Birch Farm

A "back to basics" experience that turned out to be a bit too basic for me, but could suit others. We primarily picked this location due to being close to Mouldsworth train station; unfortunately though the "reception" (really just a farmhouse) was a breezy 10 mins from the station, it turned out the actual campsite was another 10 minutes past that (the Google Maps pin is for the reception, the campsite is at the end of Stable Lane). For us as backpackers with no car this was a little more than we'd been expecting to walk with the heavy packs. The actual campsite is divided into two areas, and sits on a hillside sandwiched between a sheep field and a horse field. By the entrance is a basic but clean toilet block, with one shower. On one side of the toilets, further down the slope, there is a small lake reserved for fishers; you aren't allowed to walk around the lake unless you are there to fish, which was disappointing. On the other side, going up, there is the campsite. There are a few caravan gravel pitches which were all taken while we were there on a Sunday night, and further up the slope there are two large fields to take your pick of. There are no labelled pitches, you can simply pitch anywhere. The surroundings are beautiful and peaceful, there are a few picnic tables dotted around for you to use, a barbeque and even a basic tree swing. My main issue was the distance from the toilet, I have what you might call a finicky bladder but there was no real way for us to pitch close to the loos. The campsite owner was very friendly and helpful but got around in a very loud little off-road vehicle which sometimes broke the peace at random times, as you never knew when he was going to show up. When we pitched he said he was planning to mow that field the next day but would mow around our tent, that made me a little nervous, though I understand he has to mow sometime. In the end I could see this being an ideal campsite for someone else but sadly was just a little too basic for me. If I had a car and there was another toilet block at the top of the campsite I think I would happily return.

A "back to basics" experience that turned out to be a bit too basic for me, but could suit others. We primarily picked this location due to being close to Mouldsworth train station; unfortunately though the "reception" (really just a farmhouse) was a breezy 10 mins from the station, it turned out the actual campsite was another 10 minutes past that (the Google Maps pin is for the reception, the campsite is at the end of Stable Lane). For us as backpackers with no car this was a little more than we'd been expecting to walk with the heavy packs. The actual campsite is divided into two areas, and sits on a hillside sandwiched between a sheep field and a horse field. By the entrance is a basic but clean toilet block, with one shower. On one side of the toilets, further down the slope, there is a small lake reserved for fishers; you aren't allowed to walk around the lake unless you are there to fish, which was disappointing. On the other side, going up, there is the campsite. There are a few caravan gravel pitches which were all taken while we were there on a Sunday night, and further up the slope there are two large fields to take your pick of. There are no labelled pitches, you can simply pitch anywhere. The surroundings are beautiful and peaceful, there are a few picnic tables dotted around for you to use, a barbeque and even a basic tree swing. My main issue was the distance from the toilet, I have what you might call a finicky bladder but there was no real way for us to pitch close to the loos. The campsite owner was very friendly and helpful but got around in a very loud little off-road vehicle which sometimes broke the peace at random times, as you never knew when he was going to show up. When we pitched he said he was planning to mow that field the next day but would mow around our tent, that made me a little nervous, though I understand he has to mow sometime. In the end I could see this being an ideal campsite for someone else but sadly was just a little too basic for me. If I had a car and there was another toilet block at the top of the campsite I think I would happily return.

Really good price, well kept site with a friendly owner; Peter couldn't be more lovely or helpful! We were very lucky to have a beautiful view of the lake. It's really peaceful and we enjoyed our stay. There were lots of families in but because the plots are so well spaced, we didn't hear a peep from them. Lovely rural location - you can buy local eggs within walking distance and the local pub is friendly and a few minutes walk away. The only reason for not giving it 5* is the toilet/shower block - for two reasons; it's communal which is not for me and the water pressure for the (cold water only) taps made it difficult to wash, even our hands. If CUSTOMERS could put their paper towels and rubbish in the bin/wipe up after themselves these toilets would have been much more pleasant! We will be using again when we need to visit relatives nearby.