Could anyone recommend a campsite in the Gloucestershire/Somerset area please?

[WonderIfThingsWillChange]

Hello, I wondered if anyone had any recommendations of campsites to stay (or avoid!) in these areas please?

I will be camping with my friend and we will have 3 children between us from a few months old to 8 yr old and one dog. We really love quiet, minimal facilities sites and if they were near farm/woodland/stream it would be even better!

A search on the Internet has only given me very large campsites or camping and caravan club ones which had more facilities than we would need.

If you have any suggestions I'd really appreciate them . I've said those areas as we are Bristol and South Wales based so hoping to keep the travel time down for us both but if you can recommend sites outside the area but still reasonably close that would be great too!

There's one in gloucestershire, called thistle down farm. I was supposed to stay there with friends but couldn't make it. Has good reviews and is popular

Www.thistledown.org.uk

Ashen Plains is by the beech woods above Dursley and just across the road is a community sculpture trail. Its also very close to local nature reserve Breakheart Quarry

Thank you zzzsnatcher and salomeD.

I did look at thistledown farm and thought it looked perfect. The only downside was the price - a cost per tent and per person which seemed a bit expensive for me but I've just looked again and maybe I misread it. I thought it was £16 for tent then £7 for me, £4 DS and £2 dog but maybe it's £10 for the tent which doesn't seem so bad!

I shall look at Ashens plain now too

I think that's right but you can camp in another field for £10 a tent. Plus add ons for adult, child, dog. It can add up.

Does this fit your brief?

Salome. That's close to me!
Tudor Arms in Slimbridge? Near WWT, canal and next to a great pub.

Thistledown is amazing but pricy.
I think the organic farm shop on the outskirts of Cirencester does camping but don't know what the prices are like.

Hi Wolfiefan - we're down in the Berkeley Vale so it's close for us to. Have parked close to it when we've been up at the sculpture trail and wondered what they were building: turned out to be the toilet block. Couple of great pubs fairly close - the Old Spot in Dursley and the New Inn in Waterley Bottom

How about Wookey Farm near Wells. Lovely small site, shallow river runs alongside adjoining field, perfect for paddling, rope swings and lots of space for playing games. Toilets are composting but probably nicest I've ever come across - (perhaps even nicer than Thisltledown's composting toilet blocks). But no shower. A similar vibe at Abbey Home Farm near Cirencester. No stream but lovely woodland and fantastic organic farm shop and cafe. Campfires allowed at both and wood available. Toilets composting again and a bt more of an adventure! Finally and possibly my favourite Lower Milton , a real hidden gem. Lots of space, ropeswings and toilet facilities slightly more traditional - but not exactly luxurious. Lots of space Lovely walks from the site. Campfires permitted again. Look at the Elderflower Orchard at Thistledown , cheaper and still lovely and you can keep your car with you. Toilets here are portaloo - my least favourite type of toilet but these are well tended.

Thank you all for these suggestions, My list of campsites I want to visit is getting quite long now!

We're not long back from Halse Farm Camp site in Exmoor and would highly recommend it - a small farm site, play area, children welcome to visit the farmyard, dogs welcome on site. Direct access to Exmoor, complete with ponies - and the most glorious starry nights imaginable.

We spent last weekend at Tobacconist Farm which was nice.

It's on a farm and in Minchinhampton so next to the common. Short drive to the woods which Thistledown is next to.

It has a small block with showers, toilets and a small kitchen with washing up facilities and a fridge freezer. These were cleaned daily and were very good. The children's playground was just a small climbing frame/slide, but seemed to keep all the children busy.

The Old Spot pub mentioned above is lovely but don't allow children.