Fancy yourself as a bright camper? Want to keep well away from the madd(en)ing crowds? Make your way to Barnstaple’s Brightlycott Barton, a small family run park and organic beef farm for canny campers who want the perks of peace and quiet. It’s a spot to sit and watch the world go by in contented contemplation: with stunning views over the valley and spacious level pitches, all you have to do is pitch up and sit back to relax.
If the kids are harshing your valley vibe, pack them off to the games room in the barn, let them reach for the skies on the swing frame, or gently suggest that they take the dog for a walk in the tree-lined lane next to the campsite. They’ll probably come back covered in muck, but that shouldn’t stress you out either as there’s free use of the washing machine and tumble drier on site: suggest that the kids wash their own clothes if you want to max out your amusement factor.
The modern amenities here will keep you bright and smiling: there’s a modern shower block with washing up spot, a separate area with disabled facilities and a big fridge freezer for everyone’s use. Pitches are all grass and have electric hook-up.
Nearby attractions and activities
Barnstaple has been the main market for north Devon since the Saxons were around, so follow in their Saxony footsteps with a trip to the historic Pannier Market along Butchers Row to bag local food, crafts, art and antiques. Culture vultures can stay on in the town into the evening for staginess and film at Queen’s Theatre or catch a gig most nights of the week at the local pubs, while skater bois and girls can hurtle about Barnstaple’s Rock Park at the skate park or in the play area.
Give mini farmers a sandtastic time at the local beaches of Woolacombe, Croyde and Saunton, take them to explore Exmoor National Park, or help them earn their supper at the fly fishing and trout lake a mile away from Brightlycott. Exmoor Zoo has the ‘Exmoor Beast’ to ponder over alongside sand cats, singing dogs and reindeer to keep the kids curious, and there’s also the Combe Martin Wildlife and Dinosaur Park within easy reach.
This area of Devon is probably best known for the Tarka Trail, one of the longest traffic-free walking and cycling paths in the country and part of the Devon Coast to Coast Cycle Route: the trail can be joined at Barnstaple and covers 31 miles of river valleys, bays, moorland and coastal cliffs. For a more leisurely day out, bloom at National Trust’s Marwood Gardens with its camellias and magnolias, tee off at the golf course three miles from the site, or settle into some nearby fishing or horse-riding.
Attractions near Brightlycott Barton
Must see
- RHS Garden Rosemoor (11.8 miles)
- Castle Drogo (29.5 miles)
National Trust
- Arlington Court and the National Trust Carriage Museum (3.8 miles)
- Heddon Valley (9.2 miles)
Cycle routes
Find local routes on the National Cycle Network - over 12,000 miles of cycling routes.
Activities near Brightlycott Barton
ISLEY MARSH (CURRENT BOUNDARY FROM 05/04/1990) (5.8 miles) Birdwatching
CHAPEL WOOD (CURRENT BOUNDARY FROM 21/11/1950) (7.1 miles) Birdwatching
Instow (7.4 miles) Beaches
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Overall rating based
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Liked: pease and quite with good size pitch. Disliked: ground very wet |
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Excellent, well maintained, quiet, small, site with good facilities. Melvyn S. (Mature couple, 1 review, 0 photos) Confirmed ?
Liked: Level, terraced pitches. Disliked: No chemical toilet disposal facilities. |
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We had a good week here but found there needed a lot of improvements for us to consider a revisit. Alison M. (Mature couple, 1 review, 0 photos) Confirmed ?
Liked: I liked the views, the owner was very friendly and welcoming. Disliked: The showers cubicles were very clean, spacious but the water was very low pressure and tepid. We were there all week and the hand towel appeared not to have been changed and was very grubby. The old original toilets/showers at the other end of the site are desperately wanting, leaving a lot to be desired.
From the manager...
Thank you for your comments, it is always useful to have feedback. |
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Stayed 2 nights . Weather reasonable. Ground rather muddy ! shirley_g0 (Extended family, 1 review, 0 photos) Confirmed ?
Liked: The welcome we received. Disliked: Nothing |
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Lovely quiet site, a bit off the beaten track but with great views over the Taw valley Glenn W. (Mature couple, 1 review, 0 photos) Confirmed ?
Liked: Site owner very helpful and personally conducted everyone to their allotted pitch. Pitches are very generous and terraced so everyone gets a good view. Facilities limited but every thing clean and in good order with plenty of hot water. Disliked: No dislikes |
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We'll definitely be returning to the site creativewriter1985 (Young couple, 7 reviews, 0 photos)
Liked: This was our first time visiting this site, and we would definitely go back. Disliked: Nothing - we really liked the site. |
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Leisure on site
Bar or club house
Cycle hire
Evening entertainment
Fishing
Fitness centre
Games room
Indoor swimming pool
Kids' club
On-site restaurant/cafe
Outdoor swimming pool
Play area
TV room
Take away
Tennis
Watersports
Amenities on site
Bath available
Car parking by pitch
Disabled facilities
Drying room
Food shop
Free wifi
Ice pack freezing
Internet access
Launderette
Parent & baby washroom
Pick-up from public transport
Public telephone
Shower available
Toilet block
Washing-up area
Wifi
Utilities
Charging facilities
Chemical disposal
Gas cylinders available
Recycling available
Renewable energy
Touring and motorhomes
Electrical hook-up points for tourers
Tourer storage facilities
Rules
Campfires allowed
Commercial vehicles allowed
Dogs allowed
Themes
Peaceful
Nearby leisure
Cycle hire nearby
Cycling nearby
Fishing nearby
Golf nearby
Horse riding nearby
Restaurant nearby
Tennis nearby
Groups welcome
D. of E. welcome
Family friendly
Motorcycle friendly
Single-sex groups welcome
Student groups welcome
Nearby amenities
Nearby farmers' market
Type
Small (11-25 pitches)
Ordnance Survey maps (GB and Northern Ireland only) are available at lower levels via the drop-down menu.
Nearest transport
- Coach stations
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Barnstaple Bus Station: Belle Meadow Rd — 1.8mi
Bickington (North Devon): Coach Stop — 3.4mi
Fremington: New Inn Coach Stop — 4.4mi
- Train stations
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Barnstaple Rail Station — 2.3mi
Chapelton (Devon) Rail Station — 5.7mi
Umberleigh Rail Station — 7.4mi
- Ferry ports
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Instow Ferry Landing — 7.4mi
Appledore Ferry Landing — 7.7mi
Ilfracombe Ferry Landing — 8.5mi
- Airports
- Swansea Airport — 34.8mi
Directions
By car
From the M5 take the A361 towards Barnstaple. At Barnstaple follow the signs to A39 Lynton which will take you through the centre of Barnstaple. Continue on the A39 out of Barnstaple, past the North Devon District Hospital. 1.5 miles after the hospital take the right turn signposted to Brightlycott and Roborough. The entrance to Brightlycott Barton is on the left after 300 yards.
From Bideford
Take the A39 towards Barnstaple. After seven miles you will reach Roundswell services. Take the third exit and continue on the A39 for another mile. At the next roundabout take the first exit A361 to Barnstaple. At Sticklepath junction continue forward across the bridge. Once across the bridge turn right onto A361 towards the town centre, then left at the traffic lights onto Fairview road. At the next traffic lights turn left onto the A39 towards North Devon District Hospital. At the hospital continue for 1.5 miles on the A39, then turn right at the lane marked Brightlycott and Roborough. The entrance to Brightlycott Barton is on the left after 300 yards.
By train
The nearest train station is about three miles away in Barnstaple. This has a regular service from Exeter. If cycling from the station, head for the North Devon District hospital. From here you can either carry on along the A39 or take the quieter lane (Roborough Road) behind the hospital which is a more direct route to the campsite.
By bus
Stagecoach buses from Holsworthy, Bideford, Ilfracombe, South Molton, Torrington run to the North Devon District Hospital. From here, the campsite is one mile away up the leafy lane (Roborough Road) behind the hospital.
First Devon and Cornwall run regular services to the hospital from Barnstaple bus station, via Service 2. Full timetable information, network maps and some fare information can be found on the First Devon and Cornwall website.
Permitted arrival time
From 1pm
Cancellation policy
Please contact the campsite as soon as possible if you need to cancel. During July and August and for bank holidays, we are unable to make refunds in the event of cancellation.
Please note that your deposit paid to Pitchup.com is non-refundable.
Payment of balance
In high season (to 27/8/12), full payment is due four weeks prior to arrival, or as soon as possible if booking within four weeks of arrival.
In mid and low season, full payment is due on arrival.
Please contact the campsite using the contact details provided in the Pitchup.com confirmation email to arrange final payment.
Cards accepted on the park
Visa, Mastercard
Terms and conditions
Site booking terms and conditionsCheck availability at Brightlycott Barton…
10m x 15m grass pitch with 16-amp hook up. Includes awning, gazebo and pup tent.
Max. persons: 8x
We do have chemical toilet disposal in the old toilet block.
Our apologies that you were not aware of this - we will look to make this clearer for visitors..