When can I check in and check out of Thistledown Farm Campsite?

Camping and caravan Arrive: noon – 7 p.m. Depart by: noon Read more

Thistledown Farm Campsite

8.8 33 reviews

Eco-friendly site on an organic farm with 70 acres to explore
Walk directly into Woodchester Park; 15 minutes' drive to Stroud
Pick-your-own pitches with campfires encouraged: shop on site

Book yourself a stay at Thistledown Farm Campsite and you’ll be following in a whole host of footsteps from across the ages. Several ancient finds have surfaced at this fabulous Gloucestershire spot, including neolithic hand tools, a rare Iron Age storage pit and evidence for Roman occupation. In later centuries, the farm became part of the Woodchester Park Estate – look out for the remains of the old seven-mile deer wall as you wander. For the past 30 years or so, the farm has been owned by Richard, who’s developed it organically and sustainably, reinstating the organic dairy and establishing the world’s largest elderflower orchard. There’s a real emphasis on promoting nature here too: the site is used to rehome species that have been disturbed by development, and it’s part of the Cotswolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. In keeping with that ethos, green values are promoted on the campsite – the lower fields are kept car-free, and you can pick up a walking map on arrival to help you explore the area on foot. This is also a site that values freedom, allowing guests to pick their own pitch and light a campfire for that essential outdoor experience. As guests of the farm you’re also welcome to wander along the footpaths that wind through its 70 acres, taking in picnic spots, meadows, woodland, streams and ponds as you go. Once you’ve worked up an appetite, stop by at the site shop for local meats, bread, milk and other essentials from local suppliers.

Campground type

Languages spoken

English

Nearby campgrounds that are bookable on Pitchup.com

Unfortunately, we have no nearby bookable sites.

Features

Portable toilet

Dogs allowed

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 Car parking by site/unit Composting toilet Dog park Drying room Food shop Free wifi Ice pack freezing Internet access Laundry 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

Spectacular scenery Walkers' paradise Wild camping Wildlife haven

Utilities

Charging facilities Dump point Electric car charging point(s) Gas cylinders available Recycling available Renewable energy

Nearby amenities

Bar nearby Convenience store nearby Dog walk nearby Nearby farmers' market

Type

Farm Small (11-25 sites)

Accessibility

Disabled facilities

Nearby leisure

Cycling nearby Fishing nearby Mountain biking nearby Restaurant nearby

Location

Thistledown Farm Campsite

Thistledown Project

Tinkley Lane

Stroud

Gloucestershire

England

GL10 3UH

Directions

Timezone

Europe/London GMT (GMT+00:00)

GPS

51.70584°N
-2.28257°W

Nearest transport

Coach

6.4 km Merrywalks

8.9 km Dark Lane

Rail

4.5 km Stonehouse Rail Station

5.4 km Cam & Dursley Rail Station

6.1 km Stroud (Glos) Rail Station

Ferry

14 km Sharpness Old Docks

15.5 km Lydney Harbour

35.1 km Castle Park Ferry Landing

Airport

22.5 km Gloucestershire Airport

46.3 km Bristol International 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

Once you’ve had a wander around the farm’s own intriguing corners, continue your history-themed mission in the local area with a stroll into Woodchester Park, next door. The National Trust site has several trails leading around its lake and woods to the remains of an unfinished Victorian mansion. A longer walk might take you on to Uley Long Barrow, a Neolithic burial mound half an hour away on foot. For more history and culture, plan a day out in Bath (45 minutes' drive), to visit the Roman Baths and Fashion Museum, climb the tower at Bath Abbey and gawp at gorgeous architecture like the Royal Crescent before tucking into afternoon tea or taking a soak in the rooftop pool at Thermae Bath Spa. Away from the urban streets there are lots of gardens to explore nearby too, including those at Highgrove House, Newark Park and Westonbirt, the National Arboretum (all 15 minutes), plus the lovely Painswick Rococo Garden (20 minutes), which also has a maze and several follies to seek out.

Must see

WWT Slimbridge Wetlands Centre 9.2 km

Painswick Rococo Garden 11.3 km

Westonbirt, The National Arboretum 12.1 km

Berkeley Castle 12.2 km

Gloucester Waterways Museum 17.5 km

National Trust

Woodchester Park 0.6 km

Newark Park 7.8 km

Westbury Court Garden 15.7 km

Horton Court 16.4 km

Ashleworth Tithe Barn 24.4 km

Cycle routes

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

Other

WOODCHESTER MANSION 1.4 km

OWLPEN MANOR 2.5 km

Selsley Common - Woodchester - Selsley Common 3 km

Stroud - Painswick - Pitchcombe - Stroud 6.2 km

Minchinhampton - Avening - Minchinhampton 6.8 km

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.

Reviews

would recommend this campground to a friend

would stay here again

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Only showing reviews for the last 30 months.

Great walks with great views that are so close to the site

Our pitch and view of the woodland and hills.

Amazing food! we over ordered and was kindly given a take away box

Amazing campsite - bags of space with well kept facilities. Very…

Overall	10/10
Location	10
Value for money	6
Accommodation	10
Facilities / Activities	8
Customer service	10
Child friendliness	10
Cleanliness	10
Wifi	No rating

Andy M. Sept 2022

Elderflower Orchard unpowered grass campervan or trailer tent site

Liked: Amazing campsite - bags of space with well kept facilities. Very well stocked small shop, and very friendly and helpful owners.

Recommend to friends Visit again

Beautiful campsite in idyllic surrounds, great for families or friends

Overall	10/10
Location	10
Value for money	8
Accommodation	10
Facilities / Activities	10
Customer service	10
Child friendliness	10
Cleanliness	10
Wifi	No rating

Becky A. Sept 2022

Pasture unpowered grass tent site

Liked: Beautiful campsite with many secluded and picturesque spots to pitch up. A nice family atmosphere. The grounds are stunning - some of the nicest woodlands I've been in. We didn't find time to explore it all so will be back for another visit next year!

The cafe and shop are great, we tried the pizza and it was excellent. The owners are very friendly. And there's lots to do in the area - we visited the farmer's market in Stroud, rated best in the UK.

Facilities were all very clean, it was great having the option of compost toilets as these are very eco.

At night the skies are dark so stargazing and moongazing opportunities abound.

We would highly recommend this campsite for a peaceful break in gorgeous countryside surroundings.

Disliked: We couldn't find a completely level spot for our tent, but perhaps that was our choice of pitch.

Recommend to friends Visit again

Excellent campsite, great shop for emergencies and a lovely pizzeria

Overall	10/10
Location	10
Value for money	8
Accommodation	10
Facilities / Activities	10
Customer service	10
Child friendliness	10
Cleanliness	8
Wifi	6

Beth P. Sept 2022

Elderflower Orchard unpowered grass campervan or trailer tent site

Liked: Stunning setting. The camper van pitch was in amongst an elderberry orchard which was beautiful and a practical protection from the elements.

Disliked: The showers are quite a walk from the camper van pitches

Recommend to friends Visit again

Not worth the money

Overall	4/10
Location	8
Value for money	2
Accommodation	4
Facilities / Activities	2
Customer service	4
Child friendliness	No rating
Cleanliness	4
Wifi	2

Katherine C. Sept 2022

Elderflower Orchard unpowered grass campervan or trailer tent site

Liked: Eco friendly. Location

Disliked: Overpriced. 2 showers for entire campsite that were either scalding or freezing. Only portaloos that stank. Overpriced cafe.

Recommend to friends Visit again

Good amount of space, very peaceful even with the amount of people.…

Overall	10/10
Location	10
Value for money	10
Accommodation	10
Facilities / Activities	8
Customer service	10
Child friendliness	No rating
Cleanliness	8
Wifi	No rating

Patrick B. Aug 2022

Elderflower Orchard unpowered grass campervan or trailer tent site

Liked: Good amount of space, very peaceful even with the amount of people. Friendly and helpful team on site. Very good pizzeria / restaurant. Lovely walks.
Elderflower could do with a full washing up WC block as there are in the tent camps.

Disliked: Nothing

Recommend to friends Visit again

Ideal for groups of families to gather, with good facilities.

Overall	8/10
Location	10
Value for money	10
Accommodation	8
Facilities / Activities	8
Customer service	10
Child friendliness	8
Cleanliness	8
Wifi	10

Christopher D. Aug 2022

Elderflower Orchard unpowered grass campervan or trailer tent site

Liked: Large open spaces, quiet and picturesque. Backing on to National Trust land for a pleasant walk. Large spaces for groups of families to gather together, with each area separate from other groups.

Disliked: Limited showers a long way from the orchard.

Recommend to friends Visit again

Beautiful site, a real gem

Overall	10/10
Location	10
Value for money	10
Accommodation	10
Facilities / Activities	10
Customer service	10
Child friendliness	10
Cleanliness	10
Wifi	No rating

Anonymous Sept 2022

Elderflower Orchard unpowered grass campervan or trailer tent site

Liked: I adored this site. It has different areas depending on how you're camping and the tent areas, in particular, go on for miles in rolling nooks and crannies. So many other campsites feel regimented- you travel miles to pitch a tent and live effectively in another street, but Thistledown has a proper bohemian feel, the way camping really should feel. Staff are attentive and polite and really get why you're there. The site is clean, welcoming and peaceful. I'll definitely be back, thank you.

Recommend to friends Visit again

Great campsite that's a wildlife haven. Clean and friendly.

Overall	10/10
Location	10
Value for money	8
Accommodation	10
Facilities / Activities	10
Customer service	10
Child friendliness	10
Cleanliness	10
Wifi	No rating

Deborah D. Aug 2022

Pasture unpowered grass tent site

Liked: Huge site, tucked away in a valley filled with wildlife and a NT @ the bottom of the valley. You can pitch where you like with a service to take/collect your equipment if your in the lower part of the site for a charge. Very friendly staff, clean amenities and a great cafe and shop in site.

Disliked: Nothing, other than some personal washing cubicles would be a great addition. Washbasin and mirror.

Recommend to friends Visit again

Beautiful place to visit. Can’t want to go back.

Overall	8/10
Location	10
Value for money	8
Accommodation	8
Facilities / Activities	10
Customer service	8
Child friendliness	8
Cleanliness	10
Wifi	No rating

Anonymous Aug 2022

Elderflower Orchard unpowered grass campervan or trailer tent site

Liked: The setting is stunning, beautiful views and countryside. Facilities are great, there’s a well stocked shop that was open all day and a lovely cafe. We didn’t feel cramped or overlooked on the pitches even on a busy weekend. The staff were all friendly and efficient when you arrive and then just let you get on with your stay!

Disliked: Not much to dislike the facilities on site are great. It was a bit of a walk to our nearest showers, which might get busy as there was only 2, but wasn’t an issue for us.

Recommend to friends Visit again

Although lovely site wouldn’t go again

Overall	8/10
Location	10
Value for money	10
Accommodation	8
Facilities / Activities	2
Customer service	8
Child friendliness	No rating
Cleanliness	4
Wifi	No rating

Anonymous Aug 2022

Elderflower Orchard unpowered grass campervan or trailer tent site

Liked: The site was beautiful & peaceful

Disliked: Facilities were not great, never even found the showers, portable toilets were pretty disgusting after two days,

Recommend to friends Visit again

Frequently asked questions

Does Thistledown Farm Campsite have a swimming pool? No View all features
Is Thistledown Farm Campsite dog friendly? Yes View all features
What attractions are near Thistledown Farm Campsite? Once you’ve had a wander around the farm’s own intriguing corners, continue your history-themed mission in the local area with a stroll into Woodchester Park, next door. The National Trust site has … Read more
When can I check in and check out of Thistledown Farm Campsite?

Camping and caravan

Arrive: noon – 7 p.m.

Depart by: noon

Read more