Big Bear Lodge
A well-run little glamping site in the Shropshire countryside with wood-fired pizzas, breakfast to your door, and owners who actually care.
Big Bear Lodge sits in a quiet field near the hamlet of Melverley, looking out toward the Breidden Hills and the Welsh hills beyond, with the River Severn not far off. It is a small, deliberate operation: four pods, three well-equipped bell tents (Jasper, Banff, and Whistler), and ten non-electric camping pitches arranged so that everything faces the same open sky.
The bell tents are properly kitted: king-size beds, bedding, carpeted floors, a small fridge, kettle, crockery, and an outdoor fire pit and BBQ. Wood-fired pizzas are made and delivered on site, and a cooked breakfast can be booked to arrive at your pitch in the morning. The honesty shop stocks logs, charcoal, kids' toys, and the kind of camping essentials you invariably forget. Owners Cassie and James are hands-on and visibly present throughout, which counts for a lot in a site this size.
The camping pitches are non-electric and suit tents and day vans rather than tourers needing hookup or chemical disposal. The shower block is heated, with waterfall showers and disabled facilities including a wide-ramped access. The playground is small but decent, and the site is level enough that young children can roam without drama. Dogs are welcome but asked to stay on leads, given the proximity to the lane.
Before you book
- No electric hookup on tent pitches, so bring your own power.
- No chemical disposal point on site, cassette toilet users should note before arriving.
“Friendly, well-maintained, and genuinely host-led, Big Bear Lodge earns its reputation through the details: breakfast delivered to your bell tent, pizzas from a wood-fired oven, and owners who remember your name.”
Why it made the cut
- Wood-fired pizza and breakfast delivery to pitch set it apart from standard pod-park convenience
- Hands-on owners Cassie and James create a genuinely looked-after atmosphere
- Bell tents are properly furnished with real beds, bedding, and a fridge
- Open countryside setting with views toward the Breidden Hills and Welsh hills
The Feeling
Curated rustic · Sociable tempo
Good For
- Family
- Date
- Dog holiday
Best For
- Group bookings and wedding events with communal grass areas
- Families with young children and play facilities on-site
- Glamping pods with fixed beds and electricity included
In Campr's collections
- Wood fired suppersPizzas made on site and delivered to your tent or pod, with a cooked breakfast option for the morning.
- Slow familyLevel site, a playground, dogs welcome, and owners who look after small details so you don't have to.
- Dog holiday hqDogs are welcomed and the site is small enough to feel genuinely pet-friendly, with leads required near the lane.
Facilities
Quick answers
- Does Big Bear Lodge allow dogs?
- Yes, dogs are welcome at Big Bear Lodge.
- Are campfires allowed at Big Bear Lodge?
- Yes, campfires are allowed in provided fire pits.
- What kind of stays does Big Bear Lodge offer?
- Tent, Glamping, in a field.
- How much does Big Bear Lodge cost?
- Pitches from £15 per night. Book directly with the site.
- Where is Big Bear Lodge?
- Big Bear Lodge, Melverley, Shrewsbury SY10 8PH, UK.
Where it is
Big Bear Lodge, Melverley, Shrewsbury SY10 8PH, UK
In a field · Shropshire · West Midlands · 52.751° N, 3.000° W
Open in OpenStreetMapIndependent Rating
Based on 107 Google reviews
