Dog-friendly bell tents in Fernworthy Forest

Woodland walks, lakeside picnics, and Bronze Age ruins are the highlights of this Dartmoor forest.

97% (225 reviews)
97% (225 reviews)

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12 top dog-friendly bell tents sites in Fernworthy Forest

97%
(37)

Thorncombe Farm

57 units · Glamping, Motorhomes, Tents1 acre · Dorchester, England
Situated in the heart of the Dorset countryside, Thorncombe Farm offers a warm, friendly welcome. Our mostly flat campsite has beautiful views into the valley and comes with all the amenities you would expect from a small site, with the add bonus of fresh free range eggs and home produced meat, burgers and sausages available for pre order! Bell Tents For 2023, glampers and those that want to take the hassle out of pitching/buying a tent/less baggage in the vehicle or even those that want to try camping under canvas for the first time our site has 3 (5 metre) furnished bell tents each with a separate dining area complete with seating and table. The tents have been upgraded with deluxe double and 2 single beds, carpeting and rugs , storage cabinet and mirror. We have now supplied electricity to the tents so we can provide a small fridge, recharge points for devices, In addition each bell tent has a fire pit and barbeque and a double ring gas stove. Four settings of cutlery , plates and mugs are supplied with a wash bowl. The beds are supplied with a top sheet only. So please bring what you need or a sleeping bag. Each booking is for a minimum 2 night stay and is for up to 4 people. Priced from £70/night We can supply 2 additional Disco beds bunks to take the total to six guests . The additional guests would be subject to a supplemental charge.Any queries please contact us before booking if necessary. CAMPING All are grass pitches only. and we retain the same facilities. There will be 25 pitches available. Please note at Bank Holiday Weekends it is a minimum 3 night booking. Fri-Sunday.We allow fires and Barbecues. All we ask is the barbecue or fire pit is off the ground and does not burn the grass of the campsite.There are fire pits for hire on a first come first serve basis at £5 for the duration of your stay. There is firewood available for sale Showers are no longer on a card system; Free as they should be Absolutely no pets in our bell tents whatsoever on the grounds of hygiene, health and the welfare of other guests , guest will be asked to leave if pets are found or seen in our bell tents. Pets welcome as per existing rules just not in our tents.
Potable water
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from 
£17
 / night
100%
(1)

Knowle Meadow Camping

4 units · Glamping, Motorhomes, Tents4 acres · England
Knowle Meadow Camping is a multi-award winning lavish camping and glamping site in a tree-enclosed meadow located in the heart of south Somerset, eight minutes from Ilminster. The site offers a small, intimate number of camping pitches as well as fantastic glamping options, including a Shepherd's Hut and Lotus Stargazer Belle tents. The site has a Scandinavian wood-fired barrel sauna available for all guests at set times, with a half-moon window showcasing the beautiful views of the surrounding countryside. There are hotel-style washrooms, with powerful rainfall showers. With ten generously sized pitches available for tents or small campervans, the site offers a memorable and intimate camping experience. The camping pitches are all individual, surrounded by wildflowers and long grass, creating a picturesque setting for all campers. There is also an all-weather barn with seating, and campers have access to a fridge freezer. The Yarrow Shepherd's Hut is a two person hut made locally in Merriott. It boasts a superbly comfortable double bed, warming log burner, mini kitchen, and private Scandinavian woodfired hot tub. Yarrow's private hedge-enclosed garden has a firepit with a grill and outside seating, offering stunning views of the surrounding area. The site also offers two Lotus Stargazer Belle Tents (each sleeps up to two adults and two children), Bluebell and Foxglove, each with its own unique style. Both tents are six metres in diameter with skylight windows, providing uninterrupted views of the night sky. Each tent has a king-size bed and two single "camp" beds suitable for children. There are log burners, fire pits and outdoor kitchens. Electricity is available too. There are a wealth of walks direct from the campsite to a number of local pubs and other attractions. Further down our lane is a cycle path which links to Ilminster, Chard and beyond. The Jurassic Coast (and Lyme Regis) can be reached within 25 minutes. For more details, and our recommendations for places to visit, have a look at our website: www.knowlemeadowcamping.co.uk Knowle Meadow Camping won gold for the New Tourism Business of the Year and silver for Campsite of the Year at the Bristol, Bath & Somerset Tourism Awards 2024/25.
Potable water
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from 
£42
 / night

Dog-friendly getaways

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Happy farmer sitting in a truck in a grassy field
Happy farmer sitting in a truck in a grassy field

Dog-friendly bell tents in Fernworthy Forest guide

Overview

Set on the banks of the Fernworthy Reservoir at the heart of the Dartmoor National Park, Fernworthy Forest has some of the NP’s most rewarding short walks. Follow the lakeside trail, enjoy bird-watching or fish for brown trout around the lake, then stop for a picnic by the lakeside. Hikers can choose from a variety of forest trails. Explore Bronze Age stone circles, follow scenic woodland walks, and spot herds of native Dartmoor ponies grazing the moors. There are no campsites at Fernworthy Forest, but wild camping is permitted—pitch your tent beneath the trees for a real back-to-nature experience.

When to go

July and August are the peak season in Dartmoor National Park, and popular spots such as Fernworthy Forest can get crowded—parking is limited, so get there early. Forest walks can be enjoyed year-round, but it’s most magical in autumn, with its canopy of fall foliage. Dartmoor weather is notoriously changeable, so pack a sweater and raincoat even in summer.

Know before you go

  • Fernworthy Forest is located north of Dartmoor National Park, about a 15-minute drive southwest of Chagford. There is a pay and display car park by the entrance to the forest.
  • Restrooms are located at the forest car park, but there are no other facilities, so bring everything you need with you. The closest village is Chagford, which has a few pubs and small shops. 
  • Trout fishing is possible on the lake between March and October, and fishing permits can be purchased on-site. 
  • Parts of the lakeside trail are accessible for wheelchairs and pushchairs.
  • Dartmoor National Park is one of the few places in the UK where wild camping is permitted. Tents must be pitched away from roads and attractions, and large group camping is not allowed. 
  • Dartmoor has free-roaming ponies, sheep, and cattle, and these animals have the right of way on moorland roads. There is a strict speed limit of 40 mph throughout. It is a fineable offense to feed any of the animals in the park, and visitors are also advised to keep a distance for their own safety—these are feral animals and may kick or bite.

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