Oak & Ash & Thorn - Voltaire's Wood

There’s not much to separate the experience you’ll have at Voltaire’s Wood from wild camping – but the things that exist are important. Firstly there’s the friendly permission of the owners. Secondly, there’s water and logs supplied and, finally, there’s a compost loo on site. This dog-friendly, wild woodland campsite in the Cotswolds offers five, private sites in a 120-acre wood. Book one, start your campfire, and settle in for a weekend surrounded by nature.

The pitches (or private campsites) here are set in clearings between trees, far enough apart that you may not see anyone from outside your group for the duration of your stay. Each is at least a five-minute walk from the car park and – apart from a couple which can accommodate a campervan or two – are accessible with a 4x4 only. If you don’t have one, fear not, your hosts can ferry your gear to and fro but those who will enjoy this place the most are probably self sufficient anyway. They’ll be the type to pack light and get the flint striker out to have the fire going in minutes. For this, there’s a fire pit at each site.

Each pitch also has a rain shelter, benches and access to a compost loo. Water is supplied in 20-litre containers and replenished daily – or on demand. This is properly off-grid camping in the woods and the delight is in the isolation of it all. Your closest neighbours are woodland birds and creatures and you might find yourself reluctant to leave them for the duration of your stay. Should you want or need to, however,  it’s less than a mile to the nearest pub and less than two to the nearest town. This is the Cotswolds so there’s plenty to see and do that’s perfectly civilised and all rather lovely but if you want to go wild in the Cotswolds, stay right here.