Rainbow Retreat

View prices & book 9.4 30 reviews
Lovely view
Lovely view
The sheltered kitchen space lit up at night under the canopy of the trees and the stars
Steps up to the safari tent
Forest with lovely open clearings of the sky
Come rain or shine you can take in the surroundings from the comfort of the sofa
Image shows the safari tent as you arrive into the woodland
External image of the safari tent
External image of the woodland safari tent in its woodland setting
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The sheltered kitchen space lit up at night under the canopy of the trees and the stars
Steps up to the safari tent
Forest with lovely open clearings of the sky

  • Eco-friendly nature-filled site among 7.5 acres of Devon woodland
  • A 10-minute drive to Exeter city centre; half an hour to the coast
  • Barbecue, firepit, hammocks and kitchen shelter provided for guests
The name and logo are particularly colourful at Rainbow Retreat, but really there's one colour that stands out above all others at this Devon site… and that colour is green. That goes for both the setting – within 7.5 acres of gorgeous woodland – and the supremely eco-conscious approach that aims to preserve that environment for years to come. In fact, if you stay here you’ll not only be helping to maintain the woodland but also contributing to expanding it, as there’s a policy of planting a tree for each booking made. That’s just one small part of the eco approach at this Greener Camping Club site – around the site you’ll also spot clearly marked recycling areas, compost toilets and off-grid showers with environmentally friendly toiletries provided. The reasons behind wanting to preserve this environment are sure to become clear during your time on site – you’ll be fully immersed in peaceful nature here, with the sound of birdsong and the scents of the forest to soak up as you wander through the woods (or hang out in one of the hammocks strung between the trees). Alfresco cooking is usually part of the plan for guests here – and that’s been made easy by the addition of a communal sheltered kitchen area (with space for eating, sitting and relaxing as well as cooking) and a firepit and barbecue (with logs available to buy on site). All of this sounds like it should be in the middle of nowhere, right? In fact, Rainbow Retreat is anything but – it’s actually only a 10-minute from the centre of Exeter, putting the mainline station within easy reach, along with a whole lot of shops, attractions and places to eat.

Site type

Tent pitches 7
Rent a tent 1
Open now
Opens 14 April
Please note
  • Under 18s must be accompanied by their parents or legal guardians.
  • No hen/stag parties permitted via Pitchup.com.
  • Please note that the toilet/shower facilities are unisex.
  • There is no reception on-site: on arrival please contact the number provided on your booking confirmation.

Languages spoken

English

Open from Mon, 14 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
Other options

Reviews

9.4

Overall rating from 30 Pitchup.com customers

  • 80%
    10
  • 6%
    9
  • 3%
    8
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    7
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    6
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    5
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    1
Location
 9
Value for money
 9
Accommodation
 9
Facilities / Activities
 8
Customer service
 10
Child friendliness
 8
Cleanliness
 9
Wifi
 7
ForestPeaceful

90% would recommend this site to a friend

93% would stay here again

What customers say

This woodland campsite offers a peaceful, eco-friendly retreat close to Exeter. Visitors praise the friendly and helpful hosts, the beautiful natural setting, and the well-equipped communal kitchen and hot showers. While some mention the trek to pitches can be challenging, especially in wet weather, most found the secluded, spacious pitches and campfire areas highly enjoyable. The site is noted as still developing, with positive anticipation for future improvements.

Summary AI-generated from Pitchup.com customer reviews

Reviews page 1 of 3
Arrival date (latest first)

Absolutely loved everything about this place.…

Overall

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

Non-electric grass tent pitch

Liked Absolutely loved everything about this place. Clean compost loo, great open air kitchen. feeling of being alone in the forest

Disliked Nothing

Recommend to friends Visit again

I had an amazing three night stay and found the owner very helpful

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
 10
ROBERT C.

Non-electric grass tent pitch

Liked I liked the distance from the other pitches and the surroundings are wonderful

Disliked Not really a dislike but the walk from the carpark to the site is a bit daunting at first sight but if your concerned the owner is always willing to help you get too and from your pitch

Recommend to friends Visit again

The camp site was really nice,…

Overall

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

Non-electric grass tent pitch

Liked The camp site was really nice, perfect time of year to visit. The ground wasn’t muddy. Owners are really friendly. I happened to accidentally burn myself whilst on site and they’re stocked with a first aid kit and supplied me with aloe Vera to help. Always offering to help carry things up and down and offer wheelbarrows to help carry everything too.

Recommend to friends Visit again

A wonderful , quiet, camping experience in the woods.

Overall

9 out of 10
Location
 9
Value for money
 10
Accommodation
 No rating
Facilities / Activities
 No rating
Customer service
 10
Child friendliness
 No rating
Cleanliness
 10
Wifi
 1
Adelle E.

Non-electric grass tent pitch

Liked The wild camping feel but the luxury of a toilet and shower. Fire pit and loads of wood available. Lovely kind hosts that checked in on us the day we arrived and kindly helped on the day of departure with the transporting equipment up to the car park. The compost toilet had no smell at all. The outdoor kitchen so handy and lots of handy bits and shelter to cook if it rains, which it didn't whilst we were there. So quiet and peaceful, just lovely and relaxing.

Recommend to friends Visit again

Just stunning. Set in a little…

Overall

10 out of 10
Location
 9
Value for money
 10
Accommodation
 10
Facilities / Activities
 10
Customer service
 10
Child friendliness
 10
Cleanliness
 10
Wifi
 10
Nadine G.

The Woodland Hideout 2 bedroom safari tent

Liked Just stunning. Set in a little woodland it was peaceful, clean and the safari tent was well equipped. The hosts were so helpful. Will be booking again next year

Disliked Nothing

Recommend to friends Visit again

Beautiful wild site, clean facilities, well equipped & very peaceful

Overall

10 out of 10
Location
 10
Value for money
 8
Accommodation
 10
Facilities / Activities
 8
Customer service
 10
Child friendliness
 10
Cleanliness
 10
Wifi
 10
Chloe T.

The Woodland Hideout 2 bedroom safari tent

Liked Absolutely everything. The cabin was well equipped and the beds were comfortable. Our fire pit area was fantastic and we enjoyed both evenings sat around the campfire, cooking and playing card games. The community kitchen area was also very well equipped and clean. This is where we found lots of activities for the children to do as well. The compostable toilet was clean and again well equipped with toilet roll and hand wash. The showers were clean, warm, spacious and again well equipped with eco friendly shampoo & shower gel etc. Sammie and Luke were the perfect hosts, really friendly and very welcoming. We spent our days playing family games, cooking on the fire and making lots of nature mandalas. It was a perfect stay to escape a fast paced life. We can’t wait to return.

Recommend to friends Visit again

Un très bon camping pour tous les amoureux de la nature.

Overall

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

Non-electric grass tent pitch

Liked Le Rainbow retreat est un camping rare dans le sud de l'Angleterre par sa situation dans les bois dans le respect de l'écologie. Les emplacements sont très généreux et permettent de passer un séjour tranquille en pleine nature (on a vu des écureuils, un faisan... malheureusement pas les cerfs). Les douches sont chaudes et très propres.

Bien situé, ce camping permet de découvrir le massif du Dartmoor et la côte jurassique avec toutes les facilités de la proximité d'Exeter.

Nous avons été très bien accueillis par Sammie et Luke qui ont tout fait pour que notre séjour se passe le mieux possible. Leur projet est vraiment très sympa et le camping va gagner en fonctionnalité, en confort et en convivialité au fur et à mesure des années. Nous y reviendrons avec plaisir.

Disliked Un peu galère avec les toilettes que certains usagers du camping n'utilisent pas correctement.

Recommend to friends Visit again

A lovely peaceful site with everything…

Overall

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

Non-electric grass tent pitch

Liked A lovely peaceful site with everything we needed and really friendly and welcoming owners. Pitches were far enough apart to feel like you had the whole woods to yourself!

Recommend to friends Visit again

Absolutely amazing place to stay the…

Overall

10 out of 10
Location
 10
Value for money
 10
Accommodation
 10
Facilities / Activities
 7
Customer service
 10
Child friendliness
 10
Cleanliness
 7
Wifi
 1
Anonymous

The Woodland Hideout 2 bedroom safari tent

Liked Absolutely amazing place to stay the kids loved sleeping in the woods hearing all the animals!! Only recommendations to anyone going bring torches as they are needed when going to the toilet of an evening!! But can not praise this place enough!!

Recommend to friends Visit again

Very helpful 👌…

Overall

9 out of 10
Location
 9
Value for money
 9
Accommodation
 9
Facilities / Activities
 9
Customer service
 9
Child friendliness
 9
Cleanliness
 9
Wifi
 9
Paul R.

Non-electric grass tent pitch

Liked Very helpful 👌

Recommend to friends Visit again

Features

No 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 TV room Take away Tennis Watersports

Amenities on site

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

Groups welcome

Family friendly Motorcycle friendly Single-sex groups welcome Student groups welcome

Rules

Barbecue provided Barbecues allowed Campfires allowed Commercial vehicles allowed Dogs allowed No dogs allowed No pets allowed

Camping 2.0

Jumbo tent pitches

Themes

Forest Peaceful Spectacular scenery Walkers' paradise Wild camping Wildlife haven

Utilities

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

Nearby amenities

Bar nearby Dog walk nearby

Type

Small (11-25 pitches)

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

Rainbow Retreat

Unit 1 Rebecca Springs

Nadderwater

Exeter

Devon

England

EX4 2JH

Directions

Timezone

Europe/London BST (GMT+01:00)

GPS

50.72755°N
3.57838°W

Nearest transport

Coach
2.4 mi Bus Station
4.7 mi The Barn Owl
4.7 mi Honiton Road Park and Ride
Rail
1.5 mi Exeter St Davids Rail Station
1.9 mi Exeter St Thomas Rail Station
2 mi Exeter Central Rail Station
Ferry
5.7 mi Topsham Lock Ferry Landing
5.7 mi Topsham Ferry Landing
5.9 mi Topsham (Turf Lock Ferry) Ferry Landing
Airport
7.1 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 keen to see more of this stunning countryside, a good place to get out for a hike is Dartmoor National Park, a little way west of the site. Some of its top spots – including Canonteign Falls and Blackingstone Rock – are about 25 minutes’ drive away, with Haytor Rocks, Castle Drogo and Fingle Bridge not much further. Alternatively, go for real contrast and get some city time in – Exeter (10 minutes' drive) has all sorts, including the cathedral, the catacombs and the House That Moved. Adrenaline activities could be part of the plan too, with outings to Crealy Theme Park (20 minutes) or Wildwood Devon (half an hour), home to climbing walls and a 40-metre zipline as well as an excellent animal park. And of course this is Devon, so you're never far from the coast – options near to Rainbow Retreat include Dawlish Warren, Exmouth and Teignmouth, all within a half-hour drive.

Water quality at nearby bathing waters

Name Distance Type 2020201920182017
Dawlish Warren 10.7 mi Estuary N/AExcellentExcellentExcellent
Exmouth 11.2 mi Estuary N/AExcellentExcellentExcellent
Dawlish Town 11.3 mi Sea N/AGoodGoodExcellent
Dawlish Coryton Cove 11.6 mi Sea N/AExcellentExcellentExcellent
Sandy Bay 12.3 mi Sea N/AExcellentExcellentExcellent

Data source: European Environment Agency

Must see

Exeter Cathedral - Church of Saint Peter 2.1 mi

The National Trust Killerton House & Gardens 6.9 mi

Crealy Great Adventure Park 7.3 mi

Castle Drogo 10.5 mi

Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site 14.9 mi

National Trust

Killerton: Clyston Mill 6.3 mi

Killerton: Marker's Cottage 6.6 mi

Killerton: Budlake Old Post Office 7 mi

Killerton 7 mi

A la Ronde 9.6 mi

Cycle routes

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

Other

ST BARTHOLOMEW'S CEMETERY, EXETER 1.9 mi

NORTHERNHAY AND ROUGEMENT GARDENS 2.1 mi

Brampford Speke Circular 4.1 mi

SHOBROOKE PARK 5.4 mi

EXE ESTUARY (CURRENT BOUNDARY FROM 16/01/2003) 5.9 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 Rainbow Retreat have a swimming pool? No View all features
  • Is Rainbow Retreat dog friendly? No View all features
  • What attractions are near Rainbow Retreat? If you're keen to see more of this stunning countryside, a good place to get out for a hike is Dartmoor National Park, a little way west of the site. Some of … Read more
  • When can I check in and check out of Rainbow Retreat?
    Camping and touring
    Arrive:  1 p.m. –  5 p.m.
    Depart by:  11 a.m.
    On-site accommodation
    Arrive:  1 p.m. –  5 p.m.
    Depart by:  11 a.m.
    Read more
  • How much does it cost to stay at Rainbow Retreat? From £15 (for 1 night, 2 adults) - prices may change depending on your dates and party.