Summerhill Farm

Passion. It either burns within you, or it doesn’t. Enthusiasm can be faked, but a true passion for something can’t. And Ben has passion. For the animals on the farm he rents from the Soil Association, for organic agriculture, and for sharing his beautiful surroundings with those in need of an escape to the countryside. He currently tends the 90-acre organic farm alone, when his wife Alice is in work; lovingly rearing his 500 hens, 200 geese, flock of sheep, and herd of pure-bred Red Ruby cows. So when folk come to stay in one of the three yurts or the bell tent recently set up on the farm, he’s only too happy to stop for a chat and ask if they’re enjoying their stay. The answer is a resounding 'Yes!'.

Not only are the views down the valley from each tent stunning, but every possible care has gone into furnishing them too. Each comes stocked with tea, coffee, sugar, milk, bread, butter, and eggs (courtesy of Ben’s Hens) to make settling in a breeze after your journey down to Devon. Charcoal and kindling are also provided for the fire pits, stove, and chimenea free of charge; as are candles, a torth, bedding, and towels.

 You don’t even need to go food shopping; it’s all here – in the converted barn next to the comfy campers’ lounge with wood-burning stove, games, pool table, and info is a huge kitchen with an honesty fridge and larder. All the food on offer has a price sticker and you leave the cash in a box. If you’re lucky there’ll be a bowl of delicious, free home-grown veg that needs eating up. Each abode has its own large fridge in the kitchen so you can fill it with organic goodies to your heart’s content. Or even pre-order one of the Hampers for Campers on offer here, stocked with as much produce as the farm can provide, and other food and drink produced from the local area.

 Each of the three yurts sits atop insulating wooden decking and looks down the valley and across to the hills opposite. Two are large Mongolian yurts that sleep up to six and the other is a smaller structure sleeping four or five. The bell tent has its own private corner in a separate field with vistas out to Exmoor, behind. It’s smaller than the yurts and has fewer furnishings, but still comes with a bed and futon mattresses for comfort.

 Campers are welcome to help out on the farm if they wish –collecting eggs from the hens, picking vegetables from the polytunnel and colourful beds, or learning about the animals. This is Soil Association land and various eco-friendly measures have been implemented as a salute to the beautiful surrounding scenery. Not only is the farming here of the sustainable variety, but Summerhill’s hot water is produced through solar thermal energy collected from panels on the barn’s roof; and electricity is powered through a photovoltaic system (more panels), which cuts CO2 emissions and often provides surplus electricity that’s put on to the national grid. Impressive stuff.

 For a start-up site and means of diversification for an organic farmer, Summerhill Farm strikes the perfect balance between working farm, campsite, environmental caretaker, and lovely holiday. And if some of Ben’s passion hasn’t rubbed off on you by the time you leave, you’ll definitely need to come again.