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Bozedown Boltholes

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· Reading, Oxfordshire, England
1 acre hosted by Bozedown B.
1 glamping pitch
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A single, self-contained safari tent with its own acre of land on the edge of the Chiltern Hills

Heading out to Oxfordshire for a weekend in the Chilterns is a time-honoured way to escape the city. With grand rural estates, riverside walks and rolling hills, the area offers quintessentially English countryside less than an hour from London. Hop on the after-work train at Paddington and you can be immersed in country life by the time the dinner bell sounds. But, of course, here at Hipcamp we’re all about life under canvas so forget the suit and pack country casuals instead; supper will be served by the campfire.

Bozedown Boltholes is a hop and a skip from the Thames and just ten miles from Henley. At the moment, there’s just the one bolthole: a lone safari tent on an acre of land. It’s got everything you expect from a self-catering cottage with the charm of camping and the great outdoors looming large. Arrive in the evening and it won’t be long before you hear the hoot of an owl; wake up early and you may spot visiting deer. The safari tent seems appropriate in this wildlife-rich environment but its size means it’s comfortable too. There are two bedrooms, a fully-equipped kitchen and an en-suite shower room and loo. There’s room to dine, a wood-burner to warm the place and even a Chesterfield sofa to sit on.

Kids will love the circle of oak trees that sit behind the tent, adults will love the green-hue of the views and everyone will enjoy the fire pit. It has everything you need for campfire cooking – apart from the meal itself. For that, you can walk down the hill and over the river to Pangbourne, a steep mile away. There’s an independent butcher among the shops but, with three pubs and a clutch of decent restaurants en route, temptation to dine out may win you over. In fact, the area is foodie heaven with plenty of good food nearby and much of it within stomping or cycling distance.

The Thames Path passes within a couple of hundred metres and the Chiltern Hills lie all around. There are plenty of stately homes round these parts too with “the real Downton Abbey”, Highclere Castle, only half an hour away. Although motoring out to one’s country estate for the weekend may be out of reach for most of us: good food, fresh air and the chance to mess about on the river are not. Just head for the hills, to this particular bolthole, and enjoy a taste of country life with a spot of glamping-on-Thames.

The Lodge is named after the “bouquet” of pheasants we often see strutting their stuff and entertaining us around the field outside our house! This is a family-friendly and dog-friendly* safari tent sleeping up to 5.  The Lodge has fabulous views out across the Thames River Valley – 30 miles on a clear day! Wild pheasants, muntjacs, and our local group of some 15 deer might wander past your cosy safari tent. ​ *Dogs are welcome - just one, subject to prior arrangement. Extra fees apply. Please request at time of booking.
Activities
Biking
Fishing
Hiking
Paddling
Natural features
Field
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3 Ratings · 3 reviews
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Anna T.recommends
August 8, 2021
Pheasant Lodge
We had the most perfect stay in this wonderfully secluded spot. The tent is beautifully designed and furnished with fresh crispy clean linen and comfy beds. There’s everything you need for self sufficiency if that’s what you want and we loved braising steak on the Open fire under the stars. Loads of cosy blankets to keep warm and the wood burning stove was a joy. The whole experience was perfect. Thanks Claire and Damion you have created a very special place. We will be back !
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Clare R.recommends
July 24, 2021
Pheasant Lodge
We had an amazing couple of nights. We had all the mod cons but the space of camping and enough wood to enjoy a campfire every night. Would 100 % recommend. Can’t wait to come back.
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James L.recommends
October 19, 2020
Pheasant Lodge
We spent an amazing weekend here in October with our 4 and 6 yr old children. All of us loved the refreshing break from city life There were no worries about making noise, only the friendly deer and sheep to disturb. There were no need for playgrounds with all the long walks, children's toys, and BBQ'ing sausages and marshmallows on the fire pit. We could not believe the attention to detail that has gone into designing this, keeping the balance of comfort and al fresco feel. There have been no corners cut, comfortable linen and beds, non-stick pans, state of the art wood burner, strong shower that does not run out of hot water. In door and out door rugs, heated towel rail. All however designed with health and safety first. We will certainly be back and hopefully stay for 3-5 days next time! Thank you Claire for being so helpful.
Location
Reading, Oxfordshire, England, United KingdomTraditional, ancestral territory of various First Nations according to To respect the Host's privacy, the precise address of this land will be provided after booking
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Hosted by Bozedown B.Joined in September 2020
From the host
New in 2020. As guests in our sole safari tent, you will have exclusive use of the glamping site, with just over an acre to yourselves on our 18-acre site. There are fabulous views out over the Thames River Valley from the edge of the Chiltern Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. There is a wide range of things to do in the area including walking, cycling, or river sports. The nearby riverside villages of Whitchurch and Pangbourne have all you could need in terms of pubs, restaurants and food shopping. This is a family-friendly safari tent sleeping up to Five. There are two bedrooms, each having a king-sized bed, one is a four-poster while the other has a single bunk bed overhead. A travel cot can be provided for babies/toddlers. Dogs are permitted but there is only room for one dog. If a travel cot is required, or you wish to bring a dog, this must be specified in your booking - additional fees apply. A dog bed and food/water bowls are provided but your dog may be happier if you bring a blanket as it can get a little chilly in the tent for dogs used to sleeping indoors! A wood burning stove provides heating for cool nights. You will be provided with a generous basket of wood, kindling and firelighters as well as wood for the campfire. Additional wood can be purchased during your stay. Kitchen/cooking facilities: four-ring induction hob, kettle, toaster, microwave, fridge (with freezer compartment), pans, utensils, teapot, cafetière, crockery, cutlery, mugs and glasses. There is also a campfire with grill and tripod with firebowl for outside cooking. Bathroom facilities are available inside the tent: rain shower with handheld power shower, basin and toilet (incinerator toilet as an eco-friendly remote site option!). All bedding and towels are provided.
Nearby attractions

The safari tent is set within an acre of land which you’re welcome to explore. It includes a hide looking out over the hillside, perfect for watching deer and red kites, and a ring of oak trees – just right for den building! It’s a great area for walking, road cycling and mountain biking with the Thames Path just 200 metres from site and The Ridgeway, another National Trail, not far off either. The River Thames offers opportunities for paddleboarding (request info on booking) and canoeing with Thames Canoe Hire (0118 941 2777) 10 miles away at Tilehurst. The site sits on the edge of the Chiltern Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and is 10 miles from Henley-on-Thames, home of the royal regatta. If you’re a member of the National Trust you’re spoilt for choice with Basildon Park (01491 672382), seven miles away, and Greys Court (01491 628529), a tudor house and gardens, eight miles away. Highclere Castle (01635 253204), where Downton Abbey was filmed, is within 30 miles and there are two vineyards, Fairmile (01491 598588) and Brightwell (01491 832354), within a similar distance. Oxford’s dreamy spires are just over 20 miles from site.

Food and drink

There are three pubs within walking distance (each under a mile away in Whitchurch): The Sun (0118 984 2260), The Ferryboat (0118 984 2161) and The Greyhound (0118 343 3016). Just over the bridge in Pangbourne is where you’ll find independent shops and a Co-op to stock up on supplies and further options for eating out including well-regarded independent Italian restaurant, Nino’s Trattoria (0118 9841333), and the award-winning La’De Kitchen (0118 327 9143) which has a family-friendly menu. There’s another Greyhound pub, owned by Anthony Worral Thompson, a little further away (six miles from site) but worth a visit if you like steak, (0118 972 2227) and then there’s local gem, The Crooked Billet, in Stoke Row (also six miles from site – 01491 681048). For breakfast, brunch or lunch, try lockside Pierreponts Café (01491 874464) in Goring, four miles away. Site owners Claire and Damion have a good knowledge of the many great eateries and are happy to share suggestions.

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