Site for romantic weekend away - within 3 or so hours of london ???

[LaDietrich]

it's my lovely new boyfriends birthday in july and we want to go camping together for the 1st time. just the two of us - well, maybe his dog too. Anyone got any recommendations for nice sites, not too big or busy, that might suit. I'm not a great fan of heavily manicured regimented places and we'd ideally be near some nice country walks, little village with nice pub/cafe or the coast.

not a tall order, I know.

Any advice much appreciated

The Bell at Buckland in Somerset has camping in the field behind the pub. Food is fantastic (book a table when you bok the campiing) and they have chickens wandering around. If you can go midweek it wil be empty. here

Alternatively we like lower foxhangers near Devizes. Right on the canal so you can cycle to some excellent pubs. Also next to the devizes lock flight. 27 odd locks to get up the hill and fun to watch people taking a day to get their boat through them all.
We went without children last year and cycled the 20 miles to Bath before pub crawling the return 20 miles. Nearly rode my bike into the canal by the end of it but it made for a fab weekend. here

oooh thanks - the one in devizes sounds lovely (not so sure about camping at back of pub with only cold showers - brrr - bf hasn't camped in years so I need to lead him in gently )

how are the facilities there? and is it a little wild or totally manicured? and can you walk to any pubs/cafes? (we won't have bikes)

here only has a few pitches and you can have fires.... or hire the yurt...loved it and you could walk to the pub..

www.hiddenspring.co.uk/

or if midweek you may get into blackberry woods
weekends all gone!

www.blackberrywood.com/

or for amazing location...
www.ukcampsite.co.uk/sites/details.asp?revid=447

all allow fires which really adds to romance!
hth

Showers and loos were good at the devizes one and washing up area was inside as well.
It's 2 small fields that are mowed but there are no white lines for pitch markings or anything like that.

Pubs within a 20 min walk either way along the tow path.

ooooh, have enquired about the yurt at hiddenspring - looks lovely and not too far for us to drive...near wildernesss wood too which I love...gosh, I'll want to bring the kids though, they'd love it!!!

suspect that would impinge on romance factor jst a little though

thanks ebayaddict - crossed posts - I'll call them too as it sounds really nice

devizes is a shti hole though

went to Golden cap in dorset years ago - careful as one of their sites has a "club" etc
was lovely - a shop and a pub only

yes can recommend the yurt even with ds sleeping on the roll out bed stll felt romantic but think thats just yurts ...was completely converted....esp with the wood burner... not as swanky as some i've seen but fab price and just lovely!...we missed wilderness wood as tipped down the day we were going to go but gives a good reason to go back!

yurt not available - even asked if we could book it for the sunday and monday instead as is his bday on the monday but they said they'd not be prepared to do fast changeover on the sunday

ah well, will remember it for next time (and maybe take the kids then )

thanks coderoo - I do love dorset but it's hard to get a feel for that campsite from its website - not clear whether it is vast and strictly regimented or small and cosy...hmmm...will ponder more....