Middle Stone Farm
UK England South West England Somerset Taunton
It seems fitting that Middle Stone Farm has named its six safari tents Buzzard, Hawk, Kestrel, Badger, Fox and Stag, in two separate three acre fields with brilliant views towards the surrounding hills. Positioned between Exmoor and the Quantock Hills, this remote patch of rural Somerset is an ideal sanctuary for wildlife. Barn owls can occasionally be heard hooting and house martins arrive beneath the eaves of Catherine and Patrick’s farmhouse every summer. Then there are the farm’s own critters: goats, sheep, chickens and alpacas – it all adds to Middle Stone’s blissful backcountry feel.
Firmly at the upper end of the luxury scale, the safari tents feature everything you could possibly need beneath the forest green wingspan of their canvas roofs, including some added luxuries, like wood fired hot tubs outside, perfect for star spotting at night. At the heart of each tent is the wood-burning stove – a source of heat but also great for cooking on – and there’s even a small fridge beneath the aptly named ‘cupboard bed’: a two-person cubbyhole in the wall that children particularly adore. Each tent has an en-suite shower room at the far end, while, out front, the large sun deck reveals far-reaching views towards the Somerset hills.
In its own private corner of the farm, a wooden cabin called The Deckhouse offers an alternative to the three safari tents, and can be booked on its own or, if you're quick, together with the rest of the site to accommodate larger groups (they happily host small wedding parties and organised groups). The whitewashed cabin works well for both couples and families, with a king-sized bed and separate bunkroom, while a large, open plan living space has a slightly retro feel. It makes a beautiful contrast with the modern shower room and smart new wood-burner that gives added warmth to the airy interior. Plus, of course there’s another wood-fired hot tub just outside, complete with a barbecue area, log store and views across the farmland.
Evening campfires remind guests that, despite all the luxuries, this is still very much a camping holiday. Organic meat from the farm is available from the site shop if you want something to sear over the flames, along with local ciders, beer and wine, Exmoor gin, sourdough from the local bakery and the weekend papers (among other treats). For a proper pint, though, it’s a fair trek along the Somerset footpaths (three-and-a-half miles) to the nearest local watering hole. But then, the real gift of this glampsite is its off-the-beaten track location. Hop in to the car to get to the West Somerset beaches, drive the 20 minutes to the Quantock Hills, explore the nearby market town of Taunton or cycle into the fringes of Exmoor National Park three miles away. Off the track it may be, but you needn’t drive far for heaps of options.
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The Owner Says
Award Winning Middle Stone Farm in rural West Somerset offers six luxuriously furnished safari lodges a wooden cabin and cottage each complete with their own private hot tubs and views of the surrounding hills.
The safari lodges each sleep up to six people (Stag Lodge sleeps eight), they are spacious and comfy and equipped with everything you need for your stay. With ensuite spacious bathrooms, hot water showers, flushing loos, large wood-burning Aga style stove for cooking and heating the tent, a mini fridge-freezer, charging sockets and high quality furnishings, these exceptional safari tents represent the very best in luxury UK glamping. Outside each lodge has its own wood fired hot tub, bbq area, picnic table and hammock.
The Deckhouse cabin is on a different area of the farm, perfect for couples or families seeking a bit more privacy. It looks out onto rolling farmland with geese, sheep and alpaca. It also has its own wood fired hot tub, barbecue, hammock and picnic table.
Middle Stone Farm is ideally located for exploring Exmoor National Park and the stunning North Devon coast. Porlock Weir, Dunster Castle and Tarr Steps are within easy reach. You could also go fossil-hunting on Kilve beach or take a trip on the popular West Somerset Railway, the South Devon beaches are only an hour's drive away.
On-site, there is a well-stocked farm shop (open from Easter until the end of October) with local foods, warm croissants in the morning, meat from the farm, local beers, ciders and well priced wine along with all the essentials for your trip. Barbecues are provided of course, so stock up on local produce and have a zero-food-mile cook up!
On the 30 acre farm you'll see an assortment of friendly and curious animals, look out for the alpaca, rare breed sheep and pigs, in the Spring there's an opportunity to help feed orphan lambs and goats.
The safari lodges are open from April to November, the Deckhouse Cabin and Stable Cottage are open all year round. We have a minimum 2 night stay and during the school summer holidays we offer week stays.
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Middle Stone Farm
Middle Stone Farm, Brompton Ralph, Somerset TA4 2RT
Pitches
6 luxury safari lodges with hot tubs, a quirky cabin with hot tub and a holiday cottage too.
Who's In
Glamping only. Couples, families, friends, large groups to hire the whole site (up to 50 guests) – yes. Tents, campervans and caravans – no.
Facilities
Middle Stone Farm has 6 safari lodges - 3 in two separate fields. There is also a bespoke wooden cabin called The Deckhouse and stable conversion cottage. Each accommodation has a wood fired hot tub (optional extra). Five of the safari tents sleep 6 guests in a king room, twin room and cabin bed and Stag Lodge sleeps 8. All the accommodation has private bathrooms with flushing loos and hot showers. Bedlinen and towels are provided. The kitchens in the safari lodges are well equipped with fridge/freezer, electricity and large Aga style wood burning stove. Logs are provided for free for use within the safari tents and the Deckhouse Cabin. There is a single electrical socket for charging phones and 4G reception. The Stable Cottage has WiFi. The on-site shop sells local food, farm produce, wine, local beer and cider, as well as basic groceries. BBQs are provided and firebaskets are available for campfires (wood can be bought on site for this). Laundry and babysitting service available. Farm tours from Spring to October. Gazebo available for group bookings. Lots of animals to see, two play areas.
If it rains
It's a 15 minute drive to the West Somerset Railway(01643 704996) – the longest heritage railway in England, where you can take in the fine countryside scenery within the protection of your carriage.
Family Friendly
You don't need to go on safari to stay in a safari tent these days. But with alpacas, goats and rare breed pigs and sheep, you can make a very British safari of your own at Middle Stone Farm. Binoculars aren't even required.Nearby
It's 3 miles to Exmoor National Park (01398 323665), home to some of the finest walking in the country, with Tarr Steps a particularly good route for families. A little further north and you end up at the seaside, overlooking the Bristol Channel. Kilve beach, an area of Special Scientific Interest, is a top spot to go searching for fossils, while the sandy beach at Blue Anchor Bay is also popular – backed by the Smugglers Inn (01984 640385), serving excellent fish and chips. Within the national park, Porlock and Lynton are also particularly stunning areas of the coast. The National Trust owned wild garden at Fyne Court is hidden away in the nearby Quantock Hills, just east of the campsite, and 11th-century Dunster Castle (01643 821314), surrounded by a charming medieval village, is also within half an hour.
Food & Drink
You can order homemade meals, breakfast hampers and meat from the farm. The farm's honesty shop is open from April to October. Every Saturday until midday there is a farmers' market at Wiveliscombe (8 minute drive).
Open
Deckhouse cabin & cottage: Open all year.
Safari tents: Easter–October.
Getting There
A rare campsite where putting the postcode in your Sat Nav actually works! It will bring you all the way and take the quickest route. If you don't have one, then, from Taunton, take the B3227 to Wiveliscombe. In Wiveliscombe take the B3188 which will take you through the village of Ford and up the hill to Pitsford Hill and past the cricket club. ¼ mile from Pitsford Hill take the lane marked Brompton Ralph on the left, Middle Stone Farm is the first driveway on the left.
Public Transport
A direct train from London Paddington (0845 748 4950) to Taunton (0845 748 4950) takes 1hr 45 minutes if you're on the fast train. The glamping site is still a 30 minute drive from Taunton train station though and there is no public transport to Brompton Ralph. You need a car to make the most of your visit!
Facilities
- Dogs welcome
- Campfires permitted
- Groups welcome
- Good for kids
- Exclusive Hire
- Children’s playground
- Showers
- Hot Tubs
Looking For...
- Dog-friendly
- Nice Views from Site
- Remote location
- Beaches nearby
- Romantic retreat
- Good walks nearby
- Bicycle routes nearby
- On the farm
Related Guides
See Campsites in Exmoor National Park
See Campsites in the West Country
