When it comes down to it, what do you really need from a campsite? For many of us, the answer is a flat pitch, a water supply, and somewhere to go to the loo. If you fall into this camp (pardon the pun) then you are going to love Loves Hill Camping. This simple summer campsite in Somerset is as laid-back as they come; it’s tents only, dog friendly and campfires are allowed.
Situated between the Cotswolds and the Mendip Hills, Loves Hill offers a rural, edge-of-village location that means you can relax in the countryside but still be within walking distance of a pub, a shop, and a chippie. The campsite is essentially a large, level field, some eight acres, that’s been mown into shape by owner Nick to create a place to stay for a month in the summer. As befits a place that’s usually used to grow grass for winter feed, it’s as eco-friendly as he can make it with composting loos and hot water showers with waste water destined to irrigate nearby fields.
You can drive to your pitch and camp where you like, thanks to a free-style pitching policy. And while Nick is on hand to welcome you, tell you what’s what and sell you logs for your campfire, you are generally left to enjoy the peace and quiet of the setting – however you see fit.
There’s plenty of space for kicking a ball about but there’s a tempting footpath that leads off site too. Follow it for a mile or so and you’ll reach the banks of a nearby river, The Cam Brook, with a bridleway that’s part of the Limestone Link long-distance footpath. The two ends of that route are in the nearby Cotswolds and Mendips Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, where there’s plenty more walking on offer. Bath is within 10 miles of site, Wookey Hole Caves and Longleat Safari Park within 20.