A relaxed friendly campsite with storage, in a good location with great motorway links
Our Hosts, Steve and Dawn
Since buying the site 18 months ago, Steve and Dawn have done a great job in making you feel like you have come to stay with friends, who just happen to live in a country park.
The spacious site is made up of 4 camping zones, and the relaxed pitch layouts have lots variety. All pitches are grass, surrounded by mature trees and contribute to the natural feel of the campsite.
Although there are well placed privacy hedges, the pitches aren’t boxed off on each side so are great for socialising, and spacious enough to have a few neighbours over for aperitifs. Bring your own chair of course!
We stayed on C19, a large grass pitch and close, but not too close, to the shower block.
Zone D with their premium sized pitches, grey water drainage and views of rolling countryside would be a good choice.
Zone B
Our pitch on Zone C
Zone D
The Courtyard
A gravel courtyard area acts as the heart of the campsite. It links all the amenities, and has a very attractive terrace.
There is also a little shop selling drinks and local produce. The bar had a choice of lager on tap, and a well stocked fridge.
We spent a few evenings having a drink on the terrace watching the local birds, appreciating the old agriculture buildings. The property spent a long part of it’s life as a working farm and has real character but got a bit neglected during it’s time. This before and after photo shows the challenges the new owners have overcome. If you ask, Steve and Dawn will be very proud to take you on a tour of the campsite and show you all their changes.
Photo credit here goes to Steve Davis – see more on their Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/sous.les.etoiles.normandie/
It was a bit chilly one night, so we had our dinner in the Snug. Previously a barn, Steve and Dawn have made an effort to source local vintage furniture that sits very tastefully in the room. You can imagine all the history those old walls have seen!
We went for the Cheese Burger. Nice and classic, with salad and a pickle. And chips of course! She used to be in catering, so Dawn’s cooking and choice of ingredients did not disappoint.
Steve was telling me how they tested all the local butchers’ mince before finally getting a local butcher to make a mince to Steve and Dawn’s specifications. It was very good, so good that Kris ate it before I got to show you all. Take it from this empty plate that he enjoyed it!
One of the improvements of the last 18 months is to build a new shower block. The shower heads and water pressure are great quality and add a bit of luxury.
Pet Friendly
The campsite is on a well marked out path that will lead you the scenic route into town, or further afield for more energetic pups. Lox particularly liked all the local rabbits…
Dog lovers themselves, Steve and Dawn have a jar of treats at the bar, ready for a Good Boy or Girl.
Location
This campsite’s strong points is the location – great for easy access.
Just a few kilometers from Junction 41 on the A84, this site is one for those who aren’t keen on navigating country roads after a long drive. It was really easy to find once you have left the motorway.
Or if you’re like my dad – he hates driving on foreign roads so would love how little driving he would have to do on the ‘wrong’ side of the road.
Situated 60 kilometres from the port at Caen, great for those who don’t want to drive very far from the ferry, for early/late sailings, or to save money on the crossing by not towing. The campsite has some storage spaces left (correct at the time of writing).
Open all year, it is also really handy for those chasing the winter sun in Spain.
As Normandy is not renown for year round sunshine, Steve mentioned for times of bad weather, they can find an under shelter barn for you to park in. This was much appreciated by a family this winter, travelling in a pop top that may not have stood up to the winter wind.
The local village
Saint -Martin-des-Bescases is a 10 minutes, flat easy walk from the campsite. A tradational Norman village, helpful amenities include a small supermarket, two butchers, a bakery, pharmacy and vet. It doesn’t have a restaurant, but you can drink coffee (or a local calvados) in the PMU. The village centre has lots of interesting old photos, including one showing the German occupation during WW11. There is a little museum, staffed by English speakers who will tell you all about the history.
To book a pitch or reserve a storage spot then I’m sure Steve and Dawn would love to chat to you.