Bowhayes Farm Camping

View prices & book 9.9 42 reviews
Relax at Bowhayes Farm whilst surrounded by beautiful cider orchards
Relax in our bell tents surrounded by beautiful cider orchards
Blue skies
Springtime in the orchard

  • Semi-wild camping on the grounds of a Devon cider orchard
  • Sidmouth 15 minutes’ drive; central Exeter half an hour
  • Farm shop selling teas, coffees and snacks; hampers available
Get away from your daily routine and appreciate the serenity of east Devon at Bowhayes Farm Camping, a semi-wild site in the scenic grounds of a cider orchard. Surrounded by footpaths and a tree nursery, the site sits in extensive farmland on the edge of the leafy hamlet of Venn Ottery. How you spend your time here is up to you – you might like to wander through the village, birdwatch on RSPB Aylesbeare Common (10 minutes’ drive) or head down to the Jurassic Coast at Sidmouth and Budleigh Salterton (15 and 20 minutes respectively). Whatever you get up to, aim to get back to the farm in time for sunset, as the sky often puts on a beguiling show just before dusk. This is also when the local wildlife comes out to say hello – you might spot roe deer, badgers, rabbits, foxes, pheasants and more. This secluded pocket of Devon also has very low levels of light pollution, so if there’s little cloud cover, you should be treated to a spectacular starry sky. Facilities at Bowhayes Farm are fairly simple and include a farm toilet, shower and fresh drinking water. A small farm shop sells teas, coffees, cold drinks, snacks and essentials. Special hampers can be made up to order too, provided you give the site enough advance notice.

Campground type

Tent sites 8
Rent a tent 3
Lodges, cabins, pods or huts 1
Open now
Opens January 1
Please note
  • Under 18s must be accompanied by their parents or legal guardians.
  • Guests under the age of 13 are not allowed on site.
  • The campground/park does not accept breeds/crossbreeds listed in the Breed-specific legislation (i.e. Pit Bull Terrier, Japanese Tosa, Dogo Argentino, and Fila Brasileiro) and/or any of the following: Staffordshire bull terrier, American Staffordshire terrier, Rottweiler, any Mastiff or Tosa.
  • Please note that the toilet/shower facilities are unisex.
  • No bachelor/bachelorette parties permitted via Pitchup.com.
  • Reception is unmanned after 4:30 p.m.. Please inform the park while on your way there should you expect to arrive after this time so that the team can provide information about your unit/site.

Languages spoken

English

French

Open from Thu, Jan 1 to

No availability here for your search criteria

Campsite types & availability

Reviews

  • 88%
    10
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Location
10
Value for money
10
Accommodation
10
Facilities / Activities
9
Customer service
10
Child friendliness
10
Cleanliness
10
Wifi
10

100% would recommend this campground to a friend

100% would stay here again

What customers say

Bowhayes Farm offers a peaceful, picturesque camping experience among apple trees. Guests rave about the friendly owners, tranquil atmosphere, and beautiful orchard. Facilities, including the outdoor shower, are clean and adequate. A few minor suggestions included refreshing the toilet/kitchen area and reducing initial owner chat.

Summary AI-generated from Pitchup.com customer reviews. Last updated 6/30/2026

Filter by topic

Reviews page 1 of 5
Arrival date (latest first)

My husband and I had a…

Overall

10 out of 10
Location
10
Value for money
10
Facilities / Activities
10
Customer service
10
Child friendliness
No rating
Cleanliness
10
Wifi
No rating
Anonymous

Primitive grass tent campsite (small)

Liked My husband and I had a fantastic stay at Bowhayes Farm. We pitched our tent in the orchard which was very peaceful and quiet and had spectacular views. One of the highlights was the outdoor shower, which created a seamless connection with the surrounding nature. Finally, Howard's hospitality and costumer service were impeccable. Highly recommend it. Thank you.

Recommend to friends Visit again

Very peaceful and secluded.…

Overall

9 out of 10
Location
9
Value for money
9
Facilities / Activities
7
Customer service
8
Child friendliness
No rating
Cleanliness
7
Wifi
No rating
Jon H. 2 reviews

Primitive grass tent campsite (small)

Liked Very peaceful and secluded.

Recommend to friends Visit again

The farm is really picturesque, the…

Overall

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

Primitive grass tent campsite (small)

Liked The farm is really picturesque, the orchard in particular is a really ideal place to camp to keep shaded in the sunshine. Howard was a great host, pointing out some great walks and pubs in the area, and also supplied some exceptional cider made from apples from the orchard. The shower was excellent as well, it warmed up really quick, but was refreshing with a breeze on a hot day. I will definitely stay again

Recommend to friends Visit again

Super campsite with beautiful, spacious, private…

Overall

10 out of 10
Location
9
Value for money
10
Facilities / Activities
10
Customer service
10
Child friendliness
No rating
Cleanliness
9
Wifi
No rating

Primitive grass tent campsite (small)

Liked Super campsite with beautiful, spacious, private pitches. The owner Howard was super friendly and accommodating, and gave excellent suggestions for food and drink and things to do in the area. The site had great amenities (inside toilet, multiple washing up stations and even a fridge and microwave!). We had a great weekend and will definitely look to stay at Bowhayes Farm again.

Recommend to friends Visit again

A must stay!

Overall

10 out of 10
Location
10
Value for money
10
Facilities / Activities
10
Customer service
10
Child friendliness
No rating
Cleanliness
10
Wifi
10
Jake K. 8 reviews

Primitive grass tent campsite (small)

Liked Friendly and helpful owner. Beautiful location in their apple orchard. Felt like wild camping, with just a few pitches all spread out across the orchard. The homemade cider was incredibly tasty and available to purchase on site. My favourite campsite I've been too on my 7 day roadtrip around Devon & Cornwall. The owners cat was extremely friendly and cute which was an added bonus! Highly recommend this campsite and I'll be back very soon! The highlight of my trip was finding wild otters & beavers just a 20 minute walk away, thanks to the owners helpful advice.

Recommend to friends Visit again

Peace…

Overall

9 out of 10
Location
9
Value for money
9
Facilities / Activities
No rating
Customer service
No rating
Child friendliness
No rating
Cleanliness
10
Wifi
No rating
Anonymous

Primitive grass tent campsite (small)

Liked Peace

Recommend to friends Visit again

Wonderful stay, highly recommend.

Overall

10 out of 10
Location
10
Value for money
9
Facilities / Activities
9
Customer service
10
Child friendliness
No rating
Cleanliness
9
Wifi
No rating

Primitive grass tent campsite (small)

Liked The site was beautiful and quiet. The owners gave a warm and informative greeting and were very helpful during my stay. The showers were clean and had good pressure and temperature. Absolutely would recommend this pitch up spot. Super handy to have wheelbarrows on site to cart all my camping gear across the orchard.

Disliked The toilet and kitchen could use a refresh of paint but it is camping at the end of the day.
Was happy to take my rubbish home but having more bins on site would be helpful.

Recommend to friends Visit again

From the manager: Thank you so much, Holly.

We're delighted you enjoyed the peace and quiet of the orchard and found the facilities clean and comfortable during your stay. It's lovely to hear the welcome was helpful and that the wheelbarrows came in handy for transporting your camping gear across the farm.

Thank you as well for your helpful suggestions. We're always looking at ways to improve the camping experience, and feedback like yours is genuinely appreciated.

We'd love to welcome you back again sometime. Do look out for late August and September, when the orchard is full of ripening apples and looking particularly splendid.

We're always especially pleased to see familiar faces return – those who become part of the fold do tend to get the inside track on availability and the odd extra.

Regards,
Fiona and Howard
Bowhayes Farm

Loved it. Thank you…

Overall

10 out of 10
Location
10
Value for money
10
Facilities / Activities
9
Customer service
10
Child friendliness
No rating
Cleanliness
10
Wifi
No rating
Lisa W. 1 review

Primitive grass tent campsite (small)

Liked Loved it. Thank you

Recommend to friends Visit again

From the manager: Thank you so much, Lisa.

We're delighted you enjoyed your stay and really appreciate you taking the time to leave us a review.

We'd love to welcome you back again sometime.

Regards,
Fiona and Howard
Bowhayes Farm

Lovely serene campsite

Overall

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

Primitive grass tent campsite (small)

Liked Beautiful and calm, shady spaces in the midst of an apple orchard
Great communication and flexibility (late arrival) from Howard

Recommend to friends Visit again

From the manager: Thank you so much, Carolin.

We're delighted you enjoyed the peace and calm of the orchard and found a shady spot to relax amongst the apple trees.

Thank you as well for your kind words about the communication and flexibility with your late arrival. We're always happy to help where we can.

We'd love to welcome you back again sometime. Do look out for late August and September, when the orchard is full of ripening apples and looking particularly splendid.

Regards,
Fiona and Howard
Bowhayes Farm

blossoms and friendly staff…

Overall

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

Primitive grass tent campsite (small)

Liked blossoms and friendly staff

Recommend to friends Visit again

From the manager: Thank you so much, Holly.

We're delighted you enjoyed the orchard in blossom and found the team friendly and welcoming during your stay.

It's always lovely to hear guests appreciate the farm at that time of year – the apple blossom only lasts a few weeks, but it's a pretty special sight when it's out. Look out for late August / September when the apples are looking splendid - before the harvest in late September (which is also quite exciting!)

We'd love to welcome you back again sometime. We're always especially pleased to see familiar faces return – those who become part of the fold do tend to get the inside track on availability and the odd extra.

Regards,
Fiona and Howard
Bowhayes Farm


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 Recreation room/arcade TV room Takeout Tennis Watersports

Amenities on park

Bath available 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 Scouts welcome Single-sex groups welcome Student groups welcome

Rules

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

Themes

Budget/backpacker Forest Hikers’ paradise Leave the car at home Peaceful Spectacular scenery Wild camping Wildlife haven

Utilities

Charging facilities Communal freezer Communal fridge 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 Small (11-25 sites)

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 Restaurant nearby Sailing nearby Surf school nearby Tennis nearby Watersports nearby

Location

Bowhayes Farm Camping

Venn Ottery

Ottery St Mary

Devon

England

EX11 1RY

Directions

Timezone

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

GPS

50.71352°N
3.30371°W

Nearest transport

Bus
7.4 mi Honiton Road Park and Ride
7.4 mi The Barn Owl
8.7 mi Rail Station
Rail
4.4 mi Whimple Rail Station
5.1 mi Feniton Rail Station
5.7 mi Cranbrook Rail Station
Ferry
7.4 mi Topsham (Turf Lock Ferry) Ferry Landing
7.5 mi Topsham Ferry Landing
7.6 mi Topsham Lock Ferry Landing
Airport
5.1 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 detect similarities between the formal Italian garden at Bicton Park Botanical Gardens (15 minutes’ drive) and the gardens of the Palace of Versailles (the terraces, fountains, the long perspective…), it’s because both were designed by the same person. Bicton is also home to a splendid domed Palm House from the 1820s and an arboretum. The South West Coast Path runs through Sidmouth (15 minutes), taking you up tall cliffs from where you can admire far-reaching views of the English Channel. If stargazing at Bowhayes Farm has tickled your interest in astronomy, the Norman Lockyer Observatory in nearby Salcombe Regis runs public tours and viewing events. A lively university city, Exeter (half an hour) is dotted with green areas, including leafy Northernhay Gardens, the riverside Belle Isle Park and the Cathedral Green. The cathedral itself is a remarkable building. Built in the 1300s, it incorporates two earlier Norman towers, and it features a spectacular vaulted ceiling (the world’s longest).

Water quality at nearby bathing waters

Name Distance Type 2020201920182017
Sidmouth Jacobs Ladder 3.6 mi Sea N/AExcellentExcellentExcellent
Sidmouth Town 3.7 mi Sea N/AExcellentExcellentExcellent
Ladram Bay 3.9 mi Sea N/AGoodN/AGood
Budleigh Salterton 5.9 mi Sea N/AExcellentExcellentExcellent
Sandy Bay 7.7 mi Sea N/AExcellentExcellentExcellent

Data source: European Environment Agency

Must see

Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site 3.3 mi

Crealy Great Adventure Park 4.9 mi

The National Trust Killerton House & Gardens 8.6 mi

Exeter Cathedral - Church of Saint Peter 9.9 mi

Blackdown Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty 14.5 mi

National Trust

A la Ronde 6.6 mi

Killerton: Marker's Cottage 7 mi

Killerton: Clyston Mill 7.1 mi

Branscombe: the Old Bakery, Manor Mill and Forge 7.4 mi

Killerton: Budlake Old Post Office 8.2 mi

Cycle routes

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

Other

AYLESBEARE COMMON (CURRENT BOUNDARY FROM 15/07/2005) 1.5 mi

CADHAY 3.2 mi

BICTON 3.2 mi

ROCKBEARE MANOR 3.6 mi

CONNAUGHT GARDENS 3.7 mi

Local events

  • Sidmouth Folk Festival (Friday, July 31, 2026 – Friday, July 31, 2026)

    Sidmouth, England 3.8 mi

  • Beautiful Days (Friday, August 21, 2026 – Friday, August 21, 2026)

    Ottery St Mary, England 4.3 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.

Want to know more about camping in Devon?

Frequently asked questions

  • Does Bowhayes Farm Camping have a swimming pool? No View all features
  • Is Bowhayes Farm Camping dog friendly? Yes View all features
  • What attractions are near Bowhayes Farm Camping? If you detect similarities between the formal Italian garden at Bicton Park Botanical Gardens (15 minutes’ drive) and the gardens of the Palace of Versailles (the terraces, fountains, the long perspective…), it’s … Read more
  • When can I check in and check out of Bowhayes Farm Camping?
    RV, travel trailer and tent sites
    Arrive:  2 p.m. –  7 p.m.
    Depart by:  11 a.m.
    On-park accommodation
    Arrive:  2 p.m. –  7 p.m.
    Depart by:  11 a.m.
    Read more
  • How much does it cost to stay at Bowhayes Farm Camping? From $29.10 (for 1 night, 2 adults) - prices may change depending on your dates and party.