Camping and Tipi holidays and Alternative Weddings

Our shady campsite, near to the site of Whichford Castle and the Norman Moat has hot showers, and flush and compost loos. It has a fully equipped kitchen shed with extra two large gas burners for group camping. In the summer months (May - September) our Tipi, beduin tent, and two bell tents are available for cool camping holidays and for ramblers (we are on the Macmillan Way). Easily accessable across the field is the ancient Whichford Wood (an SSSI) criss-crossed with many footpaths, and the village has a great pub - The Norman Knight - which offers really delicious food. There are some wonderful Cotswold walks and villages to explore in the vicinity, and Whichford Pottery is a wonderful place to visit and buy beautiful presents.

Camping Fees 2010

Camping fees are £7.50 pppn (this includes pitching your tent or camper van) children under 2 free, kids 3-16 half price.
Tipi and tents already on site are charged in addition to Camping Fee.
Tipi - £40 per night  min 2 nights at weekends and school holidays
Beduin Tent £25 per night min 2 nights at weekends and school holidays
Bell Tent £25 per night min 2 nights at weekends and school holidays

The large Yurt or Marquee is extra to hire , and so is erecting your own or hired marquee.

Booking the Camping Area for a Weekend Camp

You can book exclusivity of the Camping Area for a weekend event if you paying a minimum of £500 which includes the Long Barn Yurt, (not applicable to weddings.

Booking a residential and Camping course
If you want to book the Camping Area plus indoor group  (Angel Room) facilities the camping charge becomes £30 - £45 per (depending on the number of campers) per weekend and you need to book 8 residential beds spaces in the Main House. If you want to use the Studio indoor space, (and it is available) it can be hired separately without   residential space at £187 a weekend.

This is the ancient site of Whichford Castle. The moat is still there (and you need to watch your children carefully as it is not fenced off and could be a potential hazard).
Before the Normans, we know there was a Roman settlement as a Roman conduit leads from the wood to the moat. There was an excavation of the site in 1954 and a plan is in the camp kitchen. Please respect this beautiful place and leave it tidy.

You are camping here at your own risk and we do not take responsibility for you or your belongings. I’m sure you will have a lovely and peaceful  time. On that note – bring ear plugs as the Church bells ring every quarter!!

Equipment on site

The tipi  is equipped with a double futon mattress and two single camping mattresses (not blow-up, but more than a simple roll)

Inside it has cushions and rug, a table, a camping gas ring and  bottle and a small table, leather Moroccan pouf.

The Beduin has kelim rugs,  cushions, two  narrow single futon mattresses that zip together to make a double, small table and chairs and a wind up eco torch and lantern.

Bell Tent 1 has rugs and cushions two  narrow single futon mattresses that zip together to make a double, small table and chairs and a wind up eco torch and lantern.

Bell Tent 2 has rugs and cushions and two single  futon “bed-in-a-bag” that can be placed together to make a double.

The Kitchen
 The kitchen has a fridge, sink, electric cooker, pans,  plates and cutlery, glasses,  table and  3 chairs and a whicker sofa and kelim rugs. It has enough plates, cutlery etc for about 8 people.

There are two outdoor picnis tables, and a hammock under the trees.

Hot showers
There are two electric showers in a shed with shower curtain

Loos
There are two compost loos and one flush loo.

What you need to bring:

This is demi-glamping i.e. in our tents we do not provide proper beds, fluffy duvets, the sunday papers and hampers etc and the price reflects this - we think it is the best of both worlds.
You need sheets/bedcovers, pillows, pillowslips,  towel, torch, loo paper, food and drink washing up  liquid,  kitchen roll, wash things, waterproofs, wellies, water carrier.

Whichford, a picturesque Cotswold village,  has the wonderful Whichford Pottery, well worth a visit,  and also The Norman Knight Pub – excellent food and nice ambience overlooking the village green. Nearby are some lovely  historic  Cotswold villages and towns – such as Chipping Norton, Moreton-in the -Marsh, Stow-on-the-Wold,  and Chipping Campden. About 12 miles away are Hidcote Manor Gardens and Kiftsgate,  and many beautiful places to visit such as Batsford Aboretum and Sezincote.  Further afield, Stratford-upon Avon (Shakespeare country)  is 15 miles away, Banbury  12 miles  and Oxford 25 miles away.  We are on Macmillan Way walk and right next to the SSI Whichford Wood full of rare and ancient species of fora and fauna.

There is a village stores at Long Compton (2 miles away), and Hook Norton (3 miles) – their shop stays open till 8.00 pm. Farm shops selling good local produce are Wyatts Farm Shop on the way to Stow and Taste of the Country at Long Compton. The nearest supermarkets at Chipping Norton(Sainsbury’s and the Co-op or Shipston-on-Stour  (Somerfields).

You may make a campfire and wood is supplied unless you are having a party sized campfire and then we put you in touch with a local wood deliverer.

Alternative and Eco weddings and Handfastings and Celebrations From May- September we have the beautiful Long Barn Yurt 11m x 8 m for weddings, festivals and workshops.We can also arrange deliveries from our local farm shop of fresh and local produce, or introduce you to a a caterer, arrange a hog or lamb roast, barbaque, straw bales and wood supply. We can put you in touch with local suppliers of larger Marquees, solar power lighting and sound, a cycle powered sound system for a "silent disco", Jazz band and Green Events Manager.

We can also put you in touch with celebrants from different pursasions such as inter-faith, humanist or pagan. We not only celebrate weddings but also baby namings, birthdays and funerals - the Sunrising Green Burial site at Tysoe is 4 miles away.

Hook Norton Brewery has delicious local ale and the local pub has home brewed ale and cider barrels.

To hire the Camp Field for a weekend Wedding is £1500 to include camping, the Long Barn Yurt and the white tents. Further residential space - The Lodge holiday cottage, The Studio and 6 rooms in the Main house for your non- camping friends may be available.

We have a wealth of marquee companies locally that supply anything from Top hats, exotic Moroccan or Rococco interiors, eco bamboo, traditional pole or clearspring, and stretchtents. Your wedding can be as simple or exotic as you like - it will be designed by you.

Weddings in the Garden

At this moment we are only offering this facility to family and friends.

Email Sally on sally@holycombe.com or phone 01608 684239.

The camping area from the moat

The camping kitchen by day and night

Wedding ceremony in stone circle

Moroccan interior from local company

al company

Top hats in the garden supplied locally

Simple interior of top hat

Handfasting marriage ceremony

Baby naming ceremony