This review is based on our visit to Wysdom Touring Park in July 2018 when we stayed for four nights, however some photos are from previous visits. The site is adults only and open all year around offering 25 touring pitches.
Firstly, as always, arrival and the approach is easy, the site being located directly off the A361 and only a minute from the A40. Our Site Arrival below shows the approach from the A40 heading west from Oxford. Itís an easy enough run from the M40 but do expect minor hold-ups as you bypass Oxford.
The site shares it’s entrance with Burford School and proximity to such may be a concern to some. However we heard next to no noise from the school but with exams completed the school wasn’t at capacity. Arrival time at the site is from 1pm and departures by 12pm. Early departures or late arrivals might want to consider the morning and afternoon school runs.
On arrival, pull up at the sign indicated, the warden will most likely have seen you arrive and come out and greet you before showing you what pitches are available and the location of the facilities, water, waste and rubbish. The site offers a mix of grass and hardstanding and some have their own water tap too. Some are more private with hedgerows and shrubs separating pitches, some are more open. Given the (at the time!) heatwave we opted for one that offered the most shade. There are a number of seasonals on site so it may appear busier than it is. Check out our site tour below for a look around.
The facilities block offers two ensuite units at the front each consisting of toilet, basin and a decent sized shower. At the side is the waste water emptying point and at the rear is a sink for washing up, a chemical toilet disposal point and a further toilet. It has to be said that the whole block is getting on a bit and those only used to shiny new Caravan & Motorhome Club facilities for example may be disappointed. However, everything works, the water is hot and plentiful and itís all kept clean and tidy. We had no problems with it and those on site seemed happy too but a new unit, complete with underfloor heating is planned and could be ready by July 2019.
Free WiFi is available and it was very good compared to club sites but those in the far corners may struggle to pick it up without some sort of booster. Mobile wise, Three was a bit slow for data inside the ëvan but Vodafone was fine. We didnít use O2 however their coverage checker suggests no problems, the same for EE.
Our TV struggled without a booster and we couldnít even pick up all the main channels – we really must get a new one. The presence of domestic style aerials on poles by the seasonals suggested reception could be a bit of problem. Radio reception was a little limited too but streaming using the WiFi was fine. For those that want to disconnect from the outside world a bit, the reception hut offers a book swap.
There’s plenty to do away from the site and all within reach by car. You’d do worse though than start in Burford which is just across the road. At the top you will find the Cotswold Gateway – your closest hostelry which offers a discount to those staying on site. We didn’t get to try it but we did eat at the Cotswold Arms , further down the hill and very nice it was too – good honest pub grub. Do be prepared however to pay a bit more in the Cotswolds generally than you might be used too, thanks to it’s popularity with tourists.
There are – apparently – eleven bars/pubs in Burford but we only managed a drink in nine of them. If you are cooking for yourself there is a Co-Op here and a number of independent traders too including butchers W.J. Castle . I can only recommend their burgers and sausages as that’s all we tried but the rest looked mouth watering too – to carnivores anyway. The nearest supermarket is in Carterton, around four miles away.
If you turn right out of the site and drive for a couple of miles you will come across the Cotswold Wildlife Park and we certainly enjoyed our visit. There’s ample parking and whilst there is a cafe/restaurant on site – which wasn’t overpriced – you could make a day of it and take a picnic. Be sure to check out the walled garden and the Madagascar Walkthrough with it’s Ring Tailed Lemurs running free. You can pay on arrival – sixteen pounds for an adult (July 2018) but there are discounts for buying online, including season tickets.
If Garden Centres are your thing then you will certainly like Burford Garden Company a short drive away from the site on Shilton Road. There is actually some plants and shrubs in amongst all the jams, tableware and craft gin.
Further afield but none of which are too far away you’ll find many of the Cotswold favourites. Bibury , described by William Morris as the most beautiful village in England is well worth a look, particularly the houses in Arlington Row, often thought to be the most photographed in the country. Stow-on-the-Wold is not far away and just a little further is Bourton-on-the-Water, both well worth some of your time.
If you want to leave the car, motorhome or campervan at home, you will find bus stops just to the right of the roundabout on the main A40. As of July 2018, the 233 Stagecoach runs from Burford to Woodstock calling at Carterton, Minster Lovell and Blenheim Palace on the way. The 853 by Swanbrook will take to you to Oxford in one direction and Cheltenham and Gloucester in the other.
The entrance to Burford Golf Club is adjacent to that of the school and welcomes visitors but haven’t giving up any attempt to hit a ball in vaguely the right direction years ago I couldn’t comment on the course!