In our ever-hectic world, places like Batcombe Vale become increasingly precious for those fleeting moments of escape from modern life. Once you've settled in Batcombe Vale, the world outside is a completely forgotten place. It's not so much ‘cool' camping, as ‘totally chilled out and horizontal camping'.
To call this a campsite is probably an offence under the Trade Description Act; for what it is, really, is a slice of heaven dropped into the middle of rural Somerset. Batcombe Vale sits in a valley, and within this intimate, hidden, green fold in the countryside lies a single house (belonging to the owners), a stream, several large ponds (or small lakes even), a host of magnificent trees scattered about the valley floor and about 30 patches of ground where you can pitch a tent.
There are no roads other than the single strip of tarmac that brings you into the private world of Batcombe Vale, and no trace of any other habitation. The first time you enter this secretive place is a deeply memorable occasion, for as the lane reaches the crest of the hill it then drops suddenly onto a view of a veritable Shangri La. And there, far below, in the centre of this glorious scene, is the campsite. It's a truly breathtaking sight, and nothing else intrudes into this idyllic setting.
Some of the pitches are on different levels: some with a glorious view, others surrounded by the lush, tropical-looking vegetation. The largest of the small surrounding lakes has three colourful rowing boats tied up on it (or parked nearby), just for the Batcombe campers. Hidden paths snake about amongst the rampant undergrowth in the valley and small jetties jut out into the water – the whole place is a natural wonderland for the sort of children who can amuse themselves in the Great Outdoors.
The campsite facilities are good, but again a certain, and certainly appropriate, outdoor eccentricity runs through them. Whilst younger campers will find adventures aplenty on the lake and in the wooded valley, the soothing atmosphere of Batcombe Vale will be all the entertainment sensible adults will need.
If, in the end, this camping paradise isn't sufficient and you dare step out of this sheltered enclave, there are many genteel distractions and attractions to be discovered. First and foremost is the almost-forgotten art of pedestrianism –moving from one place to another without motorised means. The paths radiate outwards from Batcombe Vale into the lovely green swathes of Somerset's unknown and undisturbed landscape.Within half an hour's drive (if you have to get in an ecounfriendly vehicle) are historic places like Wells (with its amazing cathedral) and Glastonbury. At the other end of the spectrum, there is the Fleet Air Arm Museum at Yeovilton or in Sparkford there's the Haynes Motor Museum.
There are plenty of things to do nearby, but Batcombe Vale is a whole (and better) world in itself, and apparently many visitors never leave the site once the wheels have come to rest in this Somerset version of Shangri La.
