How much does it cost to stay at Pithead Campsite?

From £20 (for 1 night, 3 people) - prices may change depending on your dates and party.

Pithead Campsite

View prices & book Last booked one day ago 9.6 68 reviews

Small family-run site in the grounds of an old cider apple orchard
Jurassic Coast beaches and Exeter city centre within a half-hour drive
Pitches mown into a grass meadow; tennis court and games available

If you’re on the lookout for lovely surroundings and equally lovely views for your Devon camping break, take a look at Pithead Campsite, a small family-run site about half an hour’s drive from Exeter. Pitches here are in the grounds of an old cider apple orchard, and they’re mown into the wild grasses of a natural meadow to give you a fabulously private little corner of the countryside all to yourselves. This is a great place for family camping, as there’s plenty of safe space for kids to have a run around – but it’s just as great for a quiet couple’s break, as it’s got distant views over Dartmoor to look out at while you get a barbecue or campfire going for a chilled-out evening. There is a communal firepit or a couple of braziers/fire bowls to borrow which guests can ask to borrow, as well as firewood to buy on site. (Please note that you’ll need to keep all barbecues/fires off the ground to avoid damaging the grass.) Facilities on site include a couple of compost toilets (hand-decorated by the in-house artist, no less…), a splendid hot outdoor shower and a communal firepit and barbecue for those times when you’d like to be a bit more sociable. Alongside the field is a grass tennis court – it’s a little bumpy, so don’t go expecting Wimbledon-style standards, but it’s free to use. You can borrow racquets, balls and a croquet set, and you’re also welcome to use it for other games. There is also a communal solar-lit kitchen, which includes a sink, a small solar fridge, a gas cooker (with honesty box), cooking utensils and two USB power points. Visit the vintage marquee's tables and chairs for a covered communal area. Getting out and about is easy from here too, whether you plan to hike around Dartmoor, head down to the Jurassic Coast or explore the streets of Exeter.

Site type

Open now

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).
No hen/stag parties permitted via Pitchup.com.
No cars/motorbikes by the pitch/unit. All cars must be parked in the designated area.
Discount cards and gift vouchers cannot be applied to bookings made via Pitchup.com.
At least one of the party members must be aged 21 or over.
Units longer than 5 metres are not allowed.
Guests are advised to bring a good quality torch with them as parts of the site are unlit.
Please note that the toilet/shower facilities are unisex.
If reception is closed on arrival: please contact the number provided on your booking confirmation.

Languages spoken

English

Open from Fri, 29 Mar to Mon, 30 Sept 2024

Pitch types & availability

Reviews

would recommend this site to a friend

would stay here again

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Only showing reviews for the last 30 months.

The view across the meadow from our tent.

Pitched in thw evening as it was 27c during the day

All the little details, the painted loo doors, the open kitchen, the…

Overall	10/10
Location	10
Value for money	8
Accommodation	10
Facilities / Activities	10
Customer service	8
Child friendliness	10
Cleanliness	10
Wifi	2

Jo S. Aug 2024

Non-electric grass tent pitch

Liked: All the little details, the painted loo doors, the open kitchen, the huge communal fire pit, the tennis courts. The marquee to hide from the rain inside with the candles etc (pity it didn't light up for a bit at night).

Disliked: Nothing. Be careful crossing from the car park to the camp field, the cars fly along that lane and aren't expecting people to step out.

Recommend to friends Visit again

Lovely owner very friendly clean and level pitches

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

Clare C. Aug 2024

Non-electric grass tent pitch

Liked: Very spacious very secure brilliant entertainment for kids loves the island for cooking

Disliked: Nothing everything there to keep kids entertained secure

Recommend to friends Visit again

The fully stocked communal kitchen with gas cooker, fabulous outdoor but private…

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

Anonymous Aug 2024

Non-electric grass tent pitch

Liked: The fully stocked communal kitchen with gas cooker, fabulous outdoor but private shower, compost toilets, drainage, tennis court, marquee for indoor eating, swing, trees and all the little extras. No cars and the provided wheelbarrow. Also all the recycling.

Disliked: Nothing really. I knew it had some background noise from the a35 and flight path for planes, but actually got used to this really quickly.

Recommend to friends Visit again

Very relaxed, focus on environment/sustainability. Lots of space…

Overall	10/10
Location	8
Value for money	10
Accommodation	10
Facilities / Activities	10
Customer service	No rating
Child friendliness	No rating
Cleanliness	10
Wifi	No rating

Peter v. Aug 2024

Non-electric grass tent pitch

Liked: Very relaxed, focus on environment/sustainability. Lots of space

Recommend to friends Visit again

Beautiful, great value orchard site with unique feel and great welcome

Overall	10/10
Location	10
Value for money	10
Accommodation	8
Facilities / Activities	8
Customer service	10
Child friendliness	10
Cleanliness	10
Wifi	2

Jonathan B. Aug 2024

Non-electric grass tent pitch

Liked: Beautiful bijou site in an old orchard/meadow. Amazing open-air cooking hut (gas burners, sink, loads of utensils), fully equipped including solar-powered 12V / USB charging, really clean and well-maintained compost toilets and a unique shower (no roof, but private, easy to use and warm!). Marquee with comfy chairs, grass tennis court and a few balls and frisbees. Great views over the Devon countryside, dark starry skies at night. Well-spaced grass pitches on a very gentle slope, and glamping options in bell tents. Really friendly, welcoming hosts responded quickly to arrival queries, was able to provide logs and fire pit at short notice. Handy for Exeter, East Devon seasides, Pebblebed Heaths - and a useful stop-off if you are heading further south and west.

Disliked: Other reviews have mentioned the A30 road noise and it was noticeable in the background and almost constant day and night (August peak traffic I guess). Fairly regular low-flying aircraft too (Exeter airport flightpath). We didn't mind at all but others might be if looking for complete quiet.

Recommend to friends Visit again

Lovely site, great for families and all ages.

Overall	10/10
Location	8
Value for money	10
Accommodation	10
Facilities / Activities	10
Customer service	10
Child friendliness	10
Cleanliness	10
Wifi	No rating

Anonymous Aug 2024

Non-electric grass tent pitch

Liked: Beautifully laid out car-free site, trees, mown pitches. Compost toilets solar powered kitchen with fridge and charging points, gas cooker and pans. Friendly owner.

Disliked: Being on the flight path from Exeter, but not many planes so it wouldn’t put me off coming again. Noise from A30 mostly a constant and easily-ignored hum, just the occasional motorbike cut through.

Recommend to friends Visit again

Nice camp site perfect for a weekend break away…

Overall	8/10
Location	8
Value for money	10
Accommodation	8
Facilities / Activities	6
Customer service	6
Child friendliness	8
Cleanliness	8
Wifi	2

Anonymous Jul 2024

Non-electric grass tent pitch

Liked: Nice camp site perfect for a weekend break away

Recommend to friends Visit again

Really good, decent additional facilities such as kitchenette and dining tent. Basic…

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

Mark S. Aug 2024

Non-electric grass tent pitch

Liked: Really good, decent additional facilities such as kitchenette and dining tent. Basic facilities, compost toilet and outdoor shower. Lovely location and couldn't be better value for money. Very welcoming.

Disliked: Tiny, tiny grumble, no parking next to pitch.

Recommend to friends Visit again

Excellent site for nature lovers, simple and restorative.

Overall	10/10
Location	10
Value for money	10
Accommodation	10
Facilities / Activities	10
Customer service	10
Child friendliness	10
Cleanliness	10
Wifi	6

Samantha T. Jul 2024

Non-electric grass tent pitch

Liked: Beautifully managed site for nature. We arrived just before the meadow was cut for the year and it was gorgeous. We liked all of the environmentally friendly considerations on site, especially the open air shower. Peaceful and simple camping.

Recommend to friends Visit again

Excellent site with plenty of equipment for campers. Quiet, friendly.

Overall	10/10
Location	10
Value for money	10
Accommodation	8
Facilities / Activities	8
Customer service	10
Child friendliness	10
Cleanliness	10
Wifi	2

Ruth E. Jul 2024

Non-electric grass tent pitch

Liked: The communal kitchen was great, everything you would need, to cook eat and drink with, for a small family, cutlery, pots, and pans, even wine glasses, loved the eco aspect, also the charging points and fridge were really handy, The site owner Fan was really friendly and accommodating, the site was very quiet, and there was also a big fire pit you could sit round at night if you chose to light it, you have to buy the logs to clarify.

Disliked: Nothing really, although I wish because of the constant inclement weather, a roof on the shower would have been good, it was too cold to use it, but on the other hand would have been great in warm weather.

Recommend to friends Visit again

From the manager: Aw thank you for your lovely review Ruth- I’m sorry the weather was so foul! I understand taking an outside shower in that weather isn’t inviting, however it is a hot shower! Roll on summer! Fan 😊

Features

Dogs allowed

Campfires 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 Pétanque 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 Rallies welcome Single-sex groups welcome Student groups welcome

Rules

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

Themes

Remote location Wild camping Wildlife haven

Utilities

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

Nearby amenities

Bar nearby Dog walk nearby Public transport nearby

Type

Small (11-25 pitches)

Accessibility

Disabled facilities

Nearby leisure

Canoeing/kayaking nearby Climbing nearby Cycle hire nearby Cycling nearby Fishing nearby Golf nearby Horse riding nearby Indoor pool nearby Leisure/theme park nearby Mountain biking nearby Outdoor pool nearby Restaurant nearby Sailing nearby Surf school nearby Tennis nearby Watersports nearby

Location

Pithead Campsite

Marsh Green

Exeter

Devon

England

EX5 2HE

Directions

Timezone

Europe/London BST (GMT+01:00)

GPS

50.73831°N
-3.35382°W

Route directions

If you reach the Marsh Green village hall, head down towards Marsh Green and the site is the first gate in the left. The parking field is through the opposite gate on the right.

Nearest transport

Coach

5.2 mi The Barn Owl

5.2 mi Honiton Road Park and Ride

7.5 mi Bus Station

Rail

2.1 mi Whimple Rail Station

3 mi Cranbrook Rail Station

4.5 mi Feniton Rail Station

Ferry

6.3 mi Topsham Ferry Landing

6.3 mi Topsham (Turf Lock Ferry) Ferry Landing

6.4 mi Topsham Lock Ferry Landing

Airport

2.8 mi Exeter International Airport

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

If you’re heading here for a good bit of outdoor activity time, you may like to plot a course to Ottery St Mary (10 minutes’ drive) for a five-mile walk along the banks of the River Otter, or make your way down to the coast for sea swims and paddleboarding in Sidmouth or Budleigh Salterton (both 20 minutes). Kids in tow? Try days out taking in all the rides and attractions at Crealy Theme Park & Resort (10 minutes), the animals and adventure activities at Wildwood Escot (10 minutes) or a bit of time cooing over the cute residents of The Donkey Sanctuary (25 minutes). For a bit of urban time, head into Exeter (25 minutes) to visit the Royal Albert Memorial Museum and tour the city’s underground passages, or try Taunton (40 minutes) for all sorts of heritage and arts attractions.

Water quality at nearby bathing waters

Name	Distance	Type	2020	2019	2018	2017
Sidmouth Jacobs Ladder	6.4 mi	Sea	N/A	Excellent	Excellent	Excellent
Ladram Bay	6.4 mi	Sea	N/A	Good	N/A	Good
Sidmouth Town	6.5 mi	Sea	N/A	Excellent	Excellent	Excellent
Budleigh Salterton	7.7 mi	Sea	N/A	Excellent	Excellent	Excellent
Sandy Bay	8.9 mi	Sea	N/A	Excellent	Excellent	Excellent

Data source: European Environment Agency

Must see

Crealy Great Adventure Park 3.4 mi

The National Trust Killerton House & Gardens 5.8 mi

Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site 6.1 mi

Exeter Cathedral - Church of Saint Peter 7.8 mi

Blackdown Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty 13.6 mi

National Trust

Killerton: Marker's Cottage 4.2 mi

Killerton: Clyston Mill 4.4 mi

Killerton: Budlake Old Post Office 5.4 mi

Killerton 5.7 mi

A la Ronde 7 mi

Cycle routes

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

Other

ROCKBEARE MANOR 1 mi

AYLESBEARE COMMON (CURRENT BOUNDARY FROM 15/07/2005) 2.7 mi

CADHAY 3.1 mi

Woodbury Common and Woodbury Castle 4.9 mi

BICTON 5.1 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.

Policies

Booking terms and conditions

Admission

All guests spending the night at the park must present their ID at the reception desk and sign registration forms.
At least one of the party members must be aged 21 or over.
Under 18s must be accompanied by their parents or legal guardians.

Arrivals and departures

Late arrivals must notify the park as soon as possible. Your booking will be held for 24 hours. After this period the management reserves the right to relet your unit.
No refunds/discounts for inclement weather, late arrivals or early departures.
Please pick any available pitch on arrival.
The site will send you further check-in information 7 day(s) before your arrival.

Changes to your holiday

Bookings cannot be amended within 2 day(s) of arrival.

Dogs

Dogs must be kept on leads and supervised at all times.
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).

Extras

Motorbike(s) can be brought instead of the car(s) included.

General

Discount cards and gift vouchers cannot be applied to bookings made via Pitchup.com.
Please note that the toilet/shower facilities are unisex.
Quiet hours must be respected between 11 p.m. and 7:30 a.m..
Radio, music and TV players must be kept at a low volume. Car doors and boots must be closed quietly.
The management reserves the right to deny access or terminate the stay of those guests whose behaviour is deemed unsuitable. No refunds will be offered.
The site is not liable for any refund in the event of force majeure.

Occupancy

No hen/stag parties permitted via Pitchup.com.

Pitches

You must follow the management directives when pitching your tent/unit and related equipment.

Reception

If reception is closed on arrival: please contact the number provided on your booking confirmation.
Reception is open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. between 01/04 and 30/09.

Safety

Barbecues are permitted but must be raised off the ground and attended by an adult at all times.
Firearms are not permitted.
Guests are advised to bring a good quality torch with them as parts of the site are unlit.
Open fires are prohibited.

Vehicles

No cars/motorbikes by the pitch/unit. All cars must be parked in the designated area.
No vehicle movement between 11 p.m. and 7 a.m..
The car is only included in the rate if you are travelling with a touring caravan or a tent. If you wish to bring a car along with your motorhome/campervan please select the extra.
Units longer than 5 metres are not allowed.

Visitors

Visitors must register at reception and pay their fee.

Payment terms

Offers

Shepherd's hut

20% off 20% Discount Mon 1 April 2024 –
Mon 30 September 2024

Conditions apply - see pitch type section for details

Nearest sites

Unfortunately, we have no nearby bookable sites.

Frequently asked questions

Does Pithead Campsite have a swimming pool? No View all features
Is Pithead Campsite dog friendly? Yes View all features
What attractions are near Pithead Campsite? If you’re heading here for a good bit of outdoor activity time, you may like to plot a course to Ottery St Mary (10 minutes’ drive) for a five-mile walk along the … Read more