Ryeford Ponds Glamping and Camping at Wharton Farm, Herefordshire.
Stay @ Ryeford Ponds evolved as an add-on project and a diversification to our farming activity. Our core operations include growing potatoes, oil seed rape, barley, wheat and grass seed. Wharton Farm is a family own multi-generational farm with strong roots in South Herefordshire farming and food production.
We were fortunate enough to find ourselves ‘stranded’ in this stunning part of the world during the Summer of 2020 and various lockdowns. With limited travel options but huge passion for nature, all things outdoors, good food and great company, an idea of a simple yet comfortable hideout was born and many evenings were spent at campfires dreaming of ‘what it might be like’…. with its off grid set up, sensible approach to ‘creature comforts’ and low impact on ecosystems and local habitat … here it is!
We’d love to share our home patch with you. We’re looking forward to welcoming you and hope you enjoy your stay.
Ed & Aldona
Values and ethos at the camp
- Be respectful to Nature, our neighbours and fellow guests... make friends!
- Enjoy all things outdoors, disconnect from a "world wide" stuff and embrace the moment - here and now.
- "Be" rather than "do".... although "do" is also good - if meaningful and and makes your heart grow.
- Support local guys, the foodmakers, traders, growers, makers, arty and crafty lot... HOME has got so much to offer!
- Take (calculated and reasonable!) risks and have fun at outdoor play.
- Explore your "door step". Miles of footpath ahead of you! Always adhere to Countryside code
Frequently Asked Questions
Everyone has a different idea about camping, glamping and being outdoors. Good sense of humour and a drive for adventure are essential! If you are staying in the shepherd’s hut – everything apart from towels is already there for you. If you are staying with us in the bell tents please also make sure you bring bedding for the extra single beds (unless hiring sleeping bags) and towels including tea-towel. Well-charged torches are a must! A power bank might be a good idea too. We also recommend sturdy footwear, warm jumpers, wellies, waterproof coats/ umbrella (depending on the forecast!), a book, favourite teabags, some food (lots of snacks if you are bringing your tribe with you!)…. maybe a cheeky beer or wine for grown ups. Charcoal might be handy if you fancy using the BBQs but access to a gas hob is provided and your Summer Kitchen should have all cooking kit and essentials there…. No need to bring a colander or a corkscrew! We have provided most things you might need. Kitchen utensils like can opener, sharp knives, grater, garlic press, and lots of crockery, glasses, pans, cutlery etc are there for you. Wood for your fire pit for the first night is included, further bags can be purchased (cash only) at the camp. Don’t worry if you forget anything – we will try our best to lend it to you! No major drama! 🙂 If you are bringing food items perhaps good idea would be to use a cool box (we can re-freeze your blocks for you or … you can freeze a water bottle to act as a cooler 😉 )
In the summer kitchen you will also find some basic cooking ingredients like oil, salt and pepper, spices, herbs, sugar, some tea bags and a bit of coffee to start you off.
Our woodland pitch guests need to bring all camping gear with them, but if you forgot anything we will try to source it for you.
We also provide eco friendly washing up liquid and cloths (byo tea towel please). There is liquid soap in our bathrooms for your convenience too.
The Village Stores at Lea is our nearest grocery shop (1mile away) . It is superbly stocked with all everyday essentials and a good selection of extras…. fresh meat, bacon, local eggs, honey, bread…. and wine! We love it! If you are after a bigger shop – Morrison’s, Aldi and small Sainsbury’s are located in Ross ( just over 3.5 miles away)
We are a family friendly site and currently don’t accept hen / stag parties. Maximum number of adults on site is limited for the feel of exclusiveness and privacy and is capped at 10 plus the children. Our bell tents are pretty spacious and can comfortably accommodate 2 Adults + 3 children each. We could probably squeeze another small person there, but that limits usable space in the tent so we don’t offer it as standard. Please contact us to arrange that. Shepherd hut can sleep 2 adults and is set a little bit further away from the tents to accommodate more peaceful breaks for couples too. Our two woodland pitches are fairly flexible in location and generous in size and can accommodate a tent of family of 2 Adults and 3 children each. You can arrive as one booking together and pitch tents close by or arrange them away for more privacy.
The site has been created with chilling and re-charging in mind….There are some family games available, books and magazines, hammocks, couple of swings etc …. and a generous 6 acre paddock to explore! Ponds, meadows, woodland… all yours to enjoy. Build a den? Do some pond dipping and try to identify species ? (google lens app comes useful here), toast marshmallows, chill in a hammock, play hide and seek, run, skip…. Generally, we highly encourage “nothing-doing-ness” and exploring local area. With an easy access to footpaths straight from the camp you can explore beautiful Herefordshire on foot and the footpaths seem endless! Our most favourite one is a circular path to Weston and up the Penyard Park (maps available)… with a cheeky visit to Weston Cross pub on the way back! If you are eager to go a little further there’s plenty to do round here! See Local Attractions page on our website.