When can I check in and check out of Meldon Lake and Woods?

Camping and caravan Arrive: 2 p.m. – 8 p.m. Depart by: noon Read more

Meldon Lake and Woods

9.7 19 reviews

Visitor image of pitches under the bridge

Empty campsite on last morning showing the main pitches and footpath

Wild camping site on a Devon farm with direct access to Dartmoor
A five-minute drive to Okehampton; 50 minutes to Teignmouth beach
Rural site with wild swimming, close to the Granite Way cycle route

Definitely no frills, but what a rural location on a family-run Devon farm. Meldon Lake and Woods’ large wild camping pitches are in level fields dotted around eight gorgeous acres with direct access to Dartmoor National Park. Here you’re totally on your own; with no houses nearby and little vehicle access to the site, there’s nothing to disturb your peace exact perhaps the chatter of birds in the surrounding woodland (the bluebell woods are spectacular in spring). Once you’ve set up camp, head out to explore your surroundings. Several public footpaths cross the land, while the intrepid among you might try pony trekking (ask at the farm) or wild swimming in the farm’s private quarry lake. There’s coarse fishing on Meldon Reservoir, in open moorland a 20-minute stroll away, with rock climbing and gorge scrambling 15 minutes’ drive away near Okehampton. And for more of those awesome Dartmoor views, jump on the Granite Way cycle route, 300 metres from the farm, which follows a disused railway line between Okehampton and Plymouth. It connects into the challenging National Cycle Network ‘Devon Coast to Coast’ Route 27 for long-distance bikers. Due to the remoteness of the site, please contact the farm owners on arrival so they can guide you to your pitch. They’ll also provide wood for the campfire so you can get barbecuing (pick up bits to grill at the local stores in Okehampton, five minutes’ drive away).

Campground type

Languages spoken

English

French

Nearby campgrounds that are bookable on Pitchup.com

Unfortunately, we have no nearby bookable sites.

Features

Pop-up campground

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 site/unit Composting toilet Dog park Drying room Food shop Free wifi Ice pack freezing Internet access Laundry 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 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 Bush Lake and/or mountain Leave the car at home Peaceful Remote location Spectacular scenery Walkers' paradise Wild camping Wildlife haven

Utilities

Charging facilities Dump point Electric car charging point(s) Gas cylinders available No drinkable water point No hot water No running water Recycling available Renewable energy

Nearby amenities

Bar nearby Dog walk nearby

Type

Farm Pop-up campground Tiny (1-10 sites)

Accessibility

Disabled facilities

Nearby leisure

Climbing nearby Cycle hire nearby Cycling nearby Fishing nearby Golf nearby Restaurant nearby

Location

Meldon Lake and Woods

Meldon

Devon

England

EX20 4LU

Directions

Timezone

Europe/London GMT (GMT+00:00)

GPS

50.71168°N
-4.03491°W

Route directions

The postcode will only get you to Meldon village, not to the campsite. At Meldon, turn left just before white cottages, just past the village hall. Meldon Farm is 300 metres further along on the left. Please stop at the farmhouse to check in. If no-one is home proceed past the farmhouse and through the wood gate. Continue down the track, under the viaduct and through another wood gate – this is the start of the camping area.

Nearest transport

Coach

3.7 km Thomas Cook

19.8 km Bus Station

35.8 km North Road

Rail

3.6 km Okehampton Rail Station

8.9 km Sampford Courtenay Rail Station

22.6 km Eggesford Rail Station

Ferry

36.2 km Bideford Ferry Landing

38.8 km Devonport Ferry Terminal

39 km Torpoint Ferry Terminal

Airport

43.7 km 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

With direct access from the farm, Dartmoor National Park is ready and waiting to be explored on foot, horseback or bike. You can often spot spot wild ponies grazing on the moor on strolls round Meldon Reservoir (20 minutes’ walk). The hilltop ruins of Okehampton Castle are an hour's hike away, while the prehistoric Nine Stones Circle is a two-hour yomp over the moors. Climbers should head for Irishman’s Wall, a granite tor at Belstone, and those of a brave disposition can scramble through waterfalls and shoot rapids along Lydford Gorge (both 15 minutes’ drive). Long-distance cyclists might like to follow Route 27 to Plymouth (three hours and 20 minutes) or Tavistock (an hour and 40 minutes); if you’re holidaying with kids, try the Granite Way for easy, traffic-free biking on paved tracks. If you’d rather explore by car, head for Tamar Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (45 minutes’ drive) to potter around the quayside at Morwellham (35 minutes), or head for Teignmouth (50 minutes) to paddle in the waves and munch fish and chips on the wooden pier.

Water quality at nearby bathing waters

Name	Distance	Type	2020	2019	2018	2017
Widemouth Sand	37.9 km	Sea	N/A	Excellent	Excellent	Excellent
Summerleaze	38.7 km	Sea	N/A	Excellent	Good	Good
Crooklets	39 km	Sea	N/A	Excellent	Good	Good
Plymouth Hoe East	39.4 km	Estuary	N/A	Good	Excellent	Excellent
Plymouth Hoe West	39.4 km	Estuary	N/A	Excellent	Excellent	Excellent

Data source: European Environment Agency

Must see

Castle Drogo 15.8 km

RHS Garden Rosemoor 26.7 km

Buckfast Abbey 30.4 km

Dartmoor Zoological Park 33.7 km

Exeter Cathedral - Church of Saint Peter 35.6 km

National Trust

Finch Foundry 7.9 km

Lydford Gorge 9.3 km

Castle Drogo 15.8 km

The Church House 21.8 km

Lawrence House 24.5 km

Cycle routes

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

Other

Meldon Reservoir - Brat Tor - Meldon Reservoir 0.5 km

SIMMONS PARK 3.6 km

WOOD HOUSE 9.8 km

Chagford - Castle Drogo - Fingle Bridge 14.6 km

HAYNE MANOR 15.4 km

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

would recommend this campground to a friend

would stay here again

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Only showing reviews for the last 30 months.

Got to have a splash in this lovely river. doggos loved it too

View from the campervan pitches just breathtaking

Beautiful lake, i saw some swimmers just didn’t know how to get in- something for next time!

Our pitch above the river with views of viaduct and the edge of dartmoor

Shelf of rocky, shallower water. steep banks but doable for most and worth the scramble down

Beautiful! Treat yourself and experience this natural wild wonder

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

Oriana A. Sept 2023

Unpowered grass tent, campervan or trailer tent site

Liked: This is such an amazing place to spend a day or two. It is extremely quiet, filled with wild fauna and the views are extraordinary.
The lake is glorious, I wasn’t totally sure about how to get in and out so we opted for a splash in the river instead, past the small bridge, we felt very lucky to get to experience nature this close by.

The owners were really welcoming too, when we arrived they were out with their gorgeous horses and helped us though the gates. In the evening they did a quick round to ensure all was well and they even provide wood if you wish to make a fire. The drive over was super easy too, all on the M5 or the dual carriage way, our van in 2metres wide so it’s always nice to drive with room and we didn’t encounter a single hedge 😂 the only hairy bit was the final 200 metres or so which for us were just a perfect fit with our mirror folded in, but if you had a wider vehicle I think you’d struggle.

Recommend to friends Visit again

Beautiful setting…

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

Jane F. July 2023

Unpowered grass tent, campervan or trailer tent site

Liked: Beautiful setting

Recommend to friends Visit again

Wild camping. Nice and quiet and camp fire . Lots of wildlife

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

Anonymous July 2023

Unpowered grass campervan site

Liked: Lovely scenery and flooded quarry you can swim In

Disliked: Very rocky . Better for camper vans than tents . No bins no toilets no showers or running water .

Recommend to friends Visit again

Right by the water, not too busy, great spots, right by the…

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 June 2023

Unpowered grass campervan site

Liked: Right by the water, not too busy, great spots, right by the woods, campfire available, chopped wood, etc.

Disliked: Nothing!

Recommend to friends Visit again

Beautiful spot with private quarry lake for swimming, bubbling Brook for bathing…

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

Michael M. May 2023

Unpowered grass campervan site

Liked: Beautiful spot with private quarry lake for swimming, bubbling Brook for bathing and Dartmoor on your doorstep to explore.
Felt like proper wild camping - no toilets/showers/drinking water - so bring your own.

Recommend to friends Visit again

An amazing campsite with beautiful views of Dartmoor. We really enjoyed swimming…

Overall	10/10
Location	10
Value for money	10
Accommodation	8
Facilities / Activities	10
Customer service	8
Child friendliness	4
Cleanliness	No rating
Wifi	No rating

Anonymous May 2023

Unpowered grass tent, campervan or trailer tent site

Liked: An amazing campsite with beautiful views of Dartmoor. We really enjoyed swimming in the lake, star gazing and going on different walks straight from the campsite. It was very peaceful and was exactly what we were after!

Recommend to friends Visit again

Mine and my friends stay was delightful, we felt welcomed by the…

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 Sept 2022

Unpowered grass campervan site

Liked: Mine and my friends stay was delightful, we felt welcomed by the host and other campers and enjoyed the walks and amazing views.

Recommend to friends Visit again

amazing place

Overall	10/10
Location	10
Value for money	6
Accommodation	No rating
Facilities / Activities	No rating
Customer service	8
Child friendliness	No rating
Cleanliness	No rating
Wifi	No rating

David S. Aug 2022

Unpowered grass tent, campervan or trailer tent site

Liked: so quiet

Recommend to friends Visit again

Great wild camping, swimming and walking

Overall	8/10
Location	10
Value for money	6
Accommodation	8
Facilities / Activities	8
Customer service	8
Child friendliness	No rating
Cleanliness	8
Wifi	No rating

Felicity P. Sept 2022

Unpowered grass tent, campervan or trailer tent site

Liked: Located right in nature, heard lots of tawny owls calling. Walking in the very interesting and beautiful local area. Swimming in Meldon Pool. I was a little wary having read one review here but there is a large shallow ledge in the water on the path side of the pool, so you have a chance to ease yourself in and while it is a scramble to get down to the pool, I think most adults could manage it fine. Quite warm too, compared to the nearby river at any rate. Definitely wear something on your feet, unfortunately there is broken glass around and lots of rocks in the shallow part of the pool. And it's definitely not safe for toddlers. The water will vary, it was beautifully clear for us but I gather it does its own thing and can be opaque or have algae or change colour. There are riding holidays based on the same farm and it's nice to see the horses passing each day, sometimes herding cattle. We didn't actually have a fire but it is a big pro that wood is provided, I think you would need to be prepared to split it yourself but we saw piles of big logs and it's a nice change to paying over the top for bags of "oak" logs (that are definitely pine) at other campsites we've been to.

Disliked: This site won't suit everyone, but if you like it, you'll probably love it. You are pitched right next to a public footpath and at times it is well used, lots of dog walkers and families passing. This may or may not be something that bothers you but worth being aware. We were initally confused as to where the pitches where, no one was around when we arrived. But as we don't read email on holiday, had missed a useful email with that info. If you have a larger van you don't have such a good choice of pitches though there are still a couple of good ones. We got on the pitch up on the left of the path with a transit sized van and 3m/sq awning and it has the most fantastic view and you can hear the river. We prefer not to be overlooked so positioned the van at the back of the pitch and had glorious views to the front (and a few brief visits from well behaved dogs!). Another good pitch would be in the main area just above the pool. Not a critisicm but be aware this really is wild camping. There isn't even a tap. So make sure your portaloo is empty and your water filled up before arrival. Or be prepared for some long trips to the reservoir car park. I loved the site and would return.

Recommend to friends Visit again

This place is absolutely amazing, what a gem! Nestled by the woods, by…

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

Helen K. Aug 2022

Unpowered grass tent, campervan or trailer tent site

Liked: This place is absolutely amazing, what a gem!
Nestled by the woods, by a disused quarry.
It’s was superb, travelled alone, felt perfectly safe.Able to get on granite trail with my bike, by heading back out to the village. Lovely stream by quarry which I was was able to walk up to and around reservoir.
Just so idyllic and back to nature. Beautiful, will be back.
Easy clear instructions on how to find the site, from farmers email.

Recommend to friends Visit again

Frequently asked questions

Does Meldon Lake and Woods have a swimming pool? No View all features
Is Meldon Lake and Woods dog friendly? Yes View all features
What attractions are near Meldon Lake and Woods? With direct access from the farm, Dartmoor National Park is ready and waiting to be explored on foot, horseback or bike. You can often spot spot wild ponies grazing on the moor … Read more
When can I check in and check out of Meldon Lake and Woods?

Camping and caravan

Arrive: 2 p.m. – 8 p.m.

Depart by: noon

Read more