Duck's Paddle
'%20/%3e%3c/svg%3e){kind=small}
No availability at present on Pitchup.com 
/-3.77268196972808,50.9555267242521,12,0,0/376x277@2x)
- Adults-only nearly-wild Devon site 15 minutes’ drive from South Molton
- Two Moors Way 10 minutes’ drive; Exmoor National Park 20 minutes
- Quiet off-grid pitches with an open-air shower and abundant wildlife
If you’re searching for adults-only, no-frills camping close to South Molton in Devon, Duck’s Paddle might suit you very well. The site sits in a little over two acres of cottage garden and paddocks with high hedges to three sides. The ground is solid in summer, but the grass may be long and the terrain is uneven. Pitches are not designated, so you can put up a tent wherever you please, depending on where the grass is cut.
Simple facilities stretch to a communal firepit, a sink with cold water, a long-drop toilet and an open-air shower (one for the hardier souls) but there is no electricity. The biggest attraction here, however, is the peaceful setting, with the only sounds being birdsong and the buzz of the bees, and at night you may be lucky enough to see bats and owls swooping around. There are also views across fields to woods in one direction and Exmoor to the other.
There’s gated access with parking for cars on grass, and motorcycles can be parked by the tents. The Tiverton-to-Barnstaple bus runs through Meshaw (10 minutes’ walk) for anyone who’s relying on public transport. The site is pretty informal, but please be considerate and mindful of your surroundings, other guests and the wildlife also living on the property.
Site type
10
Group bookings of 6 or more units (e.g. tent, touring caravan, motorhome or accommodation hire) travelling together are not permitted via Pitchup.com.- No hen/stag parties permitted via Pitchup.com.
- Guests under the age of 16 are not allowed on site.
- Commercial vehicles (vehicles used for work-related purposes, carrying goods or fare-paying passengers) and sign-written vehicles are not permitted on site.
- At least one of the party members must be aged 18 or over.
- This is a quiet site: no music is allowed.
- Please note that the toilet/shower facilities are unisex.
Languages spoken
English
Pitch types & availability
No availability at present on Pitchup.com
Choose your dates and we'll email when available.
See nearby bookable sites
Reviews
No reviews yet.
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 WatersportsAmenities 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 Portable toilet Pub toilets Public telephone Shower available Toilet block Washing-up area WifiGroups welcome
Family friendly Motorcycle friendly Single-sex groups welcome Student groups welcomeRules
Barbecue provided Barbecues allowed Campfires allowed Commercial vehicles allowed Dogs allowed No dogs allowed No pets allowedThemes
Budget/backpacker Peaceful Walkers' paradise Wildlife havenUtilities
Charging facilities Chemical disposal Electric car charging point(s) Gas cylinders available No hot water Recycling available Renewable energyNearby amenities
Bar nearby Dog walk nearby Nearby farmers' market Public transport nearbyType
Tiny (1-10 pitches)Accessibility
Level site, no steep slopesLocation
Duck's Paddle
Hillside Cross
Meshaw
South Molton
Devon
England
EX36 4NN
Directions Timezone
Europe/London GMT (GMT+00:00)
GPS
50.95553°N
3.77268°W
Route directions
What3words: deeply.handsets.path
Nearest transport
Coach5.1 mi The Square
5.1 mi The Square
13 mi Bus Station
Rail5.9 mi Kings Nympton Rail Station
6.5 mi Eggesford Rail Station
7 mi Lapford Rail Station
Ferry19 mi Instow Ferry Landing
19.3 mi Bideford Ferry Landing
19.4 mi Appledore Ferry Landing
Airport22 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
Walkers can access Meshaw Moor Nature Reserve (10 minutes’ stroll) directly from the site, while the Two Moors Way runs through the village of Witheridge (10 minutes’ drive). Another hiking option is the Tarka Trail, which you can join at Eggesford (25 minutes).
You can see Exmoor from the pitches, and be in the national park within 20 minutes by car. To sample what’s on offer around the moor, try crossing the River Barle on the clapper bridge at Tarr Steps (40 minutes), browse the indie galleries and jewellery shops in Dulverton (half an hour), or go walking with birds of prey at North Devon Hawk Walks (35 minutes).
Should you decide to eat out, there’s a good food pub at Kings Nympton (10 minutes); it also has a decent choice of whisky. Witheridge has a pub that serves takeaways, as well as a fish and chip van that rocks up every Friday between 4.30pm and 7pm. To stock up on supplies, South Molton is 15 minutes away by car.
Water quality at nearby bathing waters
| Name | Distance | Type | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lynmouth | 19.2 mi | Sea | N/A | Excellent | Excellent | Excellent |
| Porlock Weir | 19.3 mi | Sea | N/A | Excellent | Excellent | Excellent |
| Combe Martin | 20.9 mi | Sea | Poor | Poor | Poor | Poor |
| Westward Ho! | 21.1 mi | Sea | N/A | Excellent | Excellent | Excellent |
| Minehead Terminus | 21.9 mi | Sea | N/A | Good | Good | Good |
Data source: European Environment Agency
Must see
RHS Garden Rosemoor 15.9 mi
The National Trust Killerton House & Gardens 17.8 mi
Castle Drogo 18 mi
Exeter Cathedral - Church of Saint Peter 19.2 mi
Crealy Great Adventure Park 23.2 mi
National Trust
Knightshayes Court 12.9 mi
Arlington Court and the National Trust Carriage Museum 16 mi
Finch Foundry 17 mi
Killerton 17.9 mi
Castle Drogo 18 mi
Cycle routes
Find local routes on the National Cycle Network - over 12,000 miles of cycling routes.
Other
KING'S NYMPTON PARK 5.4 mi
Eggesford Station - Eggesford Barton - Nethercott - Eggesford Station 6.4 mi
CASTLE HILL 8.1 mi
Withypool - Tarr Steps - Knaplock 11.7 mi
SHOBROOKE PARK 12.5 mi
Local events
- Farnborough International Airshow (Monday 20 July 2026 – Monday 20 July 2026)
Farnborough, Hampshire 132.2 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
Payment terms
Want to know more about camping in Devon?
- 10 Best Campsites in Devon
- 8 Best Dog-Friendly Beaches In Devon
- 12 Best Beaches In Devon | Sandy Beaches in Devon
- The Atlantic Highway
- The Ultimate South West England Camping Guide
- South West England Area Guides
- How To Walk The South West Coast Path On A Budget
- Pitchup camping guide
- Essential camping checklist
Frequently asked questions
- Does Duck's Paddle have a swimming pool? No View all features
- Is Duck's Paddle dog friendly? No View all features
- What attractions are near Duck's Paddle? Walkers can access Meshaw Moor Nature Reserve (10 minutes’ stroll) directly from the site, while the Two Moors Way runs through the village of Witheridge (10 minutes’ drive). Another hiking option is … Read more
- When can I check in and check out of Duck's Paddle?
Read moreCamping and touring Arrive: 2 p.m. – 6 p.m. Depart by: 11 a.m.