Bovey's Down Farm

Liked Level pitch not far from toilets/showers and bar restaurant area.
Welcoming and friendly owners nothing to much trouble for them.

Disliked Not a dislike, but others should remember that this is a working farm and comes with various farm and countryside noises. Don’t moan after you’ve been there if you don’t like farm noises.

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Liked There was a microwave and a fridge to use which came in handy.

Disliked Starting with the booking process, I chose this site specifically because it advertised an on-site cafe and shop. At no point during the online booking process was it stated that these facilities would be closed between 31 December and 2 January. Only after payment was completed did I receive a booking PDF stating that both the café and shop would be closed. This was a significant issue, as we were travelling with a dog and there were no nearby food options within walking distance, other than along a busy road. Had this information been made clear at the time of booking, I would not have chosen this site.

In addition, I booked and paid for a hardstanding pitch but was allocated a grass pitch instead. Due to the heavy rain and icy conditions, we struggled to exit the pitch when leaving. Several other campers experienced the same problem, and I had to assist another couple whose camper became stuck.

The £10 bag of firewood purchased on site was also disappointing, as the bottom of the bag was filled with water, leaving part of the wood unusable.

Safety and cleanliness were further concerns. The paths leading to the toilet facilities were not salted on either day despite icy conditions. As a result, my partner slipped, fell, and sustained a leg injury that required attention. The toilet facilities themselves appeared poorly maintained, with leaves and cobwebs present, suggesting they had not been cleaned thoroughly for some time.

Overall, the experience fell well below expectations. Due to the lack of transparency, safety issues, and general standard of facilities, I would not return to this site or recommend it to others.

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From the manager: Good morning.
Thank you for your review, and apologise if in this instance we 'failed', in your opinion.
I have thought long and hard about the reply as there are many thing slightly wrong in your review.
Prior to booking when you where worried there maybe fireworks and we spoke , I did make you aware the restaurant would be closed and parking down here would be the best option for you, with a car & roof tent including a dog that might be frightened if others let off fire works. but you responded no to that location.
We emailed a welcome letter stating the reduced opening hours for the festive break .We are always closed on a Tuesday. Wed 31st , (your arrival day ) thinking the 3 appointments we had would prevent us from opening we put that as closed in the email, things changed on the day & we were home by 3.20pm & opened the Swallows rest shop. The farmer came & checked all was okay with you , with a firm reply, yes thank you. We couldn't understand why you pitched as you did?
We sent a map circling on it for parking on gravel, grass area next to it for plugging in power only.
You booked a grass and gravel pitch & that is what you had, only for whatever reason you didn't park on the gravel/hard standing.
Supplies.
We were open on 1st January as stated on our information with our barn shopping corner & plenty of food options, no one needed to be short of anything. A short walk across the yard from the shower block to say hello, sit & chat a while would have solved many issues. Any camper that become stuck only needs to make a phone call and Gerald is right there to help.
Your map had our contact details as did the welcome letter. We would happily have changed the logs, had we known the bin had some wet logs in it.
Regular cleaning always takes place but leaves blow in through doors left open and of course lights attract insects causing cobwebs.
I would be interested to know where your partner slipped as we did treat the track. No accident was reported at the time.

Liked If we had gone there in the summer it would have been perfect.

Disliked Toilets and showers very cold, most sites we have visited in the winter have heated facilities.

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From the manager: Good morning.
Thank you for your review. We are sorry you found it uncomfortable using the facilities. We do hope you will come and stay again in the summer season.
Summer is always the best for camping, yes its perfect then.
Winter time we open because people request it. We are sorry but not in a position to install heating for the few who bravely take a camping trip in winter months.
We were open afternoons when you stayed but don't remember meeting you, but hope to in the future.
Kind regards.
Gerald and Pam.

Liked It was cheap, washing machines, nice views

Disliked Facilities are limited and very gross. Photos misleading in regards to communal area, it's a really small area. Neighbours said they didn't use the showers either as was gross and they'd been there 3 days. Advertised as WiFi but no code given on self check in. Pitches on incline, would be hard work in a tent

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From the manager: Good morning. Thank you for your review of your brief over night stay.
We are sorry you did not enjoy what we offer here at Bovey Down Farm.

All toilets and showers were cleaned on the day before your arrival. Leaves & bits & pieces of things blow in when doors are left open , including auto lights attracting insects.
Appointments in Exeter kept me from doing the same on your arrival new years eve.
I did overlook adding the WIFI code to the self check- i, but . It is available 24 / 7 from the
window notice's at the barn roller door area, most spot it on arrival.
This was the very first trial self check- in we have done( as its so much better to meet.)
We were back on site by 3.30pm ( had originally thought it would be about 7pm) & opened the barn shopping corner for our guests.
We would like to suggest you come back and enjoy what we offer in the spring / summer season
. Many happy campers returning every year since we opened in the 1990's.
Gerald & Pam.

Liked A peaceful site with everything you need run by a lovely friendly couple.
Restful with lovely views.

Disliked There is nothing to dislike.

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Liked Space!! Views!! Owner friendly and helpful. Great having a campfire in the evening.

Disliked Toilets and showers were very basic but clean. However, in the summer would be fine but December, not very good. Freezing!! Lol.

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From the manager: Good morning. Thank you for taking the time to review your stay.
I must add that we thought you were brave to spend 3 nights/ days in a tent, although you had the luxury of EHU.
Sadly we can do nothing about the low temp of the toilet/shower block , but ,like you say fine in the summertime.
We look forward to seeing you here again.

Liked We had a really friendly welcome at Bovey’s Down Farm and especially enjoyed the homemade produce in the shop.

It was very cold between Christmas and New Year so we didn’t really try out the shower facilities, but the washing up area was clean and tidy.

Again, because of the time of year, the cafe wasn’t open, so we will have to try that next time. However someone we were chatting to in Seaton recommended the Sunday lunches.

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Liked Moved things around to accommodate me cause I booked a grass pitch by mistake so they put us in the court yard to wet down the field will go back when the weather gets better

Disliked Nothing

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Liked Not a lot

Disliked Pitch next to building no view, washing up area dirty, no plug for sink leaves and debris in toilets.

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From the manager: Good morning. Thank you for taking the time to review. We are sorry you did not enjoy your very brief stay.
We are in a wooded area and as such leaves and debris will blow in when doors are left open on the toilets/showers.
The washing up area is under cover but open as well so gets its share of leaves.

Please note the booking was for a camper van on a grass pitch ( not wise in wet winter weather) you asked for an upgrade to hard standing, where we put you with a building just on one side was the only spot available for the 4 nights you booked.

Please visit again during better weather and enjoy the top view & what we offer.
Kind regards,
Gerald & Pam.

Liked Made to feel very welcome even though we were the only ones on site that night. Helpful staff that helped start our van the next morning. Lovely hideaway even got a restaurant on site.

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