The Cider Vat

10 3 reviews
Main grass cropping field (added by manager 31 Mar 2021)

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Main grass cropping field (added by manager 31 mar 2021)
1/8
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  • Peaceful pitches in a Devon cider orchard near Exbourne
  • A 15-minute drive to Okehampton and Dartmoor National Park
  • Cider tours and sampling on site, plus well-stocked farm shop
There are 14,000 cider apple trees at Solland Farm – so it’s perhaps no surprise that the folk that run the place have opted to call their campsite The Cider Vat… This lovely slice of Devon countryside (between Exbourne and Sampford Courtenay) has been owned by the McIlwraith family for 22 years – over that time they’ve tended the land well to make sure it stays a welcoming place for wildlife. As such, guests are asked to respect the natural environment and pick pitches that won’t harm any of the wildflowers and plants that were here first. What you’ll spot around the site depends on the season but there’s always something to see as you wander through the woods of the old quarry or around the water meadows. The dawn chorus is usually a feature throughout the season, but the flowers in bloom will range from primroses and bluebells to yellow flag irises depending on the month. The cider orchards are lovely places to hang out at any time of year (although for top bees-and-blossom action aim for May or early June…). And that’s good news for guests here, because pitches are right there in the orchard clearings – and you can book a cider tour/sampling session to find out a bit more about your scented surroundings too. To preserve the natural vibe, this is a wild camping site with just basic necessities: guests have access to a spring water tap, portable toilets and a dishwasher. You’re welcome to light campfires or barbecues too; a farm shop on site has all sorts of meat, veg, bread and other foodie bits – plus an excellent range of local drinks, of course…

Site type

Tent pitches 15

Languages spoken

English

Want to know more about camping in Devon?

Features

Portable toilet

Pop-up campsite

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

Car parking by pitch/unit

Composting toilet

Disabled facilities

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

Wifi

Groups 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

Budget/backpacker

Forest

Gastronomic delight

Peaceful

Remote location

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

Nearby farmers' market

Public transport nearby

Shop nearby

Type

Farm

Pop-up campsite

Small (11-25 pitches)

Nearby leisure

Climbing nearby

Cycle hire nearby

Cycling nearby

Fishing nearby

Golf nearby

Horse riding nearby

Indoor pool nearby

Outdoor pool nearby

Restaurant nearby

Tennis nearby

Location

The Cider Vat

Solland Farm

Sampford Courtenay

Devon

England

EX20 3QT

Directions

Timezone

Europe/London GMT (GMT+00:00)

GPS

50.80027°N
-3.96869°W

Nearest transport

Coach
4.5 mi Thomas Cook
16.1 mi The Square
16.1 mi The Square
Rail
2.3 mi Sampford Courtenay Rail Station
4.8 mi Okehampton Rail Station
7.3 mi Eggesford Rail Station
Ferry
18.3 mi Bideford Ferry Landing
19.7 mi Instow Ferry Landing
20 mi Appledore Ferry Landing
Airport
24.7 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

Keen to see more of that Devon countryside? You’ll need at least one day in the Dartmoor National Park (15 minutes’ drive), hiking or biking your way along lanes and pathways or taking a more relaxed outing on the Dartmoor Railway. For a different mix of activities, roam around Roadford Lake (half an hour), which has fishing, climbing, sailing and kayaking as well as trails for walks and bike rides. Adventure Clydesdale (45 minutes) is a good place to head for horse riding outings, and there are plenty of places to find board hire and surf lessons in Bude (40 minutes). Something a little less active in mind? Perhaps a wander around Castle Drogo or RHS Rosemoor (both 25 minutes) would fit the bill – or you could amble around Okehampton (15 minutes), which has a castle and park as well as a pool that’s a handy option for families on damp days.

Water quality at nearby bathing waters

Name Distance Type 2020 2019 2018 2017
Westward Ho! 20.5 mi Sea N/A Excellent Excellent Excellent
Saunton Sands 24.5 mi Sea N/A Excellent Excellent Excellent
Summerleaze 25.6 mi Sea N/A Excellent Good Good
Crooklets 25.7 mi Sea N/A Excellent Good Good
Croyde Bay 25.7 mi Sea N/A Good Excellent Good

Data source: European Environment Agency

Must see

Castle Drogo 10 mi

RHS Garden Rosemoor 12.3 mi

Exeter Cathedral - Church of Saint Peter 19.9 mi

The National Trust Killerton House & Gardens 22.3 mi

Buckfast Abbey 22.9 mi

National Trust

Finch Foundry 5.2 mi

Castle Drogo 10 mi

Lydford Gorge 12.5 mi

The Church House 17 mi

Lawrence House 20.6 mi

Cycle routes

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

Other

WOOD HOUSE 4.6 mi

SIMMONS PARK 4.7 mi

Meldon Reservoir - Brat Tor - Meldon Reservoir 7.1 mi

Eggesford Station - Eggesford Barton - Nethercott - Eggesford Station 7.3 mi

Chagford - Castle Drogo - Fingle Bridge 10.2 mi

Local events

  • GoldCoast Oceanfest (Friday 21 June 2024 – Friday 21 June 2024)

    Croyde, Devon 25.8 mi

  • Beautiful Days (Friday 16 August 2024 – Friday 16 August 2024)

    Ottery St Mary, Devon 29.1 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.

Reviews

10

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    1

Only showing reviews for the last 30 months.

Good site for a short stay. Loved the peaceful farm and the cider.

Overall 10/10
Location 10
Value for money 10
Accommodation 6
Facilities / Activities 6
Customer service 10
Child friendliness 10
Cleanliness 10
Wifi No rating
James B. The reviewer booked through Pitchup.com

Non-electric grass and earth tent or trailer tent pitch (wild)

Liked: Quiet, nice cider!

Recommend to friends Visit again

Extremely welcoming and accommodating in beautiful surroundings.

Overall 10/10
Location 10
Value for money 10
Accommodation 10
Facilities / Activities 8
Customer service 10
Child friendliness 10
Cleanliness 10
Wifi 2
Hannah J. The reviewer booked through Pitchup.com

Non-electric grass and earth tent or trailer tent pitch (wild)

Liked: We had a fantastic two nights stay here surrounded by a beautiful orchard, which the children loved exploring. The place was totally to ourselves, which felt really safe and comfortable. The shop on site was great for Bacon rolls, Coffees and fresh homemade cakes and sausage rolls. Fantastic and friendly hosts. Great location for exploring Dartmoor and the surroundings.

Disliked: Not as much a dislike as a suggestion. The only toilet on site is a portaloo, it is pretty wild camping there, which we love. Maybe an on site compost loo would be a nice addition...

Recommend to friends Visit again

There is one portaloo and clean running water. The place is beautiful

Overall 10/10
Location 10
Value for money 10
Accommodation 10
Facilities / Activities 10
Customer service 10
Child friendliness 10
Cleanliness 10
Wifi 6
Candice O. The reviewer booked through Pitchup.com

Non-electric grass tent pitch (groups only)

Liked: Loved this place!!! The wide open spaces for the children are beautiful. The family are very helpful and friendly and the dogs are lovely. Lovely bacon baps and homemade sausage rolls and the coffee was good too. The service is excellent really nice couple. Who are very amiable and kind. We had such a nice weekend there. If you love nature and wild camping this place is wonderful.

Disliked: Nothing.

Recommend to friends Visit again

  • Does The Cider Vat have a swimming pool? No View all features
  • Is The Cider Vat dog friendly? Yes View all features
  • What attractions are near The Cider Vat? Keen to see more of that Devon countryside? You’ll need at least one day in the Dartmoor National Park (15 minutes’ drive), hiking or biking your way along lanes and pathways or … Read more
  • When can I check in and check out of The Cider Vat?
    Camping and touring
    Arrive:  8 a.m. –  8 p.m.
    Depart by:  Anytime
    Read more