Koa Tree Camp

There are a lot of campsites and even more pitches named after the native trees of Britain. Oak, alder, beech and birch are commonplace in the UK, but there is only one Koa Tree Camp. Found in North Devon, named after a tree that’s indigenous to Hawaii and offering a mix of ultra modern geodomes and rustic, Norwegian-style log cabins; this place is a true one off – but it works. It’s revered namesake tree was used to make early surfboards and is said to be fast growing and able to reach impressive heights within five years. Suddenly the name, borrowed from halfway around the world, seems rather appropriate.

Koa Tree Camp put down roots on a smallholding in the Devon village of Welcombe in 2014. It’s changed hands since then but has kept a steady flow of returning guests thanks to its location close to surf-friendly, west-coast beaches and the laid-back vibe that’s continued through its evolution. It may be glamping only here but it has the communal feel of a campsite with a lovely shared Rainy Day Room where you can cook or simply hang out. If you don’t end up sharing stories of your surfing adventures with fellow guests here, there’s always the communal campfire outside. And there are regular pizza nights too – put on by your Koa Tree Camp hosts, Jack and Ilze, who’ll wow you with their circus skills if you’re lucky.

But what about the digs? Domes sleep up to six people, cabins up to four. They are all comfortably furnished with made-up beds, an electricity supply and a wood-burning stove. Outside, each has a deck with outdoor seating, a barbecue – and views; rolling Devonshire countryside by day and starlit Devonshire skies by night. Each dome and cabin has a bathroom allocated to it a little walk away. The luxurious feel (underfloor heating, hot water showers and flushing loos) belies the eco-friendly credentials which include waste water recycling, wood-fired hot water and a reed bed waste system. And the sustainability stretches further than the facilities as wildflower and woodland planting over the years has encouraged wildlife. You might spot the barn owls and hedgehogs at dusk but make sure to say aloha to the non native species too – a pair of resident alpacas.

It’s a large site and, with just nine glamping units, it never feels crowded. Cars are kept out of the glamping meadow and long grass separates the domes and cabins – except for a mown patch which is perfect for a spontaneous jumpers-for-goalposts kick-about. The land slopes away to a little woodland with a tree swing – and, well, that’s about it. It’s a place of simple pleasures; a relaxed but very comfortable base from which to explore the north coast of both Cornwall and Devon as it sits right on the border. It’s just three miles from the closest beach and nine miles from the surf at Sandymouth.