The Old Vicarage

This very pretty riverside campsite is in the grounds of The Old Vicarage - a stunning 17th Century house in the village of Elkesley and close to the historic Sherwood Forest. It is very conveniently located just off the A1, but the setting is rural and tranquil, with the elegant grounds of the grand house surrounding the site, and a shallow river running through it. The Old Vicarage campsite is open all year round and has space for lots of tent pitches running right down to the banks of the River Poulter and it’s a pretty dreamy location (so dreamy in fact, that you can hire it out as a wedding venue). The site is about having good old fashioned adventures and there is plenty of space around for just that, with a rope swing and stepping stones over the shallow river, the banks of which are lined with mature trees. Go swimming, mess about by the river, or just relax in the attractive grounds, there is lots to do and explore here, and aside from being a very beautiful campsite, it is a fun place too. Kids will love it. Well behaved dogs are also welcome.

It is grass pitches only here with both electric and non electric options available, but if you haven’t got your own tent then they do have one very comfortable** log cabin** on site which can sleep up to six people and has its own bathroom. The campsite amenities include toilets and hot showers, washing up area, disabled facilities and, rather excitingly, a Cave Bar, which is - quite literally - a bar carved into 500 year old sandstone rock; not a bad place to enjoy a drink (open usually at busy times of the year) and this also includes an area selling snacks and drinks and also where you can also buy nets and small rods for the river if you fancy having a spot of fishing. Bring your own rubber ring and you can bob down the river, net in hand…..

As tempting as it is to lurk around the campsite grounds and swim in the river all day, the area surrounding The Old Vicarage is delightful. There are nature reserves and animal parks to walk around and the stunning Sherwood Forest is just fifteen minutes away; this is where the adventures can really begin. A good idea is to visit the Sherwood Forest Visitor centre first, so that you can get maps of the various trails and walks - some hikes are more strenuous than others! You can also find out about Robin Hood, Sherwood Forest’s most famous resident - and the facts, legends and folklore that surround him. The kids can go on a wild outdoor adventure at the Sherwood Pines forest park and discover “Robin Hood’s Hideout”, a brilliant play area with treehouses and climbing frames. The hideout is one of the two main adventure play areas in the forest park and they are connected by a fun walking trail. There are also great opportunities for wildlife spotting too as you wander through the 450 acres of forest paths.

But Sherwood Forest is not the only attraction around here, there are masses of family friendly and fun days out. There is Sundown Adventure Park, Ferry Farm Country Park, Idle Valley Nature Reserve, Hodsock Priory and the Bassetlaw museum to name a few. The larger cities of Nottingham, Lincoln and Sheffield are also close by.

Back at The Old Vicarage, you can hire fire pits, BBQ’s and firewood if you need them and settle down for an evening around the campfire. A beautiful spot near Robbin Hood country.