Set amongst 35 acres of re-wilded land on the borders of Wiltshire and Gloucestershire, Brandiers Farm - the home of photographers Kim and Peter Lavery – is a very special place. It's not only home a couple of lovely self-catering cottages, but also has a number of glamping options in its grounds, giving you the chance to explore and delight in what is a unique rural retreat, with self-contained grounds consisting of a walled garden, ponds and meadows, a lake and a tennis court, even a rustic lakeside bar.
The glamping here consists of three options, each positioned in its own field with its own private cooking area. In the middle field, 'Camp Brunhilda' is micro-site in its own right, made up of a a vintage 1975 VW campervan, sleeping 2, and an adjacent 3-metre bell tent, sleeping another couple. There's also a hammock, firebowl and a strategically positioned bed for star-gazing and nights outdoors, and Brunhilda is right next to the Farm's ‘Storytelling Circle’ , which has a camp fire, seating and outdoor cooking facilities. The top field is home to is a luxury 5-metre 'Bedouin Bell Tent', complete with wood-burning stove, king-size bed, low wooden tables, hand-woven rugs and cushions, and sleeping two lovers in total comfort. And finally there's the Showman’s Wagon in the bottom field – a restored early 20th-century circus wagon with ‘gypsy-chic vibes and its own wood-burning stove, fridge and kitchen facilities, and sleeping 2 in a cosy alcove.
The toilet and bathroom facilities are shared, in a beautifully converted, wood-panelled horse trailer that comes complete with toilet, sink, washstand, hot water, electrical sockets, a shower room and 3 tin bath tubs. In addition to the toilet facilities, there is a covered kitchen for guests' use with fridge and freezer, in front of which is a unique lakeside bar – fully licensed and made up entirely of reclaimed and up-cycled materials. railway sleepers and tin from the old barn roof.
Dogs are welcome at Brandiers, as are children: the farm is a great place for kids, and there is lots to see and do, including the lake (which has a boat for guest-use) and a very large rock for morning meditations and viewing wildlife – red kites, ravens, owls, buzzards, bats and badgers are all regular visitors. They run events – a professional storyteller lives on site and can provide entertainment on request – and once the novelty of this beautiful natural haven has worn off, it's nice to know that you're well placed for visiting nearby Cirencester and also just a five-minute drive from Cotswold Water Parks. There are also plentiful country walks, nature reserves and birdwatching spots nearby, while you are also close to two excellent country pubs that serve food all day.