THE LOWDOWN

Wootton Park in the village of Wootton Wawen, just six miles from Stratford upon Avon, is the home of the lovely McCall family. Ian Roy has lived here all his life. His father bought the farm in 1945 after being evacuated from their house in Moseley, Birmingham when an unexploded bomb landed in the garden!

Since deciding to sell his cattle and diversify in the mid-1990s, Ian and wife Melanie now run a glamping pod site, small-holding, a luxe B&B and wellness retreats in their 16th Century farmhouse. Son Mark and his partner Jo also run weddings in a purpose-built venue besides a picturesque ornamental lake – with near 70 in the last 12 months.

You can choose to stay in woodland pods – good for groups – a Mega Pod, a two-bedroom Super Pod – ideal for families, sleeping up to four – or as I did in one of two 11ft high Tree Pods.

THE VIBE

I’d love to say there were blue skies and sunshine, when I arrived at Wootton Park, but it was rather grey and drizzly. Yet this didn’t reduce the impact of the panorama – miles of lush fields and gentle rolling hills in a sheltered 360-degree valley. It really is breath-taking as you’re driving up the long scenic drive off the main road.

You know you’ve arrived when you come to a big wooden gate. Heaven’s Above! And Over the Moon – two beautifully appointed timber-built tree pods are set amidst a miniature private woodland and there’s parking beneath each one. Just don’t crash into one of the stilts!

“Yoo-hoo!” I looked up and one of my best friends who’d driven up from Sheffield to join me for a girly-catch up had already arrived, switched on the hot tub and cracked open a bottle of fizz. I climbed up 20 steps to Heaven’s Above! From the decking area, the views are epic – postcard pretty farmland and rapeseed fields. Sitting in 39-degree bubbles mid-afternoon on a Thursday with a glass of Prosecco felt quite hedonistic. The last time my friend stayed in a tree house on stilts – was on a beach in Goa. She was pretty impressed to discover such an exotic option in the middle of Warwickshire!

Glamping exists for those who love the idea of bedding down in the great outdoors but, can’t be faffed with all it entails. And, in this case, it’s particularly good if you prefer your digs to be more boutique hotel than brownie camp. It’s amazing what you can fit into the space, including a swish kitchenette, a hot shower, and proper toilets, hob, microwave and fridge, breakfast bar and stools, sofa and TV. It also has underfloor heating.

There are plenty of mod cons and little luxuries, including a lovely welcome pack and mini bottle of bubbly on arrival, freshly-laid eggs from free-range chickens on the farm, biscuits, and bottles of water. Tea & coffee and milk sachets are provided too. You’re left to your own devices and shouldn’t really want for anything, even though Melanie is available at any point should you think of something.

It’s a definite farm vibe. The Pod overlooks fields of horses, alpacas, goats, chickens, and cows lolling around in neighbouring fields, and in a woody enclave catch a glimpse of the other Pods.

As the evening sky darkens the tree pod, staircase and surrounding trees are lit up by LED fairy-lights – it really does feel magical. A great way to slow down and switch off (don’t panic, there’s electric and Wi-Fi).

PILLOW TALK

Surrounded by the countryside it’s very peaceful. I was awoken after a lovely slumber by a cockerel crowing. The double bed is super-comfy and bigger than it looks. There’s a Plus, towels, dressing gowns and slippers are included. There are blinds to keep out the dawn light.

SCOFF & QUAFF

A barbecue outside one of the glamping pods

Bring your own food for a barbecue or pre-prepared food or if you don’t feel cooking head to a nearby country pub, Stratford upon Avon or Henley in Arden. We booked a taxi into Henley and had a drink in characterful high street pub, The Bluebell with its low timber beamed ceiling – and it was rammed…on a Thursday?! Does anyone know the collective noun for a group of town criers in full regalia? I’ve never heard of this quaint Warwickshire tradition, unique to Henley…Apparently, all the town criers from across Warwickshire gather in the town to go in search of the best ale and cheeses – it’s difficult to miss this pub crawl of men in vivid red gowns. Keen to impart their local knowledge, they were a very friendly bunch.

Spoilt for choice, we ate at The Butcher’ Social a few doors up which came highly recommended and has a great gin menu. There are lots of other places to eat and drink including award-winning fine dining restaurant Cheal’s of Henley, The White Swan Hotel, Naya and Henley Ice Cream parlour, coffee lounge and tea rooms.

OUT & ABOUT

No time to be bored: guests are free to roam the farm, play badminton, see the animals, and explore the immaculately-kept landscaped grounds. Son Pete runs a Wake-boarding centre on site where you can have a lesson or try paddle boarding, wild swimming or try out the new Aqua-Park assault course – one of just a handful of sites in the country. Pete’s partner Nicola runs a horse-riding centre, specialising in offering experiences to children with autism and open to all – book a lesson, or go pony trekking through the countryside.

We went to the café at Yew Tree Farm Shopping Village, for breakfast, which is very close by and spent a few hours browsing the outlets, including the farm shop, gift shop Giftivity (a Muddy Award finalist) and Henley Chocolates. It’s a brilliant spot for exploring this part of Warwickshire. Head out to the beautiful, historic towns of Henley in Arden and Stratford upon Avon nearby with the RSC theatres and stately homes/gardens on your doorstep. Warwick and Leamington Spa are close by too and you’re within easy reach of Birmingham.

THE MUDDY VERDICT

Good for: A perfect romantic getaway for two (if you’re ditching the kids for an r and r sojourn) on a former working dairy farm full of rural charm – alternatively, great for a girly catch-up with one of your bezzies! A proper little gem where you can crack open the fizz, light the BBQ and forget all your worries.

Not for: Anyone with a mobility issue, due to the quite steep climb up 20 steps. All other Pods are on ground level.

££: Tree Pods are £195 per night and there’s a minimum two-night stay. Glamping Pods start at £100 a night and Mega Pods, £130. The two-bedroom SuperPod, Aquarius is perfect for families or couples looking for a little extra room. Aquarius has a large Hot Tub with countryside views and a hammock to relax in too.

Wootton Park, Wootton Wawen, Henley in Arden, B95 6HJ, stay@woottonpark.co.uk, Tel: 01564 330350, woottonpark

Tree steps to heaven!

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