Nature’s Spectacular: An unforgettable off-grid escape

The glowing green lights of an illuminated spider created from sticks and foliage hint at the creative team behind a unique new campsite.

When the co-founder of Arcadia and his family moved on from the ornate show vehicle that had been their home, a seed of an idea was born to offer visitors an opportunity to live completely off-grid surrounded by the woodlands overlooking Chew Valley Lake.

Hosted on land owned by Valley Fest director and farmer Luke Hasell, at the end of a long, narrow country lane, Nature’s Spectacular is the site where the performance arts collective Arcadia Spectacular team first lived and worked – and where the famous fire-breathing spider was created.

The wow factor at the tranquil countryside spot is of a quieter and more understated nature than the immersive shows for which the collective is famed, but no less spectacular.

The view of Chew Valley Lake from the Green Room on the Nature’s Spectacular site – photo by Ellie Pipe

The only noise to be heard on arrival late Wednesday afternoon is the squabbling of geese on the lake below, where soft pink clouds are gathered over the still water.

The Green Room, our home for the next four nights, is a masterpiece of beauty and ingenuity. Ornate wood carvings adorn the show vehicle, in which everything has a place. The compact kitchen is equipped with everything you could need, while each of the two double bedrooms looks out over lush greenery.

The finest feature is the bi-folding doors offering unrivalled views over the private decking area and lake beyond.

The Green Room is a masterpiece of beauty and ingenuity – photo courtesy of Nature’s Spectacular/Grayling PR

The ethos behind Nature’s Spectacular is to encourage people to switch off, get back to nature and enjoy time with friends and family. As dusk starts to fall, we light a fire in the designated pit and sit out watching the cheery flames flicker and listening to the distant geese (who really have some stamina!).

The firepit comes equipped with a grill, although successfully cooking over an open fire is an art form we are yet to master. Several hours and a few charcoaled items of food later and we are happily munching on a semi-edible chargrilled veggie barbecue.

A wander through the site after dark provides an opportunity to fully appreciate the peace and remoteness of the location. Chew Valley Lake may be barely a half-hour drive out of Bristol but out here, where the stars shine brightly in the dark night sky, it feels like a world away.

There are Arcadia-esque touches dotted among the greenery, with a colourful light trail marking the way through the woodland and the spider that is a nod to the legendary installation that wowed audiences at festivals and venues, including Glastonbury, Boomtown and Queen Square. There are also plenty of real-life spiders, as well as other bugs, bunnies and more to share this rural home with.

We wake up to the sun shining bright over the rolling countryside, ready for breakfast overlooking the lake and plans to explore the area.

Nearby Chew Magna is the first destination. Idyllic in looks, this quaint Somerset village also boasts more than its fair share of food and drink destinations – from pubs, The Bear & Swan and The Pelican to the acclaimed Lazy Lobster, Moondance Café, with its tranquil hideaway garden, Chew Valley Distillery and Jar’s. The latter is a treasure trove of baked goods, fresh local produce, refill items, coffees and Mexican paletas (ice lollies). On this particular morning, Luke Hasell himself is in talking to co-owner James as we stock up for the coming days.

In the interests of de-stressing, a massage seemed like a good way to kick off a mini-break and Andrea at Equilibrium provided a blissful hour-long massage at her Chew Magna premises, even mixing up an aromatherapy blend for me to take away.

Fully relaxed and ready to explore, we head back to the campsite for our bikes. If you don’t mind a few punishing hills and a lot of road riding, cycling is a good way to travel around the Chew Valley. While there is no route that takes you around the perimeter of the lake itself, we make do with tantalising glances and the odd viewing spot to pause and admire the water-dwelling birds.

There are pubs and cafes a’ plenty in which to seek refreshment along the way. Woodford Lodge, located at the end of a long drive and boasting spectacular lakeside views, offers coffees and basic snacks via an outside shack. The location was so good, we booked to return the next day for lunch and weren’t disappointed by the vast vegetarian platter served out on the terrace.

A meal with a view at Woodford Lodge – photo by Ellie Pipe

The Stoke Inn, located near the end of the lane leading back to Nature’s Spectacular, provided the perfect spot for a post-ride cider in the early evening sun.

The campsite plays host to a number of accommodation options, including tipis, a shepherd’s hut and Yurt Lush, the yurt most recently located outside the Engine Shed near Temple Meads. With each encampment set amidst its own patch of countryside, it’s easy to never see a soul but there is also a large communal area for those who prefer to share the experience.

It is here that a wood-fired hot tub is located, on a hillside spot overlooking the lake – it is available to book for £70 for an hour and a half, plus an extra £20 to have Prosecco thrown in as well. An early evening dip made for an indulgently unforgettable experience. We round off a perfect evening with dinner at Salt and Malt – around a 20-minute walk away – spotting a triangle of swallows taking flight from the lake en route.

The hot tub at Nature’s Spectacular is an indulgent and unforgettable – photo by Ellie Pipe

The Arcadia team have added their own twist to the rising popularity of glamping sites, offering something a bit special with a hint of luxury and a chance to explore the countryside right on our doorstep.

The Green Room comfortably sleeps up to four people and is available for £155 per night Sunday to Thursday and £170 per night on Fridays and Saturdays. Each booking is subject to an additional £35 cleaning fee. More information is available via www.naturesspectacular.com/.

Main photo courtesy of Nature’s Spectacular/Grayling PR

Read more: Off-grid campsite near Bristol opened by Arcadia team

Listen to the latest Bristol24/7 Behind the Headlines podcast: