Set in a grassy meadow, surrounded by a paddock where horses nose amongst the daisies, Pitchperfect has 42 tent-only pitches, centered around a children's play area. There is ample space at each pitch and the abundance of toys and ride-on tractors make this a paradise for kids. Sparkly new facilities are kept immaculately clean and well maintained, while clever touches like the hairdryers or fridge-freezers show that Emma and James have really thought the place through.
Head to the onsite shop, well stocked with a bounty of local produce, and have a browse through the handy “ideas board” where previous guests have pinned their recommendations. The colourfully scrawled tidbits will point you toward spots like Frome, with its yellow-stone cottages and attractive centre, or Longleat, one of the UK's most magnificent stately homes, joined improbably to a drive-through safari park. Further afield the historical towns of Bath and Salisbury make for excellent day trips, with the latter just a short distance from Stonehenge.
The owners enthusiasm is infectious and with your plan made, the only challenge is dragging the kids away from the onsite fun and games. The free-roaming chickens, sociable ponies and evening marshmallow sessions around the campfire make it an easy place to lose track of time. Not that it’s a bad thing. There are few better places to kick back and enjoy being on holiday. Grab a local cider, fold out a chair and enjoy the tranquility of this bucolic little bolthole.
Pitchperfect Camping lies in an excellent location, with the local villages of Rode and Woolverton boasting five pubs between them. It's also a short drive into Frome (01373 465757), one of Somerset's most attractive towns. The 14th century built Nunney Castle (08703 331181) vies for your attention along with Longleat (01985 844400), an Elizabethan stately home with a safari park in its extensive grounds (the campsite can offer discounts). Wardour Castle (01747 870487) and Stonehenge (08703 331181) border historical Salisbury, while in the opposite direction the elegant city of Bath is based around England's only natural hot springs. Bristol, beyond, also makes for a good day trip, while lovers of the outdoors should instead head for The New Forest (01590 646600), North Wessex Downs (01488 685440) or the Mendip Hills (01761 462338), all within a hour's drive.
The Red Lion (01373 830350) serves excellent pub grub within short walking distance. The Mill (01373 831100) in Rode is another mile down the road and is great for families. There's two award-winning farm shops just a 5 minute drive away, both of which have beer gardens and kid's play areas. There's also a good Indian restaurant at the end of the lane called The Bay Leaf (01373 474825).