Pithead Campsite

View prices & book 9.6 69 reviews
Pitches (added by manager 10 Oct 2022)
Pitches
Pitches
Pitches

  • Small family-run site in the grounds of an old cider apple orchard
  • Jurassic Coast beaches and Exeter city centre within a half-hour drive
  • Pitches mown into a grass meadow; tennis court and games available
If you’re on the lookout for lovely surroundings and equally lovely views for your Devon camping break, take a look at Pithead Campsite, a small family-run site about half an hour’s drive from Exeter. Pitches here are in the grounds of an old cider apple orchard, and they’re mown into the wild grasses of a natural meadow to give you a fabulously private little corner of the countryside all to yourselves. This is a great place for family camping, as there’s plenty of safe space for kids to have a run around – but it’s just as great for a quiet couple’s break, as it’s got distant views over Dartmoor to look out at while you get a barbecue or campfire going for a chilled-out evening. There is a communal firepit or a couple of braziers/fire bowls to borrow which guests can ask to borrow, as well as firewood to buy on site. (Please note that you’ll need to keep all barbecues/fires off the ground to avoid damaging the grass.) Facilities on site include a couple of compost toilets (hand-decorated by the in-house artist, no less…), a splendid hot outdoor shower and a communal firepit and barbecue for those times when you’d like to be a bit more sociable. Alongside the field is a grass tennis court – it’s a little bumpy, so don’t go expecting Wimbledon-style standards, but it’s free to use. You can borrow racquets, balls and a croquet set, and you’re also welcome to use it for other games. There is also a communal solar-lit kitchen, which includes a sink, a small solar fridge, a gas cooker (with honesty box), cooking utensils and two USB power points. Visit the vintage marquee's tables and chairs for a covered communal area. Getting out and about is easy from here too, whether you plan to hike around Dartmoor, head down to the Jurassic Coast or explore the streets of Exeter.

Campground type

Lodges, cabins, pods or huts 1
Rent a tent 3
Tent sites 10
Open now
Opens March 29
Please note
  • Under 18s must be accompanied by their parents or legal guardians.
  • The park does not accept breeds/crossbreeds listed in the Breed-specific legislation (i.e. Pit Bull Terrier, Japanese Tosa, Dogo Argentino, and Fila Brasileiro).
  • No bachelor/bachelorette parties permitted via Pitchup.com.
  • No cars/motorcycles at the site. All cars must be parked in the designated area.
  • Discount cards and gift vouchers cannot be applied to bookings made via Pitchup.com.
  • At least one of the party members must be aged 21 or over.
  • Units longer than 5 metres are not allowed.
  • Guests are advised to bring a good quality flashlight with them as parts of the park are unlit.
  • Please note that the toilet/shower facilities are unisex.
  • If reception is closed on arrival: please contact the number provided on your booking confirmation.

Languages spoken

English

Open from Fri, Mar 29 to

Campsite types & availability

Reviews

96%

would recommend this campground to a friend

96%

would stay here again

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Only showing reviews for the last 30 months.

Totally gorgeous site, we particularly appreciated the kitchen set up, with covered…

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

Primitive grass tent campsite

Liked: Totally gorgeous site, we particularly appreciated the kitchen set up, with covered cooking area and all the basic pots, pans, utensils and crockery you'd need, plus places to sit around the outside. There was also a large marque erected at the top of the site while we were there, with tables and chairs inside which would have been useful had the weather been bad. Well maintained compost toilets and a heated shower.

Recommend to friends Visit again

All the little details, the painted loo doors, the open kitchen, the…

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

Primitive grass tent campsite

Liked: All the little details, the painted loo doors, the open kitchen, the huge communal fire pit, the tennis courts. The marquee to hide from the rain inside with the candles etc (pity it didn't light up for a bit at night).

Disliked: Nothing. Be careful crossing from the car park to the camp field, the cars fly along that lane and aren't expecting people to step out.

Recommend to friends Visit again

Lovely owner very friendly clean and level pitches

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
Clare C. The reviewer booked through Pitchup.com

Primitive grass tent campsite

Liked: Very spacious very secure brilliant entertainment for kids loves the island for cooking

Disliked: Nothing everything there to keep kids entertained secure

Recommend to friends Visit again

The fully stocked communal kitchen with gas cooker, fabulous outdoor but private…

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 The reviewer booked through Pitchup.com

Primitive grass tent campsite

Liked: The fully stocked communal kitchen with gas cooker, fabulous outdoor but private shower, compost toilets, drainage, tennis court, marquee for indoor eating, swing, trees and all the little extras. No cars and the provided wheelbarrow. Also all the recycling.

Disliked: Nothing really. I knew it had some background noise from the a35 and flight path for planes, but actually got used to this really quickly.

Recommend to friends Visit again

Very relaxed, focus on environment/sustainability. Lots of space…

Overall 10/10
Location 8
Value for money 10
Accommodation 10
Facilities / Activities 10
Customer service No rating
Child friendliness No rating
Cleanliness 10
Wifi No rating
Peter v. The reviewer booked through Pitchup.com

Primitive grass tent campsite

Liked: Very relaxed, focus on environment/sustainability. Lots of space

Recommend to friends Visit again

Beautiful, great value orchard site with unique feel and great welcome

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

Primitive grass tent campsite

Liked: Beautiful bijou site in an old orchard/meadow. Amazing open-air cooking hut (gas burners, sink, loads of utensils), fully equipped including solar-powered 12V / USB charging, really clean and well-maintained compost toilets and a unique shower (no roof, but private, easy to use and warm!). Marquee with comfy chairs, grass tennis court and a few balls and frisbees. Great views over the Devon countryside, dark starry skies at night. Well-spaced grass pitches on a very gentle slope, and glamping options in bell tents. Really friendly, welcoming hosts responded quickly to arrival queries, was able to provide logs and fire pit at short notice. Handy for Exeter, East Devon seasides, Pebblebed Heaths - and a useful stop-off if you are heading further south and west.

Disliked: Other reviews have mentioned the A30 road noise and it was noticeable in the background and almost constant day and night (August peak traffic I guess). Fairly regular low-flying aircraft too (Exeter airport flightpath). We didn't mind at all but others might be if looking for complete quiet.

Recommend to friends Visit again

Lovely site, great for families and all ages.

Overall 10/10
Location 8
Value for money 10
Accommodation 10
Facilities / Activities 10
Customer service 10
Child friendliness 10
Cleanliness 10
Wifi No rating
Anonymous The reviewer booked through Pitchup.com

Primitive grass tent campsite

Liked: Beautifully laid out car-free site, trees, mown pitches. Compost toilets solar powered kitchen with fridge and charging points, gas cooker and pans. Friendly owner.

Disliked: Being on the flight path from Exeter, but not many planes so it wouldn’t put me off coming again. Noise from A30 mostly a constant and easily-ignored hum, just the occasional motorbike cut through.

Recommend to friends Visit again

Nice camp site perfect for a weekend break away…

Overall 8/10
Location 8
Value for money 10
Accommodation 8
Facilities / Activities 6
Customer service 6
Child friendliness 8
Cleanliness 8
Wifi 2
Anonymous The reviewer booked through Pitchup.com

Primitive grass tent campsite

Liked: Nice camp site perfect for a weekend break away

Recommend to friends Visit again

Really good, decent additional facilities such as kitchenette and dining tent. Basic…

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
Mark S. The reviewer booked through Pitchup.com

Primitive grass tent campsite

Liked: Really good, decent additional facilities such as kitchenette and dining tent. Basic facilities, compost toilet and outdoor shower. Lovely location and couldn't be better value for money. Very welcoming.

Disliked: Tiny, tiny grumble, no parking next to pitch.

Recommend to friends Visit again

Excellent site for nature lovers, simple and restorative.

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

Primitive grass tent campsite

Liked: Beautifully managed site for nature. We arrived just before the meadow was cut for the year and it was gorgeous. We liked all of the environmentally friendly considerations on site, especially the open air shower. Peaceful and simple camping.

Recommend to friends Visit again


Features

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 Pétanque 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 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 Scouts 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

Remote location Wild camping Wildlife haven

Utilities

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

Nearby amenities

Bar nearby Dog walk nearby Public transportation nearby

Type

Small (11-25 sites)

Accessibility

Disabled facilities

Nearby leisure

Canoeing/kayaking nearby Climbing nearby Cycle hire nearby Cycling nearby Fishing nearby Golf nearby Horseback riding nearby Indoor pool nearby Leisure/theme park nearby Mountain biking nearby Outdoor pool nearby Restaurant nearby Sailing nearby Surf school nearby Tennis nearby Watersports nearby

Location

Pithead Campsite

Marsh Green

Exeter

Devon

England

EX5 2HE

Directions

Timezone

Europe/London +0100 (GMT+01:00)

GPS

50.73831°N
-3.35382°W

Route directions

If you reach the Marsh Green village hall, head down towards Marsh Green and the site is the first gate in the left. The parking field is through the opposite gate on the right.

Nearest transport

Bus
5.2 mi The Barn Owl
5.2 mi Honiton Road Park and Ride
7.5 mi Bus Station
Rail
2.1 mi Whimple Rail Station
3 mi Cranbrook Rail Station
4.5 mi Feniton Rail Station
Ferry
6.3 mi Topsham Ferry Landing
6.3 mi Topsham (Turf Lock Ferry) Ferry Landing
6.4 mi Topsham Lock Ferry Landing
Airport
2.8 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

If you’re heading here for a good bit of outdoor activity time, you may like to plot a course to Ottery St Mary (10 minutes’ drive) for a five-mile walk along the banks of the River Otter, or make your way down to the coast for sea swims and paddleboarding in Sidmouth or Budleigh Salterton (both 20 minutes). Kids in tow? Try days out taking in all the rides and attractions at Crealy Theme Park & Resort (10 minutes), the animals and adventure activities at Wildwood Escot (10 minutes) or a bit of time cooing over the cute residents of The Donkey Sanctuary (25 minutes). For a bit of urban time, head into Exeter (25 minutes) to visit the Royal Albert Memorial Museum and tour the city’s underground passages, or try Taunton (40 minutes) for all sorts of heritage and arts attractions.

Water quality at nearby bathing waters

Name Distance Type 2020 2019 2018 2017
Sidmouth Jacobs Ladder 6.4 mi Sea N/A Excellent Excellent Excellent
Ladram Bay 6.4 mi Sea N/A Good N/A Good
Sidmouth Town 6.5 mi Sea N/A Excellent Excellent Excellent
Budleigh Salterton 7.7 mi Sea N/A Excellent Excellent Excellent
Sandy Bay 8.9 mi Sea N/A Excellent Excellent Excellent

Data source: European Environment Agency

Must see

Crealy Great Adventure Park 3.4 mi

The National Trust Killerton House & Gardens 5.8 mi

Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site 6.1 mi

Exeter Cathedral - Church of Saint Peter 7.8 mi

Blackdown Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty 13.6 mi

National Trust

Killerton: Marker's Cottage 4.2 mi

Killerton: Clyston Mill 4.4 mi

Killerton: Budlake Old Post Office 5.4 mi

Killerton 5.7 mi

A la Ronde 7 mi

Cycle routes

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

Other

ROCKBEARE MANOR 1 mi

AYLESBEARE COMMON (CURRENT BOUNDARY FROM 15/07/2005) 2.7 mi

CADHAY 3.1 mi

Woodbury Common and Woodbury Castle 4.9 mi

BICTON 5.1 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.

Offers

Lodge, cabin, pod or hut
Shepherd's hut
  • 20% off 20% Discount

Conditions apply - see campsite type section for details

Nearest campgrounds

Unfortunately, we have no nearby bookable campgrounds.

Want to know more about camping in Devon?

Frequently asked questions

  • Does Pithead Campsite have a swimming pool? No View all features
  • Is Pithead Campsite dog friendly? Yes View all features
  • What attractions are near Pithead Campsite? If you’re heading here for a good bit of outdoor activity time, you may like to plot a course to Ottery St Mary (10 minutes’ drive) for a five-mile walk along the … Read more
  • When can I check in and check out of Pithead Campsite?
    RV, travel trailer and tent sites
    Arrive:  noon –  8 p.m.
    Depart by:  11 a.m.
    On-park accommodation
    Arrive:  3 p.m. –  8 p.m.
    Depart by:  10 a.m.
    Read more
  • How much does it cost to stay at Pithead Campsite? From $26.59 (for 1 night, 3 people) - prices may change depending on your dates and party.