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Stowford Farm Meadows

North Devon, Devon, England

1 acre hosted by Jo S.

A huge family run campsite with a plethora of well kept facilities and an excellent North Devon locale

We know, we know, we said we wouldn’t and we have. There is no denying that Stowford Farm Meadows has a certain holiday park vibe and with a whopping 700 pitches it certainly caters for anybody and everybody. Yet since the hedgerows were planted and the meadows first mown back in 1978, this family run-campsite has been striving to retain that smaller campsite feel. And with so much space to play with, the Rice family have certainly done a decent job. Don’t expect a Tetris of intertwining guy ropes here; pitches are spacious, amenities are endless and with such a top location, Stowford can’t help but tease a smile out of even the most hard-nosed traditional campers.

Divided into five fields, Stowford Farm Meadows manages to shroud its size by lines of trees or hedges and is reached via a long driveway that places it a mile from the nearest main road. The result is a distinctly rural feel and with many of the facilities housed in converted farm buildings, there’s no maze of concrete building blocks to navigate your way round. Instead pitches are well-located amongst the meadows, all with electrical hook-ups, and have easy access to a central sanitary block in each field.

It's families and active campers who’ll feel most at home here, with a wealth of things to keep you occupied. Wander back to the main entrance area where you’ll find crazy golf, an indoor play area and the indoor heated swimming pool, or pick up a couple of golf clubs and enjoy the nine hole 'pitch and putt' course. The campsite is also adjacent to the farm’s private riding stables. Guests can make the most of the expert tuition or, for the more experienced riders, take out a horse on the surrounding bridleways. Those happier to stay on two feet can head back past the pool and take the campsite’s quiet footpath down into the wooded Bittadon Valley. No fewer than 70 acres of Stowford Farm’s woodland has been set aside for conservation and in total there’s well over three miles of paths and nature trails to enjoy. Beneath the leafy canopy of oak and larch that's home to a wealth of wildlife, this is a brilliant place to escape.

While the onsite bounty is a joy for those with tireless kids, it's the nearby surroundings that really make this campsite a winner. A 15 minute drive from the coastline, the dog-friendly campsite is matched by a host of dog-friendly beaches and the famous sands of Woolacombe, Croyde and Saunton Sands all await would-be surfers or nimbly-handed sand castle builders. Those who prefer to leave their cheeky scamp at the campsite (the dog that is, not the kids) can take advantage of a handy pet crèche as well, or simply head into Exmoor National Park with endless room to run wild.

Activities

Biking

Fishing

Hiking

Surfing

Natural features

Beach

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Location

North Devon, Devon, England, United KingdomTo respect the Host's privacy, the precise address of this land will be provided after booking

Hosted by Jo S.

Joined in October 2015

From the host

A family friendly touring caravan, motorhome and camping site in the heart of North Devon, renowned for it's exceptional range of facilities and high standard of cleanliness.

Nearby attractions

With a long private driveway, Stowford Farm is cut off from the noise of main roads but it is actually an easy journey to surrounding attractions. For most this means the coast, where beaches like Woolacombe and Saunton Sands beckon, the latter backed by huge dunes ideal for exploring with kids or the dog. Between these two beaches the smaller sandy crescent of Croyde is also popular, particularly with surfers who can hire equipment or take lessons from Surf South West (01271 890 400). From here there is also a good walk up to Baggy Point, though those looking for something longer should commit themselves to sections of the coastal path or the Traka Trail, with exquisite cliff top views. Out of peak season it is worth heading south to absurdly pretty Clovelly (01237 431781) or, in busy months, head north into Exmoor National Park with endless footpaths and bridleways. Perhaps the ultimate way to escape, however, is to take the ferry out to Lundy Island (01271 863636), a windswept little land mass, 25 miles out from Ilfracombe.

Food and drink

The Old Stable bars serve decent pub food and are accompanied by an onsite fish and chip take-away and the Stowaways restaurant. There are no pubs or villages within walking distance of the site, but family and dog-friendly spots nearby include The Crown Inn (01271 862790) in West Down, The Royal Marine Pub and Hotel (01271 882470) in Combe Martin, The Grampus Inn (01271 862906) in Lee, and The George and Dragon (01271 863851) in Ilfracombe. Stowford Farm shop, onsite, sells local produce.