Glamping at Mad Dogs and Vintage Vans Part 1

27/06/2017

Vintage campervan


I am a firm believer in the restorative power of disconnecting from technology and the busy daily routine and reconnecting as a family, away from distractions in the most simple of ways which is why we are keen Campers and Glampers. There has also been a lot of recent scientific research showing the benefits of spending time outdoors and within nature such as stress relief, improved mental and physical well-being, increased energy leaves and concentration and the list goes on. Which is why I was really looking forward to a few nights looking out across uninterrupted countryside views at the beautiful Mad Dogs and Vintage Vans , away from technology in the heart of the Wye Valley.


Glamping


glamping


Mad Dogs captures all that is wonderful about childhood, simplicity and curiosity, with wild meadows waiting to be explored, paths that lead you to little hideouts and not a bar of wifi insight or 3G for that matter, it is bliss. The site is home to three vintage caravans - Elsie, Gertie and Sybil as well as a Brockhouse Military Wagon called Monty which the boys and I called home for the weekend while my mother stayed in the very chic 1950's Elsie.

As there is so much to do despite the site being quite small I wanted to split my post into two and in part one I wanted to talk mainly about the accommodation and while I will concentrate on the fantastic extras in part two.


glamping with kids

pretty bicycle


Monty, the sturdy Military wagon has a fantastic wooden veranda where we spent one evening toasting marshmallows over the open fire while watching the sunset, it's simple pleasures like this that will remain memories forever and the boys soaked in every moment. As the sun went down of course the temperature dropped but I only actually needed to light the log burner once during our stay as we were so warm and cosy inside under all the thick blankets and both boys slept very soundly as did I.

With morning you wake up and quickly get into the ritual of walking over to the communal outdoor kitchen to collect water for the kettle and start the day with some freshly ground filter coffee while  watching the horses and ponies being put out in the paddocks just in front of the glamping site as well as spotting some pheasants around the wooden area near the solar showers.


glamping

vintage caravan

wild child


Inside Elsie, the smallest caravan at Mad Dogs, perfectly formed for a couple and it's the perfect place to dip your toe into glamping as unlike Monty which is more rustic feel and a little bit more exposed to the elements Elsie is the only place with electric in the form of a small portable heater if you are worried about getting cold although like I said the bedding provided is so warm this really wasn't a problem for us even in late Spring. Our trip was a real family affair with both my 2yr old enjoying every moment to my mother who is nearly 70 proving that Glamping really is for everyone. 


Mad Dogs and Vintage Vans

Glamping

Vintage van


The caravans have pretty much everything you need and when we arrived there was a lovely batch of homemade scones and cream which went down a treat. All you really need to pack is some torches as there are only fairly lights and candles at night which really add to the magical atmosphere of the place. For the ladies there is also a Glamp and Pamp service where you can wake up, walk over to the lotus tent and start the day with a wonderful hot stone massage, I will go into this in more detail in my second post. A communal mess tent for cooking and socialising is permanently set up in the wooded area as well as an outdoor fire pit and not forgetting the tennis court so do bring your rackets.

The Glampsite is also perfectly located, looking out across farmland with plenty of local walks, one heading down to the river wye. Ross on Wye is also only a few mixtures drive down the road and is a wonderful market town with plenty to see and do and if you want you can hire bikes from Mad Dogs and cycle there and back.

We had an amazing time and I cannot wait to share more of what we got up too in part two.




Thanks to Mad Dogs for inviting us to try out their unique Glamping site, we genuinely had a fantastic time.

33 comments:

  1. Oh my gosh that vintage van looks amazing. That's a proper glamping experience and what beautiful countryside

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  2. I am so sold on this, it looks incredible. Particularly won over by the scones and massages! Will definitely be looking into this!

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  3. This looks absolutely stunning!
    I've never been glamping but the idea of switching off for a while is very appealing

    Tori | www.torisworld.com

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  4. These look fab! We've been looking at some glamping options, looks like great fun and better than normal camping!

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  5. What a beautiful holiday! I think it's easy to overlook the simple things in life and holidays like this really highlight what is important.

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  6. What a fantastic glamping site, we would love to visit! :)

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  7. These photos are rather enchanting Laura, it looks so secluded.
    I totally agree about disconnecting and getting back to nature to recharge and relax, it's the best! :)

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  8. What a fab glamping site. I would love to experience this with the family.

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  9. Looks like fun for the whole family, fab sets of photos!

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  10. Ahh my first pony was called Gertie! This looks like a wonderful way to disconnect for a day or two, the vans are gorgeous xx

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  11. This is exciting!! An elevated experience of glamping for friends and relatives! And I must agree all photos are taken in a very good angles.

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  12. How fabulous ! It's like stepping back into my seventies childhood and all the simple pleasures - ahhh those were the days ! ;-) #CountryKids

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  13. Wow, I'm not really one for camping, no matter how much I love nature, but I think I could really enjoy this! What a beautiful view and cosy little glamping spaces. The boys look like they loved exploring both Monty and Elsie, I bet they're asking to go back to there again soon!

    Thanks for linking up with me on #CountryKids.

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  14. Wow, these are some really beautiful caravans. I can't wait to be back in the wild!

    #wanderlust

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  15. This looks wonderful - I love getting away from technology. I recently spent 5 days in Tuscany with no wifi - bliss! #wanderlustkids

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  16. That place looks amazing - I'd love to stay there x

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  17. This looks superb, what a great concept to have all the vintage vans and of course the idea of fresh scones and cream is appealing to me. Mich x #CountryKids

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  18. This looks absolutely wonderful! I too am a big believer in enjoying the simple things in life, unplugging, time away from the screens and spending time together as a family with minimal distractions. The vintage caravans look stunning! Looking forward to part 2. #countrykids

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  19. Some friends of mine stayed here a couple of weeks ago! They loved it. Such gorgeous countryside....and what a great name! Will have to put it on my wish list. #CountryKids

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  20. Wow this place looks magical Laura!!

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  21. Oh my goodness - a massage when you wake up?? Sounds like heaven! I know what you mean about switching off. We're going camping in a couple of weeks and I can't wait. #Countrykids

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  22. This place looks incredible! What a blissful treat to just be able to switch off from it all for a while. x

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  23. This sounds terrific (so far....). Fabulous location and great to be able to switch off. Also love the sound of homemade scones and cream! Look forward to more....

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  24. I'm sold on a number of things, firstly that the caravan was called Elsie and secondly that they offer a Glamp and Pamp service! I've never been camping but this is definitely a very good compromise to get me to stay in the great outdoors. Beautiful photos too, such a gorgeous family x

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  25. ohhhh these photos are SO LOVELY! I could look at them all day.. especially ones from the caravan. they look lovely, really unique.
    we really want to get out camping/glamping, we don't drive so think maybe glamping would be better for us but it's an absolute minefield & I have no idea where to start looking! this looks like somewhere we would love- secluded and vintage. #countrykids

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  26. This looks like the perfect way to camp! That van
    is amazing! #countrykids

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  27. Love the look of the vintage van and the caravans sound very cosy. So lovely to have some time away from technology and enjoy exploring outdoors :-) #countrykids

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  28. I had no idea that this place existed thank you. I really like the sound of waking up to a hot stone massage - now that IS what you call glamping! #countrykids

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  29. What a totally cool place! I like the thought of glamping or camping (but not too rustic - a shower and toilet block please!), and this looks like the ideal place to start. My kids would love it too. Thanks for sharing this brilliant find! #WanderlustKids

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  30. Wowzer this place looks absolutely gorgeous, plus your photos are simply adorable! True family getaway

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  31. This looks like an amazing place to visit. I enjoy camping but prefer the glamping option

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  32. Oh wow, Laura, what a place for a getaway. I love the look of the vans and it sounds like a great place to unplug and enjoy time together as a family. thanks for linking up to #wanderlustkids x

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    blogger. I have joined your feed and stay up for in the hunt for more of your excellent
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Lovely comments

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