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Writer's pictureGreen Traveller

Review of The Scrumpling off-grid hideaway in Somerset

A beautifully restored vintage caravan in two acres of woodland close to the Glastonbury festival site, Frome, Wells and Bruton.


Photos: Kym Grimshaw Photography


In a nutshell:

An upcycled off-grid caravan in woods in a beautiful part of Somerset, 7 minutes drive to Vobster Quay open-water swimming and diving, 15 mins drive to Glastonbury Festival site, and within easy reach of Frome, Bruton and Wells.

Rooms: 1 (sleeps 2, plus babes in arms), plus sofabed for one child; in addition, there is a separate cabin across the meadow for two older children (or further adults)

Price: From £95/night, minimum stay 2 nights, includes all linen, kitchen essentials (teas, coffee, oil, vinegar, salt, pepper) and a welcome hamper (eggs, butter, milk, homemade bread and biscuits plus local cider or apple juice).

Meals: Self-catering. Pub serves decent food in village 10-minute walk; the excellent Talbot Inn and well-stocked village shop are both in nearby village of Mells, 5-minute drive.

Open: Easter to October

Facilities: Kitchen, Washroom, including hot shower

Good for Green: Off-grid; Hot water for shower provided by biomass. Walkers welcome; Cyclists welcome


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Our Review of The Scrumpling


The Setting

The word Scrumpling is an old Somerset name for '“misshapen apple”, which reflects the setting of this vintage caravan: in two acres of private woodland and meadow adjacent to the owner's family home in the heart of cider country. There's private off-road parking, from where you walk 50 yds along a curving woodchip path to the hideaway in the woods.


The Rooms

The cosy caravan has a king-size bed, open shelving and a green velvet sofabed. Large windows let the dappled woodland light flood in. There are lots of books, games and art materials and a telescope if want to investigate the magical night skies in this part of the world.


The Food

There's a cute kitchen shed just a few metres from the caravan, which is equipped with a two-ring gas hob, coolbox, large drinking water container and all the usual crockery, cutlery and pans for cooking.

>> Travel Writer Sarah Baxter stayed at the Scrumpling while researching for her article about the Somerset Food Trail, read here article in the i paper: Somerset Food Trail


The Activities

On site, guests have the run of the two-acre site to themselves, there are hammocks in a little glade in the woods, and an outdoor table and chairs for breakfasts and dinners, a campfire, and deckchairs overlooking a large pond. It's a 10-minute walk across some fields to the village where there's a pub selling decent food, and it's just 5 minutes by car to the famous village of Mells where there's a village shop and the excellent Talbot Inn. The site is 15 minutes to the Glastonbury Festival Site at Pilton, and just over 10 minutes to Frome where there's a famous independent market on the first Sunday of every month. It's also very convienient for anyone wishing to go open water swimming or scube diving at Vobster Quay Open Water Activity Centre.


Eco-friendly initiatives The Scrumpling is off-grid (the owner can charge devices if you’re stuck but there is generally no WiFi, heating, electric lighting or electricity across the site) - the emphasis is very much on getting back to nature.


Top tip

If you're looking to go walking, the site is just off the East Mendip Way and close to the Mendip Hills – Cheddar Gorge is popular but Ebbor Gorge is slightly quieter, and handy for a pint of cider at the Queen Victoria Inn, in Priddy, on the way home.


Verdict

Perfect for a Somerset escape, whether you're out walking the Mendip Hills or wanting a rural escape that's close to the historic towns such as Frome, Glastonbury and Wells.

>> See also the view of the Scrumpling by Emma Bradshaw.

>> The Scrumpling was named in the Guardian's 10 of Britain’s best vintage caravan stays.


How to book

Contact owner Rhiannon via her website www.thescrumpling.co.uk/book-now

Or call Rhiannon on: 07976 729113

Mention 'Green Traveller' to Rhiannon when you book and receive receive a freshly baked treat during your stay!



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Disclosure: The Scrumpling is run by Rhiannon, wife of Green Traveller's founder, Richard Hammond.

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