Deer Barn Retreats

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.