5 Days Glamping in North Devon - where to stay, where to hike?
Table of Contents
Glamping in North Devon – Make sure to include a visit to Putsborough Sands in your North Devon itinerary
Rough coast line, endless sandy beaches and millennia old villages, North Devon is something out of a fairytale. The coastal area on England’s Southwest Peninsula has always been a favourite weekend getaway and holiday destination for Londoners and the rest of the UK alike. But especially the coming (still Covid stricken) summer marked by ongoing international travel restrictions, the region will be seeing an overwhelming increase in visitors looking for a glamping in North Devon adventure. A staycation of choice for many Brits, it’s home to the South West Coast Path and is one of Europe’s best surfing destinations. Having just returned from a trip last September, I’ll share my 5-day North Devon itinerary for some inspiration!
How to get to North Devon
Let’s start with the practicals first. While there are good train connections from London and Bristol, North Devon is best explored by car. Depending on traffic it’s a roughly 4 to 4 1/2 hour drive from London. Either head on the M3 going inland or choose the M5 and then M4 coming from the north past Bristol. Roughly an hour before your first destination of Croyde Bay, you’ll leave the motorway to drive on smaller and sometimes very narrow country roads. Having driven in Germany most of my life, I often find UK country lanes still tricky to handle. Especially, if you’re taking a van or even a trailer, you need to be a confident driver!
Days 1-3: Glamping in North Devon: Combas Farm in Croyde
The first stop on our little road trip is the village of Croyde and Combas Farm. The farm is only a 10min walk from Croyde Bay and a 15min walk from Puttsborough and Woolacombe Beach. It’s the perfect base for exploring Baggy Point and hiking the area’s part of the South West Coast Path.
Combas Farm offers traditional camping pitches as well as beautiful glamping bell tents run by the North Devon-based startup Canvas and Coast. Canvas and Coast takes glamping in North Devon to a new level providing tents across the region. The farm’s camping facilities are modern and immaculate with spacious shower and toilet cubicles. It’s glamping in North Devon at its finest! You can rent wellies for free which was a life saver for us on our first super rainy day! BBQs and campfires are allowed and each glamping tent is equipped with a fire bowl. The campsite is also equipped with some basic kitchen facilities such a fridge, freezer a couple of large sinks to wash the dishes and a kettle. The site allows dogs so you can bring your pooch.
Set in a secluded valley and sheltered by a hill towards the sea, it doesn’t get too windy here, which is nice especially during often already chilly late summer nights. A short hike up the hill will give you spectacular views over Woolacombe and Croyde Bay.
Canvas and Coast offer different packages, depending on what you wish to find in your bell tent. Their most basic packages only include only the tent and air mattresses, so we will have a closer look at the more comfortable options.
Canvas and Coast Bell Tent – Glamping in North Devon
treat yourself
£110 gets you the comfy and cosy version called Sandy Toes – The bell tent comes equipped with air mattresses, bedding, pillows, towels, fairy lights, rugs and bunting. You only need to bring your own camping chairs and table. Fire pit and cooking utensils on request. For a luxury glamping experience including a double bed you can choose their High Tide package for only an extra £20 a night.
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Highlight
Putsborough Sands and Woolacombe Beach
I have seen many beaches in my life but hands down Woolacombe was one of the most beautiful beaches I have ever been to. From any point looking onto the beach, it was simply awe inspiring. The misty weather in the morning wasn’t taking away from the experience, on the contrary it made the visit even more magical. It’sÂ
Three mile long Woolacombe Beach has been named one of the world’s 20 most beautiful beaches by 2020 Tripadvisor’s Travel Choice awards competing with the likes of Australia’s famous Whitehaven Beach and the Caribbean’s most stunning seasides.Â
View over Woolacombe Beach – Glamping in North Devon itinerary
Putsborough and Woolacombe Beach are technically two separate beaches but merge in the middle. Coming from Croyde and Combas Farm, you’ll arrive on the Putsborough side of the beach stretching all the way to village of Woolacombe further north.
Hike No. 1: Croyde Bay, Baggy Point and Woolacombe - 10 Miles
For A challenge
The Baggy Point to Woolacombe circular walk, is the most beautiful hike in the area and not to be missed in any North Devon Itinerary. It combines spectacular views of the coast, the sand dunes of Woolacombe Warren and back along the beach with breathtaking coastal, sea and farmland views. Depending on the season it’s also an excellent route for wild flowers and bird watching.Â
The roughly 4-5 hour long hike starts at Croyde Bay, a 15min walk from Combas Farm. From here the path takes you towards the headland and Baggy Point offering incredible coastal views over the Hartland to the south, Croyde Bay and Woolacombe to the north. Leaving Baggy Point behind you will then join part of the South West Coast Path for a few miles passing through the Woolacombe Warren sand dunes until you reach Woolacombe village. Time for a pint or some lunch at The Jube! The 3 mile return journey takes you along Woolacombe Beach back to Putsborough Sands and Combas Farm.
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Days 3-5: Glamping in North Devon: Livit Adventures in Abbotsham
Our next stop is the area around historic Bidenford about half an hour drive down the cost. The hike we did here on the South West Coast Path to Westward Ho Beach was my personal favourite of the trip. Livit Adventures is an adventure glamping company offering pre-pitched bell tents and luxury glamping only a 10min walk from the coast in a village called Abbotsham. Livit also offer fully planned adventure weekends including surfing, hiking and wakeboarding during the summer. In good weather the three luxury bell tents overlook the Atlantic Ocean.
Livit Adventure’s campsite is small with a total of nine pre-pitched bell tents including three luxury glamping tents, which are definitely flashpacker worthy! The shower facilities are shared with a larger campsite next door, but we never had to stand in line. There are different food trucks coming twice a week, so if you don’t feel like cooking you can get a delicious take away (more about that later). If you don’t have a camp stove you can rent one for a few Pounds.Â
The site isn’t sheltered so it can get quite windy and cold at night. Make sure you bring warm clothes even in summer. The site is dog-friendly and even allows dogs to sleep in the tents which is a big plus. As far as glamping in North Devon goes, this is one of the coolest glamping sites, located conveniently right by the South West Coastal path.
Top Tip: There are no kitchen and washing up facilities available for the basic tents. If you want to cook, make sure you bring what you need to wash your dishes.
Bell Tent Livit Adventures – Glamping in North Devon
If the budget is a concern and you’re not fussed about a proper bed, stove or fire pit, then go for one of the basic pre-pitched tents. I didn’t find them basic at all – for only £60 a night you get a bell tent, two camping beds (up to four for an extra £20), chairs, rugs, a light and an outdoor seating area.Â
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The deluxe glamping tents are furnished with king size beds, a log burning stove, table and chairs. Set up on individual decks they offer a private area to relax, sit around the fire pit or BBQ. There is even an individual kitchenette, which makes cooking and cleaning up a lot easier. The deluxe tents come with a 2-night minimum stay with a cost of £95 per night. This is great value compared to similar glamping sites in the area.Â
Highlight
Hike No. 2: The South West Coast Path from Abbotsham to Westward Ho! - 5 Miles
This was my favourite hike of the trip. From Westacott Farm and the Livit Adventures Campsite it’s only 10min to the start of the South West Coast Path. Walk towards the sea and you will see the trail signs. From here it’s about 2.5 miles to Westward Ho! (yes the exclamation mark is part of the name) along spectacular coastline. In Westward Ho! you’ll find tons of food stands, restaurants and bars. For the return journey, you can either take the inland route back or the same coastal route which is especially beautiful right before sunset.Â
If you’ve got time for another more challenging hike, turn left when reaching the South West Coast Path. From here it’s about a 9-mile walk to the cute seaside village of Clovelly.
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For the five senses
Taste
The Best Fish and Chips: Kates Plaice Food Truck - a must-try to include in your North Devon itinerary
Simply, the best fish and ships I have ever had. Really. The fish was incredibly fresh with a crunchy batter and good fries. And it’s all gluten free. The truck comes to the campsite every Thursday with changing daily locations around Bidenford. If you don’t happen to be there on Thursday you can find Kates Plaice at Westward Ho Beach on Saturdays. Their facebook page will tell you where to find them each day!Â
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Hike No. 3: Hartland Point Circular Hike - 7.6 Miles
This is the hike with the most spectacular steep cliff formations. Hartland is about a 25min drive from Westacott Farm and the Livit campsite. At first we weren’t sure if it’s worth the drive, but I’m so glad we did drive down there in the end. Just as most of North Devon’s coastline the Hartland Peninsula is a Designated Area of Outstanding Beauty (AONB).
The hike starts at the small public Titchberry Farm parking lot just behind the farm. Start walking towards Blagdon Farm and then Blegberry Cottages on a country lane. From here it’s not far to Blegberry Beach where you’ll join the South West Coast Path for the next four miles. You’ll walk along steep cliffs with breathtaking views over the coast and ocean passed. Once you reach Hartland Point, you’ll spot one of the highlights of the walk – the historic Hartland Point Lighthouse. From here it’s just over a mile to an old naval VHF intercept station before you can leave the coastal path by the Titchberry Farm exit.
Want to explore more of England’s beautiful coast lines? Check out this post about the perfect road trip itinerary around Norfolk!
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Posted at 18:06h, 30 May[…] North Devon is in the southwest of England and is famous for its outstanding moors, striking coastline, gardens and beautiful sandy beaches. It is a popular destination for those seeking a UK staycation with spots that look like they are in a different country and family-friendly. Also, North Devon is a great place to hike and try Glamping too. […]
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Posted at 15:33h, 13 October[…] to get there. Whether you have a day or 5 days to spare, you can check out this 5 day itinerary in North Devon for some […]