Suggestions please for South West campsite

[Bernie]

This has probably been asked a few times, but I cannot seem to find the threads. :(

I'm taking my son camping this weekend and was hoping to go to a farm in Dorset, but upon calling them I was informed that due to a failed planning application, they are not open to camping this year. I'm not sure what planning permission is required, but it seems ludicrous to me that planning permission is needed to allow people to camp on your farm. But that's another story.

My son isn't bushcrafty, so we need a place with toilets, and where we can park near the tent. I'd like it if open fires are allowed, either in a ground-safe drum or on the ground, but it's not essential. Somewhere small, quiet, and possibly only allowing tents is what I have in mind.

I'm in Exmouth (Devon) and would like to be able to reach our campsite on Friday evening after work, so maximum 2 hours drive. Are there any campsites you would recommend?

[Skate]

I have used this one many times but not for a few years now. Very popular and just turn up, no booking needed. At the far end you can park and cross a small stream then camp in the trees where it is a bit quieter.
http://www.ukcampsite.co.uk/sites/details.asp?revid=4530

[Mouse040]

Why not come to the bush farm meet ?

[jus_young]

I have used this one many times but not for a few years now. Very popular and just turn up, no booking needed. At the far end you can park and cross a small stream then camp in the trees where it is a bit quieter.
http://www.ukcampsite.co.uk/sites/details.asp?revid=4530

Nice one Skate, been there as well and it is a lovely spot, basic facilities with nice walks and the option of lighting a fire. One thing to check though is the weather as the river level rises quite fast there, and the run off from the rain washes right across the site to get to the river.

Another couple to contemplate, quite close together -

Cloud Farm http://www.cloudfarmcamping.com/

Again there are basic facilities and fires are allowed. Stayed there last weekend with my Scouts after a good hike across the moors. The owner is a bit of a character and the site can get a little busy but there are some good spots to tuck yourself away from the rest.

Not far up the road is Doone Valley Camp Site http://www.doonevalleycampsite.co.uk/

Again you can have open fires, not stayed there yet myself but know people that return every year so can't be bad.

Both of these are probably more towards the commercial side rather than small sites but without being the 'Holiday Park' types.

[jus_young]

Here is another http://yellowfieldscamping.co.uk/tag/exmoor-camping/

[jus_young]

...and another http://www.brendonvalley.co.uk/milslade-campsite.htm

[Bernie]

Why not come to the bush farm meet ?

Where is that? Is it this weekend?

[Bernie]

Why not come to the bush farm meet ?

I had not seen that. Searched and found http://www.naturalbushcraft.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?6227-Woodland-camp-26-27-July-2013at-bush-farm-wiltshire-near-dorset-somerset-border&highlight=bush+farm+meet

Thank you all, I'll be looking into each now. :)

[Bernie]

We all have our own personal limits, and whilst for some of you a night alone in a strange wood is easy, some people (like me) wouldn't get a wink all night.

Whilst all the suggestions appealed to me, my son asked to go to a campsite we'd been to before. And given that this was for him, not for me, I conceded and we went to Axmouth Campsite. We had a pretty good time, with a mix of walking, crabbing, taking the tram, and cooking on a BBQ and stove and eating at the neighbouring pub. The best thing for me was that he enjoyed being outdoors for a change. Maybe one day he'll enjoy it a little less domesticated and more "natural", but until then... here are some photos:

Friday night, we arrived, pitched the tent and went to the pub for dinner.
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-Hsoit6A2hiM/UfLGftDNKfI/AAAAAAAAKiM/1Flt5Km1zak/w987-h556-no/1374864992115.jpg

We returned to camp to enjoy a log (those wax sawdust ones) in a brake drum on a block provided by the campsite. I saw later that open fires are not allowed. :confused2:
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-3lDMy4105_0/UfPcSmngTgI/AAAAAAAAJ8k/6yOVsOz6TJA/w986-h556-no/IMAG2453.jpg

We were up early the next morning for a cuppa and breakfast of bacon and egg baps.
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-flPXQKSY-CY/UfPcrflE4pI/AAAAAAAAKiM/cj0WArba5pk/w986-h556-no/IMAG2461.jpg

We walked down to the mouth, and then over towards Seaton.
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-_l3PPYUqOh4/UfPeKbaO1tI/AAAAAAAAKCk/jLNPx0yuIUE/w986-h556-no/IMAG2475.jpg

On the bridge at the mouth, I noticed a pigeon right next to me. Have you ever seen such a tame one?
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-TYJ_xEI8j7w/UfPeDp5OwGI/AAAAAAAAKCQ/Li8RJIKlUjc/w986-h556-no/IMAG2474.jpg

Over at Seaton Hole, the water was crystal clear and made me wish I'd brought my mask and fins.
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-yaA_T6Cd8xU/UfPfUAsVllI/AAAAAAAAKiM/pBY7kSpnxh8/w986-h556-no/IMAG2486.jpg

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-Bfau9lId-fc/UfPl1mC2fyI/AAAAAAAAKL8/X0B8zi1nFR0/w986-h556-no/IMAG2505.jpg

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-6xLC7zoQsAU/UfPgJkjDATI/AAAAAAAAKIw/PjThGKwHd5c/w986-h556-no/IMAG2495.jpg

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-1EfzbECxrCM/UfPluZzF11I/AAAAAAAAKLo/l853FhExxjM/w986-h556-no/IMAG2504.jpg

Crabbing at the mouth like a grockle. :ashamed: :D
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-MljgumirVHw/UfU7KAA4HAI/AAAAAAAAKgI/6yHf-wZlZqA/w986-h556-no/IMAG2527.jpg

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-o8EVbaNjaV0/UfTNCdUgiPI/AAAAAAAAKiM/0FpSe_d4b8g/w325-h576-no/IMAG2534.jpg

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-6RRuWGFV4O4/UfTNLmG2CWI/AAAAAAAAKVU/J4BR6Au8hmA/w986-h556-no/IMAG2536.jpg

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-S7jRfDL8UhY/UfTRv7EYUHI/AAAAAAAAKX0/QZjWq-nqN_c/w986-h556-no/IMAG2544.jpg

We pitched the sun sail just in time before the rain came. 2000HH was a welcome cover. :)
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-_2HRQnjBSGo/UfU5dNKeikI/AAAAAAAAKiM/dsIBnXGwHhg/w987-h556-no/IMAG2560.jpg

Dinner was a simple affair, left to right we had red onion caramelised in garlic butter and then seeped in red wine - Cabernet Sauvignon from South Africa - of course :). British sausages in the pan, and two foil packets on the BBQ: mushrooms in garlic butter, and two little Mackerel gifted us by fellow camper "Dave" from over the way who came over for a chat.
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-wxSIZ_au9qg/UfU5VXmmjpI/AAAAAAAAKiM/xYn45htqTEo/w987-h556-no/IMAG2559.jpg

Sunday was a mixed weather day with spots of glorious sunshine and then threats of rain. We took the tram to Colyton and back. Not a bad way to spend a morning, but not cheap either (£10 each, and £2.40 parking). Some nice views though, so it's all good.
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-GjRC17q1Z48/UfU5zda1p8I/AAAAAAAAKiM/53vpfseoCVo/w987-h556-no/IMAG2591.jpg

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-7tpIAD73vYw/UfU5j_6pr8I/AAAAAAAAKiM/4ys0x9fX6Sg/w987-h556-no/IMAG2596.jpg

The weather wasn't as nice the Sunday, but still good for some photos.
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-s-I4KokVom0/UfU5FjPTnhI/AAAAAAAAKiM/1dqrq4-XzEk/w987-h556-no/IMAG2576.jpg

[Big T]

Looks like u had a good time! Don't really matter where you go ad long as you enjoy it!

[Ashley Cawley]

Great to see you and the lad out enjoying the outdoors, great landscape photos Bernie. That pigeon has a ring on so perhaps it's previously been kept? I know at our local boating lake some pigeons will land on you if your holding bread.

Nice way to break him in to camping :) did he enjoy it?

[biker-bri]

I am a bit like you Bernie - can't sleep in strange places on my own, on the other hand if I know there are other like minded people around I tend to
relax and enjoy the experience, bushcraft meet ups are a great way to get out into the countryside and away from the hassle of daily life and as they say a change is as good as a rest
get your self and the lad out more often it will be worth it T^ Bri

[BJ]

T^ looks like a great trip.

[Bernie]

Great to see you and the lad out enjoying the outdoors, great landscape photos Bernie. That pigeon has a ring on so perhaps it's previously been kept? I know at our local boating lake some pigeons will land on you if your holding bread.

Nice way to break him in to camping :) did he enjoy it?

He did indeed; I think time alone with me, no stressing or being told what to do like drying up and clearing up were a few plus points. Also, the good food and plenty of just relaxing. :)

He might be ready for a slightly more "rough" camp next time - now that he knows how chilled out it'll be.

[Proventurer]

Glad you had a great Father & son outing Bernie, but what has the UK done to you?
We are still drinking Cabernet Sauvignon out here in SA!

[Tigger004]

Looks like a good time to me, as said it doesn't matter where as long as you enjoy it, at least it was safe and relaxed for you both