Pitch up in a picturesque 15-acre cider orchard at Bowhayes Farm Camping, a fantastic base for exploring Devon with Sidmouth and Exeter both in striking distance. This tranquil site offers almost wild camping with beautiful surroundings, set close to a hamlet and within extensive farmland. Check out the farm coffee shop for snacks and drinks too!

Tranquil countryside setting, within a traditional West Country cider orchard

Close to countryside walks, village pub, local amenities and beaches

A working family farm, with shop, shower, toilet and hot/cold water facilities

About Bowhayes Farm Camping

This relaxing site is surrounded by footpaths for walkers and sits by the edge of pretty Venn Ottery. It's a convenient distance from the RSPB reserve at Aylesbeare Common and around 10 mins from tempting spots along the coast, such as Sidmouth and Budleigh Salterton. There's plenty of wildlife to spot on-site, including birds, badgers, foxes, rabbits and deer. The pitching spots are separated with several rows of trees giving privacy so that everyone can enjoy calm and relaxation. Individual pitches are a minimum of 10m apart (or as far as you can get!) set on grass and within the scenic surroundings of an orchard. If glamping is more your thing, there are three 5m bell tents, perfect for a cosy getaway for two. Each bell tent comes with a king sized bed, duvet and linen, fairy lights, lamp, rugs and extra blankets to keep you warm on those cooler nights. There is also a cosy Shepherd's Hut, with all the amenities of the bell tents plus power, a basin with hot and cold water, tea and coffee plus a wood burning stove to keep you toasty! Guests will need to bring their towels for use in the shared shower and toilet facilities. Up to two dogs are welcome on the pitches but not in the bell tents or shepherd's hut, sorry!

Camping is available from 21st March until 6th October. Bell tents open from 25th April until 6th October.


Facilities and amenities

Site facilities include one shower and one toilet. You can buy hot and cold drinks, snacks and essentials from a small shop on site.

adult-only icon

Adult only

allow-commercial-vans icon

Allow commercial vans

allow-pets-on-site icon

Allow pets on site

bike-hire icon

Bike hire

cafe-restaurant icon

Café / restaurant

communal-bbq icon

Communal BBQ

disabled-facilities icon

Disabled facilities

drinking-water icon

Drinking water

electric-hookups icon

Electric hookups

entertainment icon

Entertainment

family-friendly icon

Family friendly

fires-allowed icon

Fires allowed

fishing icon

Fishing

games-room icon

Games room

glamping icon

Glamping

golf icon

Golf

horse-riding icon

Horse riding

hot-tub icon

Hot tub

kids-club icon

Kids club

kids-playground icon

Kids playground

laundry icon

Laundry

near-beach icon

Near beach

near-pub icon

Near pub

open-year-round icon

Open year round

peaceful icon

Peaceful

rv-pitches icon

RV pitches

shop icon

Shop

showers icon

Showers

swimming-pool icon

Swimming pool

toilet icon

Toilet

tv-room icon

TV room

vineyard icon

Vineyard

water-hookups icon

Water hookups

watersports icon

Watersports

wc-disposal icon

W.C. disposal

wifi icon

WiFi


A note from the site themselves...

Nestled in the East Devon AONB, Bowhayes Farm is more than just a cider orchard. This family-run farm offers a wonderful escape from the busyness of everyday life. Stay awhile for a coffee and some delicious homemade bakes on our Coffee Deck, or stay a bit longer and pitch your tent amongst the trees in the stunning cider orchard.

Our leap of faith happened eight years ago when we found this amazing farm. Having worked in "corporate life" for many years (in fact, we met in a glossy high rise in Euston many moons ago when offices and suits were still a thing), we always yearned for a more rural life, one where we could set down roots.

I mean, I didn't think Howard meant literally, but it turns out the "tree-change", as they call it in Australia, really did mean buying a whole load of trees and doing something with the land. Since then, we have made it our home and brought to life this cute corner of Devon with a rural, diversified family business that we love.

We are so lucky to live here and be able to share this space with our guests. So whether you're looking for a quirky place to stay, a place to refresh on a country walk, meet friends for a coffee or just stop and enjoy the peace and bird song, we've got something for you. See you soon!

Fiona and Howard


Map and address

Park address

Bowhayes Farm Camping,

Bowhayes Farm, Venn Ottery, Ottery St Mary, Devon, EX11 1RY

Coordinates

50.7135, -3.3037 | SY 7 91

View on Google Maps

Bowhayes Farm Camping is ideal for...

Couples

Older children (13+)

Peace and quiet


There are 12 accommodation options on-site

Bookable pitches and accommodation options

8 x Non Electric Grass Tent Pitches

Max 3 people

Non electric grass pitches, measuring 3.5m x 5m. Suitable for tents only. Pitches are either at the end of an orchard row or between trees - if wanting to be between trees then 3.5m width is the max for a tent, and restricted height under the branches.


Bowhayes Farm Camping reviews

4.95 /5

12 reviews

100%

would recommend

Overall
4.95
Location
5
Value for money
5
Service
5
Facilities
4.83
Cleanliness
4.92

Little heaven

Petya N

0

0

Backpacker Tent - Large Non Electric Grass Tent PitchesSep 2024

Camping in an apple farm which was rich and there was a variety of fruit and trees. Lots of space between the pitches. There were toilets, showers, drinking water and even a little kitchen for the guests. The host is super nice and he has adorable dogs (he allowed us to take them for a small walk around his land ). Plus a friendly and fluffy cat that I fell in love with. We had amazing time! Highly recommended.

Site's response

Hi Petya, It was an absolute pleasure meeting you both. So good to hear you enjoyed our little farm, you're most welcome to walk the dogs anytime! Simba (the fluffy cay) says 'hi'! Hope to see you back here again sometime. Howard

Escape to nature

Stephanie Z

0

0

Medium Tent - Non Electric Grass Tent PitchesMay 2024

We came to Sidmouth and stayed 3 days at Bowhayes Farm. We loved it, in spite of the inclement weather. Our plot was very green and clean and right amongst the trees, with nothing but birds and birdsong around us. Highly recommended and would definitely visit again :-)

Site's response

Thank you so much for your kind review. I'm so glad the weather didn't dampen your experience of the Jazz Festival. It was lovely meeting you both - I hope we see you again next year, or perhaps for the Sidmouth Folk Festival!

We had a lovely stay

Rachel S

0

0

Medium Tent - Non Electric Grass Tent PitchesMay 2024

Beautiful and peaceful pitch in the orchard. We had a very friendly welcome and they were keen to share local knowledge which we appreciated. We were only there for one night so didn't really make much use of facilities but it seemed to have the basics that one would need. What a beautiful part of the country and how lovely to spend the evening among the apple trees!

Site's response

It was lovely meeting you and to hear you had a nice stay Rachel. Hopefully we'll see you again - for a bit longer!

Share your feedback

Did you stay at Bowhayes Farm Camping? Tell us what you thought!

Create a review


FAQ

Yes! Up to two dogs are allowed per pitch. Dogs are not allowed in the glamping accommodation.

Check in at Bowhayes Farm Camping is between 2pm and 7pm, with self check in between 4pm and 7pm. Late arrivals must notify the farm office as soon as possible. As for check out, your pitch or unit must be vacated by 11am on the day of departure.

Raised BBQs and campfires are welcome, perfect for al fresco dining in the evenings.

Yes, one of each can be brought with you for no extra cost.


In the area you can explore:

  • Ottery St Mary
  • Crealy Theme Park
  • Budleigh Salterton
  • Sidmouth
  • National Trust's A La Ronde
  • Beer and Exeter
The listing for Bowhayes Farm Camping was last updated on December 21st, 2024 at 2:52 AM

Similar sites

Cummins Farm

Cummins Farm

Charmouth, Bridport, Charmouth (16.5 miles)

Peaceful, family run site on the Jurassic Coast, five minutes to Lyme Regis and Charmouth. Family and dog friendly.

Knowle Meadow Camping

Knowle Meadow Camping

Knowle St Giles, (19.9 miles)

Camping, shepherd's hut and Lotus Stargazer Belle located in south Somerset. Onsite sauna for all.

Wall Park Touring and Centry Road Camping Site

Wall Park Touring and Centry Road Camping Site

Berry Head, Brixham, Berry Head (23.8 miles)

Family friendly camping and touring site a 15 minute walk from Brixham and Berry Head. Onsite cafe and play area.

Hobby Farm

Hobby Farm

Whitchurch Canonicorum, Bridport, Whitchurch Canonicorum (19.9 miles)

Adult-only camping and charming shepherd's huts in the Dorset AONB, within 15 minutes of Lyme Regis and Charmouth.

Monkton Wyld Holiday Park

Monkton Wyld Holiday Park

Charmouth, (15.6 miles)

Award-winning camping and touring park near Lyme Regis, a picturesque site to explore Dorset from.