There is something truly special about Somerset in the height of summer.
When the sun is shining and the rolling hills of the West Country are at their most vibrant green, there’s no place we’d rather be. In June 2025, we hitched up our Bailey caravan for a four-night escape to one of our absolute favourite corners of the UK: Glastonbury.
Our destination was the highly acclaimed Old Oaks Touring and Glamping Park. If you’ve been following our campsite reviews for a while, you’ll know we have a soft spot for Tranquil Parks sites, but Old Oaks is consistently at the top of our list. As a 5-star, adult-only site, it offers a level of serenity and pristine maintenance that is hard to beat.
The Perfect Base: Old Oaks Touring and Glamping Park
Driving onto the site at Old Oaks always feels like a breath of fresh air.
The grounds are landscaped to perfection, with every hedge trimmed and every lawn looking like it belongs on a professional golf course. For this trip, we were in our Bailey caravan, and the spacious touring pitches made setup a breeze. Each pitch is level and generously sized, offering just the right amount of privacy while still feeling part of the beautifully manicured environment.
What sets Old Oaks apart is the attention to detail. The amenity blocks are modern, heated, and spotlessly clean: easily some of the best we’ve encountered in all our caravan adventures. For 2025, they’ve even added a new Guest Lounge featuring a self-serve honesty bar, which became a lovely spot to relax in the evenings.
If you aren't a caravanner, the site also offers luxury glamping options, including shepherd huts and cedar lodges, all tucked away in quiet corners of the 15-acre park. One of the highlights for us is always the fishing lake; even if you aren't an angler, walking around the water as the sun sets is incredibly peaceful.
For those travelling with four-legged friends, the dog facilities here are out of this world. There are two secure exercise fields and a dedicated dog shower (complete with warm water!), which is a godsend after a muddy walk. It’s details like these that make Old Oaks our favorite Tranquil Parks site.
Scaling the Heights: Glastonbury Tor
On our first full day, we couldn't resist the call of the iconic Glastonbury Tor. Visible from most of the surrounding area (and even parts of the campsite), the Tor is a spiritual and historical landmark that dominates the Somerset Levels.
The weather was fantastic, with clear blue skies and a light breeze: perfect for the climb. The walk up is steep, but the paths are well-maintained. Reaching the summit, where the 14th-century St. Michael’s Tower stands, provides a 360-degree view that is simply breathtaking. You can see across to the Mendip Hills and even catch a glimpse of Wells Cathedral in the distance.
The Tor has a heavy history; it was the site where the last Abbot of Glastonbury, Richard Whiting, was executed in 1539. Today, however, it feels far more peaceful, a place where people from all walks of life come to sit, reflect, and enjoy the wind in their hair.
History Among the Ruins: Glastonbury Abbey
After descending from the Tor, we headed into the heart of the town to visit Glastonbury Abbey. Set in 36 acres of stunning parkland, the ruins of this once-great monastery are a testament to Somerset’s deep history.
The Abbey is legendary for being the supposed burial place of King Arthur and Queen Guinevere. Walking through the soaring arches of the Great Church, it’s easy to imagine the grandeur that once existed here before the 1184 fire and the eventual Dissolution under Henry VIII. We spent a good couple of hours exploring the medieval kitchen: one of the best-preserved in Europe: and the Lady Chapel, which has been beautifully restored.
The grounds themselves are as much of an attraction as the ruins. They are incredibly dog-friendly (dogs on short leads are very welcome), and there is plenty of space to find a quiet bench under an ancient tree and just soak in the atmosphere.
A Coastal Day Trip: Dunster Castle and Watermill
On our third day, we decided to drive a little further afield to the edge of Exmoor to visit Dunster Castle and Watermill. This National Trust property is dramatically perched on a wooded hill overlooking the medieval village of Dunster.
The castle has a fascinating transition from a medieval fortress to a lavish Victorian family home. We particularly enjoyed the terraced gardens, which benefit from a unique microclimate that allows Mediterranean and subtropical plants to thrive.
A short walk down the hill through the riverside garden leads you to the working watermill. Dating back to the 18th century, it still produces stone-ground flour today. Watching the massive wooden wheels churn the water is a hypnotic experience and a great reminder of the region’s industrial heritage. After our tour, we stopped at the Watermill Tea-room for some local Somerset treats before heading back towards Glastonbury.
Finding Quiet at Fyne Court
Our final stop before heading home was Fyne Court, a hidden gem in the heart of the Quantock Hills.
Fyne Court is a "lost" manor house; the main building was destroyed by fire in 1894, leaving behind a series of fascinating outbuildings and a wild, Arcadian garden.
It’s the kind of place that feels like a secret. The woodland walks are peaceful and full of wildlife, and the history of its former owner, Andrew Crosse: known as "The Thunder and Lightning Man" for his early experiments with electricity: adds a quirky, scientific layer to the visit.
We spent our last afternoon wandering through the arboretum and the walled garden. It was the perfect, low-key end to a busy few days of exploring. Fyne Court captures that sense of "wild Somerset" that we love so much.
Evenings at the Site: Food and Community
Back at Old Oaks, our evenings were just as enjoyable as our days. One of the best features of the site is the visiting food vans. During our stay, we had the choice of several different cuisines, ranging from wood-fired pizzas to local gourmet burgers. It’s a brilliant touch that means you can enjoy a high-quality meal without having to unhook the car and drive into town.
The well-stocked shop on-site also deserves a mention. It carries a fantastic range of local Somerset produce, from ciders and cheeses to fresh bread. We may have stocked up on quite a bit of local cider to take home with us!
Old Oaks remains a gold standard for what a touring park should be. The combination of its 5-star facilities, the serenity of an adult-only environment, and its proximity to the mystical allure of Glastonbury makes it a place we return to time and time again. This June trip in the Bailey caravan was one for the books, and we’re already looking at the calendar to see when we can get back to those sun-drenched Somerset hills.
