All the benefits of getting back to nature with none of the back to basics bits; The Glamping Orchard in the Cotswolds is perfectly situated for a lovely English break in the picturesque Severn Vale.
If you’re anything like me, then you love the idea of getting back to nature a tiny bit more than the reality?! When works piles up, the kids are climbing the walls or the juggling of day-to-day life just gets all too much, going somewhere peaceful and beautiful really is the best tonic. The Cotswolds is like a little dose of a very English paradise to me; quaint villages, pretty views, charming pubs and wonderful boutiques – my kind of country basically. To experience all this and get back to nature, but with a luxurious edge, why not try glamping; it’s very on trend currently and The Glamping Orchard in the Cotswolds seems to me the perfect place to do it. Situated in Longney, five miles from historic Gloucester, the site can be reached by car in under 2 and a half hours from London; the convenience of the Cotswolds is just one of the heavenly things about it.
The Glamping Site
The Glamping Orchard offers classy glamping in the heart of the picturesque Severn Vale. Calm, tranquillity and the wonders of nature surround you; feel your stresses melt away the second you arrive and carry on relaxing more and more as you settle in. The site is set on a family-run smallholding so you are surrounded by animals, acres of orchards and, of course, the rolling countryside. It’s not just us who has our eye on a weekend break here; it was featured on George Clark’s Amazing Spaces, was chosen as one of the best weekend getaways by Lonely Planet Traveller in 2017 and is also recommended by CoolCamping.co.uk!
Accommodation
The site is beautifully small consisting of a stunning renovated 1950’s Caravan: The Warwick Knight and a beautiful bell tent: Belle.
The Warwick Knight can sleep up to four and has lots of living space with a luxurious main bedroom area, bunk beds for the children, seating area and kitchenette (with gas cooker, hob, grill, fridge, cooking utensils, pots, pans and crockery). It has a retro, cosy feel and is bright and airy with lots of windows that bring the outside in. The caravan is kitted out with lovely soft furnishings; plush duvets and luxury bed linens, as well as a log burner and electric lights; all which remind you that this is luxury glamping not camping! My favourite thing about The Warwick Knight, which is just like something out of a fairy tale, is the spiral staircase that leads up to your own private roof garden; sitting up here watching the sun set with a glass of wine chatting into the night with your family and friends would be bliss.
Belle can sleep up to 5 people and includes an actual double bed and two single futon beds (plus another can be added if required) in the spacious 5 metre diameter tent. It’s ideal for a family or couple, and for two families together, Belle combines perfectly with The Warwick Knight. Luxurious bed linens, rugs, cushions, lighting and a wood burning stove make this very glam-camping! Outside you have a dining space covered by an awning and a private kitchen hut, which includes a double burner gas stove, grill and essential cooking utensils and crockery.
The facilities are great too, both accommodations have a private wood-fired shower and sink, as well as a private compost toilet.
Dining
There is a fire pit which doubles up very nicely as a BBQ or, of course, you can use your kitchenette, so you can cook a meal while you relax in the countryside. However, this is the Cotswolds and there are so many gorgeous country pubs on your doorstep that it would be almost rude not to sample some! The Anchor at Epney comes highly recommended and so does The Ship Inn in Framilode, as well as pubs, fine dining can be sampled at seafood restaurant The Old Passage in Arlingham. Your hosts can also provide breakfast, BBQ meals and rustic picnic hampers, just pre-order them when you arrive.
Activities
There is so much to explore in the beautiful Cotswolds; you are only a lovely short walk from the River Severn and there are many market towns and villages in the vicinity too. Berkeley, Cheltenham Spa, Cirencester, Frampton on Severn and Stroud should all be on your must-visit list. For something a little special, your hosts can organise horse and carriage rides around the quiet country lanes, horse riding or even hot air ballooning! You can hire narrow boats down the Sharpness Canal or hire bikes and cycle the route instead. There are several notable castles and gardens in the Cotswolds; as well as family attractions including, Cotswold Wildlife Park, Cotswold Falconry Centre and Cotswold Water Park. But after all this, don’t forget to come back to The Glamping Orchard and slow down the pace and relax too!
Glamping has truly never been more fun, comfy and stylish than it is at The Glamping Orchard and the location couldn’t be prettier either.
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