Exe Valley Glamping

Somewhere between Dartmoor and Exmoor, almost midway between the beaches of Devon’s southern and northern coastlines, is Exe Valley Glamping. We’re not being deliberately vague about its location; it’s just that it’s somewhere a little off the beaten track. Book here and you’ll need to set your sat nav for the village of Bickleigh. That’s as far as four wheels will get you. After that, it’s a five-minute stroll through woodland to reach the site’s luxurious but eco-friendly, family-orientated safari lodges.

Thankfully, site owner Patrick will cruise up to the village in his Land Rover to collect your luggage so you and the kids can walk unencumbered through the trees. Although it’s the lie of the land that’s made the woodland walk necessary, you wouldn’t blame Patrick if he’d designed it this way. It’s a perfect introduction to rural Devon, a chance to unwind from the journey and for holiday anticipation to grow. And when you emerge from the trees you won’t be disappointed as you find yourself in a grassy glamping meadow where your lodge is one of just three.

The countryside concierge feel does not end with Patrick’s luggage delivery. Step inside your safari lodge and you’ll find beds are made, hot water bottles provided and, if you’ve been sensible enough to pre-order from the site’s Larder Menu, the kitchen is stocked with your choice of goodies from locally-sourced breakfast packs to bottles of Champagne. These spacious lodges are luxurious but not showy; tastefully decorated and designed with the environment in mind. They are en suite but off-grid with solar energy for lighting and power for your fridge. Natural materials and muted colours mean that the great outdoors remains the big attraction. There’s no hot tubs or TVs but there are campfires, stars and board games instead.

The woodland walk, of course, provides a handy link back to Bickleigh, which is more than just a place to park the car. There’s a selection of crafty shops and a tearoom in a watermill, riverside walks, a railway museum and a pub that serves food. There’s wild swimming in the Exe too but if you fancy a dip in the sea, Exe Valley Glamping is within an hour’s drive of sandy North Devon beaches and closer to the shinglier ones of the south. It’s closer still to the adventures out on Exmoor and Dartmoor - and the market town of Tiverton is just three miles away. In fact, the ‘somewhere’ that Exe Valley Glamping belongs to is not that far from anywhere in Devon. Stay here and you might just find there’s nowhere you’d rather be.