Is The Batch Campsite child friendly?

YES, it accepts children & has a playground View all facilities

Where is the nearest shop to The Batch Campsite?

There is a shop within 1 mile View all facilities

2 Reviews of The Batch Campsite , Cheddar, Somerset Campsite. Review score 8/10

Date of Visit: July 2019

Unit: Tent

Nights stayed: 2

Travelling as: Extended family

Reviewer: MummyB

2 reviews from this member

Stunning views but basic.

Stayed 2 nights as an extended family group with 4 tents; including one huge bell tent, 8 adults and 6 children ages 1yr upto 11 yrs. Our children are 8 and 10 yrs. We wanted a campsite that was a half way meeting point for a birthday gathering and we did have a great time and enjoyed the sunsets. The evenings around the fire were really magical. We were lucky also with a really hot weekend.

It is a small basic campsite and limited to 1 small level field; surrounded by really beautiful meadows. There are stunning views overlooking the Bristol channel, Cardiff lights at night and distant Welsh mountain; the sunsets were wonderful! Tim the owner was extremely friendly and helpful. He has 2 dogs. Our family group didn't have a dog and although we don’t normally go to sites allowing dogs it was clean and quiet.

There are 6 or 7 fire pits spread evenly around the perimeter of the site. You can collect wood from nearby woodland above campsite or bring your own wood.

No cars by tents:

Note: The no cars instruction needs to be explained more fully on the campsite facebook/web listings and maybe have a friendly sign in the car park too. You are not allowed to drive your car to your space at allnot even temporarily to unload as we've done in other 'no-car' campsites. The small car park is about 50-100m downhill from the camping field depending on where you’re camped in the field. Two good yellow wheelbarrows are provided to transport your stuff up the stone/grass track. It took us longer to set up camp on a Friday evening after travelling an hour and half after school. I really don’t mind in principle but it’s about managing expectations in advance and we might have packed differently. Also this would avoid slightly awkward situations of other campers having to explain rules to newcomers or watch others drive up if the owner is not immediately around, otherwise it is a little bit unfair on those who have done lots of wheelbarrowing!

Tim seems a bit flexible on this rule depending on circumstances as when packing up we were allowed to bring our cars up which was great, but only because site was empty apart from us and the day was so hot.

Access: The half mile access road to campsite from the main road is quite rough and potholed but absolutely manageable in a normal car if you go slowly. It’s basically a private road for the various houses along here but by the time you get to the campsite (takes 5 mins or less) you feel miles away from anywhere. It’s very secluded which is brilliant. The campsite is on the side of Dolebury Warren; a hill with an iron age hillfort (earthworks/ramparts) and there are various bridlepaths/footpaths to explore for walking dogs etc. The nearest pub The Crown is 5 minutes walk and seems popular with walkers coming off the hill but we didn’t go there so don’t know what the food is like.

Facilities: Play Field:

Below the camp field is a fantastic large lower field excellent for rounders/play. Tim and his daughter played with a big group of kids including ours the first night which was really wonderful; late outside play in the summer twilight, you can’t beat it. There are also 2 magnificent ash trees here for shade which have 2 tyre swings. There was a small long grass area full of beautiful orchids. There are chickens also. You can pre-order eggs and locally made sausages from Tim. His house overlooks this field and he has this wonderful verandah on stilts but it’s for his family’s private use only. It didn't bother me at all but just saying as pictures on facebook are a bit misleading.

Loos: These are basic! It's portrayed as wild camping. There are 3 chemical loos in stables which are below the camping field and a couple of minutes walk away. It is very dark walk at night! There are instructions for the chemical loos in each stable but there’s no handwashing in any of them; but thoughtfully loo paper and anti-bac soap is provided. I would bring your own anti-bac gel though just to avoid spreading germs to door handles! Because they're not normal loos, younger children will need help and to make sure the loos are left in a clean state for others. Hand washing is outside in the yard in a ceramic sink with one cold tap. Anti-bac soap is provided here. This is the only tap for handwashing, washing up dishes and drinking water. I would've preferred a standpipe somewhere for water - separate to loo handwashing. There are no showers or hot water but campsite info does state that. For a family with younger children it is slightly challenging and I would find it harder to stay any longer than a weekend and particularly if it was wet weather.

Fridge: A garage by the carpark has a useful upright fridge-freezer for campers' use and the large bin and recycling tubs are here. There is a table; I imagine you can eat in here should it be wet and there are some basic provisions left by other campers.

Definitely a campsite for people wanting to get away. I’m not sure it is naturally for families with much younger children though, just because of loos and washing facilities which limits the stay. Even with 8 and 10 yrs olds it's slightly harder work. But ours had a good time running about. I think the campsite is work in progress and some facility tweakings would be good such as an extra water standpoint at very least. A real loo and a shower would make it easier to stay longer with kids, but then I suppose it wouldn't be such wild camping. It is good value for money as a family of 4.

Reviews of The Batch Campsite

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