Bowhayes Farm Camping
View prices & book
- Semi-wild camping on the grounds of a Devon cider orchard
- Sidmouth 15 minutes’ drive; central Exeter half an hour
- Farm shop selling teas, coffees and snacks; hampers available
Site type
8
3
1
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. XL Bully, 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.
- No hen/stag parties permitted via Pitchup.com.
- Guests under the age of 13 are not allowed on site.
- No cars/motorbikes by the pitch/unit. All cars must be parked in the designated area.
- Reception is unmanned after 4:30 p.m.. Please inform the site while on your way there should you expect to arrive after this time, so that the team can provide information about your unit/pitch.
- Guests are advised to bring a good quality torch with them as parts of the site are unlit.
- No naked flames are allowed inside the hired accommodation units.
- Please note that the toilet/shower facilities are unisex.
Languages spoken
English
French
Open from Wed, 1 Jan to
Pitch types & availability
OfferBramley bell tent
Adults only 2 people maximum 
No dogs allowed Dimensions: 16.4ft width × 16.4ft length
Arrival daysFrom £95
View prices & book
- Offer
Dabinet bell tent
Adults only 2 people maximum No dogs allowed Dimensions: 16.4ft width × 16.4ft length
Arrival daysFrom £95
View prices & book - Offer
Michelin bell tent
Adults only 2 people maximum No dogs allowed Dimensions: 16.4ft width × 16.4ft length
Arrival daysFrom £95
View prices & book 
OfferPippin shepherd's hut
Adults only 2 people maximum No dogs allowed Dimensions: 13.1ft width × 7.1ft length
Arrival daysFrom £125
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Reviews
100% would recommend this site to a friend
100% would stay here again
What customers say
This peaceful campsite offers a beautiful, unique orchard setting with spacious, private pitches. Guests consistently praise the friendly, helpful owners and excellent facilities, particularly the hot showers and kitchen area. The location is ideal for exploring East Devon, with walks and the coast easily accessible. Minor feedback suggests the owner's initial briefing could be more concise.
Summary AI-generated from Pitchup.com customer reviews
Peace and quiet, lovely location, great breakfast…
Non-electric grass tent pitch (small)
Liked Peace and quiet, lovely location, great breakfast
Recommend to friends Visit again
From the manager: Hi Sarah,
Many thanks for your review - very much appreciated.
Good to hear you enjoyed yourselves.
Hope to see you both back here one day!
Regards,
Howard
The hosts were lovely! They made us feel very welcome, and were…
Non-electric grass tent pitch (small)
Liked The hosts were lovely! They made us feel very welcome, and were very accomodating. The site was lovely, and we camped surrounded by beautiful apple trees. It was very spacious, so you didn't feel like there were other campers on top of you! The coffee and croissants that we had for breakfast were great. We'd love to come back, and would encourage anyone to go.
Recommend to friends Visit again
From the manager: Hi Ellie!
It was lovely meeting you both, great to hear you liked our place (especially the croissants!).
I hope you had a save drive home.
Hope to see you both here again soon!
Howard
Beautiful location, easy to find, really well spaced pitches meaning it is…
Non-electric grass tent pitch (small)
Liked Beautiful location, easy to find, really well spaced pitches meaning it is quiet (there is a walk from car parking, but was OK for me - wheelbarrow provided). Facilities sufficient.
Disliked The chat with the owner at the start was a bit OTT for me personally- the map of the site was enough.
Recommend to friends Visit again
From the manager: Hello Helena,
Thank you so much for your kind comments — we're really glad you appreciated the peaceful setting, generous pitch spacing, and found the wheelbarrow handy for the short walk from the parking area.
We totally understand your feedback about the check-in chat. As a working farm, we’re not quite your average campsite — so that initial welcome is partly about helping guests settle in, but also about making sure everyone’s aware of a few important safety and practical bits that might not apply elsewhere (especially with tractors and tree nurseries in the mix!).
And with just 12 pitches in a 15 acre commercial cider orchard I wouldn't want anyone to feel lost... especially as there aren't 'formal' pitch signs and numbers like a 'normal' campsite!
That said, we always want to strike the right balance, so we appreciate your honesty and will keep refining how we do things. Thanks again for choosing Bowhayes Farm — we hope to welcome you back in the future.
Regards,
Howard
This is a perfect campsite for a bikepacking trip. The owners keep…
Non-electric grass tent pitch (small)
Liked This is a perfect campsite for a bikepacking trip. The owners keep the number of pitches limited so it's not like a typical campsite, you won't find any massive tents with folks watching TV inside haha. You get to pitch literally between the apple trees, which is amazing. The shower facilities are basic but the water is hot and perfect for what is needed in such beautiful place. Owners are amazing and super helpful. Highly recommended!
Recommend to friends Visit again
From the manager: Thanks so much, Marek — what a pleasure to read your review (and see your great photo too!). We're so glad Bowhayes hit the mark for your bike packing trip — peaceful, simple, and just the right side of off-grid.
Keeping things small and quiet is a big part of what we’re about, so it’s great to hear that pitching among the apple trees and enjoying the orchard vibes suited you perfectly. And yes — no TV tents here… unless you count bats doing loops at dusk!
Thanks again for your kind words and recommendation — we hope your two wheels bring you back this way again soon ;-)
Thanks!
Howard & Fiona
Would recommend staying here. Howard the owner is very helpful
Non-electric grass tent pitch (small)
Liked We love the orchard and how spaced out the tents are. It is only a small campsite but it is lovely.
Recommend to friends Visit again
From the manager: Hi Anna!
It was lovely to see you both back, with Bella, at Bowhayes again - always welcome! Thanks so much for your kind review.
I hope you had a good drive back home,
See you soon!
Howard
Peaceful campsite, with all the facilities you needed. Very friendly and…
Non-electric grass tent or trailer tent pitch (large)
Liked Peaceful campsite, with all the facilities you needed. Very friendly and helpful host :)
Recommend to friends Visit again
An absolute gem all-round! Thank you, Howard!
Non-electric grass tent pitch (small)
Liked Pretty much everything - Howard and his family were wonderful and so accommodating. The surroundings were absolutely beautiful, and so peaceful. The facilities were clean and access to the little kitchen area was a fantastic added bonus when it came to storing some of our food. The shower was quite possibly the highligh / best shower ever! We would definitely camp here again whenever we come to East Devon.
Disliked Absolutely nothing!!!!
Recommend to friends Visit again
From the manager: Thank you so much, Leila — what a joy to read your review... sorry my response is so late!
We’re delighted you enjoyed your stay and found the orchard peaceful and the facilities just right. It means a lot to hear such kind words about the shower (we’re quietly proud of that one... especially after it's recent revamp!) and the kitchen area too — it’s lovely when those little touches help make the stay even smoother.
It was a real pleasure having you here — thank you again for your warmth and positivity. We’d love to welcome you back anytime you’re in East Devon!
Thanks,
Howard & Fiona
Stunning setting to camp in the orchard. Loads of space between tent…
Non-electric grass tent pitch (small)
Liked Stunning setting to camp in the orchard. Loads of space between tent pitching's and based between separate rows of trees in the orchard gave a very private feel. Outback shower was great to have and producing very hot water so welcome whilst camping!
Recommend to friends Visit again
Beautiful well run campsite. Quiet ,secure and excellent facilities. Loved the horsebox…
Non-electric grass tent pitch (small)
Liked Beautiful well run campsite. Quiet ,secure and excellent facilities. Loved the horsebox shower and the kitchen facilities. Very friendly and welcoming owner .
Recommend to friends Visit again
Excellent!
Non-electric grass tent pitch (small)
Liked Beautiful setting in the orchard; ‘forest bathing’ in its most natural form. Tents very well spaced so that you don’t notice other campers. Cars are parked below the campsite preserving its tranquility. Rabbits in the long grass this morning. Fiona and Howard are excellent hosts - friendly, relaxed and super helpful. Loved the way the tent locations are indicated by paint on the trees - find your row and pick a spot and loved the shower unit in its random row. The coffee deck is also perfectly situated for catching the sun - I was torn this morning between that and just sitting in front of my tent and admiring the setting.
Disliked Absolutely nothing
Recommend to friends Visit again
From the manager: Thank you, Anita, for such a thoughtful and generous review — and for sharing your beautiful photos too! We’re so pleased you enjoyed the orchard setting, the peacefulness, and all the little quirks that make Bowhayes what it is.
We especially love that you noticed the rabbits, the painted tree markers, and the coffee deck sun trap — all part of the slower rhythm we hope guests can sink into here. It’s lovely to hear that the spacing and car-free approach worked well for you too.
It was a real pleasure having you to stay, and we hope you’ll be back to enjoy another dose of ‘forest bathing’ with us again soon.
Howard & Fiona
Features
Dogs allowed
Adults only
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 WatersportsAmenities on site
Bath available Composting toilet Dog park Drying room Food shop Free wifi Ice pack freezing Internet access Launderette Local produce Parent & baby washroom Pick-up from public transport Portable toilet Pub toilets Public telephone Shower available Toilet block Washing-up area WifiGroups welcome
D. of E. welcome Family friendly Motorcycle friendly Single-sex groups welcome Student groups welcomeRules
Adults only Barbecue provided Barbecues allowed Campfires allowed Commercial vehicles allowed Dogs allowed Dogs allowed all yearThemes
Budget/backpacker Forest Leave the car at home Peaceful Spectacular scenery Walkers' paradise Wild camping Wildlife havenUtilities
Charging facilities Chemical disposal Communal freezer Communal fridge Electric car charging point(s) Gas cylinders available Recycling available Renewable energyNearby amenities
Bar nearby Dog walk nearby Nearby farmers' market Public transport nearby Shop nearbyType
Farm 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 Restaurant nearby Sailing nearby Surf school nearby Tennis nearby Watersports nearbyLocation
Bowhayes Farm Camping
Venn Ottery
Ottery St Mary
Devon
England
EX11 1RY
Directions Timezone
Europe/London BST (GMT+01:00)
GPS
50.71352°N
3.30371°W
Route directions
Nearest transport
Coach
Rail
Ferry
AirportPlease 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
Water quality at nearby bathing waters
| Name | Distance | Type | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sidmouth Jacobs Ladder | 3.6 mi | Sea | N/A | Excellent | Excellent | Excellent |
| Sidmouth Town | 3.7 mi | Sea | N/A | Excellent | Excellent | Excellent |
| Ladram Bay | 3.9 mi | Sea | N/A | Good | N/A | Good |
| Budleigh Salterton | 5.9 mi | Sea | N/A | Excellent | Excellent | Excellent |
| Sandy Bay | 7.7 mi | Sea | N/A | Excellent | Excellent | Excellent |
Data source: European Environment Agency
Must see
Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site 3.3 mi
Crealy Great Adventure Park 4.9 mi
The National Trust Killerton House & Gardens 8.6 mi
Exeter Cathedral - Church of Saint Peter 9.9 mi
Blackdown Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty 14.5 mi
National Trust
A la Ronde 6.6 mi
Killerton: Marker's Cottage 7 mi
Killerton: Clyston Mill 7.1 mi
Branscombe: the Old Bakery, Manor Mill and Forge 7.4 mi
Killerton: Budlake Old Post Office 8.2 mi
Cycle routes
Find local routes on the National Cycle Network - over 12,000 miles of cycling routes.
Other
AYLESBEARE COMMON (CURRENT BOUNDARY FROM 15/07/2005) 1.5 mi
CADHAY 3.2 mi
BICTON 3.2 mi
ROCKBEARE MANOR 3.6 mi
CONNAUGHT GARDENS 3.7 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.
Offers
- 5% off 5% Three Nights
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- 5% off 5% Three Nights
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- 5% off 5% Three Nights
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- 5% off 5% Three Nights
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- 5% off 5% Three Nights
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Conditions apply - see pitch type section for details
Nearest sites
Unfortunately, we have no nearby bookable sites.
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Frequently asked questions
- Does Bowhayes Farm Camping have a swimming pool? No View all features
- Is Bowhayes Farm Camping dog friendly? Yes View all features
- What attractions are near Bowhayes Farm Camping? If you detect similarities between the formal Italian garden at Bicton Park Botanical Gardens (15 minutes’ drive) and the gardens of the Palace of Versailles (the terraces, fountains, the long perspective…), it’s … Read more
- When can I check in and check out of Bowhayes Farm Camping?
Read moreCamping and touring Arrive: 2 p.m. – 7 p.m. Depart by: 11 a.m. On-site accommodation Arrive: 2 p.m. – 7 p.m. Depart by: 11 a.m. - How much does it cost to stay at Bowhayes Farm Camping? From £22 (for 1 night, 2 adults) - prices may change depending on your dates and party.