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Deer Barn Retreats

95%
·
· Taunton, England
6 acres hosted by Emily H.
2 glamping pitches
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Creature comforts
Enjoy the comforts of home at some sites—including flush toilets, showers, and a kitchen.
emily is a Star Host
Star Hosts are highly rated, responsive, and committed to providing incredible experiences.
Dog-friendly glamping on the Somerset-Devon border

It doesn’t take long to work out how Devon glamping site Deer Barn Retreats got its name. Stay quiet under the canvas cover of the lodge or bell tent here and the deer soon make an appearance. It’s one of the wild delights of staying at this pleasant place on the Devon side of the Devon-Somerset border. Others are the woodland birds and wildflowers. But it’s not too wild out here. Your accommodation, for example, is perfectly pleasant and there’s a pub for dinner just a 15-minute walk away.

Hosts Emily and John have set up this dog-friendly glamping retreat in the field next to their house. They’ll welcome you to the site and show you your accommodation and the shared facilities. These include the larder (with an honesty shop, dishwashing sink and somewhere to charge your phone) and an indoor bathroom per tent – complete with flushing loo and hot shower. Stroll over to the safari tent-style canvas lodge or the six metre bell tent where you’ve chosen to stay and things are more stripped back.

There’s no running water and no electricity which means limited lighting – and plenty of opportunity to see stars. Just because it’s off grid, it doesn’t mean you can’t expect comfort. In fact, there’s plenty of that. Comfortable beds and quality linen offer a good night’s sleep in whichever accommodation you’ve chosen. The canvas lodge sleeps up to five and has two separate bedrooms while the single space of the six-metre bell tent is as good for a couple as it is for a family of four. Both are positioned in a copse of trees with views over the meadow where those deer often graze. And both have cooking kit, a fire pit and day one’s logs provided.

If a campfire dinner doesn’t appeal, however, The Staplecross Inn is just over half a mile up the lane – it’s popular so book in advance. It’s a good option if you’ve been out exploring all day. Perhaps you’ll be spending your time on the beach at Topsham, Exmouth or Porlock Wier, or walking in nearby Exmoor National Park.

Activities
Biking
Hiking
Horseback riding
Wildlife watching
Natural features
Field
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95%
22 Ratings · 19 reviews
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Lee A.recommends
March 3, 2024
Canvas Lodge in Wildflower Meadow
Relaxing stay
What a beautiful place to stay! Emily is a lovely host and the set up is perfect. There’s everything you’ll need for a comfortable off grid night. Showers and kitchen were spotless and beds are comfy. The hot water bottles and extra blankets were great as it was cold at night. A lovely stay, will definitely come again.
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Sunny S.recommends
February 20, 2024
Canvas Lodge in Wildflower Meadow
Unplugged Bliss: A Five-Star Tent C
Imagine the symphony of nature replacing the constant buzz of urban life. That's tent camping. A weekend tent trip grants a five-star ticket to simplicity, where the hustle is traded for serene sunsets and digital screens for starlit canopies. My experience of tent camping was restorative and exhilarating, with the bonus of an organic alarm clock—the sweet chirps of morning birds. The tent became my humble abode, snuggly and secure, a personal pocket in the wilderness. The campfire crackled with camaraderie, melting marshmallows and barriers between fellow outdoor enthusiasts alike. Sure, luxury is nice, but the lush greenery, crystal-clear air, and the refreshing absence of Wi-Fi brought a different kind of richness. Every deep breath was a luxury, and every view was a masterpiece. If nature's serenade isn't lure enough, the practicality of tent camping seals the deal. It’s affordable, adventurous, and the perfect setting to forge unforgettable memories. Whether it's a solo expedition or a group quest, tent camping is a timeless pursuit, delivering unadulterated joy and an epic tale to tell. Emily our host greeted us on arrival and showed us around. Highly recommended place to stay and soak in Nature.
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Natasha S.recommends
October 22, 2023
Canvas Lodge in Wildflower Meadow
Relaxing birthday treat
What a perfect girls trip to celebrate my friends birthday, just the two of us and it was exactly what we needed. The safari tent is set on such beautiful land, surrounded by fields and fields as far as the eye can see, so picturesque. We had a fab nights sleep, the beds are so comfy and the stove kept the tent toasty. The sounds of the wildlife, the owls, deer, cows, sheep, birds, paired with the dark skies night whilst roasting marshmallows was magical. The larder/ tuck shop was a great idea so for a small charge you can buy breakfast bars, cereal, soup, crisps etc, there was also a fridge in there too. Our host JT was really welcoming and helpful, sounds like next year there are plans for a games room possibly which would be a great addition.
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Nicole B.recommends
September 24, 2023
Bell Suite in Wild Flower Meadow
Little
We loved the safari tent! Very spacious and beautiful decking with views. You’ll need to bring torches and lights for the evenings as there isn’t any light at all in the tent and the torches/lights provided didn’t have many batteries working. The kitchen in the tent has a really good gas job and kettle. No running water, but this is down in the shared kitchen. I would say to bring a kitchen towel and some cloths or oven gloves as nothing to support with the hot pans when cooking. Beds are really comfortable and bedding provided. Shared kitchen down a little hill (2 minute walk) with hot water, sink, washing up liquid, kettle and a honesty shop. But a few items out of date and fridges not cleaned in a while. Private bathroom with plumbed toilet, cold water sink, hot plumbed shower, just bring your towels and hand towels. Also, a gas heater provided to keep warm. Just west layers of clothes and snuggle up! Overall would definitely come back, but now a little more knowledgeable of little amenities not provided.
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Chloe E.recommends
August 24, 2023
Canvas Lodge in Wildflower Meadow
We had a truly wonderful stay at Deer Barn Retreat. As a family of four and with a dog we had a very pleasant and comfortable stay. The relaxed views and the fact that there is only one other tent on the site appealed to us. The canvas lodge itself is very comfortable, great linen and all the equipment you could ask for. Each tent has its only bathroom which is a very short walk from the lodge and a kitchen with an honesty shop proved very useful. We found the location great for both North and South Devon visits. Thank you John, Mike and Emily and we will definitely be back soon.
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Matthew B.recommends
August 18, 2023
Canvas Lodge in Wildflower Meadow
We very much enjoyed our stay the locatationis great with ample amenities and extremely friendly and accommodating hosts. We would highly recommend.
Location
Taunton, England, United KingdomTraditional, ancestral territory of various First Nations according to To respect the Host's privacy, the precise address of this land will be provided after booking
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Hosted by Emily H.Joined in April 2021
From the host
Located in a copse of tress with beautiful views, in a field full of wild flowers. Wild deer often pop in to the field and the dark skies, with no light pollution, make stargazing spectacular. There are many walks directly from the site and our village pub is just down the road - a 15 minute walk away. Brand new Canvas lodge sleeping up to 5 people in real beds, kitchen and dining area, outside veranda with seating, fire pit, BBQ and picnic bench. Bathroom chalets a short walk away. Kitchen and larder also on site. The lodge is off grid, electricity charging points are available in the kitchen area. We can only accept group booking for people over 21 years in age
Nearby attractions

Apart from the stargazing and wildlife watching on site, there are some good walks in the area including the short route along the lane to the local pub! Hosts Emily and John can help you out with other walking and running routes. Located in the middle of the border between Devon and Somerset, you can head north west to Exmoor National Park or south east to the Blackdown Hills, both have plenty of nice places to walk, cycle and sightsee. The National Trust’s Knightshayes House and Gardens is about eight miles away and its 13 miles to Taunton. The north coast of Somerset and the South Coast of Devon are both about 30 miles away. It’s quicker (35-45 minutes) to reach the south coast where Topsham’s pebbled beach and Exmouth’s sandy ones are popular places to visit. Driving to Porlock Wier on the north coast takes longer (about an hour) but it’s a scenic route through Exmoor National Park.

Food and drink

The closest shop is not that close so it’s handy that a few basic supplies, eggs and local milk, are provided in the site’s larder via an honesty shop system. Get in touch in advance and you can order breakfast hampers with local produce from Emily too. For more than that, the closest shop is the village shop in Stawley (four miles). The Staplecross Inn is just over half a mile up the road, and dog friendly. It serves food Wednesday to Sunday lunchtime. Other options are The Globe at Appley (four miles), The Culm Valley Inn, in the riverside village of Culmstock, and The Bear at Wiveliscombe (both eight miles). For local cider to sample by the campfire, head to Ridgeway Cider Farm, less than two miles away, and if you want to know more about the South West’s favourite tipple, join a tour at another cider farm, Sheppy’s, 10 miles down the road towards Wellington. There’s a good cafe/restaurant there too.

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