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The Enchanted Wilderness

86%

· Yelverton, England

22 acres hosted by Jonathan M.

5 tent pitches

Simple riverside camping pitches in the Tamar Valley on the edge of Dartmoor

At back-to-basics campsite The Enchanted Wilderness, you can swim wild, camp wild and go wild – or, at least nearly wild. Here on the Devon side of the River Tamar, 22 acres are being farmed for nature and you are invited to camp among them with only the barest of facilities. It’s a re-wilding experience both for the land and anyone who stays; the project of nature enthusiast Jonathan. He provides a warm welcome and a handful of pitches where you can stay under the stars, by the campfire and in sight of the river.

There’s a flat-ish field for those who like to camp by their car and wilder pitches too. There are a handful of these, tucked in different spots among long grass and bracken, away from everyone else. Some require quite a walk but are more likely to reward you with a glimpse of the wildlife that visits here: the deer, the hedgehogs, foxes, pheasants and dormice. Facilities for all campers are a simple compost loo, a hot water shower in a horsebox and a drinking water tap which you’ll find on the edge of the main camping field. If it’s all a little too back-to-basics for you, there are other ways to stay here as well – two gypsy wagons and a cabin, which have their own facilities, plus a couple of holiday cottages.

The riverside setting makes this an incredibly peaceful place to stay and provides much of the entertainment. Bring a paddleboard, kayak or canoe – or perhaps just your swimming gear – and you can launch straight into the river. You can walk alongside it on a footpath that passes through the farm or cross it to reach Cornwall. On the opposite bank is the National Trust’s Coethele, a Tudor house and gardens. Further up river is the pretty village of Calstock with an impressive viaduct carrying trains on the scenic Tamar Valley Line. The closest station on the line is only a mile from the campsite making The Enchanted Wilderness one that is surprisingly easy to reach and to explore from, with or without a car.

Pitch your tent on our secret pitch and you will have complete privacy. Or pitch with a beautiful view of the river. We have several places to choose from. The surrounding land is teeming with wildlife. You can watch buzzards flying overhead and learn all about the woodland animals and river life on the wildlife trail. We have lots of deer around the farm, so you may even be lucky enough to see one. There are badgers, foxes and a whole host of other small mammals and birds. Look out for the pheasants, there are lots around as we are protected from the local shoots. You will often see them feeding around the farm. The walks from the farm are beautiful. You can head due south or due north and do a circular route. On average, it takes an hour and a half to two hours to do the circular route non-stop. You can follow the road in either direction as the public footpath goes right through our property.

Activities

Boating

Fishing

Hiking

Horseback riding

Natural features

River, stream, or creek

Coastal

Field

Wetlands

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86%

11 Ratings · 9 reviews

Heather Leanne R.recommends

April 23, 2024

Wilderness camping

We loved camping at the Enchanted Wilderness! Great place for family's and anyone looking to be surrounded by beautiful views and nature. Will defiantly be visiting again. Jonathan was also a great host.

Marcus M.recommends

August 6, 2023

Wilderness camping

Marcus M

We loved the space, the tranquility and the river views. A magical location, away from everything with loads of space. The facilities are brilliantly rustic if that’s what you like; composting loo and a horse trailer shower were perfect after a beautiful kayak trip up the Tamar (100m from camping)! And Jonathan is a superb host.

Chloe B.

July 31, 2023

Wilderness camping

Lovely weekend away for my best friends birthday. We have been camping for many years now and enjoyed the tranquil settings as we knew it was going to be a very secluded area. I would say the host could have been a little more present and kept on top of the compost communal toilet a little better with toilet paper as this was sparse. The shower facilities where nice for camping however better lighting would have been great. A little info on bin areas would have been good and a little info on the local area would add a great touch to the trip as we didn't have great signal to view the area and have been given this type of information on previous sites we have stayed on. Thank you for our 2 day stay.

Felix C.recommends

July 26, 2023

Wilderness camping

Enchanted Wilderness indeed!

The enchanted wilderness is a remote, awe-inspiring location blessed with beautiful scenery and wildlife. The tent pitches are laid out alongside a small valley teaming with flora and fauna and a stream running through the middle. With only two on each side, they are thoughtfully placed and very tucked away, you feel completely alone there with just the gentle sound of the stream and the wildlife for company. Access is from a close car park and up the valley via quaint footpaths mown into the tall grass and wild flowers. A toilet and quirky shower unit with gas powered hot water is less than a minutes walk away and everything is kept clean and tidy. There is plenty to do on site, a pretty public footpath stretches all the way down to Plymouth, meandering alongside the river and through magical woodland. There are lots of spots by the river to stop off at to sit and watch the wildlife, you will see Herons, Woodpeckers, Owls and Dormice to name a few, and if you’re lucky you might spot the Otters playing in the river! Kayak launching is also available on the river and rentals are nearby. Jonathan was on hand to greet me and was very friendly and helpful throughout. I can highly recommend the Enchanted Wilderness!

Christina C.doesn't recommend

July 16, 2023

Wilderness camping

Jonathan was very friendly and welcoming. Unfortunately the new pitch had no grass and very soft soil which easily caused mess with small child. Our tent filled the size of a pitch with no room around the outside of the tent. No space to cook or Children to play. Very peaceful campsite with lovely views, however other campers played loud music and were very loud till very late.

Tracey A.recommends

June 26, 2023

Wilderness camping

Lovely river view site

This was a lovely place to camp, the views of the river were amazing. Lovely walks straight from the site. I think there are 5 tent pitches in total, but they're secluded from each other. We had the place to ourselves for our visit. The dogs really didn't want to come home!

Location

Yelverton, England, United KingdomTo respect the Host's privacy, the precise address of this land will be provided after booking

Hosted by Jonathan M.Joined in April 2023

From the host

On the south-western edge of Dartmoor, Devon, in England A utopian setting on the River Tamar near Tavistock, set in an AONB and SSSI not far from Dartmoor National Park. With an owner passionate about the natural countryside and environment, there are 22 acres of woodland and pastures that cradle the campsite. With views to Cornwall on the other side of the river. Untouched for the last 40-50 years by anything other than the local sheep and fauna. Bees and wild flowers are bountiful. With hillsides of wild garlic, primroses and bird-song. A host of wild birds and bees. Otters, deer, muntjac, and hedgehogs are regular visitors. And the owls play an orchestra most evenings. Amazing views can be seen in either direction and a plethora of outdoor activities are available on your doorstep: fishing, sailing, hiking, surfing, swimming. Amidst Devon's embrace By Jose Lavelle Amidst Devon's embrace, where riverside whispers flow, Lies the Enchanted Wilderness, where nature's secrets grow. A tapestry of wildflowers dance upon the land, As if painted by brushstrokes of an artist's gentle hand. The riverside meanders, its melody serene, Caressing the hearts of all who venture to this scene. Where farmland stretches wide, with gentle rolling hills, They whisper tales of history, and dreams that time fulfils. Beneath the ancient oaks, where tranquility resides, The Enchanted Wilderness enchants, with all its hidden tides. Birdsongs fill the air, a symphony so sweet, As sunlight dances softly, shining at nature's feet. Devon's haven of peace, where wildlife freely roam, Where dreams are born midst wildflowers that gracefully comb. The Enchanted Wilderness, a place where spirits thee, Find solace in its embrace, as nature sets them free. So come, wanderers and dreamers, to this enchanted shore, Where wildflowers sway and riverside stories lore. Let Devon's wilderness, with its magic untold, Embrace your weary heart, and enchant your very soul.

Nearby attractions

The Enchanted Wilderness sits on the banks of the River Tamar so wild swimming is an option for those who like to take a dip. There’s a slipway/jetty on site too so you can launch kayaks, canoes or paddleboards. And if you don’t have your own, kayaks can be hired and delivered by a company in Plymouth (ask Jonathan for details). A footpath that forms part of the Tamara Coast-to-Coast Way passes along the riverbank, right through the farm. Head out on it to walk as far as you wish. To the north, you reach the crossing to Calstock (by foot ferry) and to the south you can walk to Bere Ferrers from where you could take a train back to Bere Alston station, which is just a mile from the campsite. Seasoned walkers could even go as far as Plymouth (14 miles by car) and join Plymouth Boat Trips or Calstock Cruises to return and see the countryside from the water. The Tamar Valley Line is the mainline train route here - but is very scenic with a famous viaduct over the river at Calstock. You can use it to head north and cross the viaduct to Calstock (seven minutes) or further to Gunnislake in Cornwall or to travel south into Plymouth. On the opposite side of the river is the National Trust’s Coethele, a Tudor house with its own jetty on the river. It’s 11 miles by road but you can paddle across in a kayak or canoe – or combine a walk with the Calstock foot ferry. The market town of Tavistock is seven miles away, the edge of Dartmoor National Park, and all its outdoor adventures, just beyond.

Food and drink

You can buy fresh free range eggs from Jonathan on site. For other basics head up the road into Bere Alston. The village has a Co-op, a small convenience store and a butcher among its shops. There’s also a pub, The Edgecumbe Hotel, but it only serves drinks. The closest recommended place for a meal out is The Old Plough in Bere Ferrers (four miles). Calstock (10 miles by road; far less if you use the passenger ferry or train to cross the river) is a pretty village with a couple of options for eating out: The Tamar Inn and The Boot Inn among them. There are also some good options in Tavistock (seven miles), around the market square including The Cornish Arms which comes recommended by your host. You’ll find plenty of shops in Tavistock too including the nearest supermarkets to site. There’s also an indoor Pannier Market from Tuesdays to Saturdays and a farmer’s market on the second and fourth Saturdays of the month.

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