Devon
Blackawton
Lydford
Braunton
Umberleigh
Ilfracombe
Dawlish
Croyde Bay
Combe Martin
Kingsbridge
Dartmouth
Berry Down
Woodlands Leisure Park,
Blackawton,
Near Totnes,
South Devon.
Latitude: 50°19'29.99"N
Longitude: 3°43'42.79"W
Garmin POI file (all Devon Sites)
GPS Data from Google earth and has not been verified. Use at your own risk.
Thoroughly deserved its Top Family Park award in 1997. Sixty acres of deep woodland and a wondrous adventure area for children of ALL ages. Pitches - for tents, campers and caravans - are huge, on level grass terraces on a 10-acre hillside overlooking Dartmouth. It can be quiet up on the hill or busy in the adventure area. Closes to tourists at teatime. Campers pay no extra. Not cheap but well worth the dosh. No noisy club, but good pubs and eateries nearby. Has a small shop and takeaways. Swimming pool three miles away (open air, heated, mostly used by locals, Slapton Sands marvellous for early evening swimming and even in high summer season is very quiet but still warm after 6pm. Great for summer swimming in clean sea. Why fry in the mid-day sun? Very clean, helpful staff and plenty of them.
sent in by bloomfield@virgin.net
Camping & Caravanning Club Site
Lydford,
Nr Okehampton,
Devon.
EX20 4BE
01822820275 (No calls after 8pm)
Non Members Welcome.
Latitude: 50°39'3.30"N
Longitude: 4° 6'24.65"W
Garmin POI file (all Devon Sites)
GPS Data from Google earth and has not been verified. Use at your own risk.
About halfway between Oakhampton and Tavistock.
Our first time on this site, but, it won't be our last. It is open to
most of the prevailing winds, in spite of various trees and hedges and
awnings Should be securely guyed down if the weather is rough. It is
reasonably Level, at least in the main area, so little or no adjustment
to the van Level is needed.
The Wardens (Keith and Jean) are very helpful and they have A small shop in reception with most essentials, as there is no shop in the village of Lydford. There is a pub though. The Castle Inn which does fabulous meals. We had Sunday lunch there and the choice was brilliant. The actual Castle (which is not a castle, but an old courthouse and jail with earth mounded up to make it look like a Baillie and Mott) is worth a visit. It's next door to the pub.
The most famous feature of Lydford is, of course, it's Gorge. This is a *must*, but take a stout pair of boots if you intend walking the full trail round the Gorge. It is about 3 miles in total, but the return path is quite exciting and totally unsuitable for people who have any walking disability or who are of a nervous disposition. There are short walks at each end for those unable to do the full 3 miles. White Lady Falls at the far end of the Gorge are very spectacular, but the Devil's Cauldron at the main entrance end is breathtaking and definitely not for the timid!!! When busy the queue for the Cauldron can take up to an hour! There are plenty of local walks near the camp site and of course Dartmoor is very near for those who enjoy the more strenuous type of exercise.
Lydford site is going down in our book as one of our favourites. The
toilets and showers on the site are spotless and the water very hot.
Sent in by Don Lowndes
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Lobb Fields Camping & Caravan Site
Saunton Road
Braunton
Nr Barnstaple
N.Devon
EX33 1EB
Tel No. 01271 812090
Latitude: 51° 6'42.36"N
Longitude: 4°10'53.27"W
Garmin POI file (all Devon Sites)
GPS Data from Google earth and has not been verified. Use at your own risk.
Lobb Fields is situated on the coastal outskirts of Braunton about 12
miles from Barnstaple. The site is quite large and can be busy during
bank holidays as the area is popular with surfers, however the rest
of the time it is relatively quiet and offers good basic facilities
at a sensible price. We like it because the gates are shut at 11:00pm
so there is little disturbance at night, there are fantastic walks along
quiet lanes, some of the most extensive sand dunes in England and 4
miles of long sandy beaches.
Sent in by Daniel Heggs
Camping & caravaning Club Site
Over Weir,
Umberleigh,
Devon.
EX37 9DU.
Tel - 01769 560009 (No calls after 8pm)
Non Members Welcome.
Latitude: 50°59'54.78"N
Longitude: 3°59'23.43"W
Garmin POI file (all Devon Sites)
GPS Data from Google earth and has not been verified. Use at your own risk.
A C&CC site.Situated on the A377, about 10 miles SE of Barnstaple.
An established site (we were there last year) although trees have recently
been planted to give the place some character, because without them
it is a somewhat open site with very little shelter from the wind. In
wet weather (which we experienced) the ground, which is poor draining,
gets very muddy and the Warden is busy towing cars and vans off pitches
with his Land Rover, which, I should add, he does without any hesitation.
Most pitches are reasonably level, but there is very little hard standing
and what there is seems to be reserved for motor caravans. The village
is about 10 mins walk away and has at least one pub/hotel where, I understand,
they do a fair meal and dogs are allowed in the bar. There are plenty
of walks around; Exmoor is only a few miles away and Dartmoor not very
much farther.Locally there is a good walk along the River Taw, although
we were unable to do it this year as the river was in flood and the
path was un-passable. There is a games room on the site, with a pool
table and table tennis etc. The Wardens go out of their way to be helpful
and on Saturday evenings in the Summer Alan (Warden) gets out his electric
organ and gives a recital of popular music, finishing up with a general
sing-song. Simple, but, very enjoyable. We like the site and intend
going there again. The toilet blocks are spotless and the water piping
hot.
Sent in by Don Lowndes
West Down,
Ilfracombe,
Devon.
EX34 8NU
Tel 01271 813837
Latitude:
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Garmin POI file (all Devon Sites)
GPS Data from Google earth and has not been verified. Use at your own risk.
This site, just N of Braunton, is set amongst woodland and has excellent facilities with a restaurant/take away on site, woodland walks (ideal for dog owners), good childrens play area etc. Excellent value, very friendly and helpful owners also reduced fees in late season.
Submitted By Pat
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Sea View Campsite
Slapton
Nr.Dartmouth
Devon
TQ7 2RB
Tel. 01548 580366
Latitude:
Longitude:
Garmin POI file (all Devon Sites)
GPS Data from Google earth and has not been verified. Use at your own risk.
Newlands Farm Campsite is a peaceful uncommercialised level site, surrounded by the beautiful Devon countryside with breathtaking views across the fields to the sea.
This family run site makes a perfect holiday base being close both
to Dartmouth and many lovely beaches. The site prides itself on giving
each camper a roomy pitch, with even more space for ball games and kite
flying. The site consists of two level fields totaling 10 acres there
is plenty room to pitch your tent or caravan and plenty of room for
the children to play, we have 7 toilets, 3 shower units and 4 wash basins
all provided with hot water and kept to a high standard of cleanliness
there is also two kitchen sink units for washing dishes etc. which also
have hot water. Eight of the pitches provide electric hook-ups for caravans
or tents.
Over the years we have made several friends who come back each year. The large field is available for School groups rallies or Christian tent meetings etc.
You will meet Barney our farm collie dog who loves to make friends and chase after balls
E-mail The site.
Sent in by Roger Bradford
Leadstone Camping
Warren Road
Dawlish
South Devon
EX7 0NG Tel: 01626 872239
fax 01626 873833
Latitude:
Longitude:
Garmin POI file (all Devon Sites)
GPS Data from Google earth and has not been verified. Use at your own risk.
Owned and run by my family since 1974, Leadstone offers campers and motorcaravans a quiet and excellent location from which to see the West Country. Set in 7 acres it is uncommercialised and has toilets, showers, launderette and a children's play area. We have some electric hookups for the mdern camper! We are just 10 minutes walk from the beach and nature reserve on the "Warren" and 30 minutes drive from Dartmoor National Park and Torbay. We welcome visitors for "one night stop-overs" as well as "I'll have 14 nights please". (The bus passes our entrance if you are using public transport).
Please check our website for more details: www.leadstonecamping.co.uk
We look forward to welcoming you!
sent in by Andrew Bulpin *Site Owner*
We stayed on this site about four years ago and it was pretty good. My Dad plans to visit at the end of August so we will get an unbiased view as well. Mark.
Due to my Dad being admitted to hospital he missed out on the trip so we will have to wait for the review.
Ruda Holiday Park
Croyde Bay
North Devon
EX33 1NY
Latitude:
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Garmin POI file (all Devon Sites)
GPS Data from Google earth and has not been verified. Use at your own risk.
A great family site. This site is a mix of static caravans, tourers
and camping. It has large well kept pitches with great facilities and
evening entertainment. There is a swimming pool for a modest charge
with flume ride and whirlpool.
Toilets and showers were clean and worked well.
There is a sandy beach within 2 minutes walk which is monitored by life
guards. Also good facilities for surfing.
Although not the cheapest of sites, it's good value for money and I'd
strongly recommend it.
Sent in By Stewart Watkiss
We visted Ruda Holiday PArk in Croyde Bay, N Devon for the lasdt week of May 2003. We had stayed there the previous year in a caravan but this was our first week's camping anywhere, ever! The location is great and beach is even better. Plenty of entertainment (even if it's a bit close to the camping area) for the children day and night. The real downer about this site in our view is the toilet and shower facilities. It's like something out of a 1950s Butlins camp. Not only are they basic at the extreme, they were also filthy. It comes to something when your children comment on how discusting the facilities were. We complained (as did other people while we were there)to the site manager who was less than impressive in his customer service attitude. We won't be going back to Ruda until we know that they have knocked down and re-built the toilet and shower facilities.
Sent in by Mr. M. Wade
Big Meadow Camping Park
Watermouth
Ilfracombe
North Devon
Latitude:
Longitude:
Garmin POI file (all Devon Sites)
GPS Data from Google earth and has not been verified. Use at your own risk.
This is a must for all campers. The site is set on the Ilfracombe to Combe Martin Coast Road, ensuring that beautiful scenery and magnificent sea veiws are never far away. The site is a haven for children, with the owners doing all that they can to ensure that a good time is enjoyed by all. There is a childrens play island, a tractor pulling carts for the children to ride in, a roller coaster going down a grass slope, a 'Kids Kabin' where children can play pool or watch TV. Next to the site is a pub called The Old Sawmill Inn, which caters very well for families and couples alike. Of all the sites that I have stayed at, this is one which I would always consider coming back to. Everybody is made to feel welcome and a chat with the owner is essentail to make your holiday complete!
Sent in by Nikki Evans
Newberry Farm Combe Martin
Latitude:
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Garmin POI file (all Devon Sites)
GPS Data from Google earth and has not been verified. Use at your own risk.
Just got back from Devon/Somerset. Firstly satayed at Newberry Farm Combe Martin. Thought we had found a lovely site. The facilities were maintained beautifully and the camping sites good, although some a little uneven. Here we thought we'd found a little heaven within Devon. So imagine our dis-belief when we were questioned about noisy children arriving back to the campsite after spending an evening out! The story goes that we took rather a long time to settle after arriving back to the tent and a complaint was made to the owner. She came around next morning and said I beleive your children have been making too much noise and then putting to us that there had also been vandalism on the campsite - this all from 6 year old well behaved supervised children ! We actually got back to the tent just before 9.30 pm - children cleaned teeth etc at loo block then went straight to sleep. Have I got the wrong idea regarding "communal" living when camping - surely we should accept each other in this situation - and had we indeed been over noisy we certainly would have apoligised but as it was we were left feeling upset and that this isn't a very friendly site which caters for the family.
Sent in by Jackie Barrett
Newberry Farm Combe Martin
August, 2003
This site is owned and run by a lady who has a serious attitude problem and thoroughly dislikes children. We returned from our holiday early this month due to the treatment we and our children received. Anyone considering visiting this site should be without children and preferable drawing a pension. The other point worth noting is that they also run a skip hire business from the same address, and the lorries use the site for access to their tipping ground. This starts at around 7.30am and continues throughout the day - so you are guaranteed no lie in's on this site!! If you are looking for a relaxing, carefree, peaceful holiday this is a site you will definitely want to avoid.
Sent in by Andrew & Sarah Creighton
Parkland Camping and Caravan Site
Sorley Green Cross
Kingsbridge
Devon
TQ7 4AF
01548 852723 (24hr answer phone)
Latitude:
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Garmin POI file (all Devon Sites)
GPS Data from Google earth and has not been verified. Use at your own risk.
jamesparkland@aol.com
Parkland is a very welcoming and freindly site set in the heart of
the South Hams, which is an area of outstanding natural beauty. Parkland
is set in three acres of level grounds with devon banks and stunning
views.
Parkland is a traditional site for families and couples, with modern
facilities which are well looked after. There is plenty of outdoor play
equipment for the children, including trampolines which are very popular,
there is also a small indoor play room.
Parkland is open all year, with the shower & toilet blocks being
heated in winter, the site also has a laundry room with up to date coin
operated machines.
Sorry, but no dogs are allowed at any time onto the site.
Parkland is council licences for short and long term caravan/boat storage
in a secure yard. At Parkland there is no charge for an electric hook
up.
Rates available on request.
Sent in by James Parker (Employed by site)
Parkland Camping and Caravan Site
Sorley Green Cross
Kingsbridge
Devon
TQ7 4AF
Latitude:
Longitude:
Garmin POI file (all Devon Sites)
GPS Data from Google earth and has not been verified. Use at your own risk.
Please be aware of the following if considering this site:
The cleanliness of the toilets and showers leaves a lot to be desired.
The shower temperature varies erratically - not good when you are showering
young children.
Some of the pitches are immediately adjacent to a main road which stays
busy late into the night at harvest time.
Don't expect customer service, we complained when settling up and were
just ignored.
Sent in By The Explorer.
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Leonards Cove Holiday Park
Dartmouth
Latitude:
Longitude:
Garmin POI file (all Devon Sites)
GPS Data from Google earth and has not been verified. Use at your own risk.
My wife, myself and three young kids (9, 7, 5), having had good weather
for 13 nights at two other camping sites in North and then South Devon
and a very enjoyable time, decided to book in to Leonards Cove Holiday
Park, just outside Dartmouth, for a further two nights.
The facilities in Cades 2001 guide looked ok and we didn't check them
out before we booked in, unfortunately.
A Portacabin provided two toilets, 3 showers (20p charge and plastic
curtains), two hand basins and one wash up sink in both the Ladies and
Gents. All for £14.25 a night (our previous sites were around
£16 a night and included heated swimming pools, free showers,
shops, kids playgrounds).
The first night we were kept awake until 02:00 by tents behind us. We
complained to the owner the next day (someone else already complained
during the night) and told it was a "one off" and the people
were leaving anyway. We asked, and were refused, a refund for the coming
night, as we had then decided this site wasn't for us. We stayed, assured
the second night would be better. No such luck! The tents next to us
had a guitar player/singer (bad) and laughter until 01:00. I was fuming
by this time, particularly as I had a 300 mile drive back that day.
I complained to the owner (yes, at 01:00 in the morning).
The explanation the following morning was that "It is Regatta week
in Dartmouth", implying "what do you expect?". Quiet
campsites after 23:00!
Conclusion: avoid Leonards Cove Holiday Park during Dartmouth Regatta
week (we are going to avoid it permanently).
sent in by Barry Tipper
Leonards Cove
Stoke Fleming
Dartmouth
Devon
TO6 0NR
OS, map ref. 864,483 Landranger 202
Latitude:
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Garmin POI file (all Devon Sites)
GPS Data from Google earth and has not been verified. Use at your own risk.
Booked well in advance, we have a medium size dome tent and were told that we would have to pay for a large pitch which would be £13.50 per night plus £2.00 for electric hook up, we booked for a week and were told that we were allocated pitch No 8.
On arrival we found a very sloping field with no marked out or numbered pitches, we were told where to pitch which was extremely close to other tents and miles away from any available hook up, not at all what we expected having paid for a “LARGE” pitch.
During the course of the week the site became quite full and cramped with guy ropes touching or crossing at times, at this time the toilet facilities became very stretched. They consisted of a porta cabin housing 3 curtained off showers, 2 toilets 2 sinks, and 1 washing up sink in both the men’s and ladies.
With the tents being in close proximity to one another, noise from other tents became an issue, and on the first night we were kept awake until 1.30am by a group enjoying a few drinks and using colourfull language, and actually tripping over our guy ropes on their frequent trips to the toilet.
The site has a great position overlooking Leonards Cove, so it is with some regret that I have to post such a negative review. It did appear that the
proprietors were perhaps a little greedy and would squeeze people in rather than saying that they were full.
Value for money POOR. We will not be returning.
Sent in by Pete Bate
Stowford Farm Meadows
Touring Caravan and Camping Park
Berry Down, Combe Martin, North Devon, EX34 0PW
Telephone 01271 882476 Fax 01271 883053
Email enquiries@stowford.co.uk
Latitude:
Longitude:
Garmin POI file (all Devon Sites)
GPS Data from Google earth and has not been verified. Use at your own risk.
It is obvious that Stowford have something to worry about as they keep
removing my comments off the message board on their pop-up annoying
website!
We went home two days early because we think that Stowford is expanding
too quickly and that there are not enough facilities to cater for all
of the extra people.
We calculated that there must now be around 1000 pitches or more, and
for that, they supply:
1 x inadequate 'play park' which is too far away from most pitches for
parents to comfortably allow their children to go to unattended, bearing
in mind today's climate. No free noddy train provided, and the play
park is far too small.
9 x tumble dryers for approx 4000 people or more. The tumble dryers
are inefficient and there are not enough washing machines. Seats should
be provided by the washing facilities as I spent approx 9 hours in total
trying to get my laundry done. This is the first campsite laundrette
that had provided tumble dryers that didn't dry very well at all.
Not enough seating provided in the bars. People had to sit on the pavements
as there was not enough space for them indoors. The entertainment was
not up to much, and there were not enough structured children's activities.
The horse riding 'lessons' were a farce. Half an hour of going round
in circles led by one person who did not have proper control of the
situation and seemed to have lost the will to live. One child was almost
falling off but this went unnoticed. Basic instruction should have been
given, but none was although the 'instructor had been made aware that
the children were beginners.
The showers were closed at awkward times. There is a swimming session
in the morning, and no showers in the swimming pool. This means that
people could not go for a shower afterwards. On Monday, we were not
even allowed to wash our hands after using the toilets. This surely
must contravene the health and safety act?
Brochures posted to us this year were inaccurate, as prices on the campsite
were more expensive than shown in print.
Not enough street lighting at night.
The staff did not seem to be child friendly. Most of the staff we met
were abrupt to the point of rudeness. I feel that the owner of Stowford
has expanded too quickly without giving thought to the facilities required
for the additional amount of people. The lady in the swimming pool was
most rude and this has been commented on by somone else on the message
board.
Not one of the people that I spoke to I passing has anything positive
to say about Stowford. I am sorry but until some of the above comments
have been actioned, then I can only foresee that people like ourselves
will only go to that site once, as the potential has not been realised
yet.
Sent in by SamanthaNeish@aol.com