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Small Batch Campsite
UK England West Midlands Shropshire Church Stretton
For the past 500 million years, the area now known as Shropshire has had it tough. It’s been pushed south towards the Antarctic, spat out the earth’s crust, it has sunk under the sea, reinvented itself as a coral reef, spent time near the sub-tropical equator and finally settled in its most recent location, along a fairly quiet fault line. The upshot of all this geographical to-ing and fro-ing is a fantastically varied landscape; and you’ll experience this first hand at Small Batch campsite.
A huge number of activities are available to get you acquainted with this hotbed of geological activity. Hang-gliding from Longmynd peak gives you a chance to see it all from a unique vantage point, as does paragliding, cycling and even playing a round of golf. And then there’s the Longmynd hike. Every year at the beginning of October, a smallish group of extreme hikers takes to the Shropshire hills to attempt a crazy, boot-wearying 50-mile hike. The challenge is to leg it up (and down) eight of the region’s summits in under 24 hours.
If this level of energy-sapping activity is not what you signed up for, there are plenty of far more sedate walks in this designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. One of these conveniently starts from the charming Small Batch campsite nestled at the base of Longmynd. It’s a less arduous seven-mile round trip that conveniently deposits you in the local Green Dragon pub a mere four hours later and within spitting distance of your tent.
This tranquil riverside site is perfect for walkers and twitchers alike. It is a small, secluded site, which has its advantages but it can mean you’re a bit close to your neighbours when it’s full. There also seem to be an awful lot of rules, which can feel a bit unnecessary and overbearing. The upside is that it’s been in the current Prince family for 43 years, enough time to gather a wealth of knowledge about the various routes up the Longmynd and other ridges. If the friendly owners can’t help you then try the town’s Information Centre. They have a supply of maps that will inspire you to pull on the socks, tighten those bootlaces and start walking.
Alternatively, the various routes of the Shropshire Hills Shuttle could be your answer. It takes you up hill and down dale via some jaw-dropping views, and requires no more energy than pushing the shutter button on your camera. And if eating and drinking the local grub sounds more your sort of thing then come in July for the town’s annual cake and ale trail.
Whether you like your holiday fast-paced and activity laden or charmingly chilled out, it’s up to you how much moving around you do. There is enough activity here to warrant another shift in the earth’s crust – but it’s unlikely to happen again for another million years or so.
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Details
Facilities
The 24 pitches are served by basic but good showers, toilets and washing-up area. Electric hook-ups available. Waste unit at main house. Dogs allowed.Nearby
For some high-altitude adventure, you can go hang-gliding off Longmynd peak. Beyond Extreme (01691 682640), based in Church Stretton, can organise any number of other thrills and spills.
Food & Drink
There’s plenty of yummy farmer’s markets stocking local organic goodies; Church Stretton (2nd/4th Fri), Ludlow (2nd Thurs), Craven Arms (1st Sat) and Bishops Castle (3rd Sat). Two pubs within stumbling distance from the campsite are worth a try: The Green Dragon (01694 722925) and the slightly more atmospheric Ragleth Inn (01694 722711). Both serve real ales and decent, wholesome food.Opening Times
Easter – end of October.Location
Small Batch Campsite, Little Stretton, Church Stretton, Shropshire SY6 6PW
Getting There
Church Stretton (2 miles away) has a train station where hourly services run between Cardiff and Manchester (Arriva; 0845 6061660). Connect at Newport from London. Bus 435 (TESS; 01588 673888) goes via The Ragleth Inn every 2 hours. The handy Shropshire Hills Shuttle (www.shropshirehillsshuttles.co.uk) will also take you all or part of the way up every single peak on the weekends/Bank Holidays.
Reviews
Add Your ReviewRated ★★★★★ over 9 reviews
Idyllic small site!
This lovely, well cared for campsite, caters for our needs as walkers
Great choice for a spur of the moment stopover....
I love this site
Perfect
I camped here for one night with my 3 year old son. The site is perfect for outdoor kids with a stream and plenty of excellent walking direct from the campsite itself. All of the facilities were clean and the washing area was great. The nearby pubs are excellent if required and Oscar and Pam are friendly and helpful. Absolute bargain at £10 for two-man tent and car.
Ideal for beginners and seasoned campaigners alike in the much underrated Shropshire Hills - go for it :)
Pete Gale
Perfect Location
Small Batch is perfectly located for walking with three paths up into the Long Mynd directly from the site. We only have a small tent so found that the pitch size was ample big enough for us and our car, if you have a giant size tent you might not think so. The facilities are really good, they are very clean and always had hot water. During the week the site only had half a dozen occupants meaning there was never a problem to use the facilities, the site filled up a lot at the weekend, it did feel quite full at that point. We would happily go back and use this campsite again.
August Bank Holiday
Stayed here with my family (party of 15) over the August Bank Holiday weekend and had an excellent time. The two pubs close to the campsite are easily within walking distance and both have decent food and beer on offer. The campsite itself is good with good walks in all directions. Overall a very nice weekend was had by all!
Smallbatch Campsite
Found this great midweek for camping, although expensive at £12 a night for just myself with no electric hookup. Great views, but very basic washing facilities considering the price. Anyone who hates spiders, don't look up.... there are cobwebs everywhere in the washroom! I went September 2013, just before they shut for the season. Had a good time until Friday, then came back from my walk on the Longmynd to find my little tent surrounded by huge caravans, blotting out the view entirely. The caravan next door had its awning practically over my tent, and right over the mains water tap, so I had to say 'excuse me' just to get my water bottle filled. Rather uncomfortable and embarrassing. Not entirely sure this a campsite, the owners are friendly but I think they are more interested in the motorhome/caravan club, not campers.
Response from Small Batch Campsite
Thank you very much for taking the time to give feedback on your experience of staying with us. Its very important to us - I can assure you. I’d like to respond to your comments if you don’t mind. Firstly, we’re so glad you enjoyed the stunning views of South Shropshire and that you found it a friendly environment! We aim to please - as we have always done since the site opened in 1928! The rate per night for single occupancy in a two–birth tent is £10.00, not £12.00. A full list of rates are available on our website. We do have electric hook-ups which are all around the sight if required at additional charge.
Obviously if you were here mid-week after the schools had gone back you would have been very spoilt and had lots of space but at weekends we do get a lot busier. We do have strict limits on the numbers of plots we have and always try to make sure we have a good balance of the type of pitches we have around the site. We have run this site for the last 40 years and tents have always been very important to us so please don’t think for one minute that we have a preference to caravans/camper vans over tents. We want to share our beautiful piece of countryside with all types of outdoor camping and caravan set-ups. There are 4 water points around the site to chose from if you find one that not accessible to you at that time.
With regards to the toilets and wash up areas - the toilet block is over over 400 years old but has recently been refurbished to a very high standard whilst maintaining a natural country feel. With old buildings come the odd spider or two but be assured – they are just as friendly as the owners! Non of us bite!! :-) We get fabulous feed back about our washing facilities. Yes they are basic but how fantastic to be able to wash in the big outdoors with the most amazing views!
Once again, thank you for your feedback and we hope to see you again soon.
Small Batch Campsite
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