The Old Vicarage

View prices & book 8.4 203 reviews
Visitor image of the stream and site grounds
The 17th-century old vicarage
The view down the river
The house and grounds

  • Riverside site in grounds of a 17th-century house in Nottinghamshire
  • Close to Sherwood Forest and 25 miles from Nottingham
  • Space for outdoor activities; rope swing and stepping stones
You'll sense the history all around you at The Old Vicarage, from the old house to the remains of the water mill in the river bed. Stays here are in the grounds of a 17th-century house in the village of Elkesley, six miles from Worksop and 25 miles from Nottingham. Its grounds run down to the banks of the Poulter river, and are lined with stands of acacia, sycamore, ash and oak trees which were originally donated to the first vicar by the Duke of Newcastle in the 1830s. There's plenty of space around the site for traditional outdoor activities, with a rope swing and stepping stones over the shallow river and a bridge that's perfect for playing Pooh Sticks. In the surrounding area there are animal parks and nature reserves to walk around, or to head back further in time, you could take one of the trails through ancient Sherwood Forest, around quarter of an hour's drive away. Every bank holiday, the site opens up their Cave Bar, a cool little space built into an exposure of 500-million-year-old sandstone, with a chillout room, TV room and games, plus an outdoor terrace for sipping drinks out in the sunshine. Other amenities include a washing-up area and bathrooms with plentiful hot showers, toilets and baby changing facilities.

Site type

Motorhome pitches 5
Tent pitches 20
Touring caravan pitches 5
Lodges, cabins, pods or huts 1
Open all year
Opens
Please note
  • Under 18s must be accompanied by their parents or legal guardians.
  • The site does not accept breeds/crossbreeds listed in the Dangerous Dogs Act (i.e. XL Bully, Pit Bull Terrier, Japanese Tosa, Dogo Argentino, and Fila Brasileiro).
  • Group bookings of 10 or more units (e.g. tent, touring caravan, motorhome or accommodation hire) travelling together are not permitted via Pitchup.com.
  • Group bookings of 15 or more adults are not permitted (couples and immediate family members excepted).
  • Bookings must not be for more than 15 consecutive nights.
  • No cars/motorbikes by the pitch/unit. All cars must be parked in the designated area.
  • Commercial vehicles (vehicles used for work-related purposes, carrying goods or fare-paying passengers) and sign-written vehicles are not permitted on site.
  • Discount cards and gift vouchers cannot be applied to bookings made via Pitchup.com.
  • The games room is open between 19/04 and 30/09.
  • If making a fire, the fuel, logs and coal have to be purchased on site.
  • The Cave Bar is only open 26 - 28 May and 25 - 27 August.

Languages spoken

English

Pitch types & availability

Reviews

85%

would recommend this site to a friend

84%

would stay here again

  • 52%
    10
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    9
  • 26%
    8
  • 0%
    7
  • 12%
    6
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    5
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    4
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    3
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    1

Only showing reviews for the last 30 months.

Gorgeous relaxing camp site great for families.

Overall 10/10
Location 10
Value for money 10
Accommodation 10
Facilities / Activities 10
Customer service 10
Child friendliness 10
Cleanliness 8
Wifi 10
Kate R. The reviewer booked through Pitchup.com

Non-electric grass tent pitch

Liked: Gorgeous tranquil site with a beautiful shallow river running through it which the kids just loved. Option to have a fire pit and the bar was open for some of the time we were there. Kids were very well provided for. Hot water for washing up was available and also a fridge and freezer. Site staff were friendly and helpful.

Disliked: A few people have mentioned lack of cleanliness of the toilets in their reviews. I think they were mostly ok - I’ve certainly seen worse - although the cubicles are pretty small.

Recommend to friends Visit again

From the manager: Thank you for your kind review.
We hope to see you again soon
The Old Vicarage Team

Untidy campsite, dirty toilets, but we came for the river

Overall 5/10
Location 10
Value for money 3
Accommodation 1
Facilities / Activities 1
Customer service 1
Child friendliness 4
Cleanliness 1
Wifi No rating
Anonymous The reviewer booked through Pitchup.com

Non-electric grass tent pitch

Liked: We have been here twice before and will keep coming back simply for the beautiful riverside location. Our children spent hours catching fish and paddling in the river and for that, this site is magic.

Disliked: The toilets were not cleaned our entire stay and were filthy. The sanitary bins were overflowing. The dog waste bin was overflowing. The staff were rude and did nothing about children breaking chairs and throwing them in the river, loose dogs or loud music.

Recommend to friends Visit again

From the manager: Hi
Thanks for your review.
The toilets were cleaned on Saturday evening and also Sunday as I did them myself. Other comments say the toilets were clean and they stayed the same period as you did?
We admit the dog waste bins were full and these were emptied on Sunday.
Can you contact us in regards to which staff member was rude please so we can sort out this problem. Loose dogs? When was this please? Loud Music? When was this please?
Regards
The Old Vicarage Team

Awesome location with a great feel to it.

Overall 10/10
Location 10
Value for money 10
Accommodation 10
Facilities / Activities 10
Customer service 10
Child friendliness 10
Cleanliness 7
Wifi 10
Mark K. The reviewer booked through Pitchup.com

Non-electric grass tent pitch

Liked: Perfect little campsite

Disliked: Nothing

Recommend to friends Visit again

From the manager: Thank you for your review
We hope to see you again soon!
Kind regards
The Old Vicarage Team

It was beautiful , very friendly staff and really a perfect place…

Overall 10/10
Location 10
Value for money 10
Accommodation 10
Facilities / Activities 10
Customer service 10
Child friendliness 10
Cleanliness 10
Wifi 10
Anonymous The reviewer booked through Pitchup.com

Non-electric grass tent pitch

Liked: It was beautiful , very friendly staff and really a perfect place for kids with fun activities .

Recommend to friends Visit again

From the manager: Thank you so much for your kind review.
We hope to see you again soon
Kind regards
The Old Vicarage Team

Beautiful setting. Good activities to keep children entertained. Grounds felt safe.…

Overall 8/10
Location 10
Value for money 8
Accommodation 10
Facilities / Activities 10
Customer service 10
Child friendliness 10
Cleanliness 6
Wifi 7
Hayley I. The reviewer booked through Pitchup.com

Electric grass tent pitch

Liked: Beautiful setting. Good activities to keep children entertained. Grounds felt safe.

Disliked: Toilet facilities needed improvement.

Recommend to friends Visit again

From the manager: Thanks for your review
What improvements do we need to make to our toilet block please so we can do this?
Kind regards
The Old Vicarage Team

Lovely place, lots of activities for kids…

Overall 10/10
Location 10
Value for money 7
Accommodation 10
Facilities / Activities 10
Customer service 10
Child friendliness 10
Cleanliness 9
Wifi 9
Simonas N. The reviewer booked through Pitchup.com

Non-electric grass tent pitch

Liked: Lovely place, lots of activities for kids

Recommend to friends Visit again

From the manager: Thank you for your kind review
We hope to see you again soon
The Old Vicarage Team

The calm atmosphere and the stunning setting. Our third time staying here.…

Overall 10/10
Location 10
Value for money 10
Accommodation 10
Facilities / Activities 10
Customer service 10
Child friendliness 10
Cleanliness 10
Wifi 10
Anonymous The reviewer booked through Pitchup.com

Electric grass tent pitch

Liked: The calm atmosphere and the stunning setting. Our third time staying here. My children absolutely live it here and are constantly requesting to go back.

Recommend to friends Visit again

Absolutely amazing place. Very safe with shallow brook. Definitely we will get…

Overall 10/10
Location 10
Value for money 10
Accommodation 10
Facilities / Activities 8
Customer service 10
Child friendliness 10
Cleanliness 8
Wifi No rating
Piotr H. The reviewer booked through Pitchup.com

Electric grass tent pitch

Liked: Absolutely amazing place. Very safe with shallow brook. Definitely we will get back.

Disliked: Shower and toilet could be improved

Recommend to friends Visit again

Beautiful setting and kids loved playing in the stream…

Overall 10/10
Location 10
Value for money 10
Accommodation 8
Facilities / Activities 6
Customer service 10
Child friendliness 10
Cleanliness 10
Wifi 10
Anonymous The reviewer booked through Pitchup.com

Non-electric grass tent pitch

Liked: Beautiful setting and kids loved playing in the stream

Disliked: Play ground could do with some updating. But doesn't spoil the fun.

Recommend to friends Visit again

Yes

Overall 10/10
Location 10
Value for money 10
Accommodation 6
Facilities / Activities 8
Customer service 6
Child friendliness 10
Cleanliness 6
Wifi 10
Karen D. The reviewer booked through Pitchup.com

Electric grass tent pitch

Liked: Had a lovey stay lovey place

Disliked: Abit deposit for bq and fair had gone up lots but lovey people and lovey place and yes woikd go back again

Recommend to friends Visit again

From the manager: Hi Karen
Thanks for your review.
£20 out of what you paid is refundable if you bring the firepit/bbq back. It’s only because we have had so many stolen,
Thanks
The Old Vicarage Team


Features

Leisure on site

Bar or club house Cycle hire Evening entertainment Fishing Fitness centre Games room Indoor swimming pool Kids' club On-site restaurant/cafe Outdoor swimming pool Play area TV room Take away Tennis Watersports

Amenities on site

Bath available Composting toilet Dog park Drying room Food shop Free wifi Ice pack freezing Internet access Launderette Parent & baby washroom Pick-up from public transport Portable toilet Pub toilets Public telephone Shower available Toilet block Washing-up area Wifi

Groups welcome

Family friendly Motorcycle friendly Single-sex groups welcome Student groups welcome

Rules

Barbecue provided Barbecues allowed Campfires allowed Commercial vehicles allowed Dogs allowed Dogs allowed all year

Themes

Lake and/or mountain Peaceful Walkers' paradise Wild camping Wildlife haven

Utilities

Charging facilities Chemical disposal Communal freezer Communal fridge Electric car charging point(s) Gas cylinders available Recycling available Renewable energy

Nearby amenities

Bar nearby Dog walk nearby Nearby farmers' market Public transport nearby Shop nearby

Type

Medium (26-50 pitches)

Accessibility

Bathrooms: Wheelchair accessible toilet Uneven terrain; gravel or loose mud

Nearby leisure

Canoeing/kayaking nearby Cycle hire nearby Cycling nearby Fishing nearby Golf nearby Horse riding nearby Indoor pool nearby Leisure/theme park nearby Mountain biking nearby Restaurant nearby Watersports nearby

Location

The Old Vicarage

Twyford Lane

Elkesley

East Retford

Nottinghamshire

England

DN22 8AS

Directions

Timezone

Europe/London BST (GMT+01:00)

GPS

53.27251°N
-0.96438°W

Route directions

Exit the A1 where signposted 'Elkesley village only'. The site entrance says 'Guests' and is at the end of the slip road.

Nearest transport

Coach
3.5 mi Bus Station
7.1 mi Hardy Street
9 mi Hetts Lane
Rail
3 mi Retford Low Level Rail Station
3 mi Retford Rail Station
7.1 mi Worksop Rail Station
Airport
14.5 mi Robin Hood Doncaster Sheffield Airport
14.9 mi Robin Hood Doncaster Sheffield Airport
19.3 mi Sheffield City Airport

Please note: All distances on this page are calculated "as the crow flies" - please check actual distance depending on your mode of travel using the Get directions button above.

Local attractions

The surrounding countryside has great places for walks and wildlife-spotting, with trails around the lakes and wetlands of Idle Valley Nature Reserve (15 minutes' drive) and lakes for fishing too. Then there's Sherwood Forest, 25 minutes away: some 450 acres of wildlife among ancient oak trees, alongside a wealth of biking and walking trails to take you through them. Adventure seekers can see it all from the treetops on ropes and wires at Go Ape, and the kids can clamber about at Robin Hood’s Hideout, an acclaimed natural play area. For family antics out of the forest, Sundown Adventure Park (20 minutes) has rides and themed playgrounds for the under-10s and families can also make tracks for Ferry Farm Country Park (45 minutes), to feed lambs, meet pigs and zoom about on go-karts and the adventure playground. An hour away and a major hub since Robin Hood's days, Nottingham still draws the crowds. Tour the castle and the caves, stop for a snifter in Ye Trip To Jerusalem (oldest pub in England, perhaps...), skate on ice at Motorpoint Arena and see what law and order meant in the Sheriff’s days at the National Justice Museum. For further historical wanderings, Creswell Crags presents an array of prehistoric caves in a cracking limestone gorge and Newark's castle, Air Museum and National Civil War Centre sum up the centuries very entertainingly, all around half an hour away.

Must see

Sherwood Forest Country Park 6.3 mi

Mansfield Museum 13.2 mi

Bolsover Castle 13.9 mi

Hardwick Hall 15.5 mi

Hardwick Old Hall 16 mi

National Trust

Clumber Park 4.2 mi

Mr Straw's House 6.8 mi

The Workhouse, Southwell 13.3 mi

Hardwick Estate: Stainsby Mill 16 mi

Hardwick Hall 16 mi

Cycle routes

Find local routes on the National Cycle Network - over 12,000 miles of cycling routes.

Other

Bothamsall - Robin Hood's Cave - Walesby - Bothamsall 1.9 mi

BABWORTH HALL 3.4 mi

Headon - Upton - Askham - Grove - Headon 3.7 mi

CLUMBER PARK 3.8 mi

Clumber and Surrounding Forests - Robin Hood Way 4.2 mi

Please note: All distances on this page are calculated "as the crow flies" - please check actual distance depending on your mode of travel using the Get directions button above.

Offers

Conditions apply - see pitch type section for details

Nearest sites

Unfortunately, we have no nearby bookable sites.

Want to know more about camping in Nottinghamshire?

Frequently asked questions

  • Does The Old Vicarage have a swimming pool? No View all features
  • Is The Old Vicarage dog friendly? Yes View all features
  • What attractions are near The Old Vicarage? The surrounding countryside has great places for walks and wildlife-spotting, with trails around the lakes and wetlands of Idle Valley Nature Reserve (15 minutes' drive) and lakes for fishing too. Then there's … Read more
  • When can I check in and check out of The Old Vicarage?
    Camping and touring
    Arrive:  2 p.m. –  6 p.m.
    Depart by:  12 p.m.
    On-site accommodation
    Arrive:  3 p.m. –  6 p.m.
    Depart by:  10 a.m.
    Read more
  • How much does it cost to stay at The Old Vicarage? From £25 (for 1 night, 2 adults) - prices may change depending on your dates and party.