Drover Camping - Fun on Four Wheels
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Like the rest of the world, we're planning a staycation this summer and fancied dipping our toes into camping. Problem is, we (read: me) are lite weight campers and want a holiday with home comforts thrown in.
While pondering this conundrum we had a light bulb moment. Why not get a camper van? And, living in the Cotswolds, not an ordinary camper van, but a Land Rover Defender camper conversion? Cool!
Land Rover Defender - Camper conversion
We set about our search and in January, during the first week of lockdown, bought a Land Rover Defender Utility Wagon 110 (if you know your Landys!). We worked with the talented team at Bird Box House to design a beautiful boutique kitchen (with sink, stove and cooler but, sadly, no dishwasher!) and a clever table and bench-cum bed. For the grown-ups, sleeping is under the stars, in a luxury pop-top roof tent. And so, Drover Camping was born.
In Drover, we have tried to combine the Defender's adventurous spirit with a bijou bolthole. Something wild and free, but with access to a private loo. As we like to think of it, an adventure made easy.
Our first camping trip - Far Peak, Northleach
For our first foray we headed to Far Peak in Northleach - a friendly campsite and climbing centre about 20 minutes down the road. Pitching up was easy peasy. Up popped the roof, out came the awning and on went the kettle. Drover's quite a looker and as we sunned ourselves over a cuppa we started to get the odd visitor, keen for a snoop inside!
Activities at Far Peak
Satisfied our base was built, we headed over to the activity centre. Our kids have climbed at Far Peak on many occasions and one of the things I like best is the friendly nature of the staff who are always encouraging and kind with their comments.
This time, they opted to cave - a new activity at Far Peak this season. But if potholing's not your thing, there's an outdoor 'tower', indoor walls and a smaller bouldering section for younger kids.
The outside rope course was being refurbed when we visited, but it's another fun way to fill an hour. One tip though, Farpeak is very popular, so do book your sessions in advance.
The Hayloft Café, Pizza Shack and the Old Smokery Bar
The Hayloft café is always good but we'd not experienced the Pizza Shack or Old Smokery Bar before. At 5pm, on the advice of my neighbour on tent row, I joined the queue - and I'm so glad, because by about 7pm the Shack was shut; all sold out!
Following our pizza feast we headed back for smokey smores, toasted on the fire pit. Fun as it was, Saturday night is family movie night for us and so by 7.30pm we were ready to retreat to our toasty top tent for a warm up and download (The Mitchells vs The Machine - rated an average 7/10 by our audience of four!).
As night falls, the real test of the Defender camper!
Temperatures of the sunny day descended into minus degrees over night but we were comfy and cosy in Drover. We've kitted it out with black out blinds, proper mattress and duvets, and with plenty of lights and USB points it was nearly like being at home - until the dawn chorus woke us at silly o'clock (sound proofing next?)!
No matter. That gave us an early start on breakfast - sausage sandwichs (who eats cereal when they're camping?) and, for the children, banana and Nutella crepes from the Cotswold Creperie visiting van. I guess it was a holiday!
Packing down is always the sad but at least with Drover it doesn't take long. After washing up, we piled everything back in quite quickly. Though we'd only been away for 24 hours, and less than 20 miles from home, we felt like we'd had a total break. And guess what, we've booked again!
If you're planning a staycation and, honestly, who isn't, and are bored of bell tents and shepherd huts, you'd do a lot worse than an adventure in Drover.
Happy camping!
Last updated: 30 July 2024 - Please note: This blog was first written over a year old and things may have changed since the blog was written.
