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Big Skies Cotswold Glamping

100%

· Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, England

2 acres hosted by Victoria P.

Bell tent glamping with campfires and great views in the Cotswolds

A tent you don’t have to pitch, a bed you don’t have to make, firewood you don’t have to collect and some of the poshest composting toilets we’ve come across. Camping has gone all Cotswolds on us. This is Big Skies Cotswolds Glamping. The clue is in the name; it’s not really camping at all. But while it’s rather more glamorous than pitching your own, this bijou bell tent site has kept the heart and soul of everything we love about camping. You sleep under canvas, toast marshmallows on the fire and generally enjoy the outdoors.

Situated five miles south of Cheltenham and just off the Cotswolds Way National Trail, Big Skies is a great base for a summer holiday in this area of outstanding natural beauty. The site’s five bell tents are pitched in a big meadow on a sizeable family farm. They are surrounded by fields and horses grazing and, thanks to the rolling landscape of this part of the world, have a pretty good view of big skies too. This comes into its own at sunset and gets better as the stars come out.

Tents are kitted out with everything needed for a couple to stay but have room for a family four (you just need to bring a couple of sleeping bags for the kids). The location works well for either and there’s enough space between tents for everyone to enjoy this quiet location. While tents are off grid, lit by fairy lights and candles, there’s electricity on hand too. There’s a communal fridge with a shelf allocated per tent, a kettle, gas stove and a place to charge mobile phones too. While the facilities block is in a rustic converted stable, you’ll find showers are hot and composting toilets are modern.

There’s a good-value chain pub within walking distance but for a real Cotswolds country inn, go further. Hike three miles to the Kilkenny Inn or drive to The Frog Mill for a place with a garden and stream for the kids to splash about in. The Cotswolds Water Park, farm park and zoo are all within visiting distance but it’s the simpler pleasures of country life that are most tempting; a walk to the pub, a snoop round honey-stone villages and a campfire under the stars.

Activities

Hiking

Wildlife watching

Natural features

Forest

Field

Farm

100%

7 Ratings · 6 reviews

Gill H.recommends

July 25, 2023

Camping Pitch 2

Highly recommended site

This is such a lovely campsite. There are only five well-spaced pitches, in a meadow surrounded by rolling fields. There’s also a gorgeous communal tent/eating area with stunning views over the Cotswolds Way. All the facilities were great (hot water for washing up, spacious showers etc). Vicki was really friendly and helpful - also makes great pizzas 😁). Definitely hope to return!

Kelly N.recommends

July 18, 2022

Camping pitch 1

Small and quiet with great views!

We had a wonderful time camping at Big Skies. There is a limited number of tent pitches nestled in amongst the glamping meadow and it was lovely and quiet. The pitches were incredibly spacious and well spaced out and the facilities (showers, compost toilets, honest shop) were immaculately clean and well presented. We had pizzas, freshly prepared by the owners, on the Saturday night and they were delicious (and very well-priced!). The only negative I can think of is that vehicles have to negotiate a very steep gravel slope to gain access to the site. Our S-Max with trailer didn't make it up and even getting our small Hyundai i10 up was a bit emotional as the ground at the bottom of the slope was very uneven and loose. We mentioned this to Vickie (who was lovley) and she said that the hill it to be paved in the coming weeks so hopefully won't be an issue for anyone reading this review!

Sarahmccolvin ?.recommends

July 11, 2022

Camping pitch 5

Really special site

Beautiful quiet campsite with outstanding views. Vicky was very friendly and welcoming. The site and facilities were absolutely spotless. Great showers! The honesty shop is handy for camping basics. Only negative is the driveway approach to the camping field as it is very steep and uneven. However, Vicky and her husband have said it’s a priority to get sorted. We had a wonderful 3 night break and will definitely be back

Alex G.recommends

May 30, 2022

Little Oak Bell dog friendly

Camping with an 11 month old

Beautiful spot. My wife and I brought our 11 month old and cocker spaniel and had a great time. We were fairly anxious that we'd find it tough to provide for our son on the campsite but it worked well as we didn't have to prep the tent or bring anything out of the ordinary for us. Loved a fire under the stars followed by a cosy (if somewhay cold) retreat inside to our comfy tent. In hindsight I'd have asked about a tent stove to heat the tent in the evening. One of the glamping tents seemed to have one.

Lauren P.

August 2, 2021

My partner and I, along with our four legged fur-baby, have just returned from our mini-break at Big Skies Glamping. What can I say…!? We have had the most amazing few days! Pure back-to-nature goodness has been food for the soul! Though we also enjoyed the best cuisine we have tasted in a very long time! The breakfast hamper and homemade pizzas are just incredible! If you’re looking for a good eatery nearby then I highly recommend The Frogmill, just five minutes drive away. A stunning setting, excellent service and exceptional food. We also strolled over to Dunkertons Cider Bar in the afternoon to soak up the scenery, and the local produce! A must! Though we were delighted to warm up by the fire-pit upon return to our yurt, and snuggle down with a “hot-bot” in the super comfy bed. It’s the little things that leave the biggest impact; genuine hospitality, homemade chocolate cake and bubbles upon request, the honesty shop, the guest book, the sunsets by a communal fire pit, the toasted marshmallows, the choose your own toppings, the “just in case it rains” cooking shelter, and the giant snails. Unfaultable. Unforgettable. Thank you both for making my partner’s 50th birthday and birthday to remember for all the best reasons! We will be back! Lauren, Anthony & Mollie.

Tracey ?.

July 6, 2021

My sister and I had the most wonderful weekend in our hawthorn bell tent. It was just the tonic we needed after a very stressful family period. 100% would recommend for anyone looking to unplug and relax! We took advantage of both the cook your own breakfast pack and the lazy breakfast (both amazing). Pizzas on Saturday evening are also not to be missed. And if you forget anything there is a well stocked honesty shop on site to help. Comfortable, friendly and relaxing!

Location

Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, England, United KingdomTo respect the Host's privacy, the precise address of this land will be provided after booking

Hosted by Victoria P.

Joined in April 2021

From the host

Big Skies Cotswold Glamping was started as a pop up in 2021 but this year we are running all season as a Greener Camping Club certified site and as such its a members only site so one person per pitch must already be a member or select membership in the extras for £12. We will also plant a tree for every free member. Nestled in the heart of the captivating Cotswolds right on the Cotswold Way National Trail, we are fortunate enough to be slap bang in the middle of this area of outstanding natural beauty and offer a down to earth glamping experience which embraces getting back to nature with family or friends. Picture this …sitting around the campfire, one of the most magical things to do when camping, telling stories and singing songs, toasting marshmallows, creating endless fun and laughter, and kids being kids, making the most of Mother Nature running free and wild in the wilderness! Wake up to the song of the skylark bird, the chirpy tunes of chiff chaff or the prancing footsteps of passing deer. At night fall asleep to the sound of the hooting tawny owl under a blanket of a thousand stars. So what are you waiting for? Come and create memories that you and your family will treasure fondly. Head to Big Skies Cotswold Glamping and immerse yourself in the much sought after Cotswold surroundings; get back to basics by connecting with nature and feed your soul. We promise you’ll leave with some very special Cotswold hospitality that will stay with you forever. Set in an idyllic wildflower meadow on a unique private 350 acre working farm, prepared to be spoilt with breath-taking views over one of the most beautiful areas in the South West. Big Skies is a family run business driven from our passion for the great outdoors. We are Kenny and Vicki Pettigrew along with Ally and Aila our two young children. We also have Jojo the farm dog and our four beloved horses, Charity, Dolly, Carlo and Rory; all are very friendly and love making friends with our guests. Sustainability is really close to our hearts with Vicki being an ecologist by trade, so we are as sustainable as we possibly can be. Consequently, we set out to do very little harm to our environment so only use solar powered lights and tea lights in our tents. We encourage you to recharge, recycle and re-purpose to help us keep the sustainability wheels turning.

Nearby attractions

The campsite is situated within the Cotswolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, right on the Cotswolds Way National Trail so it's a lovely place for walking. It's also just five miles away from the Regency town of Cheltenham with its shops, restaurants and impressive architecture. There are plenty of charming Cotswolds villages to explore and lots of things to do. Giffords Circus, which tours the Cotswolds during the summer months, is a family-friendly day or evening out for the whole family and there's clay pigeon shooting Ian Coley's Shooting School (01242 870 391), within walking distance of Big Skies. Tourist hotspot Bourton-on-the-Water, with its many restaurants and cafes, is 14 miles away. Other attractions within 25 miles of site include the Cotswold Wildlife Park (01993 823 006), Cotswold Farm Park (01451 850307), Broadway Tower (01386 572283) and the Cotswold Lavender fields (01386 854821).

Food and drink

Within hiking distance (a little over three miles away) is The Kilkenny Inn (01242 820 341). A little further (five miles) is Dunkertons Cider (01242 650 147) and a good value option is The Hungry Horse at Severn Springs (01242 870 219) which is only a 15-minute walk. There are lots of lovely pubs in the area but your hosts particularly recommend The Green Dragon Inn and Farmshop in Cockleford (01242 870 271) and The Frog Mill (01242 386 364), which has a nice outdoor dining space and a riverside setting in Andoversford. The Royal in Charlton Kings (01242 228 937) offers regular pizza nights and live music.

Things to do nearby

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