Pitching up in the River Kenn valley, on a park surrounded by Devon woodland and countryside, with mature trees and landscaped ponds complete with resident ducks…does this sound like it might fit the bill? If so, take your flock to Haldon Forest Holiday Park, five miles from Exeter and just a mile from the woodland and bike trails of the 3500-acre Haldon Forest Park.
Pitches at Haldon Forest are mostly meadow, with some hardstanding for motorhomes; touring and camping pitches come with a choice of electric hook-up where available. There are two playgrounds on the park for little saplings to go out on a limb under the watchful eye of more mature types; like most of the facilities at Haldon Forest Holiday Park, the playgrounds are newly developed and have been installed since 2010.
There are also recently installed laundry facilities, three newly redeveloped loo and shower blocks with heating and free hot water, and a new café bar with sun terrace for tipples and snacks. All in all, we think you’ll find this park all that it’s quacked up to be…
Nearby attractions and activities
Bring the bikes to Devon or hire wheels at Haldon Forest Park to take full advantage of the miles of woodland mountain bike and cycle trails for various levels of ability. There are also discovery trails, play equipment and several walking trails in the forest park including the circular Butterfly Trail and the easy-rated Mamhead Sensory Trail with gorgeous views along the Jurassic Coast and over the Exe estuary. For more relaxed forest sightseeing, there’s a ten mile horse-riding trail, with horse riding of a different type at the forest’s Exeter Racecourse.
Dartmoor National Park, with more hacking, hiking and biking as well as tor climbing, guided walks and geocaching, is a short drive from the holiday park. There are regular events throughout the year, towns and villages to take in, the famous Dartmoor ponies to spot and Dartmoor Zoo with meerkats, monkeys, lions and more.
Bring binoculars along with the bikes: the forest park and surrounding area are wildlife havens, with rare birds of prey and wild deer in the forest itself and birdwatching a few miles away at the Site of Special Scientific Interest the Exe Estuary: watch oystercatchers showing excellent culinary taste in breaking open mussels at Bull Hill or take a trip to the nature reserve at Dawlish Warren at the estuary’s mouth. If you’re bringing along the bikes, the National Cycle Network Exe Estuary Trail runs to Exmouth from Dawlish.
The sublime sand of Dawlish Warren is one of several South Devon sandy stretches, with the beaches at Teignmouth, Exmouth and Torbay within easy distance of Haldon Forest and the coastal towns of Torquay and Paignton a little further along the coast. Exmouth is the place to don the wetsuit as it’s known for watery sports of all types including diving, windsurfing and sailing; it’s also a gateway town to the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site.
Finally, a stay at Haldon Forest has to include a day or two in Exeter to see its twelfth century cathedral, medieval Guildhall and famous historic quayside with antique shops, restaurants, canoe and boat trips and events such as dragon boat racing and guided tours.
Attractions near Haldon Forest Holiday Park
Must see
- Exeter Cathedral - Church of Saint Peter (4.0 miles)
- Crealy Great Adventure Park (7.0 miles)
- The National Trust Killerton House & Gardens (9.6 miles)
National Trust
- A la Ronde (7.2 miles)
- Killerton: Clyston Mill (8.3 miles)
Cycle routes
Find local routes on the National Cycle Network - over 12,000 miles of cycling routes.
Activities near Haldon Forest Holiday Park
EXE ESTUARY (CURRENT BOUNDARY FROM 16/01/2003) (4.0 miles) Birdwatching
Bovey Tracey and Wilford Bridge (7.3 miles) Walking
Dawlish Warren (7.4 miles) Beach - Excellent Water Quality Beaches Surfing
| £££ |
Overall rating based
|
| Sort by: | |
Liked: We liked the site and its location, excellent showers and toilets. Children loved the play areas. We loved watching the many ducks on site. The new (yet to be finished) cafe/bar looks great. Just 5 mins from Haldon Forest for mountain biking and walks. Disliked: The cold weather! |
Facebook Twitter Google Plus |
Liked: The campsite was lovely, nice setting and all the facilities you needed to ensure you had a good time. I had read the other reviews about lack of toilet roll so went prepared but pleased to say that it is now provided. Disliked: When we arrived, we were pointed to the field and told to pitch where we wanted to but at no point were we told where the shower blocks, toilets, washing up area or rubbish collection area was and had to find these for ourselves. As it was toward the end of the holiday we discovered a closer set nearer the field where the tent was. It would have just been nice to have these pointed ... |
Facebook Twitter Google Plus |
Liked: The beautiful peaceful location Disliked: Nothing |
Facebook Twitter Google Plus |
|
robert blackmore robert b. (Family with young children, 1 review, 0 photos) Confirmed ?
Liked: the forest and the absolute charm of this lovely campsite Disliked: cant think anything was bad except the weather |
Facebook Twitter Google Plus |
|
Very clean and well maintained Helen P. (Family with young children, 1 review, 0 photos) Confirmed ?
Liked: Lovely clean toilet and shower blocks Disliked: Play equipment needing repair |
Facebook Twitter Google Plus |
|
last Sat night - one night with small baby Sue R. (Family with young children, 1 review, 0 photos) Confirmed ?
Liked: the lovely setting Disliked: the walk to the toilet block, BUT the one where the vans are is perfect!!! |
Facebook Twitter Google Plus |
Liked: Level pitch that was a very generous size. Disliked: Not being pre-warned that toilet roll was not provided in any of the toilets! |
Facebook Twitter Google Plus |
Liked: David the site manager very friendly and helpful, how spotless the toilets and showers were,and how well kept the site was. Disliked: nothing a very enjoyable 6 night break even with the rain. |
Facebook Twitter Google Plus |
|
well worth a stop. take your push bike as Haldon forest has some great trails Chris R. (Family with young children, 1 review, 0 photos) Confirmed ?
Liked: very clean Disliked: would have liked hand cleanser in the toilets |
Facebook Twitter Google Plus |
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
Seasonal pitches
Rules
Campfires allowed
Commercial vehicles allowed
Dogs allowed
Dogs allowed all year
Themes
Forest
Peaceful
Spectacular scenery
Wildlife haven
Nearby leisure
Cycle hire nearby
Cycling nearby
Fishing nearby
Horse riding nearby
Leisure/theme park nearby
Mountain biking nearby
Restaurant nearby
Groups welcome
Family friendly
Motorcycle friendly
Rallies welcome
Single-sex groups welcome
Student groups welcome
Nearby amenities
Bar nearby
Public transport nearby
Shop nearby
Type
Large (51-200 pitches)
Ordnance Survey maps (GB and Northern Ireland only) are available at lower levels via the drop-down menu.
Nearest transport
- Coach stations
-
Exminster Bus Stop — 3.1mi
Exeter: St Davids Rail Station Coach Stop — 4.2mi
Exeter: Bus & Coach Station Paris Street — 4.2mi
- Train stations
-
Exeter St Thomas Rail Station — 3.4mi
Exeter Central Rail Station — 4.1mi
Exeter St Davids Rail Station — 4.2mi
- Ferry ports
-
Topsham Lock Ferry Landing — 4.2mi
Topsham Ferry Landing — 4.3mi
Turf Lock Inn Ferry Landing — 4.3mi
- Airports
-
Exeter International Airport — 7.7mi
Plymouth City Airport — 29.5mi
Directions
From the A38 southbound: leave the A38 at the junction signposted 'Kennford', and take an immediate left at the end of the slip road. This will take you through Kennford village. Continue out of the village, over the A38 bridge, keeping left after the bridge, following the sign for Clapham. Turn left 1.5 miles after the bridge (signposted Underwood) and then turn right after 50 yards into the gravel track to the site.
From the A38 northbound: leave the A38 at the top of Haldon Hill, 100 yards after the Haldon services / Little Chef, at the junction signposted Dunchideock and Exeter Racecourse. Turn left at the slip road T-junction, then fork right after one mile. Continue down the hill for 1.75 miles and turn into the gravel track on the left, just before the T-junction in Clapham.
Permitted arrival time
From 3.00 pm
Cancellation policy
Please notify the campsite as soon as possible if you need to cancel your booking.
Please note that your deposit paid to Pitchup.com is non-refundable.
Payment of balance
By cheque or cash on arrival.
Cards accepted on the park
NoneTerms and conditions
Site booking terms and conditionsPlease note
Please note that our site is peaceful and family orientated and we will not accept bookings from groups of young adults or single sex parties.
Check availability at Haldon Forest Holiday Park…
Grass tent pitch without electric.
Max. persons: 6x
Grass caravan touring pitch with 10-amp electric hook-up. Includes one awning.
Max. persons: 6x
Hard-standing pitch with electric for Motorhomes. Includes one awning.
Max. persons: 6x
Grass tent pitch with 10-amp electric hook-up.
Max. persons: 6x
