Camping at Thomley

This weekend I went on a camping trip to Thomley.

Thomley is a charity in Buckinghamshire for people of all abilities to play, learn, socialise and feel accepted. It’s safe, secure, and loads of fun.

We’ve been to lots of preschool days and events here with the girls. It’s always a hit.

So when I saw camping I thought, let’s give it a try. My first camping experience with the girls. Matt was filming so I went with a friend and her children who are the same age as mine.

Camping at Thomley

Camping was £10 per person. This also gave us access to the site for a day, too.

This includes:

• Soft play
• Imagination room
• Arts and crafts
• Park
• Bouncy pillow
• Floor is lava
• Den building
• Fairy garden
• Insect garden
• Go Carts
• Music room
• Sport court
• Allotment
• Bouncy castle
• Archery
• Marshmallows on the fire
• Music room
• Sensory rooms
• (This isn’t even everything!)

There’s also a splash park opening there soon.

Camping pitches at Thomley

You can camp in a tent, or one of their pods. We went for a tent. We were allowed to pitch up anywhere. Someone was even camped out in the park! I imagine it was a kids dream to do that!

People pitched very sensibly in a sort of circle. I think there were 10 ish tents. It wasn’t busy at all which was great.

Security

The place is so secure. This can be annoying if you want to keep popping back to the car to get things as someone has to open the gate, but great for security. I felt quite happy to give Ida the freedom to go to the park with her friend. We could see them, but they didn’t know that!

Food and drink

The regular menu was on all day, including Jpots, sandwiches, paninis. Then in the evening they had pizza, chips, and BBQ food. They also had hot drinks, beer, and even 0% beer so I was happy!

Plenty of ice cream options, too. Their cakes are always amazing.

It’s reasonably priced here. But you’re also welcome to bring your own food. We took a picnic for lunch then ate pizza for dinner.

Coffee

Before the camping trip, I was concerned where my morning coffee would come from if the cafe didn’t open until 8. Thankfully, the kitchen was open all night. This meant you could get yourself a hot drink at any time. It’s also where the toilets are, so no need for wild wees.

Sleeping at Thomley camping

Thomley is in the countryside, but it is close to the motorway. Not so close that you feel like you’re on the hard shoulder, but you can hear a hum of it at night. It’s actually a little bit like white noise.

Most people were up and about early – pre 7. With so many kids, you don’t feel like you have to keep the noise down because 90% of the people are up. On this note, I was so great just letting the kids be kids. Because everyone around us was a parent or carer and understood kids.

Entry to camping at Thomley

It was the cutest little camping trip. The girls were so entertained. Not like camping in a field where you have to think up activities all the time. Everything was there for them. The access to toilets, a kitchen, phone charger, and fridge was also very welcome! This isn’t a wild camping trip that I’d enjoy without the kids, but it’s in such a peaceful setting it’s a good compromise.

Tips for camping at Thomley

• Take milk and stash it in the kitchen fridge for your morning coffee!
• Take a phone charger, there are plenty of places to charge up
• Don’t expect to be in bed by 7. Some of the activities didn’t start until then
• Take flip-flops, or camp sandals. I ended up walking about barefoot most of the time and my feet felt it!