Anyone been to Bracelands, Forest of Dean?

[SugaryBits]

Would you recommend it?

Yes - it's FAB! Beautiful scenery, really clean facilities and helpful staff.

I prefer the Christchurch one though - it's a bit higher up on the hill and surrounded by trees so you don't get the views, but you do get a lovely playground and the shop onsite (which does gorgeous pain au chocolats!) It's also a no dog site too which is a plus for us as ds1 is terrified and ds2 isn't terrified enough (will go and prod poor doggies on the nose - "look, doggie!")

Thanks Rubberduck. I have been looking at Christchurch as well but thought Bracelands would be better as the description of Christchurch said "sloped" and I was a bit unsure about how sloped it would be. I fell for the "gently sloping" line once before and spent an entire weekend trying to stop things rolling off down the hill!

I may go back and have another look at Christchurch. Thanks.

lol - I don't remember it being overly slopey - at least the site is (but so is bracelands) but I don't remember the pitches being, iyswim. Certainly had no problems levelling our folding camper.

Then again, we weren't using a tent Give them a phone and ask - they're usually pretty helpful.

Are you planning on going Whitsun bank holiday?

I would also recommend the Christchurch site rather than Bracelands - because the amenities are there. I can't remember any problems with sloping pitches - we had a tent and camped there over a very busy bank holiday, arriving fairly late!

We are planning to go this weekend, Fri-Mon. I checked the avaliability last night on both so am hoping there is still space today! I will go with Christchurch, thank you.

Have a fab time

We're going for our first outing on the Whitsun bank holiday (pleeeease let the weather be good!) and am ridiculously excited already.

I much prefer Bracelands to Christchurch - soooo much more space (Christchurch gets really crowded at B/hols). Yes its a trek to the shop - but no real hassle.

So much more space for playing in, & adjacent fields for frisbee - football etc

It's lovely. Never been to Christchurch. Have a great time

(keep seeing this thread, and singing the Paul Simon song 'Gracelands' : 'We're going to Bracelands, Bracelands, in Memphis, Tennessee')

Ooh, you must tell us how you get on. We abandoned camping plans last year after a hairy night with dd but are attempting it again this weekend- not FOD but is veeery close so that's the next plan!

Ooh we're off to Christchurch this weekend . the uk campsite reviews are pretty good so we thought we'd give it a whirl, not too far away.

Hi
I went to Christchurch last year. It was very nice and accommodated my huge tent easily. Good clean facilities, its not particularly sloped. just ever so slightly can't say I noticed it.
Shop is handy.

It's booked!! Went for Christchurch in the end. Really excited now!

Peachy...might see you at the weekend, I'll be the one wailing at DH that the DCs are not allowed to drink Fruit shoots (in public)!

Do you know if there is somewhere to hire bikes there?
I might be being a little optimistic about going on a bike ride with ds's 3 and 1, seeing as I haven't been on a bike in about 10 years but still worth a try!

Don't remember bike hire - but there's a great mini railway type place near Coleford somewhere, the boys love it. Can't remember what it was called but you can pick up loads of touristy leaflets in the shop - that's how we found it.

It's Perrygrove Railway

Bike hire - can't find the website, but we (probably) used this centre:
Pedalabikeaway Cycle Centre
Nov-Mar w/e only, Apr-Oct Tues-Sun. All school hols.
Contact:
Fred Carpenter
Tel. - 01594 860065
Pedalabikeaway Cycle Centre
Colliery Offices
Cannop Valley
nr. Coleford
Gloucestershire
GL16 7EH
[email protected]

Fantastic, thanks Lilymaid

This is the website for the bike hire place

pedalabikeaway

The bikes are booked! I have got a trailerbike for 3yo and a trailer for 1 yo....I just hope I can pull it!

Really looking forward to the weekend now, got a Sunday roast booked at my grans, all looking good!

Sugary if you see a great Khyam Ontario 6 with a stressed Dh wearing a goatee and a maude Food Police apron do come and say Hi! Would be great to meet you

Ontario 8

so even greater

I might have to come by to check out your tent Peachy. In my great wisdom I have decided we need a new one as the perfectly good one we have had for less than a year is not big enough for my liking!

I have been looking at the Outwell Hartford XL. Quite pricey but very nice and you can get fitted carpet for it and evvvverything!