Elmwicke Camping

Jon, Ruth and their three daughters are the fourth and fifth generation farming at Red House Farm. You'll see them all at some point during your stay, whether that's welcoming you, delivering wood, cleaning the facilities or having a good natter. Their family has run a campsite from the farm for eight years and love welcoming campers to stay and playing their part in helping others make lifelong memories. Located in the heart of the Severn Valley, with beautiful views of Malvern, Cleeve, May and Bredon Hills, their's is a pretty special place to stay.

Set on a working farm with a flock of Jacob sheep, small herd of rare breed Gloucester cattle, Pygmy goats (Mabel and Martha) and Bacon the pig, the campsite is home to far more residents than just the weekend visitors. Campers, though, have a huge meadow all of their own, bordered by a hedge but otherwise spacious, flat, open. The field is some seven acres in total, with a relaxed, pitch-where-you-like way of operating (great if you want to book with a group of families). It also means there's plenty of space for games of cricket, rugby, football and flying kites. You'll be here for five minutes and the kids will have already made new friends.

Facilities-wise, things are on the move, so it slightly depends on when you arrive this summer. There’s currently a small portable block of two toilets, two urinals, two wash basins and a shower but an all-new washblock is also opening from mid July. It will house additional washing up areas, a fridge, freezer, a washing machine and more. And as well as a handful of regular electric hook ups, the campsite is also modern enough to boast two electric vehicle charging points. That's not to say the place doesn't maintain a traditional camping vibe. Campfires are very much allowed and you can buy 'barbecue baskets' full of the farm's own produce for cooking on the flames.

While fun and games in the meadow will keep littl'uns busy, tractor-and-trailer rides to see the animals are undoubtedly a highlight for family visitors and it's a good opportunity for Jon and Ruth to teach visitors about their farm. The roaming cattle and the rural setting give the sense that you're a million miles from home, though, actually, the campsite has a rather convenient location. It's not too far from the M5, and it's 10 minutes from Cheltenham and Tewkesbury, so you never need to spend much longer than is needed in the car. The good road connections also put the Malvern Hills, the Forest of Dean and the Cotswolds within easy reach, with the likes of Cleeve Hill, Winchcombe and Sudeley Castle within a 15-minute drive.