What was great?
We wanted to camp in November, somewhere quiet and undisturbed, but still open out of season. Thistledown wasn't open in November, but once we explained that as fairly rough campers we had no need for running water or power, they gladly let us stay, in the furthest field for two nights, nice and undisturbed. They even used their golf buggy to drop 3 huge barrow loads of firewood down to us on day 1. The water + showers were switched off, but the composting loos are never out of action(!) and probably the best built we've ever seen. The showers actually looked really nice too. The campsite has a "no car" rule, and provides huge novelty wheelbarrows to cart your gear down to the pitch, which work great. The pitches in the lower fields are well spaced, and each comes with a firepit and picnic bench. The owners were very relaxed about us having a big fire and a bit of fun - though if the site was busier we might not have got away with "100 yard tennis". Closest pub about 1 mile away, nice place though. We've also stayed in the smaller "orchard" upper field - which I'll review separately.

Even better if....
The approach road might be a bit bumpy for an overloaded economy car, but not terrible. There isn't a lot to do in the surrounding area, maybe some short walks, more a camping for campings place.