A huge family run campsite with a plethora of well kept facilities and an excellent North Devon locale.

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Stowford Farm Meadows

UK England South West England Devon Ilfracombe

A huge family run campsite with a plethora of well kept facilities and an excellent North Devon locale

We know, we know, we said we wouldn’t and we have. There is no denying that Stowford Farm Meadows has a certain holiday park vibe and with a whopping 700 pitches it certainly caters for anybody and everybody. Yet since the hedgerows were planted and the meadows first mown back in 1978, this family run-campsite has been striving to retain that smaller campsite feel. And with so much space to play with, the Rice family have certainly done a decent job. Don’t expect a Tetris of intertwining guy ropes here; pitches are spacious, amenities are endless and with such a top location, Stowford can’t help but tease a smile out of even the most hard-nosed traditional campers.

Divided into five fields, Stowford Farm Meadows manages to shroud its size by lines of trees or hedges and is reached via a long driveway that places it a mile from the nearest main road. The result is a distinctly rural feel and with many of the facilities housed in converted farm buildings, there’s no maze of concrete building blocks to navigate your way round. Instead pitches are well-located amongst the meadows, all with electrical hook-ups, and have easy access to a central sanitary block in each field.

It's families and active campers who’ll feel most at home here, with a wealth of things to keep you occupied. Wander back to the main entrance area where you’ll find crazy golf, an indoor play area and the indoor heated swimming pool, or pick up a couple of golf clubs and enjoy the nine hole 'pitch and putt' course. The campsite is also adjacent to the farm’s private riding stables. Guests can make the most of the expert tuition or, for the more experienced riders, take out a horse on the surrounding bridleways. Those happier to stay on two feet can head back past the pool and take the campsite’s quiet footpath down into the wooded Bittadon Valley. No fewer than 70 acres of Stowford Farm’s woodland has been set aside for conservation and in total there’s well over three miles of paths and nature trails to enjoy. Beneath the leafy canopy of oak and larch that's home to a wealth of wildlife, this is a brilliant place to escape.

While the onsite bounty is a joy for those with tireless kids, it's the nearby surroundings that really make this campsite a winner. A 15 minute drive from the coastline, the dog-friendly campsite is matched by a host of dog-friendly beaches and the famous sands of Woolacombe, Croyde and Saunton Sands all await would-be surfers or nimbly-handed sand castle builders. Those who prefer to leave their cheeky scamp at the campsite (the dog that is, not the kids) can take advantage of a handy pet crèche as well, or simply head into Exmoor National Park with endless room to run wild.

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Details

Facilities

There are 5 shower blocks, 1 to each camping field, featuring flushing toilets, free showers, shaving sockets and vanity areas, disabled facilities, family facilities and laundry. There are plenty of activities on site such as horse riding, crazy golf and a 9 hole pitch and putt or you can take advantage of the 70-acre neighbouring forest with extensive footpaths and nature trails. For kids 'Petorama', Stowford's undercover mini zoo, will entertain, or make use of the 22m indoor heated swimming pool (open April - October). There is a large outdoor games field, with a play area, cycle zone, football pitch, basket ball and tennis courts and you'll also find dog walking and exercise areas on site. There is even a dog day-kennels should you fancy a dog-free day out. Stowford Farm Meadows has 2 licensed bars and a restaurant onsite. Some of the extras, such as the swimming pool, Petorama and crazy golf, do have small, but not unreasonable, extra charges.

Suitable For

Couples, families, pets, tents, trailer tents, motorhomes, touring caravans, campervans – yes.

Single sex parties – no.

Nearby

With a long private driveway, Stowford Farm is cut off from the noise of main roads but it is actually an easy journey to surrounding attractions. For most this means the coast, where beaches like Woolacombe and Saunton Sands beckon, the latter backed by huge dunes ideal for exploring with kids or the dog. Between these two beaches the smaller sandy crescent of Croyde is also popular, particularly with surfers who can hire equipment or take lessons from Surf South West (01271 890 400). From here there is also a good walk up to Baggy Point, though those looking for something longer should commit themselves to sections of the coastal path or the Traka Trail, with exquisite cliff top views. Out of peak season it is worth heading south to absurdly pretty Clovelly (01237 431781) or, in busy months, head north into Exmoor National Park with endless footpaths and bridleways. Perhaps the ultimate way to escape, however, is to take the ferry out to Lundy Island (01271 863636), a windswept little land mass, 25 miles out from Ilfracombe.

Food & Drink

The Old Stable bars serve decent pub food and are accompanied by an onsite fish and chip take-away and the Stowaways restaurant. There are no pubs or villages within walking distance of the site, but family and dog-friendly spots nearby include The Crown Inn (01271 862790) in West Down, The Royal Marine Pub and Hotel (01271 882470) in Combe Martin, The Grampus Inn (01271 862906) in Lee, and The George and Dragon (01271 863851) in Ilfracombe. Stowford Farm shop, onsite, sells local produce.

Opening Times

All year (only touring caravans and motorhomes in winter season).

Family Friendly

There are some overhead power cables in the 'Bridge Park' field, so strictly no kite flying in this area.

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The Owner Says

A family friendly touring caravan, motorhome and camping site in the heart of North Devon, renowned for it's exceptional range of facilities and high standard of cleanliness.

Pitches

700 pitches, all with electric hook up, split across 5 different fields.

Grass tent pitch with electricity

Grass pitch with electricity Sleeps 6 11 Available

Grass tent pitch with electricity. Included in the pitch price is an extra car or gazebo but not both.

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Location

Contact Stowford Farm Meadows, Berry Down, Combe Martin, North Devon, EX34 0PW

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Getting There

Take junction 27 off the M5, follow A361 to Barnstaple. Through Barnstaple follow signs for A39 to Lynton, just outside Barnstaple turn left onto B3230. After several miles turn right at the garage at Lynton cross onto the A3123. Stowford Farm Meadows is 1.5 miles on the right.

For those who are towing a caravan, we do not recommend the A399 route to Combe Martin from the North Devon Link Road. If you choose this route (or take it in error) be careful to avoid the signs to ‘Stowford’ on the left hand side, near the Exmoor Zoological Park.

No public transport passes the site but the nearest train station is Barnstaple (0845 748 4950) where buses (01271 373058) run to and from Ilfracombe or Combe Martin.

Reviews

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Rated ★★★★★ over 3 reviews

★★★☆☆

large pitches. Dog friendly. Clean toilets.

Went to Stowford on my son’s recommendation as he visited recently. He advised us which pitch area would best suit our needs. We needed flat pitch and close access to toilets. We booked 398 with the assistance of a member of your reception team, who we advised of our requirements. When we arrived we had been allocated another pitch which was too steep for our small unit. The receptionist then said 397 was available, next to where we wanted. It was not. We had enough by now and just put up with it. Her comment had been that you reserve the right to change pitches and hadn,t we had an email. No we had not. Not impressed with customer service.

Jun 18, 2018 by Joan Spittey

★★★★★

our second home

We first stayed at Stowford in 1990 then it only was using fields 1to3. We have been going back ever since. We have tried other sites but Stowford,s pitches & amenity blocks really are the best. It's a great camp site for familys, our children now all grown up still choose to go to Stowford for their holidays. If you have small children it has lots to do, or like us now just take a walk with the dog, read a book & chill it's a home from home for us & I can be sure you won't be disappointed.

Jan 18, 2015 by The Bods

★★★★★

Where memories are made...

I have been coming to stowford since I was a young child - now I have 2 young children of my own, it's lovely to see them love Stowford as much as I did. It's brilliant for children, lots going on and doesn't break the bank like other campsites. Not only is the campsite great, the surrounding areas are beautiful: Ilfracombe, Woolacombe, Coombe Martin, Croyde Bay - so much to do...

Would 100% recommend!!!

Jan 18, 2015 by gemma