Nature trails, Goat feeding, play park and a whole lot more….
We have a wide variety of things to do and places to eat near by. These are our recommendations…
Activities
Cotswold Country Park & Beach
Located in South Cerny near Cirencester with many surrounding lakes for wild swimming, Paddle boarding and canoeing. The park and beach itself is a place to relax. There is mini golf and an inflatable assault course as well as a large area for hot and cold lunch options and a few coffee and ice cream outlets.
Find out more here:
The best ever brownie company barn cafe
(Travel time 20min approx.)
Breakfast and lunch options as well as the BEST EVER brownies, what more do you need for the ultimate treat! Brownie boxes, jams and dips also make great presents or take home yummy souvenirs!
Find out more:
John Coles park
(Travel time 20min approx.)
A large lovely local park with a wide variety of equipment and a splash pad. The park has a bandstand, tennis courts and lots of space for picnics. A small café is available for light snacks, drinks and ice cream.
Find out more:
Lydiard Park & House, Swindon
(Travel time 35min approx.)
Lydiard Park is a lovely local day out for families it has a beautiful stately home and grounds, play park and high/low rope courses in the forest as well as a large café.
Find out more:
FairField Animal centre, Trowbridge
(Travel time 35 mins approx.)
Welcome to the Fairfield Animal Centre, a fun family day out, set in 15 acres of Southwick Country Park near Trowbridge.
Visit us to see a variety of animals including; Goats, Sheep, Pigs, Donkeys and much more. Café on site.
Find out more:
historical
City of Bath
(Travel time 35min approx.)
UNESCO added The City of Bath as a ‘cultural site’ to the World Heritage List in 1987. There are many thing to see and do here, highlights are the Ancient Roman Baths, the modern thermae spa complex, the historical crescent and many museums and exhibitions such as the Jane Austen centre. Details of which can be found at the following link…
Find out more
Avebury
(Travel time 15min approx.)
Avebury, Wiltshire, England, UK. This free-to-enter ancient stone circle site dates from Neolithic times and its purpose is debatable. It is constructed from a large outer circle of stones with two smaller inner circles, all surrounded by earthworks and a ditch. Abandoned by the Iron Age it nevertheless remains a significant Henge in the landscape of ancient Wiltshire, England.
Avebury is the largest stone circle in the world: it is 427m (1401ft) in diameter and covers an area of some 28 acres. Older and larger than Stonehenge, Avebury stone circle is another iconic and must see landmark and approx. 7 miles from the Campsite. Take a stroll through the village, enjoy the local tea rooms or pub whilst getting the chance to experience the beautiful scenery and stones.
Find out more
Stonehenge
(Travel time 40min approx.)
One of the most famous sites in the world, 5,000 year old Stonehenge is composed of earthworks surrounding a circular setting of large standing stones. It is at the centre of the most dense complex of Neolithic and Bronze Age monuments in England.
Find out more
Silbury Hill
(Travel time 15min approx.)
The 40m high man made hill steeped in legend. Dating back to 2660 BC. Silbury Hill is also the centre of much of the area’s crop circle activity.
White Horses
(Travel time 5min approx. for nearest site – Cherhill)
There are eight white horses in Wiltshire. These symbolic creations are made by exposing the chalk of the limestone hills that are typical of the area. The nearest is carved into the face of Cherhill down, just a few minutes up the road from Blacklands and right next to an impressive giant stone obelisk (Monument).
Find out more
West Kennet Long Barrow
(Travel time 15min approx.)
One the most impressive and best preserved Neolithic burial tombs.
Crop Circles
It is official, Aliens preffered holiday destination is Wiltshire. Wiltshire is without doubt the world centre for crop circle activity. Man made or otherwise these formations regularly appear through the summer months. At various levels of complexity and size, crop circles and their creators are always hot topics for debate in pubs and village halls around Wiltshire as well as in the global press. Track their creation on:-
Crop Circle Connector
Salisbury Cathedral
(Travel time 40mins approx.)
Known as ‘The city in the countryside’, the magnificent medieval city of Salisbury has it all: historic streets and alleyways, charming half-timbered buildings, traditional English eating houses and characterful shopping streets.
The medieval Cathedral is the most impressive in Britain. http://www.salisburycathedral.org.uk/
Old Sarum is a mighty Iron Age hill fort with over 5000 years history. This is also the site of the original Cathedral. Romans Normans and Saxons all left their mark here.
Kennet & Avon Canal
(Travel time 15min approx.)
Our watery highway is now redundant from its original use but far from being abandoned it is an absolutely fantastic way of relaxing and exploring. Following gentle slopes (with one exception) and wandering through beautiful countryside, the canal still has so much to offer. From biking to boating and just good old walking you can take in the history, the engineering and the fantastic wildlife which is only interrupted by the occasional country pub.
K&A Canal’s main claim to fame are the Caen Hill locks in Devizes. This is the longest flight of locks in Europe. The continuous flight of 29 locks raises the canal 237 feet in two miles.
Bradford on Avon
(Travel time 30min approx.)
A beautiful old town set around the river Avon, Bradford on Avon has more than its fair share of idyllic scenery. There may be more than first meets the eye too; Look closely at the town bridge and there’s a small building perched upon it that was once used as a prison for trouble makers and drunks. The unfortunate imprisoned drunks probably had one too many in The Swan – possibly the wonkiest looking old pub in the world. There is also a Saxon church dating back to 700ad. Don’t forget the river and canal with activities including boat and bike hire. Take a closer look at Bradford on Avon and you’ll be pleasantly surprised.
Lacock
(Travel time 15min approx.)
The medieval village with its timber framed cottages has been used as a location in many TV and film productions such as Cranford, Pride and Prejudice, Moll Flanders and Emma. The Abbey also featured in the Harry Potter films. You might see some familiar spots as you wander the streets. Lacock Abbey was founded in 1232 and its original features are remarkably well preserved. Many additions to the Abbey through the ages have only added to its beauty. You are able to explore parts of the Abbey and Gardens. The first photographic negative was taken at Lacock Abbey and the Fox Talbot Museum celebrates the history of photography and William Henry Fox Talbot. You’ll also find a bakery, tearooms, pubs, vendors selling local produce and independent craft and gift shops as you browse the historical streets of Lacock.
SS Great Britain
(Travel time 45min approx.)
Completed in 1843 by Isambard Kingdom Brunel, the SS Great Britain was by far the largest vessel afloat and one of the most advanced. She was built to carry passengers across the Atlantic between Bristol and New York. Unfortunately things didn’t go so smoothly for the mighty iron ship. Now she is beautifully restored and takes pride of place in Bristol Dockyard where she is waiting to tell you her story.
Bowood House
(Travel time 10min approx.)
Perhaps the most beautiful estate in the country is right next door to Blackland Lakes. Bowood has a stunningly beautiful stately home in the centre of the estate as well as beautiful walks through bluebells, rhododendrons and waterfalls, not forgetting the fun filled adventure playground.
As well as well kept parts of the house, the superb gardens and beautifully landscaped grounds are open to view. Bowood is just one of several stately homes open to the public in our area. Others well worth a visit include Longleat, Wilton House and Stourhead.
Museums
REME Museum
(Travel time 15min approx.)
On the site of a military training campus and former RAF base the REME Museum offers a modern, interactive Museum to explore the story of the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers.
Find out more here:
STEAM Museum of the Great Western Railway
(Travel time 35min approx.)
STEAM is housed in a beautifully restored Grade II railway building in the heart of the former Swindon railway works.
The Museum tells the story of the men and women who built, operated and travelled on the Great Western Railway – ‘God’s Wonderful Railway’ – a railway network that, through the pioneering vision and genius of Isambard Kingdom Brunel, was regarded as the most advanced in the world.
Find out more here:
Wroughton Science Museum
(Travel time 30min approx.)
On a site of breath taking scale near Swindon, large and iconic objects are stored from the National Collections of the Science Museum (18,000 of them).
The collections span the whole spectrum of scientific and technological interest for all ages, ranging from the giant Lockheed Constellation airliner to early computers, from bicycles to the massive wood printing press, and from MRI scanners to hovercraft.
Find out more here:
Trowbridge Museum
(Travel time 30 min approx.)
This museum tells the story of a west country wool town, it’s people and it’s history. Housed in a former wool mill, the museum displays include working textile machinery, a weaver’s cottage, a medieval castle and local history displays. There are plenty of interactive exhibits, a children’s history hunt and a mouse trail. Plus regular temporary exhibitions.
Find out more here:
Calne Heritage Centre
The Centre is situated in the old library building and tells the story of Calne and its surroundings. It explains the town’s rich history from Anglo – Saxon to present times with lots of pictures and artefacts on display. There are regular and varied exhibitions and you can purchase books, postcards and special products from local artists and craftspersons. The Calne Heritage Centre, Carnegie Building, New Road, Calne, SN11 0SQ
Atwell Wilson Motor Museum
We are a small friendly museum situated in the heart of Wiltshire and on the same road as Blackland Lakes. The majority of our exhibits are cars from the year 1920 and onwards. We also have a collection of motorcycles, mopeds and bicycles. You can also see interesting motoring memorabilia, our Jack Spittle Model Lorry Collection and a reconstructed retro garage complete with vehicles.
Find out more here:
Walking/Cycling
Cycling and walking routes
Wiltshire has more than 7,500 paths for walkers and cyclists to explore. Walking and cycling through the peaceful, glorious countryside will show you rural England at its very best. From Calne you can travel to Chippenham, Lacock and even all the way to Bath if you like by cycle path. Here is all the information from the Wiltshire Council Website:
Castlefields Park Calne
Attaining charity status in 2001, Castlefields Canal and River Park Association aims to preserve, protect, develop and improve the environment of the River Marden Valley and surrounding area. Picnic areas, information boards, a fitness trail, brass rubbing and the Jubilee Queen canal boat are some of the highlights of the park that can be enjoyed by the public. Nearest postcode: SN11 0EF
Shopping
Marlborough High St
(Travel time 20min approx.)
Marlborough boasts the widest high street in the UK. It also hosts a popular twice-weekly market and is lined on both sides with characterful old buildings housing an array of high quality shops. Marlborough has been ranked as the second best place to shop in England by The Harper Dennis Hobbs’ (HDH) annual Vitality Rankings.
The town displays the confidence of wealth from times past, yet today remains vibrant and progressive with its own chic café culture and many independent shops.
The Merchant’s House – one of the finest 17th century middle-class homes open to visitors in England – is also to be found on the High Street here and contains a wealth of period features, paintings and artefacts and on-going restoration.
Find out more here:
Marlborough – Market Town – Visit Wiltshire
Swindon Designer Outlet village
(Travel time 30min approx.)
All your favourite designer labels under one roof at outlet prices. Lots of restaurants, coffee shops and an indoor playpark.
Find out more here:
Cabot Circus Mall Bristol
(Travel time 45min approx.)
Cabot Circus is the biggest Mall in the area. There’s a huge range of shops and great entertainment too. Includes a cinema, mini golf, lots of restaurants and a stones through away from Broadmead Shopping Centre in Bristol as well.
Find out more here:
Cribbs Causeway Mall Bristol
(Travel time 45mins approx.)
Another huge shopping mall in Bristol. A wide range of shops, cinema, bowling, restaurants as well as home stores.
Find out more here:
Cribbs – shop, eat and play at the South West’s premier shopping and leisure destination
Bath’s Southgate Shopping Centre
(Travel time 40min approx.)
Bath’s shopping complex is shopping heaven. Combined with the shops on Milsom Street, starting just above Southgate, there is nothing you won’t find. Finish the day at Bath’s Thermae Spa, located a few minutes walking from Southgate, and you’ll feel like a king/queen. For a day out in Bath we suggest catching the train from Chippenham or taking advantage of park and ride services.
Find out more here:
Southgate Bath | Shopping in Bath, Somerset | Shops, Restaurants & Gym
CAMPING SHOPS
We have a small selection of camping supplies in our campsite shop however if you need anything more specific Chippenham (20min) has Millets, Halfords, Trowbridge (30min) has BCH Camping and Swindon (30mins) has Go Outdoors and Mountain Warehouse.
Find out more:
GO Outdoors Swindon | Camping Shop | Outdoor Clothing & Equipment Store | GO Outdoors
Camping Store | Outdoor Shop | BCH Camping – BCH Camping & Leisure
T.K TACKLE
(Travel time 2mins approx.)
TK Tackle has a good range of fishing equipment and bait and is very close to Blackland Lakes.
LOCAL Village pubs
The dumb post
(Travel time 10min approx.)
The Dumb Post has won many awards including 6th best roast dinner in the country! Food, atmosphere, views all spectacular and worth visiting, family and dog friendly.
Find out more:
The Black Horse
(Travel time 5min approx.)
The Black Horse is situated in our neighbouring village of Cherhill. Its a cosy village pub which serves food and drinks and is family friendly as well as dog friendly.
The PEWSHAM
(Travel time 10min approx.)
Like all pubs listed on our website, The Pewsham comes with recommendations from us personally. It is family run, the staff are friendly, there is frequent events and they have a playpark. Good food is served throughout the day and there is also a coffee shop with delicious cakes. The Pewsham is situated on the A4 between Calne and Chippenham.
Find out more:
LOCAL CUSINE & Takeaways
Antica Roma (Itallian)
(Travel time 5min approx.)
A culinary adventure filled with delicious pizzas, pastas, and drinks that cater to various dietary preferences and requirements.
Find out more:
Antica Roma Calne Ristorante – Italian food, pizza & tapas in Calne
JADE HOUSE (CHINESE)
(Travel time 5min approx.)
Chinese anyone? Jade House offers a full menu of tasty food and is takeaway only, close by to collect or can be delivered to the campsite reception.
Find out more:
SPICE OF BENGAL (INDIAN)
(Travel time 5min approx.)
Eat in, takeaway or opt for a delivery. If staying on a Sunday night the Indian Tapas pictured above is great value and delicious (eat in only)
Find out more:
Spice of Bengal Menu | Get Best Deal | Order Takeaway Online
Events
-
Nature Trail
Open everyday all year from 10am – 4pm the price is £4 per child. Throughout the year we have different trail themes so always worth visiting! 1km trail walk, themed activities, feed the goats, play…
-
Sam’s Bar: Serving Drinks and Snacks
The summer season at Sam’s Bar starts on Friday 4th April. Join us every Friday and Saturday evening from 4-10.30pm, and on Bank Holiday Sundays from 2-10.30pm, for lakeside drinks and pizzas. Sam’s Bar is…
-
Work with us
Cleaners and Seasonal Staff Required We are looking to appoint reliable and enthusiastic part-time cleaners and seasonal staff to work at our campsite, predominantly at weekends. Previous experience is preferred but not essential. If you…