There is something charming about the old-fashioned caravan holiday .

Connecting with nature, breathing in the countryside air, getting away from the TV and of course bonding with the family are just some of the many advantages of choosing a UK break.

But the classic campsite has come a long way since its humble beginnings... in the name of boutique glamping .

Mad Dogs and Vintage Vans is a cute family-run caravan site tucked away in the beautiful wildflower meadows of Ross-on-Wye on the border of England and Wales.

With four quaint caravans to choose from dating back to the 1930s, a stay in Elsie, Gertie, Monty or Sybil offers a mesmerising step back in time.

Ideal for families with young children, there's no stress of getting to the airport, panic buying Euros or dreading a long plane journey with fidgeting bottoms.

Instead all you need to do is turn up with a change of clothes and a towel and enjoy everything the Herefordshire landscape has to offer including cycling, walking, canoing, horse riding and of course toasting marshamallows on the bonfire.

But it's also an enchanting getaway for couples, like my partner and I who visited on a glorious sunny weekend.

We only stayed for two nights in Gertie yet it felt much longer as we truly escaped the hustle and bustle of every day life leaving social media and electricity behind.

Laura and her partner watch the sun go down

Gertie is a Cheltenham Gnu and a very rare lady indeed, believed to be one of only two in the country.

Incredibly well preserved, she still boasts all her original features including handmade oak furniture and gas lamps.

She has been sensitively restored and is an eclectic mix of folk boho chic with pretty curtains and luxurious new upholstery.

After a super warm welcome from the owner's gorgeous children and French bulldogs, we spent our first evening watching the sun go down outside our nostalgic cabin equipped with everything from a cosy double bed with vintage quilts, hot water bottles and cute table and chairs, to a gas kettle, roomy wardrobe and twinkling tea lights.

Inside Gertie

As I said you literally need only turn up as the campsite has everything you could possibly need.

There is a large washing station in the woods stocked with cutlery, crockery, utensils, cooking equipment, extra tea lights, hot and cold running water, plus a fantastic shower and two toilets including a compost loo.

The fully stocked cleaning area

The owners are passionate about looking after the environment so guests are kindly asked to use the complimentary organic, eco-friendly cleaning products, shower gel, soap, shampoo and conditioner instead of their own (which means less things to pack).

In the woodlands there is also a communal fire pit, dining tent lit magically with fair lights and stove for large parties to use and you can even order cooked food from the owners if you didn't want to do your own.

In true camping spirit, we couldn't wait to get the sausages on our wood burning stove and we brought a cool bag with us, but there is a convenient fridge and freezer loaded with goodies including ice cream, bacon, eggs and milk in case you forget to bring your own, plus extra freezer blocks and a mobile phone charging point.

Where you can pick up ice packs for your cool box, sausages, wood and store your food and drink

You can even buy freshly made cider on site - what more can you ask for?

The outdoor 'kitchen cupboard' as I would describe it, relies on trust. Each caravan has a blackboard next to it and you literally write down what items you have taken out of the fridge or freezer. This is then deducted from you deposit when you check-out.

As well as toasting marshmallows, walking along the picturesque river, soaking up the summer sunshine and picking up a bargain from the nearby Sunday carboot, I experienced something you don't usually find on a campsite - an outdoor spa.

The boutique treatment tent called Glamp 'n' Pamp was natural, peaceful and innovative and I was treated to a wonderful full body massage to help me fully unwind and erase those knots I picked up from the office.

The pamper tent

Whether its a Swedish back massage or hot stone facial, you will need to book your pampering session with the lovely holistic therapist Felicity in advance.

My one hour of pure bliss was the icing on the cake to a marvelous, wistful and rejuvenating weekend in the glorious countryside. I can't wait to go back.

Laura's stay was provided by Mad Dogs and Vintage Vans.

Factbox:

Address: Mad Dogs and Vintage Vans, The Old Rectory, Weston under Penyard, Ross-on-Wye, HR9 7JE

Telephone: 07966 474323

Website:maddogsandvintagevans.co.uk

Prices: Elsie (sleeps 2) from £150 for two nights, Gertie (sleeps 4) from £180 for two nights, Monty (sleeps 5) from £220 for two nights and Sybil (sleeps 4) from £180 for two nights. You can also book the entire site for hen parties (sleeps 12-20 people).

Gertie in the sunshine