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2 acres
1 unit
1 Glamping
A single yurt tucked among trees between Dartmoor and the beautiful North Devon coast
Hidden down rural lanes in North Devon, tucked amid the spruce and alder of a leafy woodland is where you’ll find Ruby’s Wild Orchard, an exclusive-use camping site. Book here and you’re guaranteed the whole two acres to yourself. Accommodation is provided in the suitably-named Green Hideaway Yurt which sleeps up to four and if you want to come with friends there’s space for your pals to pitch a tent too.
The 16-foot yurt is warmed by a log burner and has a king-sized bed and two single futons, each made up ready for your arrival thanks to host Lynne, who’ll welcome you here then leave you to enjoy the space. There’s a separate, spacious kitchen tent just outside and a little shed with a hot shower, compost loo and washing up. It’s all for you, but what’s more impressively “all yours” is the surrounding trees and green. You can watch great tits, chaffinches and squirrels come and go from the bird feeder and let kids (if you’ve come with them) build dens in the woods or dip in the pond. It’s hard to say who this site is best for. While families love the chance to let their kids get stuck into good old-fashioned fun, couples can enjoy a quiet getaway and the option to add a tent means small group getaways (there’s a maximum of eight on site) are a happy possibility too.
With campfires, den building, wildlife watching and pond-dipping all available outside the yurt, you could while away lazy days right here but exploring further is advisable. There’s Sheepwash village and its pub less than two miles’ walk away and if you don’t fancy a walk then a bike is a good idea. Ruby’s Orchard is next to a lane that is part of the N27 National Cycle route and also just over a mile from the famous Tarka Trail. If you’re feeling energetic you can cycle all the way to Bideford, or drive there and hire kayaks to explore the Torridge Estuary. There’s swimming or surfing on Devon’s beaches or going for a hike in Dartmoor National Park. Just make sure that, whatever you choose, you’re back in time to get the campfire going, to hear the owls wake up and see the stars come out. Nights here are as special as the days.
Activities
Biking
Boating
Fishing
Hiking
Natural features
Beach
Forest
River, stream, or creek
Coastal
Location
Devon Ex21 5 Pw, England, United KingdomTo respect the Host's privacy, the precise address of this land will be provided after booking
Hosted by Lynne P.Joined in July 2017
From the host
Welcome to the leafy haven of Ruby’s Wild Orchard, home to Green Hideaway Yurt; an exclusive-to-you camp providing all you need for an escape to the lovely countryside of north Devon. Yes! You really do get the 2 acres all to yourselves. And all you need to bring are your torch and towels! The camp is off-grid, and managed in a way that brings you comfortable, easy camping, whilst encouraging the local wildlife to remain here too.
The 16ft yurt has a king-sized bed, with the option to add up to 2 futon chair-beds (most suitable for children). All cotton bedding and extra blankets are provided. There’s a wood burner in the yurt for chillier evenings, as well as a fire bowl nearby.
If you’d like to bring a slightly larger group you can add your own tent as an extra, to sleep up to another 4 (maximum 8 people on site please). Next to the yurt is a kitchen tent with all you need for cooking and eating. We have solar lights, a gas shower and compost toilet. A fire bowl is located a small distance from the yurt and plenty of seating is provided.
Lynne the owner also has some fruit and veggie growing areas here.
If you feel energetic there is access (all less than an hour’s drive, at most), to the coasts of north Cornwall and Devon, with sandy beaches, rocky coves. surfing and coasteering courses, the south-west coast path and the northern edge of Dartmoor for hiking. The traffic-free cycling and walkingTarka Trail route, taking you along the glorious Torridge river and estuary is just a mile away. Also within easy distance you’ll find the RHS garden at Rosemoor, a pony-trekking centre and numerous local footpaths.
If all that sounds just too exhausting, and what you really crave is a rest, you can relax in a hammock with a book, while your kids, if you bring them, make dens in the spruce woodland. Watch the bird life visiting the feeders, or indulge in a gentle stroll by the river Torridge at Sheepwash bridge followed by a lazy pub lunch.
Ruby’s Wild Orchard is in an area reclaimed from spruce- woodland and planted up with some apple trees (an orchard only in a very informal sense). We have a small pond which can be pond-dipped to discover the newts and dragonfly nymphs, plenty of areas left wild for the insects and birds, but all managed in a way that makes being here cosy and comfortable.
You can accommodate up to 4 in the yurt, with the 2 futon chair-beds being most suitable for children. Add extra guests by bringing your own tent as an extra. (Max. 4 extra people, limit applies to tent size).
Nearby attractions
The famous Tarka Trail, a 30-mile, traffic-free cycle and walking trail following the route of a former railway line, is just 1½ miles from the campsite. Bring your own bikes to make the most of it, though you can also hire them 8 miles away in Great Torrington (which is on the route). While there, visit RHS Garden Rosemoor (01805 624067) or try The Plough Arts Centre (01805 624624) – it has a great mix of films, live music and a nice café (a place to remember for rainy days) – plus there’s also access to some 360 acres of common land. Back at trail, cycle inland to Devon Wildlife Trust's Meeth Quarry Reserve or head coastwards along the Taw/Torridge estuary as far as Braunton. The ginormous sand dune system at Braunton Burrows is a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and an excellent spot for walking and wildlife watching. Further afield, North Dartmoor is a 45-minute drive away at Okehampton, while the North Devon and North Cornwall coasts are around 40 minutes drive.
Food and drink
The Half Moon (01409 231376) in Sheepwash is 1½ miles away and the place to go for a pint of Doom or an evening meal. It makes for a pleasant walk if you head cross-country on the footpaths. There are 2 pubs in Hatherleigh, one with a micro-brewery, while the best café stops by day are the Yarde Orchard Café (01805 601778) – an ethical café in an up-cycled railway shed on the Tarka Trail (2 miles) – and The Puffing Billy Trading Co (01805 623050), also by the Tarka Trail, located at Great Torrington's old railway station – it’s our pick for breakfasts and lunches.
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