Bowhayes Farm - Glamping & Camping

Secluded and scenic camping awaits in Bowhayes Farm Camping, where you pick your own pitch in a sprawling 15-acre cider orchard. The campsite has a peacefulness that mirrors the surroundings – tucked away near the small village of Venn Ottery, with Sidmouth and the Jurassic Coast less than five miles away. Set up your tent in the wide rows between the apple trees and enjoy some of England's starriest skies. This is what it's all about.

In the British weather, the trees are a particularly good asset. They provide good shade on hot days, clear avenues of sun for when you want it, and plenty of shelter from the wind. In the spring, the pink apple blossom also makes the perfect backdrop for photos, and the local wildlife is understandably drawn to the place – rabbits, foxes, badgers, and even deer wander through the orchard.

Hosts, Fiona and Howard, swapped corporate lives in the city for Bowhayes’ rural escapism and everything about their site is geared towards helping guests achieve a semblance of that too. The facilities are suitably simple for that “semi-wild” experience, from an outdoor sheltered shower to a farm toilet, and mornings can be spent on the coffee deck with a cuppa in hand. There's even a little farm shop for all your essentials. Peace and quiet is further ensured thanks to a good rule that pitches should be a minimum of 10 metres apart (with an adult area separated from the family camping space).

If the orchard itself isn't stunning enough – and trust us, it is – then there's plenty to explore nearby. You're a short drive away from Aylesbeare Common Nature Reserve for tranquil heathland walks and bird watching, while the coast can be reached in less than 15 minutes. Or, if you're in the mood for some shopping, you're less than half an hour's drive away from Exeter.