Rural Relaxing
UK England East Midlands Leicestershire Market Harborough
Looking for a slice of the peace-and-quiet pie? This Leicestershire campsite certainly does what it says on the tin. A simple, grassy, family-run campsite located opposite the local village cricket ground it is, indeed, a place for rural R&R.
So what’s needed to relax? Well, space, for one. And there’s certainly plenty of it. With less than 20 pitches, Rural Relaxing Campsite keeps to a more than manageable size, while a handful of beautifully furnished bell tents and a pinewood cabin offer extra room for those who don't fancy bringing their own camping clobber. After that, good food is always high on the list. Thankfully, here too there is plenty on offer, from the on-site Nespresso coffee shack to the excellent village tearooms, handily co-managed by the award-winning village pub that overlooks the waters of Medbourne Brook.
Yet while a good local boozer and a quiet location certainly make Rural Relaxing a fantastic choice of campsite, it’s the more conscientious touches of the owners that really make it stand out. A converted stable building – the welcome cabin – is filled with timetables of local activities and attractions, along with board games for wet-weather days and books to borrow, while garden furniture (plus comfortable cushions) is available to borrow for gathering around your campfire when evening comes. They’re touches that bring convenience, yet still reflect the site's blissfully un-commercial feel.
On the rare occasion you do fancy stretching your legs beyond the village, there are ample local footpaths to follow, including a wonderful one-mile route – starting past bushes thick with blackberries before opening out to fantastic views – to the neighbouring hamlet of Blaston. By car, head to Rutland Water where you can follow family-friendly cycle routes around the reservoir (either on your own bikes or by renting them there) or stop en-route at honey-coloured Uppingham (particularly on market days; Friday). They’re all good excuses for building up your appetite before returning to the campsite (and pub) to kick back, stretch out and, well, relax.
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Facilities
1 ladies loo, 1 gents and a shower for each too. Fresh water and chemical disposal areas. Picnic benches and use of BBQ, fire pit and additional garden furniture. Welcome cabin with local info, indoor and outdoor games, DVDs, CDs, books, and colouring for little ones. Coffee hut, serving croissants and tea and coffee at weekends. For extra facilities there is also a sports club opposite the campsite. The pine-clad glamping cabin has a wood-burner, mini-fridge, soft furnishings and a double and single futon (all you need to bring is your sleeping bags and towels). Bell tents have soft furnishings, storage and beds (bring your own bedding) – each has its own picnic bench and firepit.Suitable For
Tents, campervans, caravans, glampers, campers, small groups, children and dogs – yes. Noisy groups, stag and hen parties – no.Nearby
Medbourne is on your doorstep and has a village shop with post office, a pub with daytime tea rooms (see Food & Drink), a fine parish church, a village hall and a sports club (07821 251402) with tennis courts, a cricket ground and a football pitch (directly opposite the campsite). For a good walk, seek out the Blaston track, a field road from Medbourne to Blaston, perfect for dog walking and also for rough, cross-country cycling. It runs from the Uppingham Road to Blaston. For family fun, the Wistow Maze (07884 403889) is open from July to September, while Rutland Water (12 miles), one of the largest man made reservoirs in Europe, hosts a range of activities, include sailing, fishing, bird-watching and some 26 miles of car-free cycle trails. Pleasure cruises are also available on the Rutland Belle boat (01572 787630). Elsewhere, it's 7 miles to historic Market Harborough, a market town known for its wealth of good quality independent shops and its traditional indoor market. The centre of the town is dominated by the steeple of St. Dionysius Parish Church (01858 469330), constructed in grey stone in 1300 and rising directly from the street – the church itself was built later in 1470. Next to the church stands the Old Grammar School, a small timber building dating from 1614. For another beautiful old spot, enjoy shopping in honey-coloured Uppingham (7 miles) – the town's weekly market is held on a Friday.Food & Drink
The campsite is happy to arrange pre-ordered food hampers. Items can include milk, bread, local farm eggs, cheeses, newspapers and almost anything else. Just e-mail in advance and ask! There's a beautiful pub in the village, the Nevill Arms (01858 565288), which overlooks the river and has an excellent beer garden for soaking it all in during summer. A café at the rear of the pub serves breakfast, brunch, lunch and afternoon tea too, while, inside, real ales are served and dogs and children are welcome. For the best seat in the house perch yourself on one of the benches by the brook. There is also a small village shop that sells all the usual items, as well as a post office.Opening Times
All year.The Owner Says
Location
Contact Rural Relaxing, Hallaton Road, Medbourne, Market Harborough, Leicestershire, LE16 8DR
Getting There
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