Ryeford Ponds is a peaceful, small-scale campsite, ten minutes outside of Ross-on-Wye. There are only two almost wild camping pitches and two furnished bell tents, great for families, plus a well equipped shepherd's hut ideal for a couples' getaways. Immerse yourself in nature with dark skies at night, campfires, wildlife ponds, relaxing hammocks away from the crowds! A perfect rural retreat to explore the Forest of Dean and Wye Valley!

Runner up of Best Glamping Site West Midlands in our 2024 Camping and Glamping Awards

Peaceful, secluded location just ten minutes from Ross-on-Wye, close to the Forest of Dean

Family friendly camping and glamping with campfires, hammocks and wildlife ponds!

Perfect for friends and families, great spot for walking routes and paddleboarding on the River Wye

About Ryeford Ponds

This relaxing, small and family friendly site is ideally located for exploring the Wye Valley and the Forest of Dean, great for reconnecting with nature in a secluded location. A perfect location for family celebrations or quick summer escapes. Whether you are hoping for a quiet weekend or looking to catch up with friends and family as a small group - a warm welcome awaits! There are just two woodland, off-grid camping pitches for tents only. Both are set amongst ponds and meadows, for a maximum of five people each. You will also have your own picnic bench and fire pit, perfect for relaxed evenings in the open. For glamping, there are two spacious and well equipped bell tents with private bathrooms. Each bell tent sleeping up to five people on a comfy, made-up double bed and optional camp beds/futons. There are soft furnishings throughout and an awning also provides shelter during the day, with solar lamps and fairy lights for that cosy feel. Please bring your own bedding. Each bell tent has a private, designated shower room and a flushing toilet. Outside you'll have your own charcoal BBQ, fire pit and seating, lovely for those wanting to dine al fresco. The bell tents also have exclusive access to a shared Summer Kitchen with an outdoor kitchenette and eating area. The shepherd's hut sleeps up to two, set away from the camping at the top of the valley with expansive tree tops views. Inside you'll find a king sized bed with linen provided. There is a well-equipped kitchenette with a kettle, hob, fridge, utensils, crockery and seating. Outside, a charcoal BBQ, fire pit and patio furniture are provided for your comfort. This campsite offers privacy for all pitches with large open spaces to play and relax in, as well as idyllic onsite ponds and meadows. Regrettably, pets are not allowed. Sorry. The site is also a member of The Greener Camping Club, meaning at least one guest must be a member (this can be purchased when you book). The club strives to create sustainable, responsible, eco-friendly camping, with a focus on protecting the environment. One native tree will be planted per membership.

Ryeford Ponds is open from 24/05 to 29/09.

Best Glamping Site

Facilities and amenities

Site facilities include toilets, showers with hot water, washing up and a small fridge to share. The site can also freeze your iceblocks and recharge power banks. The bell tents each have a designated toilet/shower room, along with a shared outdoor kitchen with a small fridge, gas hob and cooking equipment.

There is a Londis a ten minute walk away, with The Village Store at Lea five minutes away, stocked with fresh meat, eggs, bread and other local produce. The nearest pub is the Weston Cross Inn, a five minute drive away, along with Ross-on-Wye is just tne minutes away where you'll find a couple of great eateries.

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Adult only

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Allow commercial vans

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Allow pets on site

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Bike hire

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Café / restaurant

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Communal BBQ

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Disabled facilities

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Drinking water

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Electric hookups

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Entertainment

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Family friendly

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Fires allowed

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Fishing

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Games room

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Glamping

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Golf

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Horse riding

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Hot tub

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Kids club

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Kids playground

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Laundry

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Near beach

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Near pub

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Open year round

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Peaceful

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RV pitches

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Shop

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Showers

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Swimming pool

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Toilet

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TV room

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Vineyard

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Water hookups

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Watersports

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W.C. disposal

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WiFi


A note from the site themselves...

We simply fell in love with this valley! It became our hideout from the usual hustle and bustle and busy farm life. We can't imagine a better way of spending a balmy summer evening than with a gin and tonic or beer in hand, stargazing by the campfire, listening to a hooting owl and reconnecting as a family.

It's our 'escape pad' which we want to share with you. You won't be disappointed, promise! Here you can be as blissfully idle or as active as you wish as the abundance of local offerings is amazing! We love it here!


Map and address

Park address

Ryeford Ponds,

Wharton Farm, Ryeford, Ross-on-Wye, Herefordshire, HR9 5SX

Coordinates

51.8999, -2.5179 | SO 64 22

View on Google Maps

Ryeford Ponds is ideal for...

Couples

Older children (13+)

Peace and quiet

Young children


There are 5 accommodation options on-site

Bookable pitches and accommodation options

2 x Non Electric Grass Pitches

Max 5 people

Non electric grass pitches with a picnic bench and fire pit. Measuring 6m x 4m. Suitable for tents only.


Ryeford Ponds reviews

4.96 /5

5 reviews

100%

would recommend

Overall
4.96
Location
4.8
Value for money
5
Service
5
Facilities
5
Cleanliness
5

"Beautiful campsite, loved pitching right next to the pond!"

Abby E - Sep 2024

"The most beautiful location and so much thought has gone into making visitors feel welcome"

Jen B - Aug 2024

"A hidden gem!"

Devyani P - Sep 2023


Beautiful setting

Abby E

1

0

Small Tent - Non Electric Grass PitchesSep 2024

Beautiful campsite, loved pitching right next to the pond! Such a lovely serene spot tucked away, lots of privacy and amazing wildlife. I woke up to see a kingfisher sitting on a post on the pond! Facilities were great, everything we needed was there, very close drive to everything you need. Would love to come back.

Site's response

Ahh, thank you Abby for taking time to leave your feedback. We are delighted to hear you enjoyed your stay with us. What a treat to spot "our" kingfisher too! My goodness, he's very shy and really just an illusive visitor, so beautiful to see! Glad you liked the campsite and facilities and all was as expected. We are trying our best to keep everyone's stays as "back to nature" as possible, without spoiling the valley with unnecessary gimmicks, playgrounds, clubhouses but also providing comforts and all what is needed for a good, restful visit to Herefordshire, the Forest of Dean and Wye Valley. I'm so happy to hear we didn't disappoint! Thanks again for choosing us. Kind regards, Aldona.

Wonderful stay!

Jen B

1

0

Bell Tent - Bell TentsAug 2024

We had a wonderful weekend at Ryeford Ponds. It is the most beautiful location and so much thought has gone into making visitors feel welcome and comfortable. The private bathroom, communal kitchen, BBQs available to use and woodland adventures for children gave a real feel of luxury glamping and the bell tent was a home from home. I would thoroughly recommend a stay and we will definitely be back.

Site's response

Thank you Jen for coming to stay with us and for your time to leave such a lovely review full of kind words. We are glad to hear your stay was perfect and everything was as expected. Really appreciate you sharing it with us. We put a lot of effort and energy to think of all little details and very minor things to make people's holidays easy and comfortable, so they can truly relax and feel restored. Good to know you felt welcomed and found it just as we would like you to - from location, kitchen equipment and comfortable bell tent to opportunities for good adventure and time spent in nature. Thanks again, hope to see you again in the future x

Beautifully tranquil

Bill D

2

0

Bell Tent - Bell TentsAug 2024

Fabulous site, tranquil but also great for kids to enjoy with plenty around the site for them to play with. The ponds are beautiful and the little attentions to detail just the icing on the cake - speaking of which, the homemade cake on arrival was delicious and very well received! I normally am not overly bothered about leaving places but I was genuinely gutted to leave Ryeford Ponds - needless to say we will be back!!

Site's response

Ahh! thank you for your kind words Bill. Glad you all enjoyed staying with us and everything was as expected, or more! We love reading and hearing guests' feedback, and always open for ideas. Thanks for taking time to let us know that you all had a good break - much appreciated. Hope you've had a good rest of the summer and managed to fill it with some more adventures too!

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FAQ

Guests are welcome to check-in from 4pm until 7pm. Please advise the site if you are delayed. Check out is due before noon on your last day for camping, or 10:30am for glamping.

BBQs and campfires are welcome in raised fire pits, perfect for al fresco dining in the evenings.

Sorry, this site is dog free.

Take a trip into charming Ross-on-Wye, just ten minutes from the site where you can take a canoe or paddle board on the River Wye, enjoy the Wye Valley Butterfly Zoo or discover the art galleries and shops down the quaint streets. Or alternatively, why not visit the Forest of Dean railway (30 minutes) for a gentle ride through the countryside?

Guests can bring a gazebo free of charge. Pup tents are allowed for a small fee per night. Awnings are not permitted.


Venture into charming Ross-on-Wye (10 minutes), a lovely market town with lots to do for everyone. You can canoe or paddleboard the River Wye, enjoy the Wye Valley Butterfly Zoo, have fun at the Symonds Yat West leisure park or discover the many independent art galleries, shops and eateries.

A 15-20 minute drive away and you'll reach Pedal Bike Away and The Cycle Centre, Puzzlewood, Beechenhurst playpark and sculpture trail or Go Ape - fun packed tree top fun for all which is sure to get you moving!

Whizz down zip wires, climb over bridges and jump between platforms. Or alternatively, why not visit the Forest of Dean railway (30 minutes) for a gentle ride in a steam train through the countryside? There is also plenty to do on the Wye - paddleboarding, canoeing or a river cruise from Symonds Yat.

Other nearby activities:

  • Goodrich Castle (15 minutes)
  • Lower Lydbrook Park (15 minutes)
  • Westons Cider tours (20 minutes)
  • Gloucester Cathedral (30 minutes)
  • Eastnor Castle (35 minutes)
  • Chase Distillery (35 minutes)
The listing for Ryeford Ponds was last updated on December 25th, 2024 at 10:02 AM

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