Ettie’s Field is surely one of the coolest campsites around, welcoming travellers with campervans, caravans, motorhomes, touring tents, tipis and one-off conversions. It was founded by freedom-loving fans of the iconic Airstream glamper and aimed to provide a green and pleasant hideaway with an unconventional vibe, different but welcoming to one and all.
Based at Ratcliffe Culey, near the Leicestershire/Warwickshire border, the site has only been open for five years but has already been transformed by a massive bulb planting effort and the sowing of millions of seeds to create a wildflower meadow.
Owners Linds and Dom also contribute 300 trees – one for every booking – to One Tree Planted, a charity which plants trees in countries where they are needed. They look forward to launching their beautiful Peacock Garden, which has been shaped and planted to look like a 3D peacock when viewed from above. Guests can also meet the permanent residents, two Highland cows, four Nubian goats, two Kunekune pigs, four donkeys and chickens.
Ettie’s Field holds 5 Star and Unique Camping awards from Quality in Tourism and a recommendation from Cool Camping. Dog and child friendly, it has about 30 pitches, most with electric hook-ups and nearby water, some with hardstanding for vehicles and others grass for camping. All have chimeneas for barbecuing and warmth.
Site facilities include hot showers and flush toilets and an Elsan point.
A cosy clubhouse with a fire, comfy seating, plump cushions and a coffee machine makes a focal point for people to share time together. A New Age shop sells colourful Fair Trade goods and foraging expeditions are offered regularly.
The whole site can be booked for private parties, rallies and other special events.
Linds says: “Everyone is welcome and there’s a lovely relaxed atmosphere throughout the site, although we’re constantly upgrading.
“We’ve put great effort into the planting – working with our ‘Meadow Man, Gary McReynolds-White – and there is so much more we want to do. We want people to enjoy it and hopefully take something away that they can do at home to support wildlife.”
