Cuckoo Farm Campsite
UK England East Midlands Rutland
There’s no better name for this small organic farm, set alongside the River Chater and a Site of Special Scientific Interest. The local birdlife, further encouraged by nearby Rutland Water Nature Reserve, sings a terrific morning alarm clock. Kingfishers can sometimes be seen in the lower branches of an ash tree that overhangs the river and cuckoos arrive here to officially welcome spring. It’s as if their call is the signal to open the campsite, which promptly welcomes campers from the middle of April each year. Cuck-ooo, Cuck-ooo, they call. The camping season has arrived.
Set in an open, very slightly sloping meadow, Cuckoo Farm Campsite has space for around 50 camping pitches, with a laid back, pitch-where-you-like attitude (though 20 specific spots are provided with electrical hook-ups). Campfires are permitted in the firepits provided and farm-owners Roland and Rebecca are thoroughly encouraging of campfire cooking, with grills, tripods and metal kettles you can use. The real treat is the on-site farm shop, where you can buy their fresh organic produce. Paired with bread and other goods from the farmers market in Stamford, a 10-minute drive away, it’s as wholesome as you could wish for.
For six months of the year the grassland of the campsite is grazed by the farm’s gorgeous black nosed Valais sheep, who move into the neighbouring meadows come camping season. Before being shorn, they look like a cross between sheep, shaggy Highland cows and giant teddy bears. Campers are welcome to book tours of the farm, which may involve the chance to feed lambs in spring and to collect fresh eggs from the chickens for your breakfast. There are pigs and turkeys too and Rebecca and Roland give some great insight in to organic farming.
For families, the seclusion of the farm is particularly special. It’s over half a mile back to the main road, while the river, which curls its way directly past the campsite, is shallow enough for sploshing, splashing and building dams with sticks and rocks. Rutland Water, meanwhile, is a seven-minute drive away, with a sailing school, fishing lodge and boat hire. You can also rent bikes next to the car park to cycle the family-friendly, 23-mile route around the entire reservoir – great to do with a picnic. When the sun’s out, the place is the very picture of summer.
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Details
Facilities
20 electrical hook-ups, 7 showers, 7 toilets and a brand new disable toilet and shower room. Washing-up sinks and a communal freezer for ice-pack freezing. Onsite farm shop. Firepits to rent, along with a range of campfire cooking equipment including kettles, pans, grills and tripods. This is a small organic farm and is home to sheep, pigs, turkeys, chickens and a small heard of fallow deer. Farm walks and tours available, so you can meet the animals, including the resident Black Nosed Valais sheep (the cutest sheep in the world!). Collect your own eggs. River Chater runs alongside the campsite.
Suitable For
Tents, campervans, large groups (contact in advance for separate field), dogs – yes. Caravans and large motorhomes – no.
Nearby
It’s 4 miles to Rutland Water Reservoir and Nature Reserve, a great place to enjoy the outdoors, whether it’s cycling the 23-mile circumference of the reservoir – nipping in and out of the woods as you go on tarmacked, car-free trails – or on foot. Cycle hire is available there if you haven’t brought your own. It’s a scenic spot to go for a picnic and you can also get out on the water sailing or in canoes. Bring binoculars to see the birds and, if you’re a real twitcher, pop into the Anglian Water Birdwatching Centre (01572 770651) and Rutland Water Visitors Centre (01780 686800) for more info. It’s 6¾ miles to Burghley House (01780 752451), a Tudor stately home and gardens, including sculpture gardens and the gardens of surprises (take a change of clothes and shoes as the kids will get wet). Guided tours of the house are available, complete with costumed guides to uncover the house's history and the people who have lived there. It’s also 15 miles to Grimsthorpe Castle Park and Gardens (01778 591205), 9 miles to Oakham Castle (01572 757578), 10 miles to Rockingham Castle and 9 miles to Barnsdale Gardens (01572 813200). The local market towns of Oakham, Uppingham and Stamford all vie for your attention with history, independent shops and good eateries in abundance. The latter has an excellent farmers market on Fridays and is also home to the excellent Stamford Arts Centre (01780 763203) – a good option for rainy days.
Food & Drink
A range a farm produce is available on site including organic eggs, chicken, lamb, venison, pork, sausages and burgers. As well as firepits, grills and tripods you can hire For something elsewhere, you can cycle (10 minutes) or walk (20–25 minutes) across public footpaths and quite country roads to the pretty Rutland village of Ketton for a drink at The Railway Inn (01780 721050), which is the last purely wet pub in Rutland. Or try a bite to eat at The Northwick Arms (01780 720238). It's also a short drive to the beautiful Georgian market town of Stamford, which has broad range of place to eat and drink.
Open
April–September.Why book with I Love This Campsite?
- Best Price Guarantee, with no fees
- Instant booking confirmation
- Trusted for over 10 years
- A chance to win prizes in our regular competitions
The Owner Says
- Family-run grassland site on a working organic farm
- Within 10 minutes of Rutland Water Nature Reserve and activity centre
- Farm shop selling organic meat; a five-minute drive from pub and shop
Pitches
50 grass pitches (20 with electrical hook-ups).
Electric Grass Pitch
Grass Pitch
May Fly Lotus Belle Tent
Location
Contact Cuckoo Farm Campsite, Cuckoo Farm Campsite, Stamford Rd, Ketton, Rutland PE93UU
Getting There
From the South on the A1: Take the A47 exit towards Leicester. At the roundabout, take the third exit right onto the A47 towards Leicester. At the next roundabout (5½ miles), take the second exit and stay on A47. Take the first right (1 mile) on to Barrowden Road – signposted ‘Tixover House & Grange’. After 1½ miles you will see a signpost for Cuckoo Campsite. Turn Left on to un-adopted Road and, after ¼ mile take the track on the right down to the farm and follow signs to the campsite ground.
From the North on the A1: Take the A6121 exit signposted ‘Stamford’. At the top of the road turn right Signposted Ketton, Tinwell A6121. After 2¾ miles turn Left on to Church Road, following sign towards Collyweston and Wansford (just before red the telephone box on the right). Continue over the river and follow the road round to the right. Take the first right immediately after the railway crossing on to Barrowden Road. After 1 mile you will see a signpost for Cuckoo Campsite.
From the West on the A47: After passing through the village of Morcott stay on the A47 and drive for 3½ miles. Turn Left on to Barrowden Road – signposted ‘Tixover House & Grange’. After 1½ miles you will see a signpost for Cuckoo Campsite.
From the A43: At the roundabout with the A47, take the exit signposted ‘Leicester A47’. Take the first right (1 miles) on to Barrowden Road – signposted ‘Tixover House & Grange’. After 1½ miles you will see a signpost for Cuckoo Campsite.
Stamford (4¾ miles) is the nearest train station with services running to Birmingham, Stansted, Cambridge and Peterborough.Reviews
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Why book with I Love This Campsite?
- Best Price Guarantee, with no fees
- Instant booking confirmation
- Trusted for over 10 years
- A chance to win prizes in our regular competitions
