We love nothing more than parking our camper for a few nights at a beautiful campsite. We booked Shay’s Farm in Tarporley, Cheshire at the last minute in spring and loved our stay. Here’s our review of Shay’s Farm Campsite
Shay’s Farm is a caravan, camping and glamping park in a beautiful part of the Cheshire countryside close to the salt mining towns of Northwich and Winsford. It’s a privately owned, family-run business. A family has lived on the farm for over 100 years.
Located on the outskirts of Little Budworth village, Shays Farm is ideally situated for exploring the surrounding areas. You can easily access popular attractions such as Oulton Park, Delamere Forest, the city of Chester, and Beeston Castle. Not only that, but the park is also within driving distance of North Wales and conveniently located near the motorway linking Manchester and Liverpool. Here’s our review of Shay’s Farm Campsite.
Shay’s Farm is a well-kept campsite perfect for families
The campsite was busy when we booked; the site’s main area was full. We were offered a spot on one of the overflow fields, which we loved! It was an open field with trailer-type toilets and shower facilities, which were very clean and well-kept. It was much quieter than the central part of the site, and we had plenty of space to spread out and set up games for our little one. The staff member we spoke to showed us to the field, he was really lovely and helpful.
Here, we spotted lots of wildlife; rabbits were hopping up and down the field behind us, and we saw a couple of deer, too. If you are not fussy about being in the central area with block facilities and are happy to walk a little more, then the overflow field might suit you, too.
Shay’s Farm Facilities
Onsite, various hardstanding and grass pitches are complete with electric and water (containers required) and digital TV connectivity. All pitches offer a 16-amp electric supply. The amenities building features individual washroom cubicles, showers, toilets, laundry facilities, and a dishwashing area. You also benefit from WIFI throughout the park.
There is a children’s play area where the kids can relax and have fun in a safe environment. There’s a small pond on site offering free fishing for park guests. The site is dog friendly and there is a dog exercise area. Finally, there’s a separate area onsite for playing football.
Fishing at Shay’s Farm
The fishing pond here is lovely, interestingly, the pond was a former freshwater reservoir that used to supply clean water to the local area. The pond is now home to various fish, including Carp, Tench, Perch, and more.
Some rules are in place to ensure everyone’s safety and preserve the pond’s natural beauty. Fishing is allowed from dawn to dusk and does not cost extra, however anyone fishing must hold a valid license. Please note that fishing licenses are not available on-site.
All fish must be returned to the lake to protect the fish population. Also, barbless hooks must always be used, and braided lines are prohibited. Each person is allowed a maximum of two rods. For safety reasons, no dogs are allowed around the pond. If anyone under the age of 16 wishes to fish, they must be accompanied by an adult.
Glamping Pods at Shay’s Farm
Luxurious cedar pods are in a valley away from the main camping grounds, surrounded by trees and a gently flowing stream. These pods accommodate two adults and two children under 12 or 3 adults, and the area surrounding the pods is exclusively reserved for glamping guests.
Each pod has an outdoor hot tub, a bathroom, a fully equipped kitchen, a comfortable double bed and settee bed, a seating area, and a Weber Charcoal BBQ (including one instant light bag).
The glamping pods are a lovely way to enjoy the area and the outdoors without sacrificing those little luxuries.
We walked to the Shrewsbury Arms
On our first night we took a short walk to the nearest pub for tea. We walked to the Shrewsbury Arms following the marked trail from the campsite. It took us roughly 20 mins with a little one from the overflow camping and would be only 5/10 minutes from the main campsite. It’s a cosy country pub with a lovely outdoor area. We sat outside, ate homemade fish and chips and enjoyed the spring sunshine!
Nearby, The Hollies Farm Shop
We also walked to The Hollies Farm Shop, which was full of gorgeous fruit, vegetables, meats and homemade goodies. Alongside two farm shops, you’ll find Butcheries, a Delicatessen, Gift departments, self-catering Forest Lodges, and Luxury Log Cabins with private hot tubs. We had lunch in their outdoor area. The food and milkshakes were incredible! We had freshly made burgers, fries and homemade cookies too.
More to do nearby
Oulton Park Circuit: The track at Oulton Park is built into the Cheshire countryside. It is a renowned sporting venue famous for hosting some of the most prestigious events related to motorsport on both two and four wheels. Learn more about events here.
Beeston Castle: Beeston Castle offers breathtaking views and is one of the most stunningly located medieval castles in England. On a clear day, visitors can enjoy panoramic vistas stretching from the Pennines to the Welsh mountains. With a history spanning over 4,000 years, the castle boasts a replica Bronze Age roundhouse and a sprawling 40-acre woodland park. Learn more about the castle and how to visit it here.
Vale Royal Falconry Centre: Looking for an exclusive and personal falconry experience? Vale Royal Falconry Centre is open all year round for private bookings and experiences with birds of prey and meerkats. They operate by appointment only, and you can learn more here.
Shay’s Farm Campsite is an excellent choice for a peaceful and fun camping experience. You can visit their website here.
Location: Shay’s Ln, Tarporley CW6 9EU
The campsite offers various facilities and activities catering to all ages and interests. We loved our stay here and wouldn’t hesitate to visit again.
