Ruby Country Camping

100%

24 reviews

· Highampton, Devon, England

5 acres hosted by Marc And Dinah W.

3 lodging sites · 1 RV/tent site · 2 tent sites

Creature comforts

Enjoy the comforts of home in nature at some pitches — including real toilets, showers, and kitchen.

Private pitches

100% of recent Hipcampers say pitches are private.

A natural, spacious meadow campsite perfect for exploring North Devon and Cornwall

Ruby Country Camping is a beautiful, natural, spacious meadow campsite. Named after this area of West Devon which takes its name from Devon’s Ruby Red cattle.

This is farming country and the evidence is everywhere. The five-acre camping field is one of the few that isn’t filled with cows, sheep or crops. Instead, it’s sparsely populated with campers. There are just seven camping pitches and three pre-pitched tents; one an empty bell tent, a Yurt and Lotus Belle Tent. These are fully furnished and the owners, Marc and Dinah, like to call them 'cosy camping'. They’re avoiding the G-word, as there’s no real glamour here, just good old-fashioned camping with natural surroundings and campfires, but the nearby hot showers and flushing toilets are very modern. The fact they’ve pitched the tents and made the beds for you is glampy enough for us but if you need a hot tub and hair straighteners, you’ll need to look elsewhere.

This West Devon hinterland feels far from the tourist trail but it is, in fact, incredibly well-connected. Cyclists on the 99-mile Devon Coast-to-Coast cycle trail pass on one side and the road to Bude passes on the other. That road is worth a mention here. It’s separated from the site by a thick and leafy hedgerow, but you will hear the sound of cars and tractors passing by. The upside, of course, is a direct link to the coast and an easy way to get out and explore. Dartmoor’s walking and wild swimming spots are 20 minutes’ drive with the beaches of Bude just half an hour away. In fact, from here, all of North Devon and North Cornwall is easy to explore. Closer by, there’s Hatherleigh; the definition of a rural Devon market town. Walk or cycle the back route there for a pint at the Tally Ho pub or a cream-first scone at one of its cafes.

If you are looking for a natural, spacious back to nature campsite but with flushing toilets (who wants to look down a compost loo) and lovely hot showers, Ruby Country Camping is the place for you and your family.

Activities

Biking

Hiking

Wildlife watching

Natural features

River, stream, or creek

Field

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Lodging

3 sites

Instant book

Renta Bell

100% (4)

Bell tent · Sleeps 5

Experience camping with out your own tent. You can stay in our spacious Bell Tent. We supply air beds and a gas camping stove. There is also a picnic table with shelter and a campfire .. The Bell Tent will sleep up to 4 adults, or 2 adults and 3 children.

Campfires allowed

Toilet

Potable water

No pets

Showers

Picnic table

from

£60

/ night

for 2 guests

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Yurt

100% (2)

Yurt · Sleeps 5

Lovely cosy Yurt in a secluded position. With its own covered camp kitchen and camp fire. Our yurt was made by Yurts for life here in Devon and has a new canvas this season. Complete with a double bed (linen supplied) and a log burner, to keep you warm and snug. The showers and toilets are close by, and you have your own fire pit with one bag of logs included. Additional Logs are for sale on site. The Yurt can accommodate 2 ADULTS MAX and up to 3 children

Campfires allowed

Toilet

Potable water

No pets

Showers

Picnic table

from

£100

/ night

for 5 guests

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Lotus Belle Tent

100% (1)

Bell tent · Sleeps 4

This is an original Lotus Belle tent, with a super cosy quilted lining. Looks gorgeous. Complete with a double bed (linen provided) and a covered camp kitchen. The showers and toilets are close by, and you have your own fire pit with one bag of logs included. Additional Logs are for sale on site. The Lotus belle can only accommodate 2 ADULTS and 2 children maximum

Campfires allowed

Toilet

Potable water

No pets

Showers

Picnic table

from

£90

/ night

for 4 guests

RV/tent sites

1 site

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Campervan

100% (7)

RV/tent site · Sleeps 5 · Vehicles under 16 ft

Individual pitches with plenty of space and a camp fire, also a grill so you can cook over the open fire. Each pitch is mowed out in the meadow and on its own. Logs are available to buy on site, Please let us know the details of your camper van before booking, as we don't have room for the larger motor homes.

Campfires allowed

Toilet

Potable water

Pets allowed

No electrical hookup

No water hookup

from

£25

/ night

for 2 guests

1 dispersed site

Tent sites

2 sites

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Tent Pitch

100% (9)

Tent site · Sleeps 5

Individual pitches with plenty of space and a camp fire, also a grill so you can cook over the open fire. . Each pitch is mowed out in the meadow and on its own. Logs are available to buy on site. Cars are parked at the top of the field, but you can drive to your pitch to unload.

Campfires allowed

Toilet

Potable water

Pets allowed

Showers

No picnic table

from

£25

/ night

for 2 guests

1 dispersed site

Instant book

Solo Cyclist pitch

100% (1)

Tent site · Sleeps 1

Because we have several solo cyclist passing through. We have made a smaller pitch especially for solo cyclists. The pitch has a campfire with a bench to sit on and lean the bike against

Campfires allowed

Toilet

Potable water

Pets allowed

Showers

No picnic table

from

£15

/ night

for 1 guest

Reviews

100% Recommend29 ratings · 24 reviews

Recommends

· August 2024

15 ft pop-up camper ·

Campervan

Nice spot to camp, we enjoyed our two nights in a campervan.. Everything you need is there and well thought out. Thanks Marc & Dinah..

Glen L.

2 reviews

Recommends

· August 2023

Great site, quiet and well kept

Tent · With pets ·

Solo Cyclist pitch

Lovely site, very friendly and helpful hosts. Fantastic shower cubicle and lots of hot water. Phone charger box, clean loos and camp fire facilities. Particularly liked the mop and broom available to clean the shower area for the next person!

Helen F.

2 years on Hipcamp

Recommends

· August 2023

10/10 Must go

Group trip ·

Lotus Belle Tent

Nestled in a picturesque landscape, Ruby Country offers an unparalleled camping experience. The gracious owners set the tone with their warm hospitality, making us feel at home from the start. The site boasts a stunning natural backdrop of grass fields, providing both a serene escape and ample opportunities for outdoor activities like volleyball, thanks to their well-equipped court. What sets this site apart is their dedication to cleanliness – the well-maintained toilets and showers added a touch of comfort to our adventure. For a remarkable getaway where friendly hosts, breathtaking scenery, and top-notch facilities converge,Ruby Country camping is an absolute must.

Saransh S.

3 years on Hipcamp

Recommends

· August 2023

Friendly, clean, fun

Tent · With pets ·

Tent Pitch

Excellent facilities, good host. Pitches had good spacing, Ablutions were kept spotless and the showers were nice and warm. Also had a nice 1hr walk close by, handy for the dog. All in all, a good experience.

Martin C.

2 reviews

Recommends

· August 2022

9 ft Class B ·

Campervan

Gorgeous site, very small, immaculate facilities, Marc & Dinah extremely welcoming and helpful. A great spot if you want to get away from the crowds. Highly recommended.

Michael W.

3 years on Hipcamp

Recommends

· August 2022

16 ft Class B · With pets ·

Campervan

Lovely hosts, super friendly!

Tom B.

2 years on Hipcamp

Recommends

· July 2022

Camping in a tiny tent

Tent ·

Tent Pitch

If I were to design my ideal campsite I could not better what Dinah and Marc have provided. Spacious plots, surrounded by nature, fire pit to huddle around whilst sitting under the Milky Way, a piping hot rainfall shower open to the sky above. Dinah and Marc were so welcoming, the whole site is spotless and well thought out and the Barn Owl hunting overhead was the icing on the cake.

Wendy M.

3 years on Hipcamp

Recommends

· June 2022

A very natural campsite

Tent Pitch

My wife and I stayed at Marc and Dinah’s campsite in June 2022. We couldn’t have been made more welcome. The facilities were clean and everything had been thought through. The camping pitches are nicely spaced and surrounded by wild meadow which gave a very rustic natural feel. Marc and Dinah clearly love nature and the outdoors and this comes across strongly in the way they have organised the site. There is a road nearby but it really has limited impact on one’s stay. There is a lovely walk to the pub in Hatherleigh and our dog Sybs was also very welcome. Thank you. We’d very much like to come and stay again.

Michael B.

6 years on Hipcamp

Recommends

· June 2022

The best shower ever!

With kids ·

Renta Bell

It was a beautiful site, with wild flowers, a kestrel and an owl. The showers were amazing, especially the open-air one. Great to be able to look at the sky and trees whilst showering. All immaculately clean and well maintained. Lovely to have a badminton net and games provided. Marc & Dinah were friendly and helpful. We liked that the site wasn't too big, we will visit again.

S C.

2 reviews

Recommends

· September 2021

Tent Pitch

We had four nights at Ruby Country Camping, pitching our own ridge tent on this excellent site. The pitch was flat and well spaced from other tents with well mown pathways. Showers, toilets, and washing-up facilities were beautifully designed and kept spotlessly clean. It all added up to a camping experience close to nature, yet with the comfort of outstanding facilities. The location of the site was very convenient, being within easy reach of Dartmoor, the coast and places like Rosemoor Gardens.

Michael H.

3 years on Hipcamp

Recommends

· September 2021

Tent Pitch

A great site for anyone looking for a wild camping experience with facilities. The site has fabulous woodland vistas and large camping plots which are well spaced with lots of wild meadow in between. It’s a great site for dark skies, stars and the sound of owls at night, and grasshoppers, butterflies and bird song during the day. The facilities are very clean and rustic in style. We will definitely be back.

Jo W.

6 years on Hipcamp

Recommends

· September 2021

Tent Pitch

Starting with the warm welcome from Marc & Dinah, everything about this site is exactly what we wanted. Even though it is essentially camping at its most basic (exactly how it should be!) the facilities which are there are amazing. 2 very clean, hot showers and spotless toilet facilities are really all one needs when camping, so don't come expecting full-length mirrors, hairdryers and multiple power points! The pitches are very well spaced, with fire pits and plenty of logs to purchase; night time around the fire gazing at the stars is all the entertainment we needed :-) The location is great, with both Dartmoor and the coast within easy driving distance (although there are lovely walks and cycle routes on the doorstep). We'll definitely be returning !

Martyn J.

3 years on Hipcamp

Recommends

· August 2021

Yurt

We stayed in the Yurt (2 adults and 3 Kids). Great private kitchen area and plenty of room and privacy in the Yurt and the pitch area. The toilets and showers are very clean and exceptional (better than most hotels)! Marc and Dinah were lovely and very welcoming. Personally felt it was a lovely size campsite so it felt private but didn’t feel isolated. Great location to explore Dartmoor and the coast (Bude is about 30 mins drive). Excellent stay and we all thoroughly enjoyed it - thank you!

Tom ?.

4 years on Hipcamp

Recommends

· August 2021

Tent Pitch

We loved our 5 days at Ruby Country Camping. Marc and Dinah were friendly and welcoming. The facilities were 5*. There's one of the poshest showers on a campsite I've ever seen and then you have the amazing outdoor shower too. The kids were happy, toys and games are provided which is a lovely touch. And the stream gives the children somewhere to explore. The site is in a great location too, easy to get to the beach and Dartmoor. All of this and for such good value. Thank you for having us, we loved it!

Alex S.

5 years on Hipcamp

Recommends

· August 2021

Yurt

We have just returned from a 3 night stay in the beautiful yurt with our 3 children and were joined by our friends in a neighbouring bell tent. The weather wasn’t the kindest to us but despite a lot of rain we had the best time! The facilities are spot on, the hosts Mark and Dinah were also so lovely and attentive. Our children loved the site, and they got to have their first slow worm experience :) We cannot fault the place, Thankyou for building something so perfect for a family who really wanted time away from everything.

Claire H.

4 years on Hipcamp

Recommends

· August 2021

Campervan

So peaceful, the owners are wonderful, thoughtful folks, the open-top hot shower is glorious and the fire wood is a fiver for a fat bucketload. S' brilliant.

Alastair L.

3 years on Hipcamp

Recommends

· August 2021

Yurt

We spent three nights in the yurt with our 12, 10 and 7 year old children and we had the most fantastic stay. It was so lovely to be greeted personally by Marc and Dinah and they were so friendly and helpful throughout our stay. The yurt was cosy and very comfortable with plenty of space to store all of our belongings. The beds were comfy and we were provided with all bedding, including extra blankets and a hot water bottle! We really enjoyed cooking and eating in our covered kitchen area and we loved sitting around our fire pit in the evenings. The children loved exploring the site, and there's plenty of space for them to play. The location was perfect for us: within easy reach of Cornwall and equidistant from the north and south Devon coasts. The Coop in the nearby village was well stocked and we also had lovely meals in a local pub and cafe. We are already planning when we can return for another stay.

Victoria H.

3 years on Hipcamp

Recommends

· August 2021

Lotus Belle Tent

We stayed 3 nights in the beautiful, cosy and very comfortable Lotus Belle tent, with excellent ‘wild’ kitchen facilities and luxurious showers and toilets! We had a truly amazing time, and would go back again and again if we could! So many lovely little touches that made our stay really special and comfortable, and the location is wonderful for exploring Dartmoor or the north Cornwall coast. Can’t wait to go back!

Charlotte B.

4 years on Hipcamp

Recommends

· August 2021

Lotus Belle Tent

Marc and Dinah have created an incredible site - so much space, wonderful facilities and the warmest of welcomes. So much time and thought has been put into the site, and we look forward to seeing what further changes have been made next time we are there! We stayed in the Lotus Belle tent which was not only spacious but superbly presented with a really comfortable bed, shoe trays and brush to keep the inside area clean, good airbeds for the children, storage space, chargers etc. Furthermore, the kitchen set up was exactly what we needed, well-equipped and just a great place to spend time in due to the work that has gone into making benches, workspaces etc. Shower and toilet facilities could not be better, especially the open air shower! Great play area down the bottom for children with access to the stream, and the space between pitches and the overall design makes the whole place feel very private and secluded. We loved just sitting out round the fire as a family, enjoying the surrounding meadow and the setting sun, and will definitely be back!

Charlie J.

4 years on Hipcamp

July 2021

This is our second visit to RCC this summer. Despite a little road noise, the site is quiet, spacious and the facilities are spotlessly clean. The hosts are approachable and really helpful, they have worked hard (and continue to do so) to make this a unique experience. The open roofed shower is a must try! We enjoyed a walk into Hatherleigh along the disused railway line followed by a meal at The Globe, and a day trip to Widemouth Bay, but most of all we enjoyed the opportunity to relax and slow down. We will return for sure! Thank you Marc and Dinah : )

Emma T.

4 years on Hipcamp

Recommends

· July 2021

Tent Pitch

Marc and Dinah our hosts at Ruby Country Camping were amazing!! Great communication prior to our visit and the 'Breakfast Hamper' was a real lovely touch and fantastic quality. We really enjoyed talking with Marc & Dinah and lovely they shared their journey with us as we were very interested how they set up the campsite. We pitched up with our own camper van with an awning and it was a beautiful meadow to sit and relax. Facilities were spotlessly clean and the cycle trail close by, along with villages with a pubs. We wish Marc & Dinah continued success in this venture, we will return soon and bring our family.

Sharon S.

4 years on Hipcamp

Recommends

· July 2021

Campervan

We enjoyed a peaceful three night stay at RCC. The toilets and showers were luxurious and immaculately clean and the owners were friendly and helpful. The site is great for star gazing and very spacious with a small broom at the bottom which the dog loved paddling in. Dozens of trees have recently been planted and the site is sensitive to nature. The road was audible but not disturbing. The off road walk to hatherleigh along a disused railway was very pleasant and we saw hardly a soul. Meeth quarry nature reserve was a 5 minute drive and equally peaceful and we enjoyed wandering around the trails spotting birds of prey, hundreds of frogs and spotting deer tracks. We’ll definitely return and look forward to seeing the trees mature - and maybe we’ll get to try some of the apples.

Danielle H.

4 years on Hipcamp

Recommends

· June 2021

Campervan

We managed to have this pretty little site all to ourselves for a few days. The facilities were superb and our hosts are just lovely people who could not have been more helpful. The only downside was the road noise but for a few days stay, this was bearable. Would highly recommend a visit.

Lisa N.

4 years on Hipcamp

Recommends

· June 2021

Campervan

Beautiful meadow with spacious pitches. Hot showers, clean loo and wonderful hosts. Low impact camping. Perfect for campers that prefer things a bit more basic. Dark skies, birdsong, bees and a lovely view. The wildflowers were spectacular. The glamping yurt was lovely too. A little road noise but did not disturb us in the slightest. This place is highly recommended.

Jo M.

14 years on Hipcamp

Location

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

Hosted by Marc And Dinah W.

Joined in January 2021

From the host

Ruby Country Camping is a natural eco campsite set in a 5 acre meadow, with trees and a brook along its southern boundary. We are situated just outside the market town of Hatherleigh in West Devon. In an area known as Ruby Country. (Named after the Devon Ruby Red cattle) There are only 7 individual pitches mown into the meadow all with camp fires, with plenty of space, and cars are parked at the edge of site. There is a choice of compost loos or flushing loos if you prefer, with hot showers. If you want something more comfortable. Then there is our Yurt or Lotus Belle, both are fully furnished with double beds, and a covered kitchen and eating area along with their own campfire and again plenty of space. There are cycle routes and footpaths from our gate, or we are only 20 minutes drive from Dartmoor or 30 minutes drive from the beautiful North Cornish coast and the lovely beaches of Bude. Ruby Country Camping is ideally situated for exploring Devon and Cornwall. We also have fishing lakes and rivers close by, as well as riding stables and an archery centre.

Nearby attractions

The Devon Coast-to-Coast, mostly traffic-free, cycle route linking Plymouth and Barnstaple passes right by site and provides a handy route for cyclists on local rides as well as longer ones. Dartmoor National Park with all its outdoor adventure is 10 miles away; ask Marc and Dinah for their favourite wild swimming spots. It's 20 miles to the nearest beach and seaside town at Bude on the Devon-Cornwall border. Surfing, swimming and exploring opportunities abound.

Food and drink

Once you're on site you can order a Breakfast Hamper from Marc and Dinah with local ingredients for a cooked breakfast. If you fancy a trip to the pub, head two miles down the road to Hatherleigh, where you can choose between The George Hotel (01837 811755) which is more food orientated and the Tally Ho (01837 810306) which is a more traditional pub with its own brewery. In the next village, Sheepwash, is The Half Moon (01409 231376) which is a lovely country pub. There is a lovely cafe in Hatherleigh, One Market Street Café (01837 810582), which cooks delicious breakfasts and has marvellous cakes. There's another cafe, Made-Well, 10 minutes' drive from site, where you can buy veg. It also has a small animal farm, there are miniature Shetland ponies and pigs and chickens, and a lovely play area for smaller children. There's also a butcher at Brickyard Farm (01837 810204) two minutes' drive away for all your BBQ needs.