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Summerhill Farm

94%
·
· Devon, Devon, England
90 acres hosted by Ben M.
3 glamping pitches
Private sites
100% of recent Hipcampers say the sites felt private.
Luxury camping on an idyllic, organic Devonshire farm

Passion. It either burns within you, or it doesn’t. Enthusiasm can be faked, but a true passion for something can’t. And Ben has passion. For the animals on the farm he rents from the Soil Association, for organic agriculture, and for sharing his beautiful surroundings with those in need of an escape to the countryside. He currently tends the 90-acre organic farm alone, when his wife Alice is in work; lovingly rearing his 500 hens, 200 geese, flock of sheep, and herd of pure-bred Red Ruby cows. So when folk come to stay in one of the three yurts or the bell tent recently set up on the farm, he’s only too happy to stop for a chat and ask if they’re enjoying their stay. The answer is a resounding 'Yes!'.

Not only are the views down the valley from each tent stunning, but every possible care has gone into furnishing them too. Each comes stocked with tea, coffee, sugar, milk, bread, butter, and eggs (courtesy of Ben’s Hens) to make settling in a breeze after your journey down to Devon. Charcoal and kindling are also provided for the fire pits, stove, and chimenea free of charge; as are candles, a torth, bedding, and towels.

 You don’t even need to go food shopping; it’s all here – in the converted barn next to the comfy campers’ lounge with wood-burning stove, games, pool table, and info is a huge kitchen with an honesty fridge and larder. All the food on offer has a price sticker and you leave the cash in a box. If you’re lucky there’ll be a bowl of delicious, free home-grown veg that needs eating up. Each abode has its own large fridge in the kitchen so you can fill it with organic goodies to your heart’s content. Or even pre-order one of the Hampers for Campers on offer here, stocked with as much produce as the farm can provide, and other food and drink produced from the local area.

 Each of the three yurts sits atop insulating wooden decking and looks down the valley and across to the hills opposite. Two are large Mongolian yurts that sleep up to six and the other is a smaller structure sleeping four or five. The bell tent has its own private corner in a separate field with vistas out to Exmoor, behind. It’s smaller than the yurts and has fewer furnishings, but still comes with a bed and futon mattresses for comfort.

 Campers are welcome to help out on the farm if they wish –collecting eggs from the hens, picking vegetables from the polytunnel and colourful beds, or learning about the animals. This is Soil Association land and various eco-friendly measures have been implemented as a salute to the beautiful surrounding scenery. Not only is the farming here of the sustainable variety, but Summerhill’s hot water is produced through solar thermal energy collected from panels on the barn’s roof; and electricity is powered through a photovoltaic system (more panels), which cuts CO2 emissions and often provides surplus electricity that’s put on to the national grid. Impressive stuff.

 For a start-up site and means of diversification for an organic farmer, Summerhill Farm strikes the perfect balance between working farm, campsite, environmental caretaker, and lovely holiday. And if some of Ben’s passion hasn’t rubbed off on you by the time you leave, you’ll definitely need to come again.

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94%
9 Ratings · 11 reviews
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Piers P.recommends
September 4, 2023
Broad Down Yurt
Happy times
Ben, and his lovely dogs, made us feel very welcome and I have yet to sleep so soundly under canvas. It is ruggedly beautiful on top of the moor and we were lucky enough to have soe wonderful weather to make it even more pleasurable. Do bring lots of logs if you want a fire, but leave your camp cooking equipment at home, this place has the best-equipped kitchen for campers I have ever seen and the games room is a very welcome addition for less lovely days. Many thanks
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Pollywolly P.recommends
August 31, 2023
Broad Down Yurt
Absolutely beautiful setting. The yurt we stayed in was wonderful. My grandsons loved all of the animals and running around with the gorgeous dogs. Accommodation was really comfortable and the facilities were great so we had everything and more that we needed. Ben and Alice were lovely and the boys didn't want to leave.
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Emily C.recommends
August 25, 2023
Broad Down Yurt
As soon as we arrived on the farm we felt instantly relaxed and calm. The area is gorgeous beautiful rolling hills as far as you can see and only the sounds of the farm animals to hear. It was so peaceful. The kitchen had all the equipment that we needed and I even found a drawerr with birthday candles in for our son's birthday cake. This is attached to the communal barn so while I was cooking my son could play within ear shot. The pool table and fussball table were great and my son loved the children's games, books, jigsaw and Peppa Pig DVDs! The yurt was comfortable and our son loved the sense of freedom. My husband appreciated having a proper bed to sleep in and we made use of the campfire areas. The family dogs are adorable, entertaining and really friendly. I loved the sense of nature and being able to watch the nesting house martins in the barn bathroom area. Ben, Alice and their children are all really welcoming and friendly and helped us to feel at home. Our son enjoyed collecting eggs from the chickens and having the chance to sit in a real tractor. The location is also perfect as a base for a variety of location attractions including Dawlish Warren beach (40 mins away) and it was lovely having somewhere so peaceful to return to during the busy August school holidays.
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Matthew H.recommends
August 21, 2023
Broad Down Yurt
Had a great long weekend starting in our yurt. The yurt was lovely with comfy beds, plenty of space and a great view across the valley. The communal kitchen was really nice with everything you could need. The farm and whole site had a really nice atmosphere - relaxed and quiet with just three yurts, Ben and his lovely dogs, some rather loud geese, a herd of Devon reds, and plenty of wildlife !! We loved it and would definitely go back again.
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Kirsty B.recommends
August 5, 2022
Broad Down Yurt
Yurt Camping
We had a lovely time staying in Ben’s yurt. The yurt itself was clean and cosy with supplies of candles and wood and it was so Lovely to sit by the fire pit overlooking the great view of the farm below. The campers barn kitchen was fully equipped with dishwasher, fridges and all cooking equipment and the games room kept the kids amused. A very reasonably priced getaway.
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Saffron W.recommends
April 17, 2021
Hawkham Yurt
We spent 4 nights at Summerhill farm. The children loved spending time feeding the cows and collecting the chicken eggs. We cooked over the camp fire, studied the night sky, and ate marshmallows. The atmosphere is relaxed, the kitchen well equipped, and the shower is lovely and to the temperature you want. The experience was everything I had hoped for. We hope to return in the future.
Location
Devon, 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
Hosted by Ben M.Joined in January 2017
From the host
Summerhill Farm lies in the heart of the beautiful mid Devon countryside, 2 miles from the village of Yeoford, on the Two Moors Way near Crediton. As the name suggests the farm is perched on a hillside below which the river Yeo flows through the farm's species-rich meadows and woodland. A lively, working organic farm with Red Ruby cattle, Black Welsh Mountain sheep, a flock of geese and waddling ducks. At the centre of the farm three spacious Mongolian yurts provide comfortable accommodation, all of which are furnished to a mid-range specification. Sleeping up to 6 people, they are perfect for families, but are equally suitable for couples or groups of friends. Relax and enjoy our quiet and peaceful slice of Devon countryside in our special, tucked away location with stunning views of the rolling hills by day and the starry night sky after dark.
Nearby attractions

The vast and sandy beach at Bude (check the tide times) is a 40-minute drive away. Test yourself on the waves courtesy of Bude Surfing Experience (07779117746) at nearby Summerleaze beach. All ages and abilities are welcome and other activities such as caving, climbing, kayaking and mountain biking can be arranged). Closer to home there’s the riverside walk at Fingle Bridge; and for a spot of history head to Castle Drogo (01647 433306) in Drewsteignton.

Food and drink

You’re on an organic farm so take advantage of the delicious home-grown produce and that of the local area by pre-ordering one of the Hampers for Campers. The ‘honesty’ larder and fridge in the kitchen is stocked with organic fruit bags and veg boxes, meat, eggs, and local juices and ciders. If you want to eat out, The Mulberry (01647 24227) lies 4 miles away in Cheriton Bishop and serves excellent if pricey meals.

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