When can I check in and check out of The Cider Vat?

RV, travel trailer and tent sites Arrive: 8 a.m. – 8 p.m. Depart by: Anytime Read more

The Cider Vat

10 3 reviews

The best field for a easy walk around the farm

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

Languages spoken

English

Nearby sites that are bookable on Pitchup.com

Unfortunately, we have no nearby bookable sites.

Features

Portable toilet

Pop-up campground

Dogs allowed

Campfires allowed

Leisure on park

Bar or club house Cycle hire Evening entertainment Fishing Fitness centre Indoor swimming pool Kids' club On-site restaurant/cafe Outdoor swimming pool Playground Recreation room/arcade TV room Takeout Tennis Watersports

Amenities on park

Bath available Car parking by site/unit Composting toilet Dog park Drying room Free wifi Grocery store Ice pack freezing Internet access Laundromat Local produce Parent & baby washroom Payphone Pick-up from public transport Portable toilet Pub toilets Restrooms Shower available Washing-up area Wifi

Groups welcome

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

Rules

Barbecue grills allowed Barbecue provided Campfires allowed Commercial vehicles allowed Dogs allowed Dogs allowed all year

Themes

Budget/backpacker Forest Gastronomic delight Hikers’ paradise Peaceful Remote location Spectacular scenery Wild camping Wildlife haven

Utilities

Charging facilities Dump station Electric car charging point(s) Propane/gas cylinders available Recycling available Renewable energy

Nearby amenities

Bar nearby Convenience store nearby Dog walk nearby Nearby farmers' market Public transportation nearby

Type

Farm Pop-up campground Small (11-25 sites)

Accessibility

Disabled facilities

Nearby leisure

Climbing nearby Cycle hire nearby Cycling nearby Fishing nearby Golf nearby Horseback 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 +0100 (GMT+01:00)

GPS

50.80027°N
-3.96869°W

Nearest transport

Coach

7.3 km Thomas Cook

25.9 km The Square

26 km The Square

Rail

3.6 km Sampford Courtenay Rail Station

7.8 km Okehampton Rail Station

11.8 km Eggesford Rail Station

Ferry

29.4 km Bideford Ferry Landing

31.7 km Instow Ferry Landing

32.2 km Appledore Ferry Landing

Airport

39.7 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

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!	32.9 km	Sea	N/A	Excellent	Excellent	Excellent
Saunton Sands	39.4 km	Sea	N/A	Excellent	Excellent	Excellent
Summerleaze	41.1 km	Sea	N/A	Excellent	Good	Good
Crooklets	41.3 km	Sea	N/A	Excellent	Good	Good
Croyde Bay	41.4 km	Sea	N/A	Good	Excellent	Good

Data source: European Environment Agency

Must see

Castle Drogo 16 km

RHS Garden Rosemoor 19.8 km

Exeter Cathedral - Church of Saint Peter 32 km

The National Trust Killerton House & Gardens 35.9 km

Buckfast Abbey 36.8 km

National Trust

Finch Foundry 8.4 km

Castle Drogo 16 km

Lydford Gorge 20.1 km

The Church House 27.3 km

Lawrence House 33.1 km

Cycle routes

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

Other

WOOD HOUSE 7.4 km

SIMMONS PARK 7.6 km

Meldon Reservoir - Brat Tor - Meldon Reservoir 11.4 km

Eggesford Station - Eggesford Barton - Nethercott - Eggesford Station 11.8 km

Chagford - Castle Drogo - Fingle Bridge 16.4 km

Local events

Beautiful Days (Friday, August 16, 2024 – Friday, August 16, 2024)
Ottery St Mary, England 46.9 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 site to a friend

would stay here again

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Only showing reviews for the last 30 months.

Photo of the beautiful orchard we pitched up next to.

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. Aug 2022

Primitive grass and earth tent or trailer tent campsite (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. Aug 2022

Primitive grass and earth tent or trailer tent campsite (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. Aug 2022

Primitive grass tent campsite (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

Frequently asked questions

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?

RV, travel trailer and tent sites

Arrive: 8 a.m. – 8 p.m.

Depart by: Anytime

Read more