Our final visit and once more we were close to home (maybe a sub-conscious decision just in case our tent fell down!), going no further than Coleford to stay at Broadstone Park.
This small campsite is ideally located, within a 10-15-minute drive of both Coleford and Monmouth, so very easy to pop over the border into Wales.
Broadstone Park is set in a beautiful environment. The farm is surrounded by ancient oak trees and Neolithic stones. Take a walk around and you’ll find the Broad Stone, the stone that gives the farm its name. Run by Jeff and soon to be son-in-law Rich, the site is suitable for tents, caravans and camper vans. When we checked in, we were asked if we wanted to camp in England or Wales. We chose the Welsh side and pitched our tent next to a lovely German family.
The facilities are excellent. There is a good, clean shower and toilet block, laundry room, play area, a small shop that sells essential items, a bike wash and pitches are available with and without electric hook-up. New for the 2019 season are three pods, one with twin beds and two larger that will sleep a family of five. The pods have been beautifully made from wood and slate by Dean Joinery, a local business. Cost includes bed linen, TV and there’s a heater if the temperature is a little chilly.
Broadstone Park is also a fishery and there are three lakes onsite – one for kids, a teaching lake and the main lake, which is filled with large carp, rudd, trout, perch, bream and Terry the turtle. We did get to see Terry briefly, but he refused to hang around for a photo. Keen fans of fishing also have the option to visit an additional coarse fishing lake owned by Broadstone Fisheries in Drybrook. If you’ve never fished before but would like to have a go, lessons can be arranged and all the necessary equipment can be hired.
Jeff entertained us with tales of Milligogs. What, you may well ask, are they. Well, they can only be found in Broadstone Park and can only be seen by children. Hard to find, very small and fast, you may spot one if you’re lucky. You might also find their secret houses hidden in the ancient Oak trees. Younger visitors are encouraged to draw the Milligogs and pictures are then displayed – it’s a lovely way to encourage children to go for a walk. Being a little too old to see any Milligogs, we contented ourselves with an hour’s walk through the woods in search of liquid refreshment and food at the White Horse Inn – it was worth every step, the meal was absolutely delicious!
Later that evening, we joined our camping neighbours around the fire pit they’d hired. At only £10, which includes a 10kg bag of heat blocks, the fire pits are great value. In return for sharing the fire, we introduced them to marshmallows on sticks – a delicacy that is hopefully now being spread throughout Germany!
Going to the showers was hilarious. We were greeted along the way by turkeys, geese, chickens and there are also pigs and alpacas to meet. Love animals? Join Jeff on his feeding round! Talking of food, there is a full breakfast menu available from 8-10.30am and evening meals 5.30-9pm. Order in advance and enjoy ‘waiter service’ to your pitch! If you’re staying on a Saturday night, do try the delicious homemade pizzas.
Broadstone Park runs lots of different events throughout the year, including spooky Halloween activities. Private events are also hosted on site – we visited just after a wedding and, in December, arctic wilderness campers from all over the UK will gather at Broadstone Park for a special event – snow will quite possibly supplied as a free extra!
Where better could we have stayed under canvas? Broadstone Park is picture perfect and ideal for a few days or more in a tent! But we did also like the look of the pods!!!
