Recommend a site in Devon?
Hello everyone - can anyone, from their personal experience, recommend a nice site in Devon for our main two weeks holiday in June?
I have spent hours going through the various websites but the trouble is that we were spoilt last year when we stayed at Little Cotton at Dartmouth. Some say it was the site by which all others should be judged, and I am inclined to agree. Sadly it has
now closed.
We are both retired and prefer quiet sites in a nice setting rather than the 'holiday camp' atmosphere. Grass pitch preferred, plenty of room and no traffic noise. A clean toilet block is a bonus but we have a new TA van with all the facilties, so Cls and
CS's are not ruled out.
I have found a number of sites - which looked ideal until I looked on Google maps at the access route. I have no inclination to scratch the sides and windows of our 'van, so good access is a must. I suspect I'm ruling out almost all of those except for
'holiday camp' sites which tend to be adjacant to main roads, but if anyone has any suggestions, I would be extremely grateful. (Anyone having stayed at Little Cotton will know exactly what I am looking for!!)
Thanks - Richard
Comments
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Richard, I fear narrow lanes are a given in most parts of the Westcountry and scratches are almost inevitable as those of us who live here will know well.
Devon is a large county so it would help if you could narrow the area down a bit. Are you looking at the North Coast, South Coast, Dartmoor, Torbay, South Hams, West Devon. Would you stray across the Tamar into Cornwall?
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Tinwheeler - thanks. Yes, I know the Devon roads only too well. I lived there many years ago when I was in the RN and my wife (in her former life!) lived near to Exeter for a time. We have been going to Dartmouth for the last ten years or so (but not caravanning), so I do know what it's like. However, it's one thing to do the lanes in a car - and another to do them with an 8m 'van on the back!!
As for location - not fussed really. We know South Hams and Dartmoor really well, but haven't been to the north coast very often.
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Must agree that Putts Corner is a lovely site (a bit of traffic but not too intrusive) with so many lovely places to visit just a short distance away. Lyme Regis, Sidmouth, Branscombe, Beer, the Donkey Sanctuary, there's a week full already! Straightforward
to get to as well. We love it!or if you want to try the north of Devon, Exbridge Lakeside is right on the border with Somerset and really easy to get to and so much to see and do in the area, either in the car or by bus or on foot.. Almost every pitch is level with a view. Perfection.
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I'd go with Putts Corner too. There are a number of walks direct from the site ( details in information hut can be borrowed). And in addition to all the trips listed above it's an easy drive to Otterton where you can park for free, walk around the coast
path to Burleigh Salterton and then back along the river bank. The pub on the corner is easily walked to, virtually all off road from the site and is dog friendly. If you go to Branscombe you must try The Miners Arms, great food and real ales and a fantastic
suntrap sitting out front. Hope you enjoy it wherever you end up eventually.
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Tinwheeler - thanks. Yes, I know the Devon roads only too well. I lived there many years ago when I was in the RN and my wife (in her former life!) lived near to Exeter for a time. We have been going to Dartmouth for the last ten years or so (but not caravanning), so I do know what it's like. However, it's one thing to do the lanes in a car - and another to do them with an 8m 'van on the back!!
As for location - not fussed really. We know South Hams and Dartmoor really well, but haven't been to the north coast very often.
The roads are definitely usable with your cvan, Richard. We've done it for years and HGVs, busses, farm tractors and trailers do it all the time. Pick where you want to go and forget about the roads is my advice. There are hundreds of sites to choose from and always remember that if others use them then so can you. Enjoy your holiday wherever you end up.
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What about the CC's Ilfracombe site. Non-facility site & all grass but definitely quiet. Access is not bad either.
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Woolacombe Sands Holiday Park. North Devon. Family run. All the facilities there if you want them. Restaurant, shop, swimming pools etc. Quiet out of School holidays and some really good prices too. £180 for two weeks in June with electric on either grass
or hard standing for two people. Walkable to Woolacombe beach.0 -
I go every year to a site next to the donkey sanctuary called oakdown (although its not a cc site) but you can walk thru the fields to the donkey sanctuary , its also on the bus route to beer and lyme regis and sidmouth (we had a motorhome then) but i shall
be going back this year in the old caravan cos i like it cheers mrs bc:)0 -
Thanks everyone - that's given me a few more ideas.
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The A39 along the north Devon coast doesn't appear to be for the aged infirm and those of a nervous disposition when towing though.
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I second Damage Barton but I went with the other club as their half is slightly quieter especially at the front with no vans in front of you and the amazing sea views. The north coast is stunning and would make a nice change for you perhaps.
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Plymouth Sound is very nice, grass pitches and all day viewing over the sound! In a village with a pub and shop and a beach just down the road (good beach cafe and walks.) A narrow tow just at the end but worth it if you like a quiet site with no facilities.
Lots do in in and around Plymouth too with access by harbour ferry not far away.0 -
The A39 along the north Devon coast doesn't appear to be for the aged infirm and those of a nervous disposition when towing though.
Cy - I'm none of those, but do like to think I am careful, though!
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Hi Richard,
We stayed at Lydford Caravan & Camping site about 5 yrs ago, not a club site, but it was easily up to Club site standards. It's just on the edge of Dartmoor, and close to the Tamar Valley. Access wasn't an issue if I recall, and the village had some excellent pubs & nice walks straight from the site. There is a combination of hardstanding & grass pitches, & the site had wifi. Reviews on UKCampsite seem to show the site is as good as when we went.
Regards,
Paul.
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Hi Richard,
We stayed at
Lydford Caravan & Camping site about 5 yrs ago, not a club site, but it was easily up to Club site standards. It's just on the edge of Dartmoor, and close to the Tamar Valley. Access wasn't an issue if I recall, and the village had some excellent pubs
& nice walks straight from the site. There is a combination of hardstanding & grass pitches, & the site had wifi. Reviews on UKCampsite seem to show the site is as good as when we went.Regards,
Paul.
It's a CC AS, Paul.
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Will third Damage Barton, have been there a few times and never been disappointed, same as Pippa we used our C&CC membership (slightly cheaper) and better pitching. Don't think that the other club have it as a site now, could be wrong. There is a bus stop
at the gate wiith a slightly limited service, but it met our needs and enabled us to travel all along the coast. The views/sunsets are to die for..
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Hi Richard,
We stayed at
Lydford Caravan & Camping site about 5 yrs ago, not a club site, but it was easily up to Club site standards. It's just on the edge of Dartmoor, and close to the Tamar Valley. Access wasn't an issue if I recall, and the village had some excellent pubs
& nice walks straight from the site. There is a combination of hardstanding & grass pitches, & the site had wifi. Reviews on UKCampsite seem to show the site is as good as when we went.Regards,
Paul.
Thanks Paul - I've had a look at their website and it looks as if it might fit the bill. We will have to make a decision shortly, but from experience sites aren't too busy in June, so I'll give it a good dose of thinking about!
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Damage Barton was Affilliated to both clubs last April when I was there. I was treated to Mothers Day lunch in the Castle Pub in Lydford (last Friday!) which was lovely but didn't see the site. So much of lovely Devon to see I am under pressure to move
there but still prefer the lack of crowds in Lincolnshire! Family will win one day I expect!0 -
Many thanks to all those who posted suggestions. Being creatures of habit and because we know and like the area - we have booked onto the C&CC site at Dartmouth with a couple of nights at Broadway to break the journeys in either direction.
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