Guide to Waterclose Meadows Campsite

• Waterclose Meadows Campsite is popular so please do book in advance online.

• If you don't have a booking, please try to arrive between 1pm and 2pm, or before reception closes at 5pm, to see if we have space.

• In the booking system, choose your pitch, reading the description carefully. We don't reserve or allocate specific pitches, but if you have a special request, please add a note in your booking, and we'll do our best. On arrival, we'll direct you to your pitch. We won't be able to confirm your pitch location until you arrive.

• If you would like to camp next to friends or family, please let us know in your booking and we'll do our best to help when you arrive although we can't always guarantee adjacent pitches.

• Under-18s must be accompanied by an adult.

• Six people, including a maximum of four adults, can stay on each pitch.

• The site isn't suitable for large gatherings or parties. Quiet time is 10.30pm - 7am so please make sure this works for you before booking.

• During busy times, we are unable to accommodate groups of more than four pitches. We welcome organised groups like Duke of Edinburgh and Scouts. Please complete the group booking form at the bottom of the page and we'll get back to you.

• The minimum stay for pitches is one night on weeknights, two nights at weekends and three nights on Bank Holiday weekends.

• The minimum stay for pods is two nights, and three nights on Bank Holiday weekends.

• We are closed 24 - 26 December.

• We offer a car free discount if you arrive on foot, by bike or by public transport. Please retain any public transport tickets to claim the discount. Ask for details at reception when you arrive.

• You don't have to be a member of the National Trust to camp and we are unable to offer member discounts due to the regulations we are governed by as a charity. If you'd like to be a member and support our work, please speak to the team at reception.

The campsite is signposted off the A1123.

Local buses stop for St Ives, Huntingdon and Cambridge stop in the village.

• Please check in at reception between 1pm and 8pm for camping pitches. The main gate locks at 4pm, but there will be a number on the gate to call for access.

• For pods, please arrive between 3pm and 8pm.

• If you'll arrive late, we'll leave your welcome pack at the late arrivals point outside reception with all the information you need.

• On your day of departure, please leave your pitch by 12noon, or pod by 10am.

• We may be able to offer a late check-out at less busy times for an additional fee. Please check at reception on the morning of your departure. If you'd like to extend your stay, please book and pay at reception at 10am.

• The campsite is suitable for campervans, motorhomes, trailer tents and caravans up to a maximum of 8m in length. There are 51 pitches, 8m x 5m.

• When booking online, you can choose a pitch with or without electric hook-up.

• Electric hook-up is to shared bollard points. Each pitch is allocated one socket and you'll need a 25-metre cable to make sure you can reach the bollard.

• If you need space for additional equipment or more people, please let us know in your booking. We can't guarantee space for additonal equipment but will do our best to allocate a suitable pitch. Additional charges will apply.

• We allocate pitches on arrival and can’t guarantee special requests, but please do add your request to your booking and we’ll do our best. If you’re meeting friends, let us know and we’ll try to put you together if we can.

• A chemical toilet disposal facility/Elsan is available. We don't have a drive-over grey waste disposal.

• Access to the campsite is narrow so please observe the arrival and departure time.

• There are 15 pitches suitable for 7m x 5x tents, all on grass. Each pitch is suitable for six people, including a maximum of four adults.

• Most have electric hook-up. Electric hook-up is to shared bollard points. Each pitch is allocated one socket and you'll need a 25-metre cable to make sure you can reach the bollard.

• If you need space for additional equipment or more people, please let us know in your booking. We can't guarantee space for additonal equipment but will do our best to allocate a suitable pitch. Additional charges will apply.

• If you would like to camp next to friends or family, we'll do our best to help when you arrive although we can't always guarantee adjacent pitches.

• There are three family pods and one pod with shower room. They are both equipped with mattresses, kettle, microwave, mini fridge, crockery and cutlery.

• You'll need to bring bedding, towels and a tea towel.

• Pods are insulated and have heat, light and sockets.

• Family pods have bunk beds and benches that convert to a double bed. They have no toilet or shower so you'll use the campsite facilities. They are suitable for four people. One is dog friendly - if you have three or four people, you can bring one dog but if have only two people, there's room for two dogs. There's a picnic bench outside.

• The pod with shower room has a double bed and an en-suite shower room with toilet and sink. It's not dog friendly. Ther's a deck with table and chairs outside.

• You can park next to your pod.

• Be sure to book a dog-friendly pod if you need one, as guests in pods which are not dog friendly, are not permitted to being dogs to the campsite.

The welcome hut is open 10am - 4pm.

Showers and toilets: The facilities block has showers and toilets, as well as an accessible, family shower room. Hot showers are free of charge. The facilities are closed for cleaning 10.30am - 12.00noon. An accessible toilet is available during this time.m

Washing-up area: There's a partially-enclosed washing-up area in the facilities area. Please give the area a wipe down after you've used it, so it's ready for the next person.

Laundry: There are coin-operated washing and drying machines in the facilities block. It's £3.50 for a wash, and £1 for 15 minutes drying time.

Dog wash area: There's an outdoor area for cleaning your dog after muddy walks.

Waste: We have general waste and recycling facilities.

Chemical waste disposal and drive-over waste disposal: We have chemical waste facility behind the facilities block. There is also a drive-over area for motorhomes to deposit grey waste in front of the main water point to the right of the facilities block.

Freeze packs: There's a small freezer for freezing your own ice blocks in the laundry.

Gas cylinders: Sorry, we don't exchange gas cylinders, but this service should be available in a nearby marina..

Electric Vehicle charging: Sorry, there's no electric vehicle charging at Waterclose Meadows Campsite or Houghton Mill. Zap-map will be able to help you find the nearest charging points.

Parking: Each pitch has a parking space for one car. Any additional vehicles should added to your booking, as there is only limited additional parking in the small car park next to reception.

Wi-Fi: There is no Wi-Fi at the campsite.

Mobile phone signal: There is mobile phone signal at the campsite.

Local information: There's a local information in the visitor welcome hut with bus timetables and tourist information leaflets, and the team is very happy to answer questions and give more information about the local area.

We welcome up to two dogs free of charge to camping pitches. Please let us know if you're bringing dogs when you book.

One of the family pods is dog friendly and has space for one dog when three or four people are staying. If there are only two people in your pod, you can bring two dogs. Please be sure to book the dog-friendly pod if you need it, as guests in the other pods are not permitted to bring dogs to the campsite.

When at the campsite, please keep your dog on a lead at all times and exercise them away from other campers. Please pick up after your dog right away and use the waste bins provided. Dogs are not allowed in the facilities block. There's a dog wash area.

There is no burning of wood at Waterclose Meadows, so campfires and fire pits are not allowed. Charcoal barbecues are permitted for cooking if they are raised from the ground. Bricks are available at reception, please ask one of the campsite team if you need them. We may have to restrict the use of charcoal barbecues during very hot and dry periods, please check before your stay if you are very keen to use a barbecue.

Quiet time: Please think of your neighbours and help us protect the peace and tranquility at Waterclose Meadows Campsite at all times. No noise 10.30pm - 7am please.

Cooking safety: Cooking inside tents or pods is not permitted and can be lethal due to carbon monoxide poisoning.

No smoking please.

No audible devices please including radios, stereos or other sound systems please.

Group bookings: The maximum number of adults allowed in any party is four, whether you book together or separately, unless you are with an official group. Official groups, like Duke of Edinburgh, are very welcome at National Trust campsites. Please complete the booking form at the bottom of this page.

Lost property: If you leave any of your possessions behind at the campsite, please contact us as soon as possible.

We reserve the right to charge you for any storage and delivery costs that we incur in relation to your lost property. We charge a lost property charge of £10 to cover our administrative costs and standard Royal Mail delivery up to 2kgs in the UK to return your items to you. If a request to return your items deviates from these conditions, then we reserve the right to charge you any additional costs.

Where possible, we’ll hold lost property for three months after which it’ll be disposed of. Perishables will be disposed of immediately and are therefore unreturnable. In addition, we will only be able to return items permissible by Royal Mail.

Problem or complaint: Every reasonable care will be taken to ensure that the camping pitch, pod or bothy and also site amenities are presented to a high standard. Should you find any cause for complaint, please immediately contact one of the campsite staff, so that reasonable steps can then be taken to rectify the problem. National Trust will not normally make any refunds in respect of complaints made after the Visitor’s departure from the campsite if the Visitor did not make the problem or complaint known to staff during the Visitor’s stay. If you supplied an email address at the time of booking, a survey will be emailed to you for your comments after your stay. Alternatively, a comment form may be completed and left at the campsite reception. All complaints made after the Visitor’s departure should be made in writing by post or email to:

Guest Relations Manager

National Trust Holidays, Heelis, Kemble Drive, Swindon, SN2 2NA

Email: guestrelations@nationaltrust.org.uk.

Small print: In addition to the site rules in this campsite guide, there are terms and conditions that apply to your booking. You can also read them on the campsite notice board.

There are several walks and cycle ways connecting to the nearby villages of the Hemingfords. We're on National Cycle Route 51. We'll be able to give you lots of information when you arrive.

You can hire canoes, row boats and punts from from Houghton Boats (07759 316260), or bring your own watercraft which will need to be licensed with the Environment Agency and stored safely when not in use. One of the team will be happy to help when you arrive. There are portage points to launch canoes and stand-up paddleboards through the mill towards Houghton lock. Please don't launch into the mill pond as there are hidden hazards and dangers. Find out more about taking to the river from Anglian Waterways.

It takes about an hour to kayak to St Ives, and there are pontoons where you can park up while you explore the town or have lunch.

To fish, you'll need a rod license and then a local license from the village shop.

Waterclose Meadows Campsite is on the edge of the twin villages of Wyton and Haughton, with a square, post office and community-run shop that sells fresh meat, vegetables and other local produce. There's also a small antique shop and a cafe. The larger town of St Ives, with cafes, pubs, restaurants, shops and supermarkets, is only a few miles away and can be reached on foot or by bike or canoe. Huntingdon is also nearby. Both towns have banks and fuel stations.

There's a National Trust cafe at Houghton Mill, open 10am - 4pm.

There's a bus stop a short walk away just outside the village, and Huntingdon, St Ives and Cambridge are easy to reach by bus.

You have free entry to National Trust places during your stay. Anglesey Abbey, Wicken Fen Nature Reserve and Wimpole Hall are all less than a 45-minute drive. Lyveden is less than an hour away and Woolsthorpe is a little further.