearby

Severn Way, Haw Bridge (3¾ miles) – the longest river walk in Britain, a full 210 miles from Plynlimon in Wales to the Bristol Channel. Gloucester (7 miles) – a compact city packed with delights from the cathedral to the Victorian docks; 01452 396572 (tourist information office). Malvern Hills (8 miles) – a glorious 8-mile ridge that resembles a scale model of a ‘proper’ mountain range like Snowdonia, the Cairngorms or indeed the Himalayas (George Mallory practised here for his ill-fated assault on Everest); 01684 892002.

Food & Drink

Watersmeet Country Inn (free house), Hartpury (¼ miles by footpath) – a hotel bar with a log fire, its own 10-acre wood and 3 lakes; 01452 700358.

Open

Easter–Oct.

Location

Contact Rectory Farm, Lawn Road, Ashleworth, Gloucestshire GL19 4JL

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Getting There

Train station: Gloucester (7¼ miles) – London to Gloucester line. Regular buses run between Gloucester and Tewkesbury, stopping near the site.

Reviews

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Rated ★★★★★ over 4 reviews

★★★★★

Idyllic small site

We loved our stay here! The owners were very welcoming and friendly, they let us feed the lambs and look at the piglets! We were 4 adults but I'm sure young kids would love this place and it feels very safe. Once we were done petting the cute animals we... ate them! There was a well stocked fridge with delicious meat and eggs from the farm, some drinks too. It is a small site with ample and clean facilities. There are lovely walks in the local area and a decent pub not too far away.

Apr 26, 2016 by Helen K Brown

★★★★★

Friendly, fun farm with a warm welcome.

We were looking for something affordable, quiet and good for our young children. Rectory Farm was perfect. We've just spent 3 nights there (one of which was very wet, but thankfully the field was well-drained). We pretty much had the small field to ourselves, with the exception of some ewes and their young (separated from us by a mild electric fence) Our daughters were totally taken by the young lambs, the chicks and by the piglets that were also at the farm. The owners could not be more attentive, even offering to help break camp as the weather closed in. The farmer has given my daughters an unforgettable experience in letting them feed some of the lambs with a bottle!

The camp site itself is off a quiet lane, though you can hear the A417 at night, though that is alongside the hedgehogs, owls and muntjac deer who serenade sleeping campers (the daytime is adorned with woodpeckers, cuckoos and thrushes!) The camp site is isolated enough so that the stella display at night is worth clambering out of the warmth of your sleeping bag to appreciate! The single toilet and shower (no coins needed!) were just fine for our needs, and kept clean. There is even a covered space with hot water for washing up.

As if all this was not enough, there is fresh meat and eggs that can be purchased on site. There is also a Londis about 3/4 of a mile down the lane. Pubs are plentiful and the owners keep menus and are happy to recommend places.

We definitely plan to return at some point; this is a camp site that is fantastic value for money and we haven't visited half the attractions in the area (We loved Gloucester and Sudeley Castle and found Tewkesbury pleasant and very convenient) .

Apr 27, 2014 by Anyafay

★★★★★

Rectory Farm

Just back from a weekend stay at Rectory Farm. The campsite was just perfect, owners really lovely and the whole area beautiful. The piglets where very cute, and we enjoyed looking at the chickens/hens.

The information in the toilet/shower/washing up area is just what you need (local walks, pubs and essential phone numbers). The toilet always clean and tidy; we particular enjoyed the luxury loo roll. The camp site is flat, grass kept well and recycling/rubbish facilities can't be faulted.

A good few walks around here too - very good for blackberries this time of year. Brilliant distance from Gloucester. The only negative is that you are able to hear the road traffic at night - not too loud mind. Being a good way away from street lights we enjoyed looking at the stars after a short walk back from a lovely visit to the local pub.

All in all a brilliant weekend.

Thank you, I'm sure we will be back.

Sep 22, 2013 by PiliPala

★★★★★

Rectory Farm

This is the most wonderful place to stay! It is a proper working farm but despite their busy working lives, Mr and Mrs Houldey could not have been more hospitable and welcoming. We pitched our tent in the bucolic field behind the farm and were heartily greeted by some very enthusiastic sheep who became less pleased to see us once it was clear we were not going to feed them. Then Mrs Houldey introduced us to the farm’s new arrivals, consisting of 13 six-day old piglets and their mum, and our children were thrilled when they were allowed to hold one of them, which is an experience they will never forget. To follow they also put the chickens to bed with Mrs Houldey and found 2 eggs which were then lovingly saved for breakfast. Sadly we only stayed for one night but we will definitely return. Not only is the setting perfect but there is a spotless loo, shower and sink area. In addition there is a great 2 bed mobile home which would be perfect for the chillier months. Also, you can buy wonderful produce from the farm, including sausages, chops and fresh eggs, and there is also a specialised bakery nearby as well as the local post office. There are also some excellent pubs in Ashleworth. In all we wish we could have stayed here for a week! Therefore, if you want a small hideaway campsite in a lovely setting with welcoming hosts and perfect amenities look no further.

Sep 3, 2012 by SophieEStewart@netscape.net