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Sun, 23 Jul 2023

Our Spontaneous Somerset Camping Adventure in Our Alpine Campervan

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Recently, we decided to take a spontaneous trip to Somerset in our Alpine Campervan. Somerset, a county nestled in the South West of England, is known for its rich cultural offerings like the globally renowned Glastonbury Music Festival, its signature Cheddar Cheese, and Thatcher's Cider. Whether it's cave exploring in Cheddar or taking a dip in the Roman Baths, Somerset is packed full of experiences for all the family.

Before parting with our Alpine campervan, we wanted to fully enjoy its comforts one last time. Given our Somerset roots, we were keen to visit some of the unique spots from our own childhoods that our children hadn't yet discovered. With the wealth of campsites on offer, the planning process was filled with exciting options.

Our first stop was a village fete in Henton with our friends. We rediscovered the charm of a local fete and the kids had a great time getting their face painted and playing traditional games like hook-a-duck. Because we were visiting friends in the area, we chose to stay at Wookey Farm Campsite.

Wookey and Wookey Hole, despite their closeness, are different places. Wookey Hole, famous for its namesake caves, is indeed an excellent day out as we can attest from a previous visit. We went a few months back and found it absolutely fascinating that 50,000 years ago humans and animals made residence in the caves.

But on this trip, we chose to set up camp in Wookey, the village where I grew up. This is where the kids were introduced to the walks, pubs, and the overall friendly atmosphere that marked my childhood. There's a strange kind of joy in returning to your old stomping ground and showing your children where you grew up.

We set up camp at the Wookey Farm Campsite, as recommended by our friends. The site offered a good deal at £24.50 for the night, without electricity. The amenities were basic, offering only toilets and sinks, but clean and ample for our needs. We didn't get to visit the farm animals this time, but the site was busy yet spacious, and we didn't feel overwhelmed by the number of people. We loved their ethos for recycling and its eco-centred approach to camping! Definitely, a spot we’d like to return to when we don’t have over-tired children who didn’t want to do anything after the fete!

Wookey Farm Campsite
Wookey Farm Campsite

The next day, we headed to The Wave in Bristol, a great spot for Lewis to do some surfing. For those who haven't been there, it's worth a visit. You can even camp there, and parking space is abundant. We found a lovely play area for the kids and plenty of food options. Knowing that we wanted to hit Bristol, Bath, and Wells, I searched for nearby campsites, which is how I discovered Nettwood Campsite in East Harptree.

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The panoramic views of Chew Valley Lake from the campsite and its proximity to our planned locations were big selling points. We chose to stay in the Woodland Field for its wildlife and the kids' play area. When we arrived, the views were even better than we expected and we were the only campers there, which made our stay quiet and relaxing.

Nettwood Campsite
Nettwood Campsite

The kids thoroughly enjoyed the den building area, and we even lit a fire. We had a nostalgic trip to the Castle of Comfort, a pub I remembered from my childhood. The service was excellent, and the food was good.

Den Building
Den Building

Our trip to Bath on the Monday was taken with a bit of hesitance as we knew the weather was on the turn. We parked at Charlotte Street Car Park as we knew we wouldn’t struggle to park the Sprinter there – all consideration when you're exploring with a larger campervan.

During our visit, we visited Bath Abbey which was beautiful. Dougie in particular was very taken with what was inside. It was well tailored for children too so I would recommend it for a little visit. After a day spent wandering around and visiting the fantastic Victoria Park, we headed back to our campsite for another night.

Our last day started with a refreshing walk in Stockhill Woods, a place I frequented as a child. We didn’t touch the sides but it was a lovely walk and I would definitely recommend it if walking is your thing! The place is dog-friendly but bear in mind that if you're in a larger vehicle like we were, you may have to park on the road. Unfortunately, the barrier for the car park was too low to accommodate our Sprinter.

Either way, pack a picnic and get lost in these beautiful woods for a great day out.

Parking at Stockhill Woods
Parking at Stockhill Woods

Our final stop was the City of Wells. Although the kids weren't up for visiting the Cathedral, we managed a stroll around the moat and the high street. On a sunnier day, we'll return to visit the Bishops Palace and Gardens.

We were spoilt for choice when it came to campsites in Somerset. During our three-night stay, we could only explore so much. Another trip in the Campervan to experience more of Somerset's stunning countryside is a must. The county offers a wealth of activities and sights, and our MWB Sprinter handled the country roads with ease. As people who grew up in Somerset, we took the place for granted. However, as adults, we see it in a new light - a county rich in history and full of fun things to do.

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