Despite lockdown, Mike and Mary Jorden of Oldwood Farm, Cinders Lane, Tenbury Wells. WR15 8PN, have in the past few months had their dream of a small certified campsite site signed off by the Camping and Caravan Club come true. This is a small site that can accommodate up to 5 caravans and is classified as a dark sky site.
Mike’s family has farmed at Oldwood common for many years. Mike has taken over the small farm from his father and he and Mary now live in the old farmhouse that belonged to Mike’s grandfather. Since Mike’s retirement from a job in the ‘public sector,’ He and Mary have been able to develop their ideas for the farm which not only includes the CS campsite but also a small cafe and farm shop, The Green Meal. Both Mike and Mary have a passion for the environment and they demonstrate this passion by ensuring everything that is sold within the Shop is sourced from within a 10-mile radius of their location.
The Campsite
The Campsite at Oldwood farm provides hard standings for 5 caravans 4 of which are serviced by electric. The site is set just off Oldwood Common and is well screened from the A4112. A single combined shower and toilet is also available for the use of those using the site. Campers also have access to the Green Meal cafe and farm shop.
The campsite in its rural setting provides a perfect quiet ‘get-away-from-it-all’ location. Even though the pitches back onto Cinders Lane, this is a gated road further along so traffic is minimal to residences (a handful) and agricultural vehicles. The main A4112, Leominster to Tenbury Wells road, though classified as an ‘A’ road is more like a ‘B’ road and traffic is never very heavy and it is well screened by hedges, so no worries about having your night sleep disrupted by anything than Owles hooting, cattle mooing or horses braying! Likewise, its location justifiably deserves its classification as a ‘Dark Sky’ site, on the right night its large sky shows the stairs and glorious moons!
Oldwood Farm is a small working farm so you can expect farm life to be going on around you. As such you can expect to all see the seasonal operations of the farm and when available the produce of the farm will be on sale in the farm shop.
Rest assured that you will receive a very warm from Mike and Mary Jordan and you will also find the locals who frequent the cafe a friendly and chatty bunch. The Oldwood Farm certified site is not only a perfect location for a quiet few days to explore the area but it is also perfect location for a mini-meet.
The Local Area
Oldwood Farm Campsite is set just off Oldwood Common and in the rural parish of St Micheals, Tenbury Wells. It is a rural area that is crisscrossed with footpaths across the beautiful countryside.
Tenbury Wells (The Capital of Mistletoe) is a few minutes drive or a 20 – 30-minute walk. This historic market town is set in the western finger of Worcestershire and gives good access to the Welsh Marches. The old cities of Hereford, Worcester and Shrewsbury are all in easy reach and all have deep histories to explore. Likewise the market towns of Leominster and Ludlow are within a 10 minuet drive.
A 3-5 minute walk from the campsite across the common is the Fountain Inn. A traditional country pub that serves a full range of food and local Ales and Ciders. Tenbury Wells itself is a small market town who’s history goes back to the Roman times when it was a ford across the River Teme. In the town, there is a Tesco supermarket, as well as a Chocolatier (Mr Thoms ) a very impressive 1940’s style cinema, and the Victorian Pump Rooms, that put the Wells into Tenbury Wells.
In the town of Tenbury Wells, there is an exceptional cinema that retains its renovated 1940’s interior and is well worth a visit just to look at it. The victorian Pump rooms, that were responsible for putting the ‘Wells’ into Tenbury are another site worthy of a look. The Pump Rooms are now home to the town Council but a quick can we have a look please is usually accommodated as long as there is interruption of council business.
Tenbury also has several establishments that are worth a visit. The Pembroke House, a traditional black and white pub and restaurant. The Kings Head, which is under new management and now hosts a good Thai restaurant. The Unwind Bar & Bistro is the latest addition to the town which specializes in Tapas.
This area is little explored by most but is well worth a visit and spending a few days getting to know the character of the area.
