Tales of the unexpected

Posted on April 13, 2017 By Chris Doyle

Smithson Farm Camping and Caravan Park 

One of the things I like about motor homing is how spontaneous it can be and the new places you get to visit and the new people you meet. We had nothing planned for this weekend but when the weather lady announced that a warm and sunny weekend lay ahead we decided to look for somewhere.  I leave all that planning stuff to Lesley and as usual she came up with a cracker.

We didn’t expect much as the place only had 4 pitches but what we got was one of the camping worlds hidden gems! A really lovely site run by two of the nicest people you could meet. Harry & Carole.

The site has a hard standing area with 4 electric hook ups. A grass area for tents and a permanent area of their own with Tepees for hire and a wonderful “Shepherds hut” and although the site is pretty rural it is not far from civilisation (should you feel the need). You’re not far from Pendle hill should you want to go hiking or explore some of the little towns and villages of the Ribble Valley.  And if you fancy something more adventurous there are Canal Cruises  Shopping at Pendle Village Mill Outlet  or check this out The Woodland Spa 

We were here for one night only so we didn’t try any of the above, though we will certainly be back for a longer stay. The weather lady was bang on and the weather was cracking. April the 8^th and there we were with the barbecue out!

There are some easy walks nearby and once we’d got our MH sorted out and had lunch we toddled off on the Laund Booth Circular. That passed a pleasant hour in which we more or less surrounded the campsite

We’ve just bought a new satellite aerial dish but it was too hot to faff around with that and we had a good picture off our little portable aerial so there was nothing for it but to sit in the sun with our friend San Miguel and watch the world go by for a while. We explored the site too of course and had a look at the tepees and the Shepherd Hut. You could have a fab weekend here staying in those and enjoying the Spa, River cruises and Shopping. You don’t even have to cook if you don’t want to as the Café can serve a breakfast that will keep you going all day!

We had the barbeque out again at tea time though as you have to take every advantage of the English weather – it might only be April but it could rain for the rest of the year. We had brought rump Steak with us from Forsters Organic Farm  back home in St Helens. (If you’re ever in the area you must give them a try) and they were mahoosive! So we just had steak and salad before settling down for an evening of TV.

Harry and Carole have homed a few rescued Shetland Ponies and some ex Battery Chickens. You will meet the chickens as they run loose around the farm and can be quite amusing, especially at feeding time. The ponies were out in the fields but came to the fence to say hello.

 

As facilities go the site has all you need and more! The toilet & washrooms are unisex with separate hand basins with mirrors, two separate loos and a large shower room and all spotlessly clean and nicely decorated with the grooviest wallpaper I’ve  seen in ages!

 

Then there is an on site café too serving snacks drinks and the biggest cooked breakfast you ever seen! As if that’s not enough there is a mining museum too! The campsite is built on the site of an old colliery and artefact found when clearing the area formed the  basis for what is now a Mining Museum.

So what began as simply a place to chill for the weekend turned out to be goldmine!

Camping • Campsite • Canal • Motor Home • Narrow Boat • Uncategorized

• ← North View Caravan Site.