The first time you enter this secretive place is a memorable moment. As the lane reaches the hill’s crest it drops suddenly to reveal a breathtaking view of a veritable Shangri-La – a slice of heaven, dropped into the midst of rural Somerset, that is Batcombe Vale – where the camping is not so much ‘cool’, as ‘chilled-out-to-the-point- of-being-horizontal’. Around here, rabbits scoot across the grass, buzzards soar on thermals above, and herons pose majestically on the lakesides. Listening to the plops of fish in the water, you half expect the cast of The Wind in the Willows to come marching out of the hedges.
Batcombe Vale sits in a valley, and within this intimate, hidden, green fold in the countryside lies a single house (belonging to the owners), a stream, several large ponds (or small lakes even), a host of magnificent trees scattered about the valley floor and about 30 patches of ground where you can pitch a tent.
The 30 variously sized pitches are positioned on different levels, with caravans and campervans allocated spots on higher ground and the tent brigade safely tucked away among lush tropical- looking vegetation lower down – though the views are glorious from wherever you are. The four small lakes – one of which has four colourful rowing boats for Batcombe’s campers to mess about in – and hidden paths snaking off through the valley’s rampant undergrowth.The central patch, meanwhile, is a small oasis of green, with wonky wooden posts positioned at either end for those all important football matches.
The campsite facilities are good, but again a certain, and certainly appropriate, outdoor eccentricity runs through them. Whilst younger campers will find adventures aplenty on the lake and in the wooded valley, the soothing atmosphere of Batcombe Vale will be all the entertainment sensible adults will need.
There are numerous activities to undertake beyond this sheltered enclave: walkers have a choice of paths radiating outwards from Batcombe Vale. Alternatively, within half-an-hour’s drive, there are the magnificent Stourhead Gardens, and Longleat Safari Park.
Within half an hour’s drive (if you have to get in an ecounfriendly vehicle) are historic places like Wells (with its amazing cathedral) and Glastonbury. At the other end of the spectrum, there is the Fleet Air Arm Museum at Yeovilton or in Sparkford there’s the Haynes Motor Museum.
Batcombe Vale is a whole (and better) world in itself. It's hardly surprising that once they’ve bashed the last peg into the ground, many campers stay put in this bucolic Somerset paradise.
Hosted by Batcombe V.
Joined in January 2015Most of our guests seem to prefer relaxing on the campsite, exploring local walks or using the rowing boats but if you would like to get to know the area, here are a few of our favourite things to do:
Hauser & Wirth Somerset is a very popular art gallery with an excellent restaurant, The Roth Bar & Grill. The Newt in Somerset is a magnificent country house open to day visitors for its gardens and farm shop.
For a great family day out, head for Longleat Safari Park, or head to the Haynes Motor Museum, Yeovilton Air Museum and East Somerset Steam Railway. For discount shopping, try Clarks Village in Street or Kilver Court Designer Village in Shepton Mallet.
Check out the Royal Bath & West Showground, where there’s something going on most weekends during the summer.
National Trust properties in the area are Stourhead House and Gardens, Montacute House, Tintinhull Garden and Lytes Cary Manor.
Outdoor leisure activities nearby include swimming, cycling, golfing, horse riding. For an adrenaline burst, try abseiling or caving at Cheddar Caves and Gorge. The wonderful beaches of Weston-super-Mare, Burnham-on-Sea, Lyme Regis, West Bay and Weymouth are an hour’s drive away.
Alternatively, take the train from Bruton and spend the day in the City of Bath then treat yourself to a spa session at the Thermal Bath Spa? Or visit Wells with its Cathedral and Bishop's Palace, Glastonbury with its Abbey and Tor and Frome with its independent shops and markets. Less than an hour away, you will find Salisbury with its Cathedral and Close and Sherborne with its Abbey and Castle as well as the historic city of Bristol.
Take the pleasant 1-mile walk from the site to the 17th century Three Horseshoes Pub (01749 850359) in Batcombe for pub grub and drink. The Bell Inn (01749 830287) at Evercreech is also worth a visit. In Bruton, head for At the Chapel (01749 814070), a restyled chapel offering pizzas and superb wine or try the renowned Roth Bar and Grill. Gilcombe Organic Farm Shop (01749 813710) is noted for its meat and can supply organic packs for the BBQ.
