The Paddocks glamping

When you think of Somerset your mind likely conjures up images of cider and folk music, the Mendip Hills and the Somerset Levels, Cheddar cheese and strawberries. That’s right — strawberries. And if you don’t think of that juicy red fruit, perhaps you should. The Cheddar Valley has been supplying the nation with strawberries for generations, and while not all of the strawberry fields have survived, there are still plenty of places to pick up a punnet or two. The village of Draycott at the foot of the Mendip Hills is one such place. It also has a pub named The Strawberry Special, an annual Strawberry Fayre, and a lovely little campsite in a former strawberry field.

The Paddocks is a tiny campsite that’s almost as sweet as the fruit that once grew there. There are just four pitches here and, as it’s for adults only, there’s a natural calm about the place. It’s a great spot for couples to enjoy a relaxing and romantic break in rural surroundings or for small groups of friends to get together, with exclusive hire a viable option. You can walk from the site out into the Mendips, with beautiful views from Draycott Sleights in one direction and Cheddar with its famous gorge in the other. It’s just two miles from site and arriving on foot is a great way to get there.

Walkers, cyclists and confident campers will like this place the most as it’s fairly back to basics with off-grid pitches, off-pitch parking, and simple facilities. But there are some creature comforts that make it more than just a field with nice views and a great location. There’s an open-sided barn at the bottom of the gently sloping camping paddock which houses washing-up sinks, seating, and a log burner, which means you can warm yourself by the fire even in the pouring rain. And the shower room deserves a mention, too; it’s modern, clean, and warmed by a heated floor.

Although it’s a small and relatively simple site, you could park up on day one and not go near your car again for the duration of your stay. Cider and strawberries are a short walk down the road at The Cider Barn, which is flanked by fruit and veg sellers. You’re on the edge of The Mendips and it’s a short hike up the hill for views of The Somerset Levels. A walk in one direction takes you to Cheddar, in the other and you’ll reach Priddy, well-known for its annual folk festival in summer. And, if you do want to go further, Britain’s smallest city, Wells, and the caves at Wookey Hole are just seven miles away. Medieval Axbridge is even closer and even the seaside at Weston-Super-Mare is less than 20 miles away.