Brightlycott Barton

View prices & book 9.5 136 reviews
Panoramic view of the site
Panoramic view of the site
Looking over the site
Entrance lane
Lower tier pitch
Nearby woolacombe beach
Games room
Toilet blocks
View from our pitch - great holiday
1/77
Looking over the site
Entrance lane
Lower tier pitch

  • Small family-run park on a regenerative farm near Barnstaple
  • Peaceful atmosphere with spectacular valley views
  • Table tennis room, dog walking lane and clean modern amenities
Fancy yourself as a bright holiday type? 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 farm for canny holidaymakers who want the perks of peace and quiet. The farm focuses on regenerative farming, like sowing herbal leys and planting native tree species rather than agriculture. This is 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. If the kids are harshing your valley vibe, pack them off to the table tennis 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 site. (The kids at least will 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 dryer on site: suggest that the offspring wash their own clothes if you want to max out your amusement factor.) The modern amenities here will keep you bright and smiling too: there’s a modern shower block with washing-up spot, plus a separate area with disabled facilities and a big fridge freezer for everyone’s use.

Site type

Motorhome pitches 20
Tent pitches 10
Touring caravan pitches 20
Open now
Opens 4 April

Tourist board rating

Please note
  • Under 18s must be accompanied by their parents or legal guardians.
  • The site does not accept breeds/crossbreeds listed in the Dangerous Dogs Act (i.e. Pit Bull Terrier, Japanese Tosa, Dogo Argentino, and Fila Brasileiro) and/or any of the following: Staffordshire bull terrier, American Staffordshire terrier, Rottweiler, any Mastiff or Tosa.
  • Single-sex bookings of 4 or more people (couples and immediate family members excepted) are not permitted via Pitchup.com.
  • This is a quiet site: no music is allowed.

Languages spoken

English

Open from Fri, 4 Apr to

No availability here for your search criteria

Pitch types & availability

Accommodation

Tent pitchesTouring caravan pitchesMotorhome pitchesLodges, cabins, pods or hutsCaravans for hireRent a tent
Choose your dates
2 adults
0 children

Reviews

9.5

Overall rating from 136 Pitchup.com customers

  • 74%
    10
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    9
  • 16%
    8
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    7
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    6
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    1
Location
 10
Value for money
 10
Accommodation
 9
Facilities / Activities
 9
Customer service
 10
Child friendliness
 9
Cleanliness
 9
Wifi
 7
Peaceful

99% would recommend this site to a friend

97% would stay here again

What customers say

This is a quiet, well-maintained campsite offering spacious pitches and stunning views. Visitors consistently praise the friendly and helpful owner, Charles, and the cleanliness of the facilities, including warm showers. While some mention the facilities are a little dated, they are generally considered adequate. The site is a great base for exploring North Devon, though it is noted as being a little out of the way with limited local amenities within walking distance. Some pitches can be sloped.

Summary AI-generated from Pitchup.com customer reviews

Reviews page 1 of 14
Arrival date (latest first)

Nice views, good clean shower and…

Overall

9 out of 10
Location
 9
Value for money
 9
Accommodation
 No rating
Facilities / Activities
 8
Customer service
 10
Child friendliness
 9
Cleanliness
 10
Wifi
 No rating
Andy A.

Electric grass pitch

Liked Nice views, good clean shower and toilet block, Friendly welcome.

Recommend to friends Visit again

Very quite site Free washing machine…

Overall

8 out of 10
Location
 6
Value for money
 6
Accommodation
 No rating
Facilities / Activities
 8
Customer service
 10
Child friendliness
 7
Cleanliness
 7
Wifi
 1
Paula C.

Electric grass pitch

Liked Very quite site
Free washing machine
Clean facilities

Disliked Nothing

Recommend to friends Visit again

We had a wonderful stay at…

Overall

9 out of 10
Location
 No rating
Value for money
 No rating
Accommodation
 No rating
Facilities / Activities
 No rating
Customer service
 No rating
Child friendliness
 No rating
Cleanliness
 No rating
Wifi
 No rating
Michael G.

Electric grass pitch

Liked We had a wonderful stay at this peaceful campsite. Charles, the owner, gave us a warm welcome on arrival and was full of knowledge about the local area. The views from the site are lovely, and it was incredibly quiet, perfect for a relaxing break.

The facilities were good, with clean toilets and showers that were reliably hot, and also included a fridge freezer plus a washing machine and dryer. Shops are just a short drive away in Barnstaple, so everything you need is close by.

One of the highlights was chatting with Charles about the farm’s history, including the brilliant story of when he and one of his cows met Robbie Williams on a beach!

Devon itself is such a beautiful place, and we’re already planning a return trip to see even more of what we missed this time. Highly recommended.

Recommend to friends Visit again

Very quite site although it was…

Overall

6 out of 10
Location
 8
Value for money
 6
Accommodation
 No rating
Facilities / Activities
 8
Customer service
 No rating
Child friendliness
 No rating
Cleanliness
 8
Wifi
 No rating
Anonymous

Electric grass pitch

Liked Very quite site although it was a long walk to the showers and toilets they were clean with hot water

Disliked Quite a slopping pitch

Recommend to friends Visit again

Peaceful atmosphere and the stillness compared…

Overall

8 out of 10
Location
 8
Value for money
 9
Accommodation
 No rating
Facilities / Activities
 7
Customer service
 10
Child friendliness
 9
Cleanliness
 9
Wifi
 No rating
John M.

Electric grass pitch

Liked Peaceful atmosphere and the stillness compared to other campsites makes all the difference. Charles was an excellent host and remembered our names where that personal touch does not happen elsewhere.

The views over the countryside watching the cows in the distance and the stars at night made it the most relaxing week of the year.

The site is within easy reach of local amenities, places to eat and the coast. We did not have enough time to visit all we wanted so worth a return trip in the future.

Recommend to friends Visit again

Great little campsite, amazing views and…

Overall

10 out of 10
Location
 10
Value for money
 10
Accommodation
 No rating
Facilities / Activities
 10
Customer service
 10
Child friendliness
 10
Cleanliness
 10
Wifi
 No rating
Johnny E.

Electric grass pitch

Liked Great little campsite, amazing views and clean facilities.

Disliked Nowt!

Recommend to friends Visit again

Greeted by Charles the owner very…

Overall

10 out of 10
Location
 10
Value for money
 10
Accommodation
 No rating
Facilities / Activities
 10
Customer service
 10
Child friendliness
 10
Cleanliness
 10
Wifi
 No rating
Damian S.

Electric grass pitch

Liked Greeted by Charles the owner very lovely and helpful chap. Pitch was great and was huge. Facilities were good and are not far to walk to. Nice swing and slide play srt for the kid he loved. View was amazing. This was our first camping experience and we loved it would highly recommend.

Disliked Nothing

Recommend to friends Visit again

Lovely big level pitches highly recommend

Overall

10 out of 10
Location
 10
Value for money
 10
Accommodation
 No rating
Facilities / Activities
 9
Customer service
 10
Child friendliness
 No rating
Cleanliness
 10
Wifi
 8
Jayne R.

Electric grass pitch

Liked Set in beautiful surroundings, Charles the owner is lovely and friendly with fantastic local knowledge. Sat out at night watching the stars in the dark skies and also spotting an owl were one of the highlights. Also free use of the washing machine was a fantastic plus.

Recommend to friends Visit again

Will defirnatly be staying again.

Overall

10 out of 10
Location
 10
Value for money
 10
Accommodation
 No rating
Facilities / Activities
 10
Customer service
 10
Child friendliness
 No rating
Cleanliness
 10
Wifi
 No rating
Anonymous

Electric grass pitch

Liked My wife and I thoughly enjoyed our stay, very quiet, warm and sunny.
Lovely site.

Recommend to friends Visit again

Nice quiet campsite with good facilities.…

Overall

10 out of 10
Location
 10
Value for money
 10
Accommodation
 No rating
Facilities / Activities
 9
Customer service
 10
Child friendliness
 9
Cleanliness
 9
Wifi
 No rating
Paul n.

Electric grass pitch

Liked Nice quiet campsite with good facilities. Excellent central location with great views over the countryside.

Recommend to friends Visit again

Features

Dogs allowed

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/unit Composting toilet Dog park Drying room Food shop Free wifi Ice pack freezing Internet access Launderette Parent & baby washroom Pick-up from public transport Portable toilet Pub toilets Public telephone Shower available Toilet block Washing-up area Wifi

Groups welcome

D. of E. welcome Family friendly Motorcycle friendly Single-sex groups welcome Student groups welcome

Rules

Barbecue provided Barbecues allowed Campfires allowed Commercial vehicles allowed Dogs allowed Dogs allowed all year

Themes

Peaceful

Utilities

Charging facilities Chemical disposal Electric car charging point(s) Gas cylinders available Recycling available Renewable energy

Nearby amenities

Bar nearby Dog walk nearby Nearby farmers' market

Type

Farm Medium (26-50 pitches)

Nearby leisure

Cycle hire nearby Cycling nearby Fishing nearby Golf nearby Horse riding nearby Restaurant nearby Tennis nearby

Touring and motorhomes

Tourer storage facilities

Location

Brightlycott Barton

Shirwell

Barnstaple

Devon

England

EX31 4JJ

Directions

Timezone

Europe/London BST (GMT+01:00)

GPS

51.1005°N
4.02944°W

Route directions

Satnav info: please do not turn right off the A39 at the North Devon District Hospital. This road leads to the site but is a very narrow steep lane and is not suitable for motorhomes or caravans. 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 (please note this lane is tarmac but is steep and unsuitable for caravans). 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.

Nearest transport

Coach
1.9 mi Bus Station
3.4 mi Garage
3.4 mi Garage
Rail
2.3 mi Barnstaple Rail Station
5.8 mi Chapelton (Devon) Rail Station
7.5 mi Umberleigh Rail Station
Ferry
7.5 mi Instow Ferry Landing
7.7 mi Appledore Ferry Landing
8.4 mi Ilfracombe Ferry Landing

Please note: All distances on this page are calculated "as the crow flies" - please check actual distance depending on your mode of travel using the Get directions button above.

Local attractions

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 stage 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. Elsewhere around, make up for suggesting your small fry do their own laundry by giving them a sandtastic time at the local beaches of Woolacombe, Croyde and Saunton, taking them to explore Exmoor National Park, or having a roaringly top time at the Combe Martin Wildlife and Dinosaur Park. 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: join it at Barnstaple for strolls and rides around 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. A fly fishing and trout lake is a mile away from Brightlycott.

Water quality at nearby bathing waters

Name Distance Type 2020201920182017
Combe Martin 7.4 mi Sea PoorPoorPoorPoor
Ilfracombe Hele 8.2 mi Sea N/AGoodGoodGood
Saunton Sands 8.4 mi Sea N/AExcellentExcellentExcellent
Ilfracombe Tunnels Beach 8.7 mi Sea N/AExcellentExcellentExcellent
Putsborough 8.9 mi Sea N/AExcellentExcellentExcellent

Data source: European Environment Agency

Must see

RHS Garden Rosemoor 11.8 mi

Castle Drogo 29.5 mi

National Trust

Arlington Court and the National Trust Carriage Museum 3.7 mi

Heddon Valley 9.1 mi

Watersmeet 13 mi

Holnicote Estate 21.5 mi

Dunster Working Watermill 25.8 mi

Cycle routes

Find local routes on the National Cycle Network - over 12,000 miles of cycling routes.

Other

YOULSTON PARK 1.2 mi

ARLINGTON COURT 3.4 mi

ISLEY MARSH (CURRENT BOUNDARY FROM 05/04/1990) 5.8 mi

CASTLE HILL 7 mi

CHAPEL WOOD (CURRENT BOUNDARY FROM 21/11/1950) 7.1 mi

Please note: All distances on this page are calculated "as the crow flies" - please check actual distance depending on your mode of travel using the Get directions button above.

Want to know more about camping in Devon?

Frequently asked questions

  • Does Brightlycott Barton have a swimming pool? No View all features
  • Is Brightlycott Barton dog friendly? Yes View all features
  • What attractions are near Brightlycott Barton? 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 … Read more
  • When can I check in and check out of Brightlycott Barton?
    Camping and touring
    Arrive:  1 p.m. –  9 p.m.
    Depart by:  11 a.m.
    Read more
  • How much does it cost to stay at Brightlycott Barton? From £15 (for 1 night, 2 adults) - prices may change depending on your dates and party.