Camping barns, camping hostels and bunkhouses are all terms used to describe some of the buildings on campsites around the UK which stand testament to the spirit of diversification that many UK farms and businesses hold at their heart. And, for those who want to enioy the laid-back atmosphere of campsite culture, taking advantage of the often stunning scenery these campsites enjoy, a camping barn is a great way to get friends or extended family together to enjoy the great outdoors, without the need for everyone to love canvas...
Just as campsites come in all shapes and sizes, bunkhouses and camping barns are all entirely unique in their vital statistics and particular dimensions. Most, though, provide secure sleeping quarters, kitchen facilities, communal dining and recreational areas so that friendships and bonds can be made or refreshed after days out enjoying the surrounding landscape.
|
Herefordshire Bunkhouse
The Bunkhouse at Woodside Lodges Country Park
in Ledbury, Herefordshire, can be hired for sole use of a single group.
|
Sleeping up to 20 people in 5 rooms, each with a dining and cooking area and a wardrobe to store clothing, the Woodside Lodges Bunkhouse provides both the privacy for individual nuclear families, if desired, aswell as the opportunity for communal living in the central common room.
The Bunkhouse is set in 25 acres of landscaped grounds shared with other campers, with superb views across the countryside. Coarse fishing is available on site for those who seek to while away a few relaxing hours lake-side.
However there's plenty of activity to be had, too, as the Bunkhouse is ideally situated to allow access to the Hereford Trail and Malvern Hills for cycling and walking and to the Forest of Dean for exploratory excursions.
|
|
Woodside Lodges Country Park, Herefordshire
|
Camping Barn Lake District
Open year-round and ideal for groups looking to take advantage of Lakeland's bountiful climbing and fell trekking opportunities, the Bunk House at Gillside Farm in the Cumbrian Lake District sleeps 20 people within a converted stone and slate barn.
|
For fell walkers and climbers the Gillside Bunk House's proximity to both the Helvelyn and High Street range of mountains is a huge draw. And there's plenty of outdoor excitement to be had around nearby Ullswater, the second largest lake in the region, with swimming, windsurfing and sailing being popular pursuits.
It doesn't all have to be ACTION, though! The area's beauty, history and literary prowess are also easily accessible from the Bunk House, making it an ideal venue from which to get beneath the surface of Lakeland's skin.
The bunkhouse sleeps 13 in one dormitory and 7 in a second, with a modern electric well equipped kitchen for your catering needs.
|
|
Gillside Farm, Lake District
|
St Ives Camping Hostel
At Lower Penderleath Farm
near St Ives, Cornwall, you can enjoy the laid back atmosphere on this rural, coastal campsite but with your head resting each night in the campsite's hostel. Sleeping 20 in a variety of rooms providing differing levels of privacy, the main hostel has a fully equipped kitchen and dining area where everyone can sit down to a meal and eat together.
|
Attached to the Hostel there is a separate mainsonette sleeping 4, with its own facilities but which can be block-booked with the hostel if required.
Lower Penderleath's hostel is an ideal base for groups wanting to explore the stunning coastline around St Ives, Cornwall's jewel in the crown.
Organise your own wildlife expeditions along the coastal path (from where sightings of dolphin and basking shark are not unusual in the summer months); head down to one of the many beautiful local beaches for lazy days beachcombing, surfing and reading in the dunes; drink up the unique atmosphere of St Ives' itself, enjoying a wander through cobbled streets and an ice-cream along the pretty harbour front.
|
|
Lower Penderleath Farm, St Ives, Cornwall
|
Scenic Bunkhouse Wales
The Big Bunkhouse at Snowdon Base Camp - Cwellyn Arms in Snowdonia, is situated in what must be one of the UK's most stunning locations. Sleeping between 15-24 people, the Big Bunkhouse is situated in the village of Rhyd Dhu, offering campers access to the whole of Snowdonia and specifically to Mt Snowdon itself, with two of the best known paths towards the summit beginning in the village.
|
The Big Bunkhouse comes well appointed with three kitchen areas, a laundry room and three shower rooms, one with disabled access. And for parties of fewer people who still want that 'Bunkhouse feel', Snowdon Base Camp has two other bunkhouses: the Lofthouse which sleeps 4-6 people and The Bwythyn Bach, sleeping 2.
Of course, if you don't fancy cooking after an exhilarating day out and about, you can always head to the Cwellyn Arms itself, attached to the site. The pub is a family-run, traditional affair offering great grub and local ales - ideal!
Sit back with a jar of the local brew and feast your eyes: the local views are breath-taking.
|
|
Snowdon Base Camp - Cwellyn Arms
|
Kent Camping Barn
Situated at the heart of the Kent Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty you'll find Palace Farm Camp Site.
|
In its aptly named 'Courtyard Rooms' Palace Farm provides a fabulous base for extended families and larger groups to enjoy the walking, cycling and gentle beauty of the Kent countryside, with plenty of space for bonding and building memories.
With 6 rooms surrounding a courtyard area, the Courtyard Rooms can accomodate up to 30 people
There's a self-catering kitchen, of course, but guests often throw open their doors and dine in the fresh air enjoying a summer barbeque or two. Of course, there's always the option of a strenous 6 minute level stroll to the local pub for an evening meal...so much hardship!
|
|
Palace Farm Camp Site, Kent
|
A twist on your traditional Camping Barn
Set within the Leicestershire countryside and already well known for clever diversification, Whetstone Gorse Touring Caravan Park And Fishing provides a twist on the traditional idea of a camping barn or bunkhouse.
|
Instead of offering a communal space for guests to lay their heads during their stay, Whetstone Gorse's Entertainment Barn provides campers with a communal space for a party, a get together or event...looking at the photos, it seems that a great deal of fun has been had in the Entertainment Barn before campers return to their tent, motorhome or caravan pitches on site.
Licensed for up to 200 people, ideal for weddings and reunions, the barn has a stage (take note all you exhibitionists out there!) and a licensed bar... what more could a group of campers possibly need?
With the surrounding countryside to enjoy on foot or on two wheels and with the on-site coarse fishing that Whetstone is already famous for, you can sandwich a grand event between some relaxing, traditional camping pursuits.
|
|
Whetstone Gorse Campsite, Leicestershire
|
Cosier Camping Barns
Camping Barns aren't all huge structures, decked out to deal with hoards of guests. If you still want to enjoy the 'hostel feel' but in a smaller group, then the Camping Barns at Abbot Park Farm Campsite in Cumbria could well be for you.
|
The two newly converted camping barns at Abbot Park offer 'luxury glamping', each sleeping up to 6 people. Each barn has its own self catering facilities and provides a fabulous base from which to cycle and walk the local fells.
The campsite is set on a small, family run hill farm within the Lake District National Park and provides all of the peace, beauty and tranquility you'd expect from such a unique setting.
The farm looks out across open countryside, offering stunning views of the Furness Peninsula and across the Western Lake District: a stunning vista.
The campsite is a true haven for both human folk and the many forms of local wildlife.
|
|
Abbot Park Farm Campsite, Cumbria
|
Campsite Chatter has extensive listings of UK campsites and lashings of enthusiasm for the things you love to do whilst camping. Want to find great family camping with pool and recreational play areas in a county of the UK you're hoping to visit? Or an adults-only campsite near the beach in Dorset? Then go to our Find a Campsite page, enter the type of pitch you are looking for (tent, caravan, motorhome etc), checking the campsite features that you need in the 'required facilities'. Next enter either a postcode and radius or click on a county on the blue map. Tada!
By Bekah Mardall, Campsite Chatter.
|
