The Den and Orchard

Facilities, size of site, location, friendly staff, no cars allowed next to pitches and handy trolleys provided, contactless card payment accepted for firewood.

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Friendly welcome
Facilities
Food
Location

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The bell tent was lovely. Everything you need is there. The bed was comfy and it was all very clean. The food from the takeaway is a delight

The pub being closed (bloody pandemic)

Pod was new and modern. Well kitted out. Owners were lovely. On the occasion we needed to use the campsite toilets they were basic but clean and detergent spray was provided. There is a play park directly over the road next to some lovely fishing lakes - ideal for relaxing whilst keeping an eye on the kids!

It's worth noting that the glamping pod is not located in the camping field but on it's own near the car park. It is very private with it's own fenced off garden. Ideal if you want to be on your own but perhaps not if you want the atmosphere of the campsite.

Clean and well kept ammenities
Quiet spot in walking distance of lakes and forest
Helpful and freindly staff

Traffic can be heard towards the back of the site

Site, camping area, picnic benches and fire pits.

Some road noise

Friendly manager, large pitches and a simple pricing structure

In our experience, the Den & Orchard is not a peaceful site as policies on noise are ignored, with no consideration given to other campers. On the second night of our three night stay, we had a group of six on the neighbouring pitch playing music and talking until 02:30, despite the clear guidance saying noise should be kept to a minimum after 22:00. Earplugs were used and a reasonable night's sleep still had by most.

This was nothing though, as on our final night a large group of 15-20 people showed up and pitched camp-side of one of the bell tents at the end of the field. One of the tents and their marquee was only a metre or two away from the Crabby Apple clamping pod (which was occupied) in spite of the fact that the bottom of the 30m field was completely empty. They had also parked a camper van on the grass and had loud music coming from this until we asked them to turn it down at 23:00. After asking a second time, this was listened to, but the music reppeared at 02:30 and the party (there is no other word for it) continued until 05:00. There was no comment from the management, who we only saw once a day. Given that the site was by no means full when we arrived and we were told to "pitch where we like" on arrival, a heads up that there was a large group coming would have been sensible. Directing them to the large space at the bottom of the field to at least give some distance between them and other campers would also have helped, but ceratinly didn't happen. The group left the following morning - so quite clearly had always intended on using it as a party field and management should have taken notice of this.

Aside from that, visitors should be aware that the main road is within earshot and although just 'white noise' throughout the day, can disturb sleep at night.

We were there for 3 nights about 3 weeks after UK campsites were reopened after the Covid-19 lockdown restrictions were relaxed. There was plenty of hand sanitiser available, however the soap in the women's toilets ran out and it seemed as though the cleaning of the toilet and washing facilities was left to campers (there were disinfectant sprays attached to each toilet and we weren't aware of any proactive cleaning by the campsite).

Firepits, showers, fridge, friendly owners, ...

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Really friendly, very clean and nicely arranged. The take-away from The Fox (available Thurs,Fri, Sat) was fabulous. Also loved the fire pits and the fact there are no vehicles allowed into the camping field. Offering electric toaster, kettle and fridge plus freezer for everyone to share was really useful.

There is a bit of traffic noise in the distance but only really noticeable at night

Location, we wanted somewhere close to Bath and longleat and this was pretty good. The bed in the crabby Apple hut was comfortable

Shared facilities- only one single toilet And shower for men To service the entire site. There were about 40 people when we stayed and so queues were apparent. We booked the crabby Apple hut and expected a fridge and cooking facilities as per The description. The fridge is Actually a small under counter fridge that is shared and located about 80m away In the toilet block and the cooking facilities were a camp stove that ran out of gas on day two. To be fair the owner of the site or “boss man” as was the phrase he used to introduce himself, brought us a small fridge that was more than adequate when we mentioned it, but I’m not sure we were meant to have it as it was from another hut/outbuilding. Also the locks on the showers didn’t line up so the cubicles didn’t lock and the lock on the crabby Apple hut does not line up so needed the strength of ten men to turn the key! Seriously though my girlfriend couldn’t lock it. This could easily be sorted though. The site is also located next to a main road and traffic noise was loud from the boy racers on an evening. I could go on with a few other small things. We paid £240 for 3 nights. I’m not sure this was good value as we could have got a hotel/premier inn for the same money but we elected to stay here because we love the experience of camping However this site is a bit too basic for the money. Had we only paid half the money then the review would be less critical but at that price I think it’s fair to give a bit of criticism.