Tipis, yurts, or wigwams
Dogs allowed
Campfires allowed
See all facilities…This peaceful little site may take its name from the monarch’s honey wine, but these days it’s the food that’s fit for a king: Devon’s Dining Pub of the Year 2011, The Merry Harriers, is but a few minutes’ stroll away, and a mile further is the The Half Moon, winner of one of the coveted “Taste of the West” awards (of which HRH Prince Charles is the patron, natch).
Aside from the rather spiffing food options, Kingsmead Centre offers wonderful territory for ramblers, cyclists and equestrians, with free maps for all the nearby trails available on site - a local recommendation is the longer-distance Neroche Herepath. Nestled in a wooded vale in the heart of the Blackdown Hills (an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty), Kingsmead also boasts two coarse fishing lakes which are exclusively reserved for guests’ use, and harbours myriad birds and other wildlife.
The bulk of the pitches are grass, with a few hardstandings, and the shower and toilet facilities are simple and clean, with no shortage of free hot water. Well-behaved pets are also welcome.
Nearby attractions and activities
On the border of Devon and Somerset, Kingsmead is only a short drive from the motorway, so visitors can easily explore the stunning countryside and attractions of Dartmoor, Exmoor and the Somerset Levels. In half an hour, you can get to historic seaside towns such as Lyme Regis, and start discovering the striking beauty of the World Heritage Jurassic Coast.
For more urban pursuits, it’s a 15-minute drive to the county town of Taunton, which has good shopping, eating and nightlife.
Attractions near Kingsmead Centre
Must see
- Blackdown Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (3.1 miles)
- The National Trust Killerton House & Gardens (16.5 miles)
- Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site (18.3 miles)
National Trust
- Fyne Court (9.7 miles)
- Loughwood Meeting House (11.9 miles)
Cycle routes
Find local routes on the National Cycle Network - over 12,000 miles of cycling routes.
Activities near Kingsmead Centre
WEST SEDGEMOOR (INDICATIVE BOUNDARY ONLY) (12.8 miles) Birdwatching
Thorncombe – Forde Abbey and the River Axe (14.7 miles) Walking
Colyton - River Coly - Parehayne Hill (14.7 miles) Walking
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Lovely rural campsite eleanorhigginson (With friends, 1 review, 0 photos)
Liked: The location of this campsite is great and feels very rural in the Blackdown Hills but is only a short drive from Taunton. We stopped here as part of a charity bike ride and were very kindly given a reduced rate. Tristan was very welcoming and brought us wood for a campfire which we would have used had the weather been better! The camping pitches are in a glade in a small wood and feel ... Disliked: The showers could have been better but it look like this is being dealt with. |
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50 keith m. (Mature couple, 1 review, 0 photos) Confirmed ?
Liked: thank you for a really lovely stay, it was so lovely and quite just what we needed. Disliked: it will be so nice when the new toilet block is ready, |
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Idyllic peaceful spot, lovely place to stay, quiet and dark. Nancy H. (Mature couple, 1 review, 0 photos) Confirmed ?
Liked: We only stayed the one night in the woodland yurt, it was a beautiful spot, it felt like we were in a "Hobbits" house. It was really well decorated and some very thoughtful touches, like tea,coffee,washing up liquid etc and a plentiful supply of logs. Our hosts were very helpful and friendly, but also respected our privacy, so we were left alone, but could contact them easily if we needed anything. A local ... Disliked: Unfortunately it was not as warm and cosy as I hoped it would be, the little wood burner looked really nice, but gave out very little heat, and the logs that were supplied were rather green and didn't burn very well ( we have been using wood burners for years, so know how to use a stove!) So unfortunately it was very cold at night, we did have the option to pay for electricity, with ... |
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Liked: the Yurt and my boys loved being in the woods and exploring around the woods. The showers were always hot and clean and the help that we had from Tristan was second to none. He was more than helpful with local information and places for the boys to go and have fun in the different theme parks. My boys want to go again as they had great fun and enjoyed sleeping in the Yurt, So ... Disliked: The old toilet block was a bit of a walk but they are building a new shower and toilet which will be a brilliant bonus to a good site. |
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Brilliant site. Wonderful people. Would recommend. James C. (Group-mostly male, 1 review, 0 photos) Confirmed ?
Liked: The location was great, the guys at the site were wonderful and the caravan was well... a caravan! Disliked: shortness of the stay! everyone said we could of happily stayed a few more days even through it was cold, dark and wet! |
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absolutely loved it - i want a yurt in my back garden now!! judlouise (Family with older children, 1 review, 4 photos)
Liked: the peaceful setting, the roof of the yurt-you could see the stars and on sunny days the movement of the trees above made the most beautiful shapes on the canvas inside - so utterly magical. tristan (owner) was lovely and very helpful and bought wood to us for fires - the kids loved the fishing ponds and my daughter made a good friend with a fellow camper so a wonderful 3 night break Disliked: the rain but that is the weathergod's fault - not tristan's!!! |
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Wonderful! robinstjohneve (Family with young children, 1 review, 0 photos)
Liked: Just spent a wonderful 9 days in this hidden Gem. Tristan and Jodie couldn't do enough to help us and make our stay comfortable and enjoyable. Beautiful scenery and lovely woodland walks. Good facilities, showers were superb. Toilets kept clean and well stocked despite the campers muddy boots in and out all day. Bonfires permitted in fire pits, very cheap to hire and wood delivered to your tent! Outstanding! Got a bit boggy with ... Disliked: Nothing |
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Liked: Location; good for mbr; potential to be a good site with improvements to showers/toilet, due next season. Would recommend and re-visit on grounds that owners seem intent on improving. Disliked: has a washing machine but no drying facility; noise policy not enforced – serenaded into the early hours by wannabe barber shop quartet family; drainage needs sorting and hard standing for cars would be a good thing as it is on a hill so in wet weather field gets muddy with cars driving on it; both pubs local closed on Monday’s (even bank hols!) so take your own entertainment! |
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Brilliant weekend! Rach24 (Young couple, 1 review, 0 photos)
Liked: We stayed in the Yurt at this site, the facilities were great and the service was brilliant. Have not often met such genuine and friendly people, they were more than accommodating. Disliked: Mainly, the weather didn't allow for much time to enjoy sitting outside. |
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Liked: qiiet, friendly, with stunning scenery Disliked: toilets, and showers, need urgent repairs, and cleaning on a more regular basis.
From the manager...
We do acknowledge that the toilet block has reached it's capacity as a result of the growing popularity of the site, and we have now obtained planning permission to build a new block in the lower camping field which will be ready for Easter 2013. In the meantime the existing block has had the men's side completely refitted and all toilets, showers and basins in the block continue to be in full working order and cleaned regularly. If there is any problem we can be contacted 24 hours a day via the phone in the laundry room. |
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Liked: Location Disliked: Showers run scalding hot for about a minute then cold forever |
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Realy nice family place 2 stay Marie L. (Family with older children, 1 review, 0 photos) Confirmed ?
Liked: Everything on sit it was a nice family relaxing holiday Disliked: Nothing |
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Liked: that it is nice and quiet and so close to nature as my 4 year old love to go looking for small animals and bugs it was great for that the staff where helpfull and we realy enjoyed are stay Disliked: there was not much that we did not like but like it says on other reviews it is very basic but we dont mind that |
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Kingsmead Elisabeth W. (Family with older children, 1 review, 0 photos) Confirmed ?
Liked: The owner was ameniable and easy to contact. For the cost of the pitch it was good value for money and included the cost of fishing too. Can't really complain. Would probably take the boys fishing there again but only for as long as I could bear not showering. Would recommend it to fishing friends (fish were shy though) but not to other friends with young kids. Disliked: The toilets and shower. Very basic (runs freezing and then boiling) and the shower leaks which makes the floor of the toilet block very slippery. Lack of toilet roll too.
From the manager...
Fair comments and we are working to improve things. The men's side of the toilet block has just been refurbished with new shower, toilets, cubicles and tiling. The ladies is due to be done as soon as we have a break in the season. In the meantime we have sealed up the leak in the ladies shower cubicle, had the boiler checked to ensure steady hot water flow and have increased the frequency of our checks of the toilet block. |
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kingsmead James R. (Family with young children, 1 review, 0 photos) Confirmed ?
Liked: we arrived with our folding camper, chap come down and shown us our plot, nice and friendly people. Disliked: the toilet block was small with 2 cubicles and one shower. |
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An enjoyable stay with incredible value for money Victoria B. (Family with young children, 1 review, 0 photos) Confirmed ?
Liked: The price was fantastic for the holidays and over the bank holiday weekend to include electric hookup. Disliked: When busy the site lacked facilities (only 2 showers), however this was a small issue and the facilities though basic were clean and well maintained. |
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Good basic site for first time campers. mummypea (Family with older children, 1 review, 0 photos)
Liked: A small site but enough room for you to choose where to pitch. Friendly staff. Easy to book online. Lovely surrounding area to walk. Dog friendly. Able to burn wood for open fires. A lovely dog friendly pub 5 mins walk away. A lovely quiet site to relax in and take in the fresh air. Disliked: Toilet and showers facilities very basic but am aware to be updated end of this season. |
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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
Hard standings
Rules
Campfires allowed
Commercial vehicles allowed
Dogs allowed
Dogs allowed all year
Themes
Forest
Gastronomic delight
Lake and/or mountain
Peaceful
Remote location
Spectacular scenery
Walkers' paradise
Wild camping
Wildlife haven
Nearby leisure
Cycling nearby
Fishing nearby
Golf nearby
Horse riding nearby
Indoor pool nearby
Mountain biking nearby
Restaurant nearby
Groups welcome
D. of E. welcome
Family friendly
Motorcycle friendly
Rallies welcome
Single-sex groups welcome
Student groups welcome
Nearby amenities
Bar nearby
Nearby farmers' market
Type
Small (11-25 pitches)
Camping 2.0
Tipis, yurts, or wigwams
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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Wellington (Somerset): High Street Coach Stop — 3.5mi
Taunton Bus Station — 5.6mi
Bishops Lydeard: Lethbridge Arms Bus Stop — 7.7mi
- Train stations
-
Taunton Rail Station — 6.1mi
Bishop's Lydeard — 7.6mi
Tiverton Parkway Rail Station — 8.6mi
- Ferry ports
-
Bridgwater Ferry Terminal — 15.7mi
Topsham Ferry Landing — 22.3mi
Topsham (Turf Lock Ferry) Ferry Landing — 22.4mi
- Airports
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Exeter International Airport — 18.4mi
Directions
From the M5 Junction 26
Take the A38 Southbound and stay on it around Wellington.
You will come to a staggered crossroads with Ford Street and Clayhidon signposted left, along with a brown tourist sign for The Merry Harriers Pub.
Turn left and continue to the top of the hill where you will come out at another crossroads with Kingsmead Centre signposted left.
Turn left and continue until you see the Merry Harriers pub on your right and a signpost for Kingsmead Centre on your left.
Turn right immediately beside the pub.
The site entrance is 1/4 mile down the road on your left.
Permitted arrival time
From 12 noon
Cancellation policy
Refunds of balance for cancellations
55-29 Days 50%
28-22 Days 30%
21 -15 Days 20%
14 -4 Days 10%
3 Days or Less 0%
Please note that your deposit paid to Pitchup.com is non-refundable.
Payment of balance
Balance is payable six weeks prior to your arrival date (or as soon as possible if you booking is for within six weeks), either by cheque, postal order or internet banking transfer. An invoice will be sent to you.
In some circumstances cash on arrival can be arranged after your booking is placed.
Cards accepted on the park
NoneTerms and conditions
Site booking terms and conditionsCheck availability at Kingsmead Centre…
This is a pitch only with no electric supply, suitable for tourers, tents and motorhomes. Maximum unit size 25’ by 25’ including awning. N.B. Tourers and Motorhomes - bring wedges as these pitches are on a very slight incline.
Max. persons: 6x
Grass pitch suitable for tourers, tents and motorhomes with 16-amp electric. Maximum unit size 25’ by 25’ including awning. N.B. Motorhomes, Tourers bring wedges as these pitches are on a very slight incline.
Max. persons: 6x
Hardstanding pitch with 16-amp electric hookup, situated at the higher end of the site, further from the lakes, but closer to the toilet block. Suitable for tourers, tents and motorhomes. Maximum unit size 25’ by 25’ including awning.
Max. persons: 6x
Two bedroom (one double and one twin) static caravan, offering a cheap, clean, dry and warm alternative to braving the unpredictable weather. They feature a full kitchen, own shower room with toilet. TV and DVD, Gas fire and no additional charges. An excellent base for exploring the area, they are ...
Max. persons: 4x
Come and stay in our woodland yurt. This hand-crafted canvas yurt is set in its own woodland glade. It is furnished with: - a full double bed - a double futon - wood burning stove with logs supplied - cooking facilities Toilet and shower facilities are available at the campsite ...
Max. persons: 4x
A fair review, but we would point out it is very easy to communicate with us whilst on site, and some of these problems could have been dealt with immediately had we been made aware, for example the washing machine is in fact a washer dryer!