Double gold award-winning Valleyside Escapes is a hidden gem close to nature and ideally positioned to explore North and South Devon. There are three fully-equipped luxury safari tents sleeping up to six with their own bathroom and kitchen, plus a BBQ/fire pit, play area and skittles court to enjoy the outdoors. It also has a private riverside meadow and a Mediterranean-style courtyard bar open Friday evenings, plus a games room.
Why you'll love it at Valleyside Escapes
Private riverside meadow for wild swimming or fishing and more!
Gold award-winning luxury safari tent glamping with panoramic valley views
Children's activities including play area, skittles court, games room and nature trail
About the site
This peaceful site is set among the rolling hills of the beautiful Devon countryside. It has also previously been named the best glamping site in the South West after receiving Gold in the South West Tourism Excellence awards. This was following being named as the best glamping site in Devon after receiving Gold in the Devon Tourism Awards.
The three safari tents are positioned in the top paddock overlooking the Exe Valley, providing amazing picturesque views from the veranda - you can even see a vineyard!
Oak, Maple and Birch are beautifully decorated offering a home from home. All the essentials are provided including bedding, towels, blankets and hot water bottles as well as a few extras including luxury natural shower gel and hand wash.
The kitchen is also stocked with all essentials and condiments and you will be provided with a welcome pack of local goods so you don't need to worry about bread, milk, tea and coffee and can enjoy some locally made jam and treats.
Valleyside Escapes is a special place, instantly relaxing and provides all sorts of nature to look at including sheep, peacocks and herons, to name but a few. The private riverside meadow is just a couple of minutes' walk away.
During the day it is in the perfect position to explore the attractions that North and South Devon have to offer as well as many that are on your doorstep.
On Friday evening the snug Mediterranean courtyard bar is open from 6pm offering local ales, lagers, ciders, spirits and wines, it is also dog and child-friendly. There is also a children's play area onsite and a games room in the courtyard next to the bar.
Paella meal kits are popular with guests offering a tasty alternative to a BBQ and a unique cooking experience for everyone to enjoy!
Each tent is fully equipped with hot running water, electricity and WiFi connectivity. There is a bathroom at the rear containing a shower, toilet and sink. There is also a fully equipped kitchen with a fridge freezer, gas hob and wood burner.
Outside there is a BBQ area and play area with a boule court. A games room is also in the courtyard. The site also has an off-road buggy available to hire, free of charge.
The Mediterranean-style courtyard bar serves local Devon ciders, lagers, ales and spirits, you can also try the rose wine from Yearlstone vineyard that you can see just across the Exe Valley. When the bar is closed you are still able to buy alcohol from here.
For essential supplies, there is Exe Valley farm shop within a five minute drive, and ten minutes away is the historic market town of Tiverton with supermarkets, high street and independent shops. For pubs, the Bickleigh Mill is a riverside option just 500m down the road, or try the Fisherman's Cot pub which is just a five minute walk from the site.
A note from the site themselves...
We are so lucky to live in this hidden gem and so glad that we can share it! It is a very special place set in beautiful countryside surroundings and steeped in history - but evolved for the 21st century.
We love telling the history of our site! We've created a home from home for our glampers to make their stay as easy and relaxing as possible and they will receive a very warm welcome from us. We are on hand to give any advice on places to eat and visit during your stay - we've enjoyed trying these out for ourselves so we can provide first-hand knowledge!
Luxury six-berth safari tents with bathroom at rear containing shower, toilet and sink. Inside is a fully equipped kitchen and a wood burning stove in the dining area. Outside is an enclosed veranda and BBQ. One large dog or two small dogs are welcome.
I can't find enough great things to say about our stay at Valleyside Escapes. The safari tent, hillside location, and small number of other guests made this an ideal weekend break for us. We're a family of two young boys and an energetic dog, so the glamping field with a small playground inside was the perfect balance of convenience and amenities, whilst also getting that 'camping' vibe and options for kids (and dog!) to explore.
We loved exploring the local meadows and stream, meeting baby sheep, and spending the afternoon at the miniature railway in walking distance from the tent.
I would highly recommend Valleyside Escapes for young families needing some of the 'creature comforts', but also wanting to get the camping experience in an idyllic setting. We'll be heading back soon!
Site's response
Thank you very much for your 5-star review, it is very appreciated! We're glad you and your family had a lovely weekend and enjoyed all our on-site facilities as well as the local attractions. We can't wait to welcome you back!
Amazing tents, beautiful location
Recommends site
Christophe N
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Safari Tent - Safari TentsMay 2024
Amazing tents, beautiful location, stunning sunsets, loveliest of hosts!
Our family of 4 had the most wonderful, long weekend stay in the amazing Valleyside safari tents.
The bedrooms were cosy, with very comfortable beds. The bathroom was clean and with a lovely hot shower and thick towels. We loved the easy to cook-in kitchen, and the wood fire stove was the icing on the cake.
Having camped and glamped before, it was so nice that the little things were all thought of - individual hot water bottles, basic cooking ingredients like coffee and sugar, olive oil, tinfoil etc. The little things you always forget to bring from home, and so often not including in glamping sites. The welcome basket with bread and milk (and marshmallows too!) was so thoughtful.
We especially loved the beautiful walk and picnic down by the river, following the map provided. The location is so convenient to explore the local area, Exeter and beyond. Emma & Matt were easy to reach with any questions and super hosts.
The boys loved the new games room as well, "vintage" Mario was so cool!
We wish we could have stayed an entire week - the birdsong each morning was so beautiful. Such a special place.
Site's response
Thank you for your amazing review! We're very pleased you had an enjoyable stay and that you had everything you needed to make a perfect break. It's good to hear the new games room was a hit too!
We hope to welcome you back another time for a week's stay!
Great location
Recommends site
Will M
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Safari Tent - Safari TentsJun 2023
Great location and accommodation. Can certainly recommend!
Site's response
It was lovely to meet you all and we're glad the weather was so sunny that you could take advantage of the river meadow and some wild swimming! We hope to welcome you back!
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Did you stay at Valleyside Escapes? Tell us what you thought!
There is a BBQ area outside each safari tent along with a bundle of logs, matches and firelighters - additional logs can also be provided by the site.
What attractions are nearby Valleyside Escapes?
The Blackdown Hills AONB is on your doorstep, with stunning scenery and a rich history, wander the iron age hill forts and explore lush woodland. The Exe Valley Way runs nearby and is home to some great picnic spots by the river.
Stroll two minutes from the site and hop on board the Devon Railway Centre with play coaches for the kids and soft play area. Perhaps kick back afterwards with a Devon cream tea at Bickleigh Mill - just next door to the site!
Other attractions nearby:
*Crealy Theme Park (14.4 miles)
*Haldon Forest Park (21 miles)
*Donkey Sanctuary (23.7 miles)
*Quince Honey Farm (24.2 miles)
Things to do on site and in the Tiverton area
The private riverside meadow is a great place for children to run around, complete the nature trail and burn some energy! There is a picnic area with benches right on the bank and a fire pit so you can toast marshmallows and enjoy a sundowner here too.
In the summer months, it's a great spot to paddle and go wild swimming and keep an eye out for the wildlife where kingfishers, egrets, salmon, trout and even the elusive otters can be seen.
A two-minute walk will take you to the Devon Railway Centre where you can hop on a train ride, see the model railway and explore the indoor play coaches and soft play. Alternatively, you can take a stroll down the Exe Valley way.
A traditional Devon cream tea can be experienced next door at Bickleigh Mill or at National Trust properties Knightshayes or Killerton, or local home Fursdon House. In Tiverton visit the museum and castle or take a horse-drawn barge along the Great Western Canal.
Pre-schoolers will love their very own tiny village at Bear Town and for those looking for some adrenalin-fuelled fun ride a monster machine at Diggerland or ride a roller coaster at Crealy Theme Park.
Other nearby attractions:
National Trust - Killerton (15 minutes)
Yarak Birds of Prey (20 minutes)
Crealy Adventure Park (35 minutes)
Haldon Forest Country Park (40 minutes)
Donkey Sanctuary (50 minutes)
The listing for Valleyside Escapes was last updated on April 2nd, 2025 at 9:03 AM