Pretty, restful and recommended if a little careworn
This site is a little rough round the edges with tired looking pitches, some very small and some not very level, and a worn road. There was also rather a lot of mud around, mainly on the roadway, resulting in the inevitable mud in the van no matter how much care is taken – a pet hate of mine. For motorhomes, especially the larger variety, avoiding the grass was virtually impossible due to the tight fit getting onto some pitches. In turn mud gets on the road and with there having been a good deal of rain the result is predictable. At first I tired a pitch on the upper level but this was rather short for my van and I quickly realised I would soon get tired of the long climb up the steep incline every time I returned to my van from a walk, a trip on the bus, a bike ride, or simply a visit to reception. Although no part of this small site, totally enclosed by tall trees, could be described as having an open aspect, the lower part felt less claustrophobic to me and here I found a slightly bigger pitch and eventually managed, with the aid of my blocks, to get level.
Despite these negatives, I must say that I enjoyed my few days at this rather pretty little site. The surrounding countryside is attractive and the site itself, notwithstanding its worn-out appearance in parts, had a restful and peaceful feel to it with pleasing little touches by the wardens, who were friendly and helpful, such as tubs of flowers and a small herb garden. I liked it here.
I took my bicycle but I was not very fit after the winter and the area is awfully hilly so I did not use it much. There is some nice walking but, on this occasion, I mostly relied on the bus to visit Worcester one day and Hereford another. The bus is not even close to once an hour as described here, but it is enough to allow a few hours in each place. Visitors to Brockhampton Hall, which is not spectacular but nonetheless interesting, should know that the walk, though modest (c. 1.5 miles), involves very significant gradients. I cycled – which means a longer distance on the road (walkers can take short cuts) and the return journey was painful!
Road vehicle noise is almost a blessing to me – a reassuring presence for a city boy who finds total quiet depressing. But those for whom passing traffic is anathema may find the noises off hard to suffer – especially on a Sunday when the bikers come out to play on this twisting and turning, yet otherwise comparatively quiet, section of the A44. Owls are to be heard, hooting in the night, and other country sights, smells and sounds pleasing to most I think it would be fair to say. Yet, personally, I cannot ascribe the same gratification towards the dog that was to be heard barking at regular intervals at comings and goings. Though it is true that this minor irritation did not spoil a very enjoyable four day stay at this place. I would not see this as a site I would want to visit often, but it has merits that allow me to much recommend it.
