Independent Campsite Reviews

Despite some shortcomings I would visit this site again. Site is run by the Forestry Commission and is part of a group of three all at this general location. The others are Christchurch and Woodlands.

It is a large site with a lovely view over the forest.

Arrivals on bank holiday were able to get pitch. I booked electric pitch only two days prior to a bank holiday after trying dozens of other sites with no luck.

A little anarchic compared to C&CC clubsites. Some overcrowding in parts of the campsite due incorrect use of pitches.

Book says 5 toilet blocks - I saw 3. Block near entrance fairly modern - there was some oversubscription in the morning and I had to wait. The other blocks had a more "military" look but in case of urgency.... Hand drying was either those crap hot air ones that have too much hot and not enough blow in the modern block or non-existent in the others.

Showers/Washing: No temperature control - just push a button and you get what you get. They were a little cool for me but certainly not cold.

Washing up: Huge sinks mounted with the bottoms about two foot above ground level - backachers. Horrible push taps that on two sinks at least provided 100mph luke warm water. One sink did provide water hot enough to wash up in - just. This is the worst dishwashing facility I have encountered. At least it's inside though.

On site facilities: Vending machines for cold drinks and chocolate. Reception is half a mile away.

Good forest trails leading directly from the campsite.

I spent three nights at this site after reading Mark's review (above). I thought the place was pretty good overall. His comments about the toilet/shower/washing up facilities all seem accurate, though I never had to queue for anything, and I found the hot water much more variable in temperature - lukewarm at times, too hot at others.

The site is mostly open ground, with trees mostly just around the edges. Level pitches are few and far between. We couldn't actually reach some parts of the site, due to wheel spin on damp grass. The people pitched there all had 4-wheel drives! See the photos to get your own impression.

However, I don't think the site would ever be overcrowded. I heard the receptionist telling someone they had 15 pitches left, and I reckon there was actually space for many more than that. Having said that, the non-electric pitches are not marked in any way, so people were pitched at random places all over the site, which could lead to a feeling that the place was full. But everywhere we looked, there was plenty of free space around people.

This site is a good way from reception and the shop which serves all three sites in this cluster. The shop was fairly poor, in my opinion - had a small stock of frozen food, odd bits and pieces of camping gear, but I wouldn't want to rely on it for anything important.

If you want somewhere a bit more secluded, try the Woodlands site (just a couple of hundred yards away). Pitches here are all set in amongst trees, and it had a very peaceful air about it. There's nowhere for kids to play, which is a bit rough on them, but keeps the noise down. They can always go to the playground in the Christchurch site, also only a couple of hundred yards away. The pitches in the Woodlands site all seemed rather small, and being poked in amongst trees, there would be no opportunity to spread out. There are also no toilet facilities on this site.

The Christchurch site seemed the busiest. There was not a lot of space (on a bank holiday weekend), but it does have a children's playground and normal toilet facilities, and is close to reception and the shop.

Bracelands campsite is best visited during the week and off peak season. At these times I have not experienced any queues for the facilities, nor lack of hot water. Granted the shop is not very good, but as it is so far away from the site (and uphill) I reason that most people would use their cars anyway to get to it, and there are good shops just down the road in Coleford.

We stayed at the Christchurch site (part of the set of three that includes Bracelands). It was very clean and well managed. The toilets and showers were clean and plentiful. There was no problem with hot water for the showers; however washing up water was only lukewarm. We went at the Whitsun Bank Holiday in May. The site was full and felt quite crowded, but as long as you did not mind being fairly close to your neighbours (thank goodness ours were quiet) we did not have any problems with long waits for showers. The children’s play area is excellent, the shop reasonable, the local area lovely. I would visit again, but I would chose a quieter, less popular time

My girlfriend and I camped here for just one night. The campsite was a little difficult to find (Multimap didn't help!). Reception was busy on arrival, but there were plenty of staff, all of who were friendly and polite.

We chose Bracelands as it looked like a well run site and quieter than the rest. As stated in the other reviews, the site is down quite a long steep hill from reception, but this was no bother to us.

Site has plenty of room, and mostly flat ground. Toilets were very good, nice showers, plenty of hot water etc. The only down side (as with many sites) is that there was nowhere to freeze your ice blocks, bit of a pain when your stuck in a tent.

Otherwise, an excellent site, we would definitely go back. The site is close to Symonds Yat, which offers really good views.

We stayed with our two small children over the late May bank holiday at the Bracelands site. The camp was busy - we heard it was fully booked up - but with room for the children to play and a friendly family atmosphere.

There were enough toilets, and we found the water to be hot and fairly high pressure! The shop is small and cramped, but seemed to be quite well stocked - wouldn't be easy to get in there with a pushchair though. They have an ice block swap system so you can get fresh ice packs for about 30p.

We weren't able to find a level pitch, and it did seem that a lot of the site was (gently) sloping. We had a lovely view though, and the surrounding area is beautiful.

We visited Bracelands with a small group of friends for a long weekend in May. A couple of us walked up through the Forest of Dean from Lydney (~ 10 miles) which was lovely (though our packs were far too heavy!) There was loads of space, though it was a fairly wet weekend. The owners ask for a minimum of 6 meters between tents so it felt really secluded. The facilities were excellent, drinking water, really clean shower and toilet blocks and 4 indoor sinks for washing up with boiling hot water. The showers are also free. The shop/reception is 1/2 mile up the road and stocks everything you might have forgotten plus they have lots of local info. We pitched right next to a gate into the woods and from there we walked up to Symonds Yat to see the peregrine falcons, ~ 2 miles away. There are several pubs and cafes at Symonds Yat for lunch too. One of the best campsites we have ever been to, highly recommended.

We visited Bracelands Whitsun weekend 2007 with three children aged 2 to 8. The site had a lovely atmosphere and was in a beautiful woodland setting. All facilities were very clean despite the weather being fairly filthy! Plenty of hot water and minimal queues. The shop at neighbouring Christchurch was a bit too much of a walk to get there often with the little ones, so we resorted to driving up on one occasion, which is clearly not ideal - but it did have an excellent range. Staff throughout the site could not have been more charming and helpful. Loads to do in the surrounding area. Would definitely go again (but might try to get onto the Christchurch site if possible, simply to be closer to shop and play area).