Church Stretton Camp and Fish (Oaklands)

Liked: It has a natural 'wild' camping feel to the site. They don't try to go luxury and that's actually great. It sits toward the wild camping site feel to me, but with conveniences that make taking a family and longer stays easy. Oaklands offers the amenities you need - and does so extremely well. Clean, maintained and functional toilets/water/washing up sinks (cold water, heat your own if you want warm washing water). The way everything is done makes the site feel more natural which suits the surroundings perfectly. Laid back atmosphere. The owners of the site are extremely friendly and incredibly accommodating. We stayed in the forest and while we were not far from other campers, it felt very private and away from anyone else. We were chilled out on our pitch and happily just lazing about. When we did need some food from town though, just a 10 minute drive away is Church Stretton which is equipped with an outdoor shop catering for some camping needs, supermarket and a few DIY stores too. Activities are also available from Fishing to Quadbiking (electric), and even a wild swimming lake. We tried our hand on the air rifle range, which was good fun. There are costs involved here as you'd expect but the prices are fair. Children are very well accommodated and ours particularly enjoyed the rope swing by one of the fishing lakes. Camp fires were permitted with an honesty box for the wood making evenings that little more cosy too. It's fairly obvious but parts of this site are in woodlands with water nearby, or by lakes. It's a beautiful area and site but bring bug repellent. They weren't excessive when we went (May during hot weather) but there were of course going to be slightly more. If you're particularly bothered by bugs, maybe choose a meadow pitch which are slightly further from the water/woodlands. We'll be back!

Disliked: Having to go back home. Joking aside, legitimately one of the best places I've stayed. I didn't dislike this personally. It doesn't bother me. But I will mention it for the sake of others who might be irritated by it. Tree Sap. It's not something that occurred to me until I went to put a hammock up between the trees. The trees are quite 'sappy' in the forest where we pitched. Not just on things that touch the tree trunks but the tent had small specs over it from sap falling from above too. It's not an issue to me - my tent's to be used and abused - but if you're tent proud or are trying to keep it pristine, perhaps consider taking a meadow or lakeside pitch. There's nothing the owners could do about this because, well, nature - and it shouldn't detract. I mention this ONLY to help better inform people of the pitch type they might want to book here, not to seek a different site (you will miss out if you pass this place by!)

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Liked: Absolutely wonderful campsite - have just spent the weekend there with family, including young children - it is spacious and peaceful, a real away from it all bolt-hole . The speciality appeared to be the fishing but we had fun on/in the swimming lake and simply chilling out in the friendliest campsite i think i've ever been too! The owners were so warm and welcoming - a real treat - thank you !

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Liked: We had a great time, helpful owners, very clean, hot water in the showers, good fishing spots and good-looking fish. We rented a wooden wigwam, enough space for two people, overall a great place to rest, the only small minus was that the wigwam had no lock, it was enough to installing a regular padlock holder costs very little, but you can feel safe leaving your personal belongings when going for a walk or shopping. We will definitely come back.

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Liked: Friendly staff come round and check up to make sure everyone’s having a good time or if they need anything, nice to be greeted in the morning too for a little chit chat as well! Toilets & sink area very clean Free upgrade to the lakeside or forest (we chose lakeside) due to the meadows being too wet! Great location for fishing, there were a few groups on our stay and they all seemed to be catching lots so it is well stocked!

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From the manager: Thank you very much. We try and check in on campers and have a chat (but without being intrusive), and glad the toilets and shower were up to your standard. I'm also pleased to report the meadow is now dry as a bone (we're finally able to drive over it with cars again). Hope to possibly see you again in the future.

Liked: Nice environment, attentive staff and reasonable prices. Beautiful pitch and site. Super clean toilets. Church Stratton nearby to grab last minute bits.

Disliked: Bit boggy but that's to be expected with all the rain they've just had

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From the manager: Thank you very much for the review. It was indeed extremely boggy when you came (which is why we have so many jobs to now catch up with, now the sun has returned lol). Thank you again, hope to see you again in the future.

Liked: Felt like a perfect mix between wildcamping in a rustic context and having means to good facilities. Everything about the service was great and we enjoyed the stay.

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From the manager: Thanks Will, i can only imagine how wet the site was in February. We hope to see you again in the summer, the site will probably look very different (i.e dry, trees in bloom etc)

Liked: Very friendly staff and a great place to stay

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From the manager: Thanks Will. If you enjoyed camping here in October, we recommend you come during the summer, and hopefully you'll enjoy it even more. Cheers

Liked: Great woodland pitches and lovely walks around site

Disliked: Nothing

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From the manager: Thanks Emma (apologies for the delay in responding) hope to see you again in the future.

Liked: Absolutely love it here and can't wait to go back, very soon hopefully.

Disliked: Nothing to dislike.

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From the manager: Hi Debbie, thank you. Now the rain has gone and the sun has returned, we hope to see you again soon.

Liked: Myself and my son really loved the area that the campsite was set in, the fishing lakes are well stocked with fish. Our hosts were very friendly and helpful. We had 2 lovely nights sleep. We also loved the quad biking. Also good facilities 😊

Disliked: Nothing!

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From the manager: Thank you Amy, we're glad you all had a good trip and hope to see you again in the future.