Escape into

the woods

Tucked away deep in an ancient woodland in the Cotswolds, Oak & Ash & Thorn is a place for people to gather, and a place to step off the grid and back into a woodland ways.

Pull up a chair around the campfire. Release your woodsman spirit with axe therapy. Feast under the trees. Craft terrariums from the forest floor. Dance while the owls sing.

Oak & Ash & Thorn hosts weekend camps for group from 6 people to 60 people. Brings your friends or family and reconnect with nature, and each other.

  • It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more.

  • It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more.

  • It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more.

Tree-time

The Camps

Three covered camps in the woods, with firewood and benches .

A forest campsite with shelter made of tarpaulin and wooden structures in Voltaire's Wood
The Butterfly Camp in Voltaire's Wood

Day hire

If you are looking for a day hire…

Great: we will still recommend you book one of the camps for the weekend to secure the space and the car-parking spaces associated with it. You can also book in a handful of day visitors with these on the booking form.

Want more guests? We can accept extra day visitors for, say, an afternoon birthday party. But they might need to park a short walk away as there is limited parking in the woods.

Email Bo at bo@oakandashandthorn.com for more details.

The Forts

12-24 adults, two-night weekend booking

A plateau with an open aspect but in a pretty ancient piece of the woodland in the middle of the woods. It is surrounded by gnarled trees, old chestnuts, beeches and yews, and wild garlic is rife in May. It is great space to stretch out, lounge around, have a feast and go exploring. There’s a stream nearby too and it is a short walk down to the pub.

This space is available for groups of 12-24 adults. The base cost of the area is £275, plus £50 per head for the weekend.

Little Camp

Forest campsite with hammocks and tents between trees in Voltaire's Wood, Cotswolds

6-12 adults, two-night weekend booking.

We have one little camp available on specific weekends for smaller gatherings. This can be in a couple of different locations depending on the weather, and your appetite for walking or driving. It could be the woodland with a view over the fields, our lovely Butterfly Glide site if you are in an off-roader or Dakota, an favourite camp of many of our regulars, great for slinging hammocks.

This space is available for groups of 6-12 adults. The base cost of the area is £200, plus £50 per head for the weekend.

A wooden hut in ancient woodland in Voltaire's Wood, the Cotswolds

We are based between Stroud and Tetbury in Gloucestershire, with Stroud being the closest station.

Camping for gatherings is open for most weekends over the summer, from May until October.

Where and When?

A twisted old beech tree in Voltaire's Wood, the Cotswolds

The Experiences

There’s no fixed schedule here — just woodland adventures waiting when you want them. Our team is on hand to teach you the art of axe swinging - we call it axe therapy - or guide you on a nature walk to gather terrarium treasures, or help you build the perfect campfire for the evening.

  • Axe Therapy

    Axe Therapy

    Get splitting. Few things are more satisfying than splitting wood by hand. We have smaller rounds for first-timers and chunky logs for those who want a real challenge.

    We provide the axes, shin-guards, and guidance; you bring the swing. Take your hard-earned bundle of wood back to fuel your evening campfire.

  • Woodland Terrariums

    Terrariums to Go

    A unique walk through the woods to collect mosses, lichens, leaves, decaying wood and fungi to make into a terrarium, a little woodland ecosystem in a jar. Led by our resident ecologist, Clair, on Saturday afternoons.

    A private walk for your group. Bring your own sealable jar (1 litre maximum) or buy one from us on the day.

  • Firepit in the woodland

    Campfire

    Your main camp comes with a large firebowl, kindling and generous stacks of firewood for you to enjoy fires in the evening. There’s seating around and a grill to cook on. Just bring the pots and pans.

    Firewood is included in the weekend. We also provide a washing up station. And if you don’t fancy cooking, you can hire in a food truck.

Learn more

Availability

Below you will find the base price per camp, for services. In addition it is £50 per head for the weekend, children are half price.

You can book Little Camp directly. For larger camps, please send in a reservation form and we will get back to you confirm details.

Rustic wooden fence along forest path with greenery in Voltaire's Wood
Wooden hut in a forest clearing surrounded by trees and greenery.
Rustic wooden structure with cloth covering in a forest setting
A path leading through the lush, green woodland of Voltaire's Wood
Forest scene from Voltaire's Wood with tall trees and a stone wall
Peacock butterfly on tree bark with moss.
Close-up of willow catkins in early spring, with a blurred natural background.
Foraging and nature days with Oak & Ash & Thorn in Voltaire's Wood
Fungi growing on a moss-covered tree stump in a forest in Voltaire's Wood
Close-up of small yellow mushrooms growing on a mossy, decomposing log in a forest setting, in Voltaire's Wood.
Trees against a cloudy sky with a pile of chopped logs in the foreground.
Forest path with a reflective puddle, surrounded by lush green trees and foliage in Voltaire's Wood