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Topic: 1-2hrs of Banbury

Mischiefsmum

21/4/2019 at 8:20am
Location: None Entered
Outfit: Tripstein Super & VW Camper

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Hello everyone,
I’m planning on a surprise trip next fri-sun with my little girl. This will be our first trip in our campervan, our first trip since my husband died a couple of months ago and my birthday so potentially bit painful. I seem to have hit a mental blank.
I don’t need hookup, bar, club, children’s facilities etc just a field with a loo, shower and water that will allow a dog too. And feel 'safe', I’m sorry that’s a bit up to personal interpretation but I guess I’m feeling a bit vulnerable and nervous as we start out.
It sounds silly but I also don’t really know what to do for a trip just the two of us. When we went as a family we went walking for the day or to a NT place or to play at a river but for some reason I feel anxious about going off walking into the wilds just the two of us.
Anyway, my plan is to leave earlyish fri morn (maybe late thurs afternoon) have all day fri, sat and most of sun before coming home sun afternoon.
Any suggestions within a 1-2hr radius of Banbury? Not too pricey but with some fun cheap or free stuff we can do nearby. I thought about dovedale as she loves playing in the river but that was our last day trip before the husband got sick and bit too painful to return there just yet. Gives u an idea of sort of places we like tho.
We’re down to Dorset in a couple of weeks with my folks so I don’t feel the need to go a bit further for the sea this time.
Many thanks everyone.
Helen

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Mrs. Bonce

21/4/2019 at 9:27am
Location: Luton (no jokes plea
Outfit: Coachman and Hyundai

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So sorry to hear about your husband.

There is a lovely, no facility site (except a loo and washbasin) called The Leen, at Pembridge near Leominster in Herefordshire, has a river and loads of cows. Nice unthreatening walk by the river, a few miles from Leominster for supplies.

Don't know if you are a member of either club; you could maybe look at my reviews for other areas that might suit.

aldersv

21/4/2019 at 12:39pm
Location: Cotswolds
Outfit: Vango Diablo 600 & Icarus 600 + others

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We went here a couple of years ago, nothing special just a field on a farm which has a lovely farm shop and cafe, wasn't too expensive and is fairly near home. The family who run the farm and site were lovely. Near Cirencester and Cotswold water park for walks on trails and the Cotswold beach and country park which I don't think it too expensive if you take a picnic. https://www.ukcampsite.co.uk/sites/details.asp?revid=4481

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2015 sites booked so far: Cotswold Farm Park, Ninham IOW, still some more to book

Marshmallowqueen

22/4/2019 at 2:18pm
Location: Nottinghamshire
Outfit: Pennine Countryman 2010

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What about Harbury Fields?

Lovely site with clean toilets and EHU. The site is on a farm and there is a nice farm walk round the fields. Iï¿½ve stayed here on my own and felt safe. Owners are very welcoming and helpful. Appreciate it might be too close to home.

Hatton Locks is nice if you fancy watching the boats.

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navver

22/4/2019 at 8:09pm
Location: West country
Outfit: Mondeo

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There's a nice caravan site called Tudor Caravan Park near J13 of the M5. It's right next to the Sharpness canal which makes an interesting walk with all the boats and rowers etc.

It right by Slimbridge Wild Fowl Trust too which should be great for a little girl. Lots of ducks to feed and pink flamingos etc. A really interesting place to visit.

Next to the site is the Black Shed Café which is the old boating station. Good for food and treats without being a pub.

To feel secure, I think I would want others around me rather than be in an isolated site.

SamandRose

23/4/2019 at 1:56pm
Location: Midlands
Outfit: 2019 VW Arteon + 2002 Avondale Dart

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Hi Helen

So sorry to hear about the loss of your husband, but I think I know just the site you're looking for.

The Forest and Wye valley site near the Forest of Dean is a fairly small site which has a barrier across the entrance for that bit of extra security. You pay a refundable deposit on arrival for an access card. The site also has a small enclosed play area and some pet goats which your daughter will probably love.

The toilets and showers are very good and the site is dog friendly. But perhaps more importantly the family that own the site are some of the friendliest, nicest people we've ever met and if anyone can give you that little bit of reassurance and confidence that it sounds like you need, they can.

Next door there's a footpath through an area of woodland full of bluebells and wild garlic, down to a stream that children can paddle in. Further away, the Forest of Dean and Symonds Yat have lots of free walking and cycle trails, Tintern Abbey is free if you have an English Heritage card and Puzzlewood was used in one of the Harry Potter films (there is an admission charge but I don't think it's all that much).

Oh, and the journey to the site from Banbury should take you 1 hour 50 minutes according to Google maps

Good luck and enjoy, whichever site you go for. Please let us know how you got on. x

https://www.ukcampsite.co.uk/sites/details.asp?revid=15412

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"Don't wait for the perfect moment. Take the moment and make it perfect."

navver

23/4/2019 at 8:53pm
Location: West country
Outfit: Mondeo

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Yes Forest of Dean will be very good. You and your daughter will love Perrygrove. Its a little steam railway which takes you out through some woods. You can get off at the end and she can play in a very good play are with climbing things etc, Also run through the woods with a little den etc.

Then on the way back there is a tree level play area you can go up as well. All perfectly safe but great fun.

Back at the entrance there is a great café area with good food and at the back of that is a little house.

This is a very small house area with lots of secret passages and windows etc. She will be able to crawl into the fire place and come out in the cooker in the room next door etc. You will be able to have fun with her crawling through all the little passages and getting stuck.

All the way round there will be other kiddies she will be able to make friends with.

Puzzlewood is also great.

Don't forget to leave a review of the campsites you have visited this year or last!

Mischiefsmum

29/4/2019 at 12:12am
Location: None Entered
Outfit: Tripstein Super & VW Camper

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Hello all and thank you for all your tips. I’ve added them all to my 'must go here soon' list.
We ended up just outside of Welshpool. In hind sight maybe further than perhaps we should have gone for our first trip but was generally ok overall. We took in a couple of castles and went to Pistyll Rhaeadr waterfall today.
Despite having chosen potentially the worst weekend weather wise we survived and learnt a few things along the way. We tucked tight into the lee of a hedge with buildings behind to shelter from the wind fri night but even so come 3am I got the child down from the pop top and closed everything up as the gusts were pretty hair raising. Needless to say she thought it a grand adventure and I slept barely a wink.
Much sobbing at points during the night and in the morn, convinced I’d made a terrible mistake and feeling terribly lonely but the second night was so much better. Amazing what a lack of wind and rain will do for morale.
Couple of kinks to iron out of the van, I’ll be over to the motorhome and campervan section to ask bout those.
But thank you all so much. I’m glad I had the confidence to go but it was tough. However, when I asked her what her favourite part of the whole trip was she said that it was a surprise! She said that was even better than getting to sleep in the pop top.

SamandRose

30/4/2019 at 1:29pm
Location: Midlands
Outfit: 2019 VW Arteon + 2002 Avondale Dart

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So glad to hear that you had the confidence to go and you survived the dreadful weather! Well done.

Don't worry that you found it tough or about the late night sobbing, it sounds like a lot for anyone to contend with and with this being your first trip away without your husband, it must have really hit home that he was missing. But you got through it and most importantly, your daughter loved it!

Hope the weather is kinder to you on your next trip and look forward to hearing about it.

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"Don't wait for the perfect moment. Take the moment and make it perfect."

sarahh56

02/5/2019 at 10:55pm
Location: None Entered
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Sorry to hear of your loss.
Lincoln Farm Park in Standlake ( Oxford) is lovely, it's fairly small and has a play area and 2 pools etc, or there is Hardwick Park which has watersports and a small bar.

I have stayed at both and can recommend both.

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