The hidden gems of the South West
Whether you are looking for a fun family break or some time away as a couple, camping and glamping can bring many health benefits. Simply being in the great outdoors can increase oxygen levels and help to reduce stress. During a visit to South West England you will find so much to explore in enchanting counties such as Cornwall, Devon and Dorset.
If you are looking for a venue to go camping or glamping this summer, you may want the reassurance of a destination that has achieved the AA Covid Confident mark. We’ve selected just some of the fantastic places you can visit in this region.
Stonehenge Campsite & Glamping Pods
This small campsite in Salisbury is an AA 4-Pennant site which is split into three areas and has good modern toilets and showers, including a laundry facility. The lower end of the site has hard standings for caravans and motorhomes plus six glamping pods, including the novel Festival Pod. Families and individuals can pitch a tent in the middle field, whilst the top area is for larger groups who can enjoy some of their holiday time sitting around open fires or fire pits. The site is close to Stonehenge and Longleat so there are plenty of excellent walks from the campsite and two good pubs nearby. Since reopening after Covid they have widened some of their pitches and changed toilets to unisex to reduce waiting time.
Farmstead Glamping, Dorset
This multi-award winning glamping retreat aims to provide guests with a sustainable luxury experience that is great for the mind body and soul. These locally produced Shepherds Huts can be found on the family run dairy farm in North Dorset and contain everything you need for a relaxing break. Self-check-in has been set up with a guest information portal on the website so that digital access is available for information booklets, tutorials, and tourist information.
Campden Yurts, North Cotswolds
This is a two yurt self-catering glamping site in Chipping Campden. They welcome families, couples and small groups and have a dog friendly yurt too. Private bathrooms include an electric shower, flushing toilets, sink and hairdryer. The outdoor cook hut has a gas cooker or bbq over a campfire. As part of their Covid measures they are asking guests to nominate one person to use the outdoor cook-hut and have made it possible for guests to wash-up outside and not just in the utility room. A digital guest/guidebook will be sent ahead with all the site info.
Beara Lodge Glamping, Devon
Beara Lodge Glamping is a brand-new family run venture. The site has two large safari tents both sleeping six people in proper beds with cosy duvets! Inside you will find a bathroom with a flushing toilet and a hot water shower with fluffy towels. For catering you will find a gas barbecue, two ring hob and a fridge. The tents are set fifty metres apart in a six-acre meadow surrounded by five acres of private woodland. You can wander round the tracks and gather your own sticks for your campfire TV. Hand sanitiser is available at the entrance gate, in the car park near the trolley used for guest luggage, at the communal bins and outside each safari tent. The site lends itself well to social distancing with so much space to relax.
Heathfield Escapes, Devon
This farm is situated in an area of outstanding natural beauty, close to the South Hams coastline. It is tucked away off a country lane and the area is wonderful for beach days, cycling and coastal walking. There is always something going on locally in the beautiful local towns of Kingsbridge, Dartmouth, Salcombe and Totnes. The accommodation consists of a yurt and wild camping pitches in beautiful secluded settings. As this site has one yurt and wild camping pitches all guests will be able to isolate on their own pitch. Signage, guidance and enhanced Coronavirus cleaning protocols in the shared toilet and shower block have been introduced since reopening.
Valleyside Escapes, Devon
This site really is a hidden gem, located in the village of Bickleigh-on-Exe, close to nature but ideally positioned to explore north and south Devon. There are three, award-winning, fully equipped, luxury six-berth safari tents, providing a home from home. The picturesque and panoramic views of the Exe Valley provide a perfect countryside escape.
