Spring walk to nearby Bluebell wood. (Copy)

What a glorious week of sun we have had! New Spring flowers are bursting into bloom everyday. It made me wonder if the Bluebells in our local wood were in flower yet, so on a sunny afternoon we set off to find out. As we were short of time, we drove the mile to Beckford and parked the car outside the Church. Following the path through the pretty churchyard and around the side, we cut up through the village, taking a sneaky look over the wall at some of Beckford’s beautiful and very well tended gardens. The path takes you out onto a quiet lane past the Beckford Lake. Butter yellow primroses were flowering in abundance on the wooded slopes leading down to the lake and to the side of the lane, a steam, edged with bright yellow stars of celandine, glinted in the sun. After the old farm yard the road becomes a stony track that windes its way up Bredon hill . The lovely thing about walking over Bredon hill is that the stony paths are dry and free of mud at most times of year. It takes about 25 minutes moderate walking to reach the Bluebell wood and no matter how many times you see them, it is always a delight. We were maybe a week too early to see them in full bloom, but even so, we were greeted with an impressive carpet of blue. We walked up through the wood taking photos and being mindful to stay on the path so as not to damage any young shoots. At the top, a style rewards you with a view over open grassy fields, grazed by watchful ewes with new lambs at foot. Walking back past crops of winter wheat we rejoined the main track and headed back down to Beckford . This is just one of so many pretty walks over Bredon Hill that are worth doing whilst staying at Cotswold Glamping. We provide maps in the Summer House, along with some suggested short walks. If you want to plan an longer hike OS 190 has many options.

Spring walk to nearby Bluebell wood.

What a glorious week of sun we have had! New Spring flowers are bursting into bloom everyday. It made me wonder if the Bluebells in our local wood were in flower yet, so on a sunny afternoon we set off to find out. As we were short of time, we drove the mile to Beckford and parked the car outside the Church. Following the path through the pretty churchyard and around the side, we cut up through the village, taking a sneaky look over the wall at some of Beckford’s beautiful and very well tended gardens. The path takes you out onto a quiet lane past the Beckford Lake. Butter yellow primroses were flowering in abundance on the wooded slopes leading down to the lake and to the side of the lane, a steam, edged with bright yellow stars of celandine, glinted in the sun. After the old farm yard the road becomes a stony track that windes its way up Bredon hill . The lovely thing about walking over Bredon hill is that the stony paths are dry and free of mud at most times of year. It takes about 25 minutes moderate walking to reach the Bluebell wood and no matter how many times you see them, it is always a delight. We were maybe a week too early to see them in full bloom, but even so, we were greeted with an impressive carpet of blue. We walked up through the wood taking photos and being mindful to stay on the path so as not to damage any young shoots. At the top, a style rewards you with a view over open grassy fields, grazed by watchful ewes with new lambs at foot. Walking back past crops of winter wheat we rejoined the main track and headed back down to Beckford . This is just one of so many pretty walks over Bredon Hill that are worth doing whilst staying at Cotswold Glamping. We provide maps in the Summer House, along with some suggested short walks. If you want to plan an longer hike OS 190 has many options.

Coming out of hibernation

While we were busy putting up tents and getting ready for a new season here at Cotswold Glamping, in the quiet of our barn, this hedgehog was just waking up from its winter sleep and enjoying the Spring sunshine.

Hedgehog rescue

Look what we found in the lane this morning! He had no obvious injury but was just curled up in the middle of the road, very cold and wet and not moving much. Took him to the local wildlife hospital where they rushed to put him in a heated box. Once his body temperature is up they will assess him. I was told I could phone tomorrow afternoon. Fingers crossed!

Camera shy

I see this little owl most mornings. He, (or she, I'm not sure how to tell) struts along the stones outside the house hunting for beetles and other breakfast treats. He knows I'm watching but as long as I keep a certain distance he's fine with it, however when I produced a camera, he gave me a short sharp glare and was off. 

Calling all Thomas the Tank Engine fans!

We are fortunate to have Thomas and Friends visiting our local steam railway which is just up the road. He is coming to the Gloucestershire and Warwickshire Steam Railway on the 23rd and 24th June and two days of events is planned including:

• Meet Sir Thomas Hatt (The Fat Controller)
• Live re-enactments with Thomas and the Fat Controller
• Thomas face painting
• Story telling with the Fat Controller
• Ride on the trains with Rusty and Dusty
• Ride on the narrow gauge railway

The GWSR is based at Toddington which is a really picturesque, but fully functioning heritage station, about 10  minutes from Cotswold Glamping. If you wish to book a tent for this weekend based with us see the web site for further details. Thomas tickets available from www.gwsr.com.

Another beautiful May weekend.

  What a lovely May we have had. Our first two hen parties of the year have enjoyed plenty of sun and it looks like continuing. Lapwing tent has become available for Friday 25th and Saturday 26th May, so If you would like to spend next weekend relaxing in the countryside get in contact, holly@cotswoldglamping.co.uk  

Another beautiful May weekend.

  What a lovely May we have had. Our first two hen parties of the year have enjoyed plenty of sun and it looks like continuing. Lapwing tent has become available for Friday 25th and Saturday 26th May, so If you would like to spend next weekend relaxing in the countryside get in contact, holly@cotswoldglamping.co.uk  

Hot Tub now installed

We are very excited to announce that our new hot tub is up and running. So even if the weather isn't hot, the tub always will be. 

Swimming pool is open!

We've been watching the swimming pool thermostat with growing excitement this week. Two weeks ago it was a bracing 9 degrees. Yesterday, with the sun beating down on the cover and the solar panels churning out electricity, the pool hit 28 degrees, bliss!   

Goodbye Winter, hello sunshine!

After what seemed like a never ending Winter, it seems that Spring has finally arrived. Just three weeks ago we were battling freezing temperature in the lambing shed. Pipes were frozen, snow was swirling around us and the lambs were queing up for their turn under the heat lamp. This week we have enjoyed blue skies and wonderful sunshine with temperatures reaching 24 degrees. We've been swimming in the pool while the ewes and lambs soak up the sun in the fields. The garden has burst into bloom, the hedges are white with blossom and the verges scattered with cowslips. 

Make the Tewkesbury Medieval Festival a glamping stay

On the 8th and 9th July 2017, thousands of reenactors, entertainers and traders from all over Europe will gather in Tewkesbury for Europe’s largest annual Medieval re-enactment of the Battle of Tewkesbury on the original battlefield.

The Battle Of Tewkesbury took place on 4 May 1471 and was the final battle in the War Of The Roses between the Houses of York and Lancaster. Prince Edward was killed either during or just after the battle and is now buried in Tewkesbury Abbey.

The festival has period entertainment, including music, dance and drama as well as a collection of fascinating characters from the past. These may include barber surgeons, preachers and even the odd dragon keeper. There is a children’s activity area, with period based arts and craft sessions, and an exhibition tent with displays from organisations specialising in different aspects of history.

If you fancy Glamping a short distance from Tewkesbury do give us a call. We happily accept Lancastrians and Yorkist’s as long as you hold a truce whist with us

Cotswold Glamping loves Land Rovers

On the day that the last Land Rover rolls off the production line, Cotswold Glamping would like to pay tribute to our two trusty Landys.

Happy 2016 from Cotswold Glamping!

Although I do love Christmas, by the time I get to January 1st and am only too ready to tidy up and move on! Clearing away the tired looking tree and taking down the cards is always rather cathartic. Once they’re gone I feel quite rejuvenated and ready to start planning for our next Cotswold Glamping season with renewed enthusiasm. We are currently looking at buying a few extra little things to make a stay here even more fun and of course our new swimming pool will be up and running as soon as we open in April. Our inbox has come to life again in the last few days with people beginning to plan their summer holidays. 

Some of our pretty Wiltshire horn shearling ewes enjoying a summer off. Next year they will have lambs and life won't be so relaxing!

New swimming pool

After a few delays the pool was finished in July and is prooving a real hit with our guests.

New swimming pool installed for summer 2015

After a few delays our pool was finally finished in July and is prooving a real hit with our guests. Last weekends pool temperature reached a balmy 28.8.

Spring 2015 and the Cheltenham racing festival

Don't want to speak too soon but so far this winter has been fairly kind to us. Not too many bitterly cold mornings defrosting frozen pipes or battling against arctic winds to feed livestock.

Our over winter calves were sold on in early January and the shed cleared out and disinfected in preparation for lambing in early March. The ewes have returned to the farm from grazing elsewhere over the last couple of months. This gives the fields here a rest and hopefully ensures better grass for lambs and lactating ewes in the spring. The ewes have all had their pre-lambing vaccination boosters and are given extra food in the run up to lambing.These jobs all done, our attention now turns to the 2015 glamping season. We are busy repainting,  updating and restocking .

For the first time this year we are renting out our glampers reception building for the Cheltenham race festival (10th -13th March). The accommodation will comprise of three double bedrooms each with ensuite shower and our spacious sittingroom with its beautiful rural views. This comes with TV. music system, fridge and toaster. With Cheltenham race course just 15 mins. drive from here this could make an excellent base from which to enjoy the festival. We will be sending out flyers shortly. Please do get in contact if interested.