The Agrimony at Goren Farm is Common, the St John’s Wort is Hairy and the Tormentil is Creeping. There’s also plenty of Fleabane, Cat’s Ear and Hoary Plantain. If that alarming-sounding list has put you off booking a stay at Goren Farm; go and look them up. It’ll give us, and those who know their wildflowers, just enough time to reserve a bell tent at this wildflower wonderland in East Devon. Opening for June only, this eight-tent site sits among 50 acres of ancient hay meadows with a heady mix of native species that also includes the sweeter-sounding Angelica, Cornflower, Buttercup, Cowslip and Field Forget-Me-Not.
The mix of wildflowers at Goren Farm is, in fact, so special that seeds are harvested and sold on to the likes of the National Trust every year. It’s nature’s work, lovingly protected by owner Julian who left a city career to tend the land. He’s invited the public to explore mown pathways round the meadows for years but 2021 will be the first time you can overnight in this magical place – and it’s for a limited time only. The flowers are at their best in June, before the harvest in July. It’s a four-week, early-summer window that’s being further celebrated with a pop-up restaurant by former River Cottage chef, Gideon Hitchin, which promises a seasonal six-course outdoor dining experience.
In these rustic but sophisticated, semi-natural surroundings, the bell tents are the perfect way to stay. Set up with beds and bedding, they are comfortable but not too fussy, outdoorsy but hassle-free, each with its own fire bowl outside. Cars are parked outside of the precious meadows and glampers are asked to stick to the mown pathways. You enter the camping field with your kit in a wheelbarrow. Tents are pitched around the meadow’s edges and reached via tracks radiating out from a central spot. Facilities are shared and simple; compost loos, washing up sinks and hot water showers.
It’s a 250-metre walk across the fields to the farm buildings where you’ll find a simple shop selling veg from Julian’s market garden, cider from his own press and a few other useful bits and bobs. The pop-up restaurant, open Thursday–Saturday, will be in the former tractor shed. If you’re here during the week and miss it, there are plenty of other eating options. This area of East Devon is a real foodie hotspot with a vineyard and two good pubs in walking distance, Hugh Fearnley-Whitingstall’s River Cottage, and the restaurants of Axminster and Lyme Regis within an easy drive. It’s also within the Blackdown Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty with the fossil-strewn beaches of the Jurassic Coast, just 10 miles away.
The site is situated in the Blackdown Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and there's an abundance of pretty walks starting with the walks through the site's own 50 acres of wildflower meadows. Footpath guides and local maps are available from the farm. The farm is situated approximately 10 miles from the Jurassic coast with many beaches to choose from including Lyme Regis, Branscombe and Sidmouth within striking distance. Lyme Regis has an abundance of places to eat and drink as well as a museum from where there are daily fossil hunting trips, fishing trips, paddleboard lessons, board and kayak hire. Bridport (20 miles away) has a well-known antiques centre with a vintage market on the last Sunday of every month.
There is a shop on site selling the farm's own apple juice, cider and seasonal veg as well as a few campsite supplies and, during June, there is a pop-up restaurant, Breathe@Goren, every Thursday, Friday and Saturday evening offering a six-course fine dining experience with paired drinks from local producers. Booking in advance is essential via Ticket Source. There are two pubs within 40 minutes walking distance: The Tuckers Arms (01404 881342) in Dalwood is the closest, about two miles from site while The Kings Arms (01404 881 686) in Stockland is a little further. The Dalwood Vineyard (07909 545426) is also within walking distance. Other places worth a visit are The Tytherleigh Arms (01460 220214) and River Cottage Kitchen in Axminster, both within 10 miles of Goren Farm. Market day in Axminster is Thursday and there's more local produce available at Millers Farm Shop which you will see on your left hand side as you drive into the town. For a coffee in town, Higgler Coffee is recommended. Axminster also has a choice of two supermarkets. In Lyme Regis, recommended options include Tierra Kitchen (01297 445189) for vegetarian food, Robin Wylde (07308 079427), The Oyster and Fish House (01297 446910) and Pop-Up Kitchen (07803 574548) while Bridport's Red Brick Cafe is a good choice if you're browsing the vintage quarter.