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The Old School Campsite

98%
·
· Shropshire, Shropshire, England
2 acres hosted by Rachel E.
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A small camping and glamping site in the Shropshire Hills where on-site activities range from arts to adventure sports

If Bear Grylls and Kirstie Allsop went in to business together they might come up with something like The Old School Campsite. By English standards it’s remote; “a 10-minute drive from everything,” according to owner Stuart. He’s the Grylls of the place, with a background in the military and outdoor education, while his wife Rachel, a former art and design teacher, is more Allsop – with a touch of adventure thrown in. Stay at their campsite and, in addition to a place to pitch your tent, you’ll be able to join their range of art and adventure activities: from crochet to climbing, batik to bushcraft.

Camping and glamping pitches are tucked behind a former school house, now home to Stuart, Rachel and their two children. It’s hard to think of a more appropriate place for this pair of teachers to combine their camping and creative-outdoor education businesses. And though the 19th-century classrooms have gone, the teaching continues with lessons now taking place on the site’s climbing wall or in Rachel’s studio. Situated in the Shropshire Hills, almost atop the Welsh-English border, it offers a taste of Wales’ great outdoors in a location that’s conveniently connected. And, once you’re on site, it’s just a short stroll to the top of Corndon Hill from where you have views to the area’s most famous peaks and plateaus, Stiperstones and the Long Mynd included.

The campsite is open to all (though large caravans and motorhomes might find the site’s dimensions tight) with grassy pitches for tents, electric hook-ups and dogs welcome. Glampers can choose between a furnished bell tent (there are three in a small separate meadow) or the glamping caravan which has its own shower room and toilet. With an on-site shop selling the basics, as well as organised activities and easy walking in to the hills, there’s no real need to go elsewhere.

Having said that, if you do fancy exploring further afield, you can go kayaking or mountain-biking with Stuart, Rachel or one of their other instructors – or go it alone to discover the sights. Big-name attractions, including Ironbridge Gorge, are within reach but there are plenty of pretty villages, market towns and smaller attractions closer by. The Shropshire Hills’ Bog Visitor Centre and Snailbeach Lead Mine are good places to start and both are, of course, about a 10-minute drive from site.

Activities
Biking
Boating
Hiking
Paddling
Natural features
Forest
Mountainous
Field
Farm
Not currently accepting bookings on Hipcamp
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98%
20 Ratings · 22 reviews
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Emma B.recommends
October 7, 2022
Grinshill Glamping Bell Tent
Loved camping here! There wasn’t anyone around as it was the end of season, but that suited us just fine! The tent was brilliant lovely space and really pretty! Only minor problem was we could’ve done with some instructions on how to use the gas stove! But hosts were very helpful in showing us how it worked!
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Georgina A.recommends
September 5, 2022
Stiperstones Glamping Bell Tent
Gorgeous glamping and starlight
I loved staying here. We were in one of the glamping tents, was really cosy with little extras such as fairy lights, and had everything you could need. Great site overall, very secluded so wonderful for watching the stars. Nice walks nearby and lots of places to visit in driving distance. We didn’t try any of the activities on offer, but they certainly sounded lots of fun. Am planning to return and try in the future. Facilities were lovely, hosts very accommodating. Lots of lovely little extras you can add on, really enjoyed starting the day with freshly made croissants (just don’t forget the butter like we did!) Highly recommend pizza night too. Great campsite for families and for couples. Highly recommended and look forward to visiting again.
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Dev M.recommends
September 1, 2022
No 3 Grass Tent & Touring Pitch
A perfectly set up site created by people who really understand what campers need and love. Small but perfectly formed!
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Thomas B.recommends
August 17, 2022
No 12 Touring Pitch & hard standing
Fantastic all round site!
We had an excellent stay, the pitch was fantastic and secluded, boxed in with hedges. Facilities were excellent and nothing was too much trouble for our host Rachel, even asking a neighbour for wild swimming recommendations! The pain au chocolates are well worth a go. Glad we managed to stay here before word gets out about how good it is! Definitely a hidden gem!
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James C.recommends
August 15, 2022
No 4 Grass Tent & Touring Pitch
Small, but perfectly formed
We had a wonderful stay at The Old School Campsite. The facilities are great, especially the eco showers. The honesty shop is also a great feature, and very useful. Loads of wildlife around the campsite too, which made the trip even better. Excellent little campsite.
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Sarah M.
August 1, 2022
No 8 Grass Tent & Touring Pitch
Unfortunately we did not enjoy our stay at this campsite. We did not see the owners once during our 2 night stay. There was no hot water from any of the 4 hot taps we tried. The poo bin had clearly not been emptied for some time and was full to the brim. There was no pizza as we had been promised on the listing. The site is small (we knew that when we booked) A group of 3 families had booked the tipis on site. Their 6 children played rounders in the middle of the site for large parts of our stay. This involved the person batting standing within 6 feet of our campervan brandishing a rolling pin! When we asked them if they could play on the adjacent field, they spoke to someone on site who said they could continue to play in the middle of the camping field. It is fat too small for ball games in our opinion. In fact, the owner has squeezed so many units in to a small area that there is very little space for playing left at all. If you are looking for a site where your children can play free and explore, this is not it. The site advertises a strict evening noise rule which was not observed by the 2 groups on site during our stay.
Location
Shropshire, 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
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Hosted by Rachel E.Joined in March 2019
From the host
The site is close to the Welsh border and on the edge of the Shropshire Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, so expect lovely walks through pretty hills and dales as well as splendid views all around.... and plenty of peace and quiet next to firepits in green fields, setting the barbecue smouldering for dinner and taking in the starry night sky. The site is approximately 2 acres in size and, although small, has been described as 'a gem of a site' by previous guests and is well equipped for your needs. We have grass camping pitches as well as touring pitches with electric hook ups for campervans and caravans. We have a stone and brick built building containing toilets, wash basins and shower, available for all visitors. Separate washing up facilities with both hot and cold running water. A chemical waste disposal point is available. We have on site BBQs for your use. You can have relaxing evenings watching the sun setting, while listening to the birds singing as dusk descends, then as the darkness falls you can gaze at the wonderful display of stars in the night sky. Directly accessed from the site, you can be immersed in the wonderful Shropshire countryside within seconds. By day, stroll over to the site’s activity centre for a host of arts and crafts workshops: guests can embrace their artistic sides with silver jewellery, felt, knitting, enamelling or batik workshops on site, to wrap up stays with handmade souvenirs to boast about back home. If that sounds too laidback, spend time at the activity centre chatting to owners Rachel and Stuart instead. They’ll help guests to organise rock climbing days, paddleboard lessons, canoeing trips on the Severn and the Montgomery Canal, and mountain biking excursions on the trails nearby – or venture out solo on wanders along the long-distance Shropshire Way, which passes within minutes of the site.
Nearby attractions

Creative Outdoors is Rachel and Stuart’s own arts and outdoors education specialist offering all sorts of activities on-site from jewellery making and printing to climbing and archery and off-site activities including kayaking, canoeing and mountain biking. You can also head off on walks in to the Shropshire Hills straight from site. The Bog Visitor Centre (01743 792484) is 4 miles away with information on the area and local walks. Snailbeach Lead Mine (07716 116732) is 7 miles to the north. A similar distance south and a drive of 15 minutes gets you to the market town of Bishop’s Castle where there are cafes, shops and galleries. For a Welsh market town, hop over the border and head for Montgomery (11 miles away), which also has a model car museum and a ruined castle. Powys Castle (01938 551944) is 12 miles away. The Welshpool & Llanfair Light Railway (01938 810441), Shrewsbury, Wroxeter Roman City (01743 761330), Hoo Farm Animal Kingdom (01952 677917) and The Ironbridge Gorge Museums (01952 433424) are all within an hour’s drive.

Food and drink

You can stock up on the basics or treat yourself to a smores kit, pail of ale or basket of bubbly from the campsite’s own shop. There’s also a convenience store in the village of Stiperstones, 7 miles away. The farmers’ market at Bishop’s Castle, also 7 miles away, takes place once a month (third Wednesday) and there are plenty of shops and eateries including Thyme Café – recommended for scones, cakes and lunches. There’s also a café at The Bog Visitor Centre (01743 792484). Pontesbury (10 miles away) has takeaways including Zenna Chinese Restaurant (01743 791848) and Balti Spice (01743 791848). If you’re heading to Shrewsbury, Eat at Eight is recommended.

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