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North Morte Farm

Woolacombe, Devon, England
1 acre hosted by Test O.
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Unpretentious camping with spectacular views and some of the best spots in North Devon within easy walking distance
The sea is a powerful thing and few places know this better than Devon. The swirl and churn of grey waves as they crash upon its rocky shore can make for a wonderful winter spectacle, a stark contrast to those still, summer evenings when all is glistening in calm and quiet. The full winter menace of the ocean was perhaps most memorable here in early 2014 when ripping waves slashed at Rockham beach, crumbling its slopes back into the murky depths. On the hills that rise above it, North Morte Farm would have been the prime storm-chaser’s viewing point.

Today, this North Devon outpost, just 500 yards from the water, remains untainted by the barrages of winter weather thrown its way. Its spectacular views and unpretentious camping atmosphere make North Morte Farm a prize choice for seaside bound campers. And if your looking for a quiet patch to lay low, you can’t go far wrong here. Ignore the static caravans as you arrive through the first field and follow your way out to the spacious camping area beyond, dotted with smiling campers and new comers pegging down their guy ropes. It is here, in the untainted grassy meadow, that you can park up your car or campervan and switch off from the rest of the world.

On first arrival in the field it is well worth taking your time to explore. There are no designated pitches onsite and the spaces available certainly vary across the area. Perched on the peak of a hill, there is a choice to be made between the higher levels, close to the toilets, or settling closer to the bottom for a quiet, secluded spot. Here and there some flatter spaces can be found and which ever place you chose there is one thing that’s inescapable – the view. Sweeping vistas out towards the sea are an unbeatable aspect of this charming campsite and on clearer days you can relax in the sun watching boats to and fro from Lundy Island. The neighboring land is owned by the National Trust and remains a blissfully untouched stretch of countryside.

Once settled, the best way to explore is by foot, either taking the steep path down to Rockham Beach or wandering the ten minutes to Mortehoe, with three excellent pubs and a characterful rural charm. From here it’s a further quarter hour walk into Woolacombe, its sandy two-mile beach stretching out toward the surfer dotted horizon. The beaches are certainly the main spectacle in North Devon, but trips to Lundy Island, exploring the coastal towns, lazing by pretty harbours or venturing back into nearby Exmoor mean there is more to life than just building sand castles. Be sure to spend at least one evening in the campsite, however. Sunsets here are outstanding and the stargazing is not too shabby either.

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Location
Woolacombe, Devon, England, United KingdomTraditional, ancestral territory of various First Nations according to To respect the Host's privacy, the precise address of this land will be provided after booking
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Hosted by Test O.Joined in January 2015
From the host
Unpretentious camping with spectacular views and some of the best spots in North Devon within easy walking distance
Nearby attractions

If you enjoy walking you've come to the right place, not because Exmoor National Park (01398 323665) is nearby, though this is certainly a bonus, but because the exquisite South West Coast path runs directly past the campsite. Its route is perhaps the best way to take in the various coastal features but less well known paths around Morte Point, Baggy Point and the Tarka Trail are also excellent choices. It is a steep stroll down to Rockham Beach, an excellent spot for wild swimming, though sadly the beach is temporarily closed due to the dramatic winter storm damage. Nearby the pleasant village of Morthoe has a small collection of shops and pubs, also within walking distance. By car head to Woolacombe (01271 870533), with its expansive beach, popular with surfers, or north to Ilfracombe (01271 863001) with a delightful harbour and aquarium (01271 864533), beautiful tunnel beaches (01271 879822), and regularly running ferrys out to Lundy Island (01271 863636).

Food and drink

An onsite shop sells a decent amount of goods at reasonable prices. It is a 10 minute walk from the site into the small village of Mortehoe, which is home to three gorgeous old pubs with some of the tastiest ales and lagers around. The Chichester Arms (01271 870411) is certainly a top pick, complete with horsebrasses and beams, it serves above-average pub fare including the likes of local crab and a cracking burger. Other pluses include real ales, real bar skittles and a quaint little beer garden. Dogs are welcome here as are children during the day.

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