Ten Acres Vineyard
UK England South West England Devon Chulmleigh, Winkleigh & Umberleigh
Straw bales scattered across golden fields, a tractor humming on the road, sun baked south-facing slopes striped with the regimented lines of a vineyard, ripening grapes awaiting the busy harvest and all just 40 minutes' drive from a cluster of sandy beaches. Hang on though... surely there’s been a mistake here? Has an overzealous camper had too much of the local merlot? You say this bucolic summer haven is in England?!
Though it may sound like a scene plucked from France’s best Loire Valley guidebook, if you head to Devon and down a small country track beyond the thatched village of Winkleigh, you’ll see for yourself that this dreamy little campsite is more than a wine-induced mirage. Set on a grassy one acre meadow with just 15 pitches in total, Ten Acres Vineyard is a real rural gem – a secluded camping patch in the midst of a working vineyard. Take a stroll through the vines using the signposts and onsite information before popping into the winery to watch the grapes being pressed, breathing in the aroma of the fermenting juices. On weekends, the campsite’s shop always has a bottle of their best plonk uncorked, so after a tour you can taste the spoils of all that hard work... and more than likely take a bottle or two away with you – for your friends, of course.
With views over the vineyard to the agricultural landscapes beyond and the rugged moorland of Dartmoor National Park, Ten Acres has an eco-friendly simplicity that compliments its surroundings. There's a shower and a compost loo, along with a chemical-disposal point, while the shared campfire places are a good place to shoot the breeze with your fellow campers. Dogs are welcome, though kept on a lead so they don’t disturb the sheep, pigs or hens that also live on site.
For those who don't fancy lugging their camping gear with them, guests can opt for one (or both) of the two unfurnished 4 and 5m bell tents, sleeping a couple and up to 6 adults respectively (although there's ample room for families to squeeze in a few extra littl'uns). A brazier is also kindly provided. Or why not combine a bell tent break with a guided vineyard and winery tour and tasting? Whatever pitch you opt for, the fact that there's acres of space for just a few pitches ensures you'll find a spot to suit. The adjacent field next is heaven-sent – ideal for children to play in, dogs to be walked in or simply to unwind with the sounds of nature and a good book to get lost in.
If the rusticity of this pastoral smallholding isn't enough, a wander up the track lies the local village of Winkleigh – a quintessentially English settlement with thatched roofs and a traditional feel. Winkleigh has a fascinating history with two 12th century castles (now nothing more than large mounds), a 14th century church and an old wartime airfield where the rusting remains of a control tower still stands. A pair of pubs and pleasant tearooms make it an enjoyable place to have lunch before venturing further afield. By car the beaches of north and south Devon are just over a half hour's drive away, while the vast national park of Dartmoor with its famously picturesque granite scenery lies closer still. It's an ideal area for walking or cycling with the start of the Tarka Trail nearby as well as the Two Moors Way, a footpath connecting the two Devon coasts. Cruise the purpose built cycleways along old rail roads and viaducts with panoramic views, before pedalling the quiet lanes back to camp.
Back at camp, a quick blow on the embers will rekindle the morning's fire then all that remains is to dig out that corkscrew. Sit back with a glass of the site's own vino and enjoy the tranquility of Ten Acres Vineyard, a summer retreat without the air miles.
Gallery
Details
Facilities
The campsite is situated above the vineyard in a one acre meadow with 7 camping/campervan pitches, 2 unfurnished bell tents and 1 furnished safari tent. There’s also a shower and a compost loo, washing up area, chemical disposal point, as well as picnic tables and a communal firepit. The Devon Wine Shack sells their wines, apple juice, free range eggs, and locally-sourced logs and charcoal. Self-guided vineyard tours any time and guided vineyard and winery tours and tastings at weekends. There’s a play area for children (sandpit and tractor tyres) and a secure place for bikes to be stored if needed. Firepits provided with glamping tents. Chicken, sheep and kune kune pigs to meet too
Suitable For
Tents, campervans, and dogs (max 2 per pitch) – yes. Noisy and single sex groups – no.
Nearby
The campsite lies on the edge of Winkleigh which is a small but pleasant place. Drive north to the coastal village of Bideford (01237 477676) with nearby beaches Instow and Westward Ho! or stop along the way at Rosemoor Garden (0845 265 8072) in the market town of Great Torrington. Winsford Walled Garden (01409 221477) is also close at hand, as is Dunsland, a large historic park abundant in wildlife. Finch Foundry (01837 840046) is an interesting National Trust site on the edge of Dartmoor National Park (01822 890414), the last working water-powered forge in the UK, it provides an insight into the areas industrial past. From here its a short step into the national park itself which is, of course, the perfect place for outdoors enthusiasts. The Granite Way (01837 53020) is an excellent purpose built cycleway, ideal for families, while The Two Moors Way is a long distance footpath that runs from Ivybridge on the southern edge of Dartmoor all the way up to Lynmouth on the North Coast of Devon. Just west of the campsite you'll also find the start of The Tarka Trail, one of the most famous routes in the area that heads north to Barnstable and the coastal towns. Families may also enjoy The Big Sheep (01237 472366) an award winning all-weather amusement park, while Exmoor Zoo (01598 763352) is also popular, though slightly further away.
Food & Drink
Winkleigh, though small, has plenty of good shops including a local butcher, florist, a general store and a cactus nursery, along with a successful Cider Brewery (01837 83560). Fiona's Farm Shop (01837 83382) is the place to go for fresh local meat as well as freshly baked cakes, pastries and Devon cream teas. In the village square, Wright & Proper (01837 83038) is a smart café bistro, while The Seven Stars (01837 83344) is a friendly pub often hosting live music. The Duke of York (01837 810253) in Iddesleigh – a thatched 15th-century inn overlooking Dartmoor with a warm atmosphere and more top grub – is your hosts' personal recommendation. The Lymington Arms (01837 83572) in the neighbouring village of Wembworthy is worth a visit, while The Kings Arms (01837 83384) is a charming 16th century thatched inn that's ideal for drinks or a good meal - the Winkleigh favourite.
Opening Times
Start of May - end of September.
The Owner Says
Video Tour
Location
Contact Ten Acres Vineyard, Ten Acres, Winkleigh, Devon EX19 8EY
Getting There
Leave the A30 at Whiddon Down and follow the signs to Winkleigh/Torrington. From the A3124, turn towards Winkleigh village at Zuki's restaurant/takeaway. Immediately indicate right. Then turn at the sign and continue along the track for half a mile. The track is well-signed and will guide you to the campsite.
The nearest train station to Winkleigh is Eggesford, 5 miles away. There is no bus service from Eggesford to Winkleigh but there are regular buses to Winkleigh from Exeter and Bideford. The Stagecoach 315 bus stops outside Zuki's restaurant/takeaway (request stop) whose car park is opposite the campsite entrance. It's a half mile walk from the entrance to the pitches.
Reviews
Add Your ReviewRated ★★★★★ over 21 reviews
Beautiful quiet campsite with great views and pigs!
Perfect...
Perfect relaxing weekend
great first family camping experience
Dreamy May bank holiday weekend
Everything was fantastic, so welcoming!
Great views, hosts and wine!
Lovely get away
A gem of a campsite
Small is beautiful
Gem of Devon
The owner is the coolest person I've ever met
Wonderful retreat in Ten Acres
Romantic and relaxing!
Struggling to find a better campsite
We stayed with Esther & Toby in May half term and now we are looking for a site closer to home for the summer holidays we are struggling to find one which compares! Ten Acres is away from everything, with lovely views, not too many pitches, star filled skies and generous hosts. We really enjoyed learning all about English wine with Toby, and we especially enjoyed drinking it! English wine, it turns out, can be delicious when the vines are so carefully tended by a loving vintner. We were a little worried the one shower and one loo would not be enough, but even with a fair few guests we never wanted for more. It is a place away from it all to relax and recharge. If only you were closer than a 5 hour drive....
Excellent site even better hosts
Hi,
We have just spent a week at Ten Acres, the camp site was great with wonderful views over to Dartmoor. Esther and Toby are the best of hosts; nothing too much trouble. Will be visiting again this summer. Highly recommended if you want a quiet time in a lovely environment.
Quaint & quiet
A lovely little campsite: very quiet; nothing was too much trouble for Esther and Toby. Would highly recommend the vineyard tour. We hope to be back soon!! Thank you :)
Lovely family campsite
We've had a lovely camp at Ten Acres. It is perfect for families with young children where they can play safely.
The site is scenic and peaceful and a camp fire in the evening makes the perfect end to the day.
Toby and Esther are the owners of Ten Acres and are incredibly friendly and helpful. There is a small shop on site that sells wine, beer, firewood and basics. There is also a nice play area for children.
There is one toilet and shower on site though an extra chemical loo is added during busy periods. However the site is small and we never had to queue for the facilities (which were nice and clean!)
Recommended!
Perfect!
Just our kind of site; plenty of space for the kids to play, campfires a plenty, wine and big open skies. Facilities are basic, but perfectly adequate - perhaps they could benefit from one more compost loo and one more shower, and a covered washing up area - but we didn't have to wait too long to use the facilities. We would definitely return, thank you for a lovely week.
Something a bit special with Super hosts!!
We stayed here for 2 nights as a group of 4, 30 somethings, and we couldn't have had a better stay. Esther and Toby were really great hosts, incredibly friendly and hospitable. They are incredibly accommodating and generous. The wine tour which Toby does is really interesting and a really unique aspect to this site; try their wines, very nice! The facilities are simple yet very clean and well managed. The views of the rolling hills and the vineyard are very nice. The local village is worth a stroll, and if you're having a BBQ get your meat from the 'mad butcher'. We will be heading back again later this year, as Ten acres has what we want from a campsite; the feeling of really getting stuck into nature and getting away from it all, whilst having the home comforts of a warm shower, clean toilets, a unique selling point in its vineyard, and above all really friendly hosts, who are commendably promoting local business by selling some really great unique bespoke local works. We bought two great stoves built by friends of theirs. Worth a trip in itself! Long story short, go there and make it one of your favourites! Thanks again to Esther and Toby....Dave (15-17th May 2015)
Gem of a campsite with fabulous hosts!
My partner and I were lucky enough to stumble across this fab campsite online and booked to stay for the first weekend of their camping season.
Despite the wind and rain when we arrived, the campsite lived up to our expectations. We were warmly greeted by Esther who showed us the essentials before leaving us to put up our tent. This is where things got interesting! Expecting soggy weather, friends had lent us a slightly larger tent for our trip. Unfortunately for us, this tent was missing some vital parts! After battling in the weather, we abandoned the mission and sought Esther's local knowledge on nearby tent retailers!! She came up trumps and kindly offered to lend us their tent for the evening. What a star!! What's more, she offered us emergency accommodation for our second night in the shape of their retro caravan.
This kindness and generosity sums up our experience at Ten Acres. It is a truly beautiful and peaceful campsite in a fantastic spot in the heart of Devon. The fact that they produce top notch wine is an absolute bonus! The site is peaceful and clean and within walking distance of Winkleigh village despite its remote feel. Toby and Esther are fantastic, warm hosts who make you feel like you're staying with friends. They saved our weekend and we will certainly be returning in the near future.
Thank you :-)
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