Every time we do our usual roadtrip to/from our family Weymouth, we try and stop somewhere between Dorset and Leicestershire to explore and break up our long drive.
Last October, we had a great time at Stonehenge Campsite on the way down followed by an airbnb tin shed near Ledbury, however I fell in love with Malvern and was so excited to come across Cwtch Cabins & Camping in Much Marcle, Ledbury, for our overnight stay, that I instantly booked a stay in one of their new cabins – Zena.
We were definitely in our happy place here. Here’s our full review…
Booking & Arrival
We booked our stay online and were not only drawn to the eco-friendly credentials, but that the site was stunning, more affordable than other glamping options, and was available for just one night stays too, making it perfect for us.
We were allowed to arrive from 2pm, with the option to arrive after 6pm if we let the owners know, however we were so excited to arrive around 3pm, so we could fully make the most of our time there.
The site was easy to find following Google Maps, and there were clear signs on arrival. When we pulled up into the carpark, we were instantly greeted with a friendly welcome and shown to where our cabin was as well as what to expect on site. It was just stunning and Lily instantly shouted, “I love it here!”
Camping & Glamping
There are three cabins and three shepherd’s huts on the field, all beautifully spread out, with a pathway between them all.
The site is car-free, with huge wheelbarrows provided to help cart your kit along the short walk to your cabin or tent.
We stayed in Zena, but have our eye on Morgana, the crooked witch’s house, for our next stay!
Zena was a beautiful hut that looked like a Hobbit house, although the other half said Lily looked like she was visiting the Teletubbies there too!
Through the circular, wooden door and you’re greeted by two double beds, solar powered lights, curtains, and all your crockery for your stay.
You bring your own bedding for all the cabins, so we simply rolled out our Bundle Beds and settled in for the afternoon.
Each cabin comes with all the utensils you need, just bring bedding and towels. They’re all powered by solar panels with internal lighting and phone chargers, and come with picnic tables and a fire pit for cooking too.
They also accept tents on their field of all types for camping, as well as small campervans, but motorhomes and caravans are not allowed and there are no toilet-emptying facilities. You can hire a firepit for your stay too!
The whole site was laid out beautifully, so peaceful and the views were just stunning – you really did feel at home with nature, not to mention super cosy in the well-insulated cabin too – even in mid-October!
Eco-friendly campsite
The family generate all of their own electricity on site, and use solar thermal, solar PV and biomass to heat the water for the showers and basins.
Your cabin or shepherd hut will come with it’s own solar PV set to charge phones and lanterns and has lighting fixed inside.
There are no electric hooks ups for tents – it’s proper ‘old fashioned’ camping where you can see the stars and enjoy the peaceful surroundings.
All waste is also separated into different bins to make sure it is recycled or reused appropriately.
Toilets & Showers
There is a separate block for toilets and showers that are super clean and come with plenty of soap and hot water too! We loved seeing our names in magnets on the door to welcome us and meant we were safely away from the other family staying too (even if we never came across them!) 🙂
Food & Drink
You can hire fire pits if your camping or they are included when you’re in a cabin or shepherd’s hut. There is a large fridge and a beautiful, covered outdoor area to eat on, decorated with lights as well as a food bin for any waste.
Local village pubs can be found here or bring your own food!
Things to Do
When visiting this little village of Much Marcle, you’re in a stunning location to enjoy the surrounding countryside, whether you’re on site or would like to explore further afield.
You’re close to the historic town of Ledbury where you can find local shops as well as plenty of history!
You’re close to the amazing Malvern Hills for walking, cycling and exploring and you’re around 7 miles from Ross-on-Wye – find out more here about exploring the Forest of Dean and Wye Valley.
What to bring
If you’re staying in the cabins, bring:
– Your own bedding (we used our Bundle Beds)
– Slippers/flip flops
– Clothes
– Onesie (Lily used her KidsOnesie)
– Any food and drink (we took a packed dinner!)
– Towels
– Toiletries
– Any games you may like to take
Lights, torches and crockery are provided in the cabins
For our full family camping checklist, click here or you can get some further inspiration from our family festival camping essentials here!
Conclusion
I cannot recommend a stay at Cwtch Cabins enough if you’re looking for a unique staycation, or somewhere special to stay when you visit Herefordshire, the Malvern Hills, Forest of Dean or the Wye Valley – it really is a shining gem of a location, with clean facilities, eco-friendly ethos, and such a beautiful array of cabins.
Lily was in her element, from exploring nature and learning about solar panels, to eating outdoors and enjoying hours of snakes and ladders too (she beat me nearly every time!).
We had an amazing stay and with such special cabins, each with their own personality, we know it will be a great place to visit time and time again, all year round.
Every part of our stay was beautiful, from the warm welcome to the clean facilities and cosy cabin, with every little detail thought of – thank you so much Cwtch Cabins, we can’t wait to see you again!
The 3am Diary 