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.