Overview

Looking for a fun and exciting vacation for the whole family? Look no further than Lower Campscott, the perfect farm-stay destination in beautiful rural Devon. Families can stay in a cosy and child-friendly cottage or a spacious lodge, providing a unique and authentic farming experience.

Activities

Are you ready for a farm experience filled with fun and adventure? You and your family can join Farmer Tony on a daily feed run and enjoy a real hands-on farming experience that makes you feel like a true farmer. Kids will love helping to feed the sheep, cattle, pigs, goats, and even the adorable Shetland ponies. They can also collect eggs from the chickens, which roam freely around the farm.

During your stay, there are plenty of opportunities to interact with the animals and become a part of the daily farm routine. At Easter time, you might even be able to bottle-feed the baby lambs! And who can forget the popular tractor and trailer rides that kids and adults enjoy?
The farm offers a wide range of activities for children to enjoy, including daily animal feeding, pony walking, and regular tractor and trailer rides. Kids can explore the farm and play areas safely, immersing themselves in an authentic farm experience. The animals at the farm love attention and interaction from younger guests, especially Muffin, Gypsy, Tiny, and Pip, the Shetland ponies. These ponies adore being groomed and taken for a walk around the farm by their little caretakers.

In addition to the animal activities, the farm has a variety of play areas suitable for all ages. The hardstanding play area is perfect for ball games and football kickabouts, while the grassy play area has swings and a slide that always prove popular with children. The open barn provides a sheltered area for children to play, with straw bales for seating where parents can relax while their children burn off some energy. Younger children can enjoy their play area with a Wendy’s house and soft toys.

For rainy days, there is an indoor play area with games such as table tennis and a pool that everyone can enjoy. Board games and DVDs are also available for borrowing, or guests can take a book from the library.

The farm nature trail and wildlife meadow offer exploration and nature observation opportunities. Follow the circular farm trail and count how many different species of birds, butterflies, and flowers you can spot along the way. Take a break and have an impromptu picnic in the wildflower meadow, where you can watch dragonflies skimming over the ponds. On your way, say hello to the cows and ponies grazing in their paddocks and enjoy a peaceful stroll to Lee Bay or the village pub in Lee along the signposted trail across the farm.

Farmer Tony is always happy to show guests around the farm, explaining the sustainable farming methods, the livestock they keep, and the breeds they have chosen and why.

Food

The self-catering cottages and lodges have their own kitchen and dining areas for intimate family meals. There are also outdoor dining spaces furnished with garden furniture and BBQs, while a large open barn is also available for BBQs when the weather is unfavourable.

For those who prefer a break from cooking, the farm shop offers a selection of Kathy’s homemade meals prepared with the farm’s meat and local produce and essential groceries, local cider, beers, and wine. Grab the kids some of Farmer Tom’s ice cream made with clotted cream or freshly baked cakes and cookies.

Accommodation

There are four lodges and four traditional cottages, which have been converted from farm buildings. Each property takes advantage of the stunning views of the sea and countryside and is thoughtfully furnished with families in mind. The cottages are fully equipped with stair-gates where necessary, and cots and highchairs are free to borrow. All cottages have a dishwasher, washer, dryer, wifi, central heating, and unlimited hot water from the green biomass boiler.

Pinetree Lodge is the ideal holiday home for larger groups or several families, with a capacity of eight guests plus cots. It is located in the centre of the farm and overlooks the play area, offering stunning views of rolling fields to the sea and fantastic sunsets. It has four bedrooms, two doubles, two twins, one bathroom, and one shower room.

Granary Cottage sleeps six guests plus cots and boasts some of the best views of the entire farm. Set at the top of a flight of stone steps, it sits in its own garden, perfect for evening barbecues or watching the sunset after a day of sightseeing. It has three bedrooms, one double, two twins, one bathroom, and one shower room.

Birchtree Lodge sleeps six guests plus cots and is delightfully secluded, with its own driveway, large lawn garden with a BBQ area, and views over the farm’s wildflower meadow and pond to the sea. It has three bedrooms, one double, one twin, one bunk, and one bathroom.

Larchtree Lodge sleeps five guests plus a cot and is situated at the head of the farm in its private garden. It offers light and bright open-plan living with lovely views over the countryside. It has three bedrooms, one double, one twin, one single, one bathroom, and one shower room.

Fuchsia Cottage sleeps four guests plus a cot and is located at the centre of the site adjacent to the play area, with parking in the courtyard directly outside. It has a sunny patio perfect for barbeques and can be booked jointly with Hydrangea to sleep eight. It has two bedrooms, one king-size and one twin, and a bathroom with a shower over the bath. Hydrangea Cottage sleeps four guests plus a cot and is next door to Fuchsia with a similar layout and facilities. Firtree Lodge also sleeps four guests plus a cot and is located at the head of the farm with lovely views over the countryside to the sea. Stable cottage sleeps three guests plus a cot and contains a wealth of character and individuality. It is centrally located and detached, with parking just outside.

Nearby

The surrounding areas offer endless possibilities for fun and adventure. The golden sandy surfing beaches of Woolacombe, Putsborough, and Croyde are just a 10-minute car ride away and are perfect for families with children. Ilfracombe, with its Victorian Tunnel beaches, is also worth a visit. For those who prefer a more relaxed pace, the Tarka trail offers accessible cycling routes right at your doorstep.

Walking enthusiasts will find themselves in paradise with the farm’s footpaths leading to the friendly local pub, the Grampus, and the pretty beach at Lee Bay, perfect for rock pooling. This picturesque bay, within walking distance of the farm, has a small sandy beach and imposing rock formations on either side, making it an ideal spot for families to spend a peaceful afternoon.

Wildersmouth Beach, Hele Bay, and Sandy Cove are other popular coastal spots worth exploring. These beaches are ideal for families looking for a quiet seaside day out, and the tranquil surroundings are perfect for peaceful strolls. High-sided cliffs drop down to a small rocky bay with shingles and sand, and smugglers’ paths to secret beaches make these locations ideal for adventurous families.

For those who prefer to get wet, North Devon offers an array of adrenaline-filled opportunities, including coasteering, surf rafting, kayaking, and kite surfing. Surf South West in Croyde is North Devon’s premier surf school, offering lessons for all ages and abilities.

Summary

Lower Campscott provides the perfect farm-stay destination located in beautiful rural Devon.