Hot showers, incredibly comfortable beds, fabulous views and deer. Set in an elevated position in a 15-acre field, this novel glamping site finds itself in the heart of a Devon deer park, with red deer nibbling at the grass around your safari tent veranda and strutting their stuff through the enclosure in front of the lodges. Owners Paul and Kylie describe it as 'a rural glamping haven with a difference’. And given most glamping sites don't boast hungry ruminants hoofing around in front of their safari tents, describing it as 'different' is probably an understatement.
At it's heart, of course, Wootten Deer Park is still a glamping site that helps fulfil the staples of a good holiday. The lodges are comfortably furnished with fully fitted kitchens, proper beds, shower rooms and cosy living spaces with wood burners and deep sofas. Comforts include WiFi and proper TVs – ideal should you get a rainy day. The tent interiors are wood-clad, with sliding barn style doors providing more privacy than usual glamping digs afford. Out front, meanwhile, each tent has a raised front deck that stretches through the fence of the deer enclosure so that the animals can wander right alongside.
Most of the deer here are farmed for the park's sustainable Devon venison (BBQ and breakfast packs can be delivered to your tent). But some have been hand reared and end up being family pets instead. Visit between May and September and you may well find you have the opportunity to help bottle feed orphaned fawns. Doing so comes with the disclaimer of possibly making a friend for life – the deer may want to see you just as often as you want to spend time with them.
Nearby Dartmoor (around 20 minutes in the car) means that, elsewhere, you can enjoy picnics with the famous Dartmoor ponies and the national park is also becoming particularly well known as a good spot for seeing otters (though they're still an elusive creature). Indeed, one of the closest places in the park is the West Okement River and the Meldon Reservoir, a wonderfully watery place to explore (and with good access for visitors). For wildlife, then, Wootten Deer Park is pretty tough to top. Handy, then, that it's so very comfortable too.
It's a 15-minute drive to Okehampton, home to the Museum of Dartmoor Life (01837 52295) and, ultimately, the gateway town into Dartmoor National Park itself. Just beyond the town is the last working water-powered forge in England, now cared for by the National Trust, and also the popular Meldon Reservoir, where there's a big car park that makes for a popular starting point for many of the top walks in the north of Dartmoor as well as giving access to the cycle path over dramatic Meldon Viaduct. Further afield, it's around half an hour to Exeter and 40 minutes to the coast beyond and just over an hour to the world-famous Eden Project.
You can pre-order venison hampers, BBQ hampers and breakfast hampers with local produce as well as the farm's own goods. There is a Co-op in the Village of Bow (one and a half miles away), which should have everything you need for your glamping stay. It's just over a mile to The Waie Inn (01363 82348), with a soft play area for little'uns named 'The Waie to Play'. The New Inn at Sampford Courtenay (0183782247) is a 10-minute drive away and has a beer garden as well as paddocks and gardens for the kids to play in. Paschoe House (01363 84244) is another great option if you are in the mood for some fine dining. This beautiful spot is rapidly gaining the reputation of being the foodie destination of the South West, using local produce and a sense of artistry to wow everyone who dines for breakfast, lunch or dinner.