I had a very nice, if rather short, trip this weekend (9-10 April). I took myself off to the Chiltern Hills for an overnight camp and some exploring.
Despite a chiller night than I'd anticipate (see this thread, the weather was glorious and the location in Buckinghamshire 'bagged' another shire for my Counties Challenge.
Despite some misgivings about pitching fees (see this thread), I camped at Town Farm which is in the village of Ivinghoe between Dunstable and Tring.
The site is on a hillside on the northwestern edge of the Chiltern scarp. The high location makes it prone to wind and the site is fairly exposed. It was pretty breezy when I pitched but worth it for the views over the countryside afforded by the elevation.
The site is south of Ivinghoe itself and the access is up a treelined drive (photo below) off the B489 road. You drive in past some mellow brick buildings (photo below), beyond which is the working farm and the large 'L' shaped camping field.
The site has a young resident warden who lives in a bell tent at the entrance to the camping field (photo below). He was very friendly and helpful.
South of the site, the Chilterns loom over the field where a party of Duke of Edinburgh Scheme youngsters were camping (photo below).
The main camping field is several acres and on my visit most of the tents were along the hedge at the north edge of the site (photo below). This area was some way from the DoE party and beyond the hedge there were fantastic views across the Vale of Aylesbury (photo below).
Caravans are accommodated on hardstanding beside the farm buildings (photo below) and EHU (electric hook-up) is available for tents on this part of the site.
The loos, showers, washing-up room and outside sinks are housed at the end of the farm buildings. Everything was clean on my visit, the water was hot and the loo roll replenished. There was no queing but I image the facilities could get quite busy in the high season. Overall, it is a pleasant, if rather exposed, campsite.
Having pitched my small Vango dome tent, I took the dog for a walk up to Ivinghoe Beacon which is less than a mile away. The view from the top is fantastic and two long-distance footpaths cross near here, the Ridgeway and the Icknield Way.
I spent a rather chilly night (see this thread and woke early. After a coffee, I drove to the nearby Grand Union Canal at Marsworth to explore. This is a fascinating area to walk - as well as the Marsworth flight of locks on the Grand Union mainline (photo below), there is a branch canal down to Aylesbury, another branch to Wendover, a canal maintenance workshop at nearby Bulbourne and reed-lined canal reservoirs to walk around.
By the time I got back to the campsite, the spring sunshine had dried the tent so I struck camp. Unfortunately I had an engagement later that day so my trip was curtailed but, all in all, it was a very pleasant little trip.
Looks good, is not far from me but I found the prices to be quite extortionate for a family so have stopped me from ever using it, would cost £35 for one night!!
I was however away this weekend too in Bucks, but at home Home Farm and there were also a group of D+E lads, all well behaved though and would have them and their leaders as my neighbours over other groups any day
Glad you were another to be out and enjoying the lovely weather!
Quote: Originally posted by Sharlene on 11/4/2011I was however away this weekend too in Bucks, but at home Home Farm and there were also a group of D+E lads, all well behaved though and would have them and their leaders as my neighbours over other groups any day
I agree. The group at Ivinghoe this weekend were very nice youngsters and they certainly quietened down by 10pm - I expect they were knackered from the day's hike.
I think it is great that city kids to get a taste of the countryside, sample the 'outdoors', fend for themselves and learn some basic camping and hiking skills. Long may the DoE Scheme continue.
Hi SC (may I call you that? it is a nice site isn't it? quite handy for us. We went for a night about three weeks ago, and my husband loved it as we just threw the pop up tent down, scattered the mats and the duvet and then yomped up the hill, down the hill and down the pub. It was absolutely boiling in the night. I woke up so hot I had to kick the duvet off and hubby said the same so think we were lucky! unseasonably warm. I will definitely go back soon. Pictures are great.
------------- 2011-
Dec/Jan -Cornwall nr Padstow (cottage)
Feb - our garden (tent)
March - Llangollen (cottage)
March -Town Farm, Bucks.
April - garden..again..need to get out more...
May - Acoustic Festival of Britain Uttoxeter
A day of all things motorhome and campervan. The show is held both in the main indoor arena and across the grounds. Catering, hot drinks and food options are available. Easy access to the site and free parking included. Win one of five pairs of day tickets
Topic: Chiltern overnight camp (with photos)
it is a nice site isn't it? quite handy for us. We went for a night about three weeks ago, and my husband loved it as we just threw the pop up tent down, scattered the mats and the duvet and then yomped up the hill, down the hill and down the pub. It was absolutely boiling in the night. I woke up so hot I had to kick the duvet off and hubby said the same so think we were lucky! unseasonably warm. I will definitely go back soon. Pictures are great.
