You might be familiar with Castlemorton Common for its infamous reputation as the setting for a week-long rave to end all raves in the 90s. While the spirit of the party lives on in the tales of the locals (not all good), you won’t hear a rumble of jungle at this site. The rowdiest gathering here is probably the migrating swallows, who take to the sky at sunset to perform hypnotic murmurations. You can’t always guarantee their performance during your stay, of course, nor the perma-pink sunset over Swinyard Hill. But you can definitely count on Denise and Ben’s warm hospitality and a sense of calm inside one of their top-notch safari tents.
Nestled off a country lane at the foot of the Malvern Hills, Clarks Farm is an inconspicuous spot. The two sole tents are equally spaced to allow for solitary hot tub time and, while one vista promises the rolling hills, the other looks out onto a wild meadow in full bloom. On site you’ll find ample space and a nature hide-out for kids, with dens created from young willows and the opportunity to do a bit of pond dipping in a safe and enclosed area. Getting into nature is a huge part of the appeal at Swallowfields; you only need to take a five-minute walk to reach the edge of Castlemorton Common, which leads, in turn, to the mighty Malverns for a more strenuous (up-hill) hike.
You might be tricked into thinking you’re in the Serengeti once you’re zipped up in one of these roomy canvas tents. They comfortably house up to six adults and two dogs and each has its own en suite bathroom. The list of luxuries inside is expansive but it’s the above-and-beyond extras, like the six-seater electric hot tub or the 1920s-style cocktail bar complete with a shaker and crystal glasses, that really show Ben and Denise's understanding of a glamper's needs. Inside, there's a wood-burning stove and, outside, a fire pit that doubles as a BBQ (the on-site shop has meat at the ready). For families, meanwhile, the little fence around each tent provides peace of mind that dogs can't run far and children are vaguely where they say they are.
A big part of the Swallowfields offering is the spa experience. You can book in for a bespoke beauty treatment or a massage in your tent, topped off by an evening in the hot tub. The option of a private yoga class also sounds like a good idea, and sensible after an afternoon hiking up to Eastnor Obelisk, which offers one of the best panoramas over The Malvern Hills. Though so too does a brief pint in the pub – the Robin Hood is just a five-minute walk from your tent. If you fancy a day of sightseeing, meanwhile, it's a 15-minute drive to the quaint town of Great Malvern, home to an 11th-century monastery and thought to be an area that inspired literary greats, including J.R Tolkien or C.S Lewis. Whether you’re writing the next great novel or just a postcard to a friend, it all makes for a great setting to sit back, relax and embrace the British summertime with the swallows.
Castlemorton Common is a short walk away and a great place to picnic, fly kites or walk the dog. For more of that, head up to the Malvern Hills where there's plenty of opportunity for walking and mountain biking. For water sports and river cruising, try kayaking on the River Wye care of Wyedean Canoes, where you can rent a canoe and go for a sunset paddle. Enjoy a day out at Eastnor Castle with its Knights maze, adventure playground and tree top walkway, a five-minute drive away, or get creative at nearby Eastnor Pottery. Head a little further (30 minutes by car) to Worcester to visit the cathedral or out to the countryside to visit the plethora of historic sites in Worcestershire. There are plenty more suggestions in the local area guide on the Welcome Tablet on site.
While Swallowfields provide delicious local produce on site, a 35 minute drive away you’ll find the Worcestershire Farmer’s Market that takes place the first Saturday of every month in Victoria Square, Droitwich. For a traditional country pub, your hosts recommend The Robin Hood (01684 833212) pub, which is within walking distance of site, and The Farmers Arms (01684 833308), which is a 10-minute cycle ride away. Both welcome dogs and have beer gardens with play equipment for the little ones. For a special meal out, try The Inn at Welland (01684 592317) or The Swan Inn (01684 311870) at Hanley Swan, both within four miles, or The Jockey Inn (01684 592 153) at Earls Croome, a few miles further. And for really fine-dining, book yourself in to L'amuse Bouche (01684 572427) in Malvern which serves French-style cuisine in an English setting.
