Uncommercial camping the way it should be — on a proper working farm!

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West Middlewick Farm

UK England South West England Devon Tiverton

Lend a hand on a friendly farm

Ellie and her family were on their third visit to West Middlewick Farm this year. She’s given her dad strict instructions to wake her up each morning in time to feed the lambs and help out with anything else in need of an enthusiastic pair of hands here. In fact, Ellie has become such an able farmhand she’s even been given her own set of overalls. Because at this working dairy farm, just outside the sleepy hamlet of Nomansland near Tiverton, campers and their kids are encouraged to take an interest in what goes on around here.

The farm itself sits between the camping fields and the facilities block, so you’ll inevitably wander past and find popping your head into one of the barn doors irresistible, with their welcoming labels and friendly residents. Getting to know the animals and helping with their care comes hoof in hoof with a stay at West Middlewick, and has done since 1933.

As Ellie’s parents found out, this refreshing ethos is a huge hit with kids, with some actually begging their parents to leave the beach early so that they’re back in time to watch the cows being milked and to help distribute the pig feed. Rabbits in hutches sit on the driveway, guinea pigs snuffle around, chickens roam freely by the barns, and companionable cats prowl around on the hunt for attention.

The atmosphere is one of community and conviviality; adults chat cheerfully while their children race around together. And it’s not just the kids who get caught up in the West Middlewick way; adults of all ages return year on year to fuss the animals and relax at this no-frills site... By now Ellie and family will be on at least visit number six.

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Details

Facilities

The site slopes down from the farm. The upper field has a large space in the centre for playing, and track for cycling round, as well as hook-ups and water taps. The more informal lower field has taps and hook-ups at the top. Facilities are a walk away from the site, near the farmhouse. One ladies’ block – loos, basins, 2 hot showers (£1 for 10 minutes; 20p for 2 minutes), disabled loo/shower room with baby-changing. Around the corner are 2 washing-up sinks and a washing machine (£4). The gents’ has loos and shower (also metered). There are 3 wooden cabins sleeping 6 in another field. No campfires but BBQs off the ground okay.

Suitable For

Tents, campervans, caravans, dogs (on leads and if good with other animals), groups (in lower field) – yes.

Nearby

Head to Tiverton Castle (01884 253200). With over 9 centuries of history, this compact castle is informative as well as fun. Or find out how honey is made and bees are kept at Quince Honey Farm (01769 572401). For the nearest decent beach, check out the three and half mile stretch of golden loveliness that is Saunton Sands. It’s also great for surfers, offering long slow rollers that are a hit with longboarders.

Food & Drink

The farm has a small shop selling locally-made sausages, burgers, pork chops and joints of meat, plus cheese, jams and chutneys. There’s also a freezer full of lovely Devon ice cream. The ivy-covered The lbridge Cross Inn (01884 860316) down the road does cream teas, bar snacks, and has an à la carte menu featuring mouth-watering fish and fowl mains. Slightly further afield, in Bickleigh, check out the Fisherman’s Cot pub (01884 855237) which sits on the banks of the river Exe, offering fabulous views from its beer garden

Opening Times

All year.

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The Owner Says

We are a very friendly campsite on a working farm. We would like to encourage couples to come and stay out of season and enjoy the quietness and tranquility our campsite has to offer. We have stunning views of Exmoor and we are within easy access of several National Trust properties and other such places. The public bus will stop right outside the farm entrance if you would like to leave your campervan or car here and enjoy a day out. Alternatively you might like to take a walk around the farm, see the fauna and flora and check out some of our traditonal farming methods we have here at West Middlewick. From the browse linhay to the old mill leat and back to the cows being milked in the old fashioned shippon. In the school holidays children and families enjoy the campsite and the farm animals. The middle part of the camping field is given over to the children for playing and having fun. Parents can sit and relax and watch the children play from their deck chair. Its a unique opportunity not to be missed. Two log pods can be found at the top of Marys field, where you can wake up and open the door and take in a beautiful unspoilt view of our fields looking over to Exmoor. Marys field has a lot to offer, no marked pitches and a feeling of complete space. There is a toilet block at the bottom of the camping field not too far from Marys field for easy access day and night. We also have a farm shop with cheese made from our cows, juices, chutneys, honeys, delicious creamy farm ice cream and much much more! Great pubs just over a mile away.

Pitches

No availability showing at West Middlewick Farm.

Location

Contact West Middlewick Farm, West Middlewick Farm, Nomansland, Tiverton, Devon EX16 8NP

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Getting There

Take the A361 towards Tiverton (off the M5). After 7 miles take the B3137 from the roundabout towards Witheridge, for 9 miles. A mile after Nomansland you’ll see the farm on the right. Train to Tiverton, then bus no. 155 will drop campers off at the farm.

Reviews

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Rated ★★★★★ over 6 reviews

★★★★★

Amazing Holiday

My family and I have been coming to this site four times now, we came in August 2019. My eldest loves to help with the animals especially at milking time. It's such a experience for children to see the cows being milked, helping feed the calves, collect the eggs, and to see the other animals on the farm, goats, ducks and guinea pigs. Jo and John run a busy farm as well as a farm shop selling delicious Pork and Apple burgers, sausages, cheese, eggs to name a few as well as delicious ice cream. Prices for the pitch are reasonable too, you won't be disappointed coming to West Middlewick Farm.

Aug 18, 2019 by Bec

★★★★★

This is our favourite site

We've camped here loads of times, John, Jo and the family are always friendly and helpful whatever the time or weather. This is excellent value.

Aug 6, 2019 by Naomi Lihou

★★★★★

Amazing Farm/Campsite

We stayed here in July 2017 and had a fantastic 3 night break. If you want a 5 star glamping experience then this is not the place for you, it is a working farm and with that in mind it comes with all the smells and noise that you would expect from a farm. However our 2 year old loved the farm and all the animals, loved milking and helped feed the calves and pigs. Pitches are well spaced and the owners are friendly and happy to talk and explain anything. The only downside that I could was that the showers were a long walk away from the main camping field, although there is a small toilet block in the camping field.

Aug 22, 2017 by Bob

★★★★★

Lovely Site

We have just come back from a weeks stay at this jewel of a campsite.

I must start by saying that Farmer John and his family were friendly and helpful despite being very busy tending to the farm.

Our daughter thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to help herd and feed the cows whilst the cows were being milked. She also had the opportunity to feed the pig and collect the chicken eggs.

Helping with the cows can get quite messy, so if you have your own overalls it would help, if not you can rent them (£4 for the duration of our stay). Wellies are a must at any time of the year if you want to help out with the cows!

There is a toilet block and sink washing facilities at the bottom of the main camping field and toilets, showers operated at 20p for 2 mins., fridge and washing machine up at the top of the field in the main farm buildings. There is a small shop open at different times throughout the day where you can buy cheese made fro the milk produced on the farm, fudge, chutneys and jams, eggs from the farm chickens, postcards, key rings and Wifi. If you wish to go fishing at the lake on the farm, you can buy your ticket in the shop.

There is a little shed on site with leaflets of nearby attractions.

Our camping pitch was in the corner of the field with plenty of room between us and neighbouring tents/caravans with electric hook up and water taps well distributed around the field. The field next door was suitable to let the dogs run off their leads.

There was a central grass area with football goals where children came to play come rain and shine. It was lovely to hear their running around and having fun but wasn't at all noisy as the surrounding countryside muffled their excited voices.

Whilst there we visited Quince Honey Farm not far away which was good. We also visited the Donkey Sanctuary in Sidmouth which about an hours drive way and well worth a visit.

Would definitely like to go back.

Aug 16, 2014 by shandy

★★★★★

Absolute Bliss

West Middlewick Farm is the best campsite we've ever been too, and we go camping for 2 - 3 weeks every year

The staff here are helpful, and the children can join in milking the cows, feeding the calves, egg collecting in the hen house, feeding the cows and much more,

The Egg's that John sells are the freshest you can get!

We camped in the top field, which has a huge central field with football nets, and large pitches all around the field, meaning mums' and dads' can relax while keeping an eye on the kids!

Toilets and shower blocks are clean and well maintained

Wi-fi is quick

All in all a very nice place to camp, and we will be coming back next year

We thank you John and the team for a very enjoyable holiday

Aug 21, 2013 by DannyM

★★★★★

West Middlewick Farm

West Middlewick Farm we miss you! We wonder how those lambs fared after the bottle feeding and how the cows fared after the valiant efforts of an army of mini-me farmers eager to help and learn more. For the keen eyed Parents there's an amazing collection of nostalgic milk bottles but mostly theres oodles of fresh air and laughter.

Jun 18, 2013 by asiveyer

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