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Moonbow Escapes

100%

· Ashwater, Devon, England

59.3052 acres hosted by Sylvia D.

2 glamping pitches

Creature comforts

Enjoy the comforts of home at some sites—including flush toilets, showers, and a kitchen.

A super-sized shepherd's hut with a wood-fired hot tub, set in the meadows of West Devon

Dr Who had the tardis. Glampers have Moonbow Escapes. In the countryside of West Devon, 25 minutes’ drive from both Dartmoor National Park and the North Cornwall coast, this glamping site, first opened in 2021, is home to just a single shepherd’s hut but it is one of oversized proportions. And while, from the outside, it retains its rustic charm – think wood-framed windows, curved corrugated roof and a chimney puffing smoke from the wood-burner – inside the extra space is a welcome addition. Forget the pokey digs of a regular shepherd’s hut, here there’s a table for two beneath the window, an en-suite shower room and the fitted king-sized bed still has room for a smart TV at one end. There’s room to swing several cats. Though cat swinging is strongly advised against.

The final mile to Moonbow is down a narrow, hedge-lined road before you turn off on to a track. It really feels as if you’re heading into a rural hinterland. The hut is in its own private meadow, with a wooden dining shelter alongside, a campfire-pit at the ready and, most invitingly of all, a wood-fired hot tub, specially designed in an oval shape for two people. Switch off your car engine and you quickly realise how calm and quiet the place feels, with the only noise coming from wildlife in the pinewood plantation to the north or from birds in the long grasses of the surrounding meadows.

Quiet and isolated though it may be, the reality is that this patch near the Devon-Cornwall border is still within reach of England’s hot spots. For many visitors that means the coast. The surf town of Bude, the popular beaches of Summerleaze, Widemouth Bay and National Trust-owned Sandymouth are all within around 25 or 30 minutes drive and walkers will enjoy some of the most dramatic sections of the South West Coast Path. Dartmoor National Park, too, is within half an hour's drive, with good walks around Meldon Quarry, Black-a-Tor and Watchet Hill – another good place to wear out your feet before letting them soak, of an evening, in the Moonbow Escapes’ hot tub.

Activities

Biking

Boating

Fishing

Hiking

Natural features

Beach

Forest

Lake

Coastal

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100%

4 Ratings · 5 reviews

Chloe W.recommends

April 6, 2023

Moonbow Escapes 1

Had the best break at Moonbow! The hut was lovely and cosy, with everything you could need very private and peaceful. Absolutely stunning, didn’t want to leave! ❤️

Amelia P.

October 7, 2021

Thank you so much for such a wonderful weekend. The location was completely stunning. Nestled amongst the fields, tucked away from everything. Loved the hot tub, watching the sunset and waking up to a family of deer in the bottom field. The hut was spacious and immaculate, beautifully decorated and equipped with everything we needed. Hosts were on hand if there were any issues. Was pure luxury. We will be back again!

Laurence F.recommends

September 20, 2021

Moonbow Escapes 1

We really enjoyed recent our stay at Moonbow Escapes, valuing the peace and quiet of having our own country estate (well a separate field, but felt very spoilt). We were treated to some wonderful wildlife, from a couple of deer on the first night, to acrobatic bat displays as they wolfed down insects attracted by our lights and flocks of goldfinches flying at low level across the field. The accommodation is very spacious, with no expense spared to make it feel both comfortable and luxurious. There is ample outside seating, both covered and uncovered allowing a full appreciation of the peace and quiet of the surrounding, particularly at night. Sylvia was also a very considerate host. We had no power one morning and after investigating Sylvia found it had been turned off for repair works but with no prior notice. She left us a gift to make up for the inconvenience even though this was something that was obviously beyond her control. We would strongly recommend Moonbow Escapes.

Luke E.recommends

September 19, 2021

Moonbow Escapes 1

Myself and my partner booked for the weekend (Friday-Sunday) we arrived late due to work commitments the owner was very accommodating leaving the key in a lock box and even putting a solar light on the gate to help us find it in the dark. The hut was perfectly clean and beautiful inside and out. Very well equipped the hot tub was lovely we can't wait to visit again! Only down side was we had to go home 🤣

Emma L.recommends

August 10, 2021

Moonbow Escapes 1

We had such a lovely stay at the shepherds hut. We had come from busy St Ives so it was very refreshing to be in the peace and quiet, surrounded by lovely views. The hut was very clean, well equipped and all the towels and bedding smelled amazing and felt so luxurious! The smart tv was a great addition so we could chill out and watch movies in the evening. We really enjoyed the wood fired hot tub, it was such a novelty and fun to relax and enjoy the surrounding views. The host was very accommodating and helpful, we thoroughly enjoyed our stay and getting away from it all. Thank you!

Location

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

Hosted by Sylvia D.Joined in May 2021

From the host

Our luxurious Shepherds Hut that sleeps two is set within its own private field encompassed by thirteen little fields that make up our mini-estate. We are situated in Devon a few miles from the traditional market town of Holsworthy and are a short drive to the North Cornwall coast to the west and Dartmoor to the southeast, very near to Bude. We have positioned the Shepherds Hut to encapture the view of the natural flora and fauna which is laid out before the backdrop of our local wood which can be accessed through our private entrance.

Nearby attractions

Moonbow is pretty much equidistant from the coast and Dartmoor National Park (about 25 minutes' drive to each), so you can take your pick from a day on the beach or walking in the wilds and on the moors. The nearest beaches also happen to be some of the best. Bude, Widemouth Bay and Sandymouth Bay are all hugely popular for surfing, as well as general sun lounging, and there are surf schools where you can hire boards or book lessons if you're new to it. Closer to home there are good local footpaths to explore, with a number of Forestry England and Woodland Trust woods within striking distance of the campsite – there are good trails in Cookbury Woods, just south of Moonbow Escapes, and it's also just a five-minute drive to National Trust-owned Dunsland (01237 441976), where there was once a grand manor house that was burnt down but you can still discover ponds, gardens, coach-houses and the out-buildings of the estate. It's a 10-minute drive to Holsworthy, the nearest sizeable settlement, where there are supermarkets for stocking up and also a local museum (01409 259337).

Food and drink

It's 10 minutes' to Holsworthy where there's a Waitrose, Co-Op and M&S, as well as a petrol station. The town is also home to several pubs – The Old Market Inn (01409 254666) being perhaps the pick of the bunch – but the closest pub to the campsite is actually the country pub, The Bickford Arms (01409 221318) a couple of miles away. Rebuilt after a fire in 2003, the 17th-century coaching inn has flagstone flooring, low beams, two wood-burning stoves and historic photos of the pub before, during and after the fire. There are real ales on tap and it's well known for its Sunday carveries.

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