Higher Well Farm

Set in 15 acres of Devonshire countryside, Higher Well Farm campsite offers 80 touring pitches set on a working farm. Of these, 64 are offered with electric hook-ups, while three are on hardstandings.

The campsite is best accessed via the A380, then the A385 and satellite navigation is best avoided – it will take you down some small lanes unsuitable for caravans and motorhomes. The campsite itself is located on Waddeton Road, just off Stoke Road.

A winding entrance road leads to a courtyard near farm buildings. Opposite the carpark is a toilet block with clear signs pointing in the direction of reception. This also houses the shop, which stocks basic groceries such as tinned goods, preserves, sauces, cooking oil, tea and coffee, chocolate, milk, bread, sausages and bacon, as well as camping essentials such as gas, cleaning products and awning pegs.

The toilet block near reception is a small unit that houses ladies and gents toilets, as well as a dedicated baby-changing room. All are of a frill-free but decent standard. There’s also a separate building on the campsite that houses the laundry room – this offers coin-operated washing machines and tumble driers, together with two ironing boards (with irons available to borrow) and a couple of stainless steel sinks for hand-washing clothes.

There are 19 static caravans for holiday hire at the lower end of the campsite, with the touring fields being at the highest point on the campsite. These are mainly on grass, which appeared firm and well-drained, with a slight slope. Mature trees and hedging surround the touring fields and the view is rural Devon at its best.

These pitches are all close to the recently-built toilet block which is an attractive building that boasts high ceilings and all modern facilities including smart vanity-style sinks, privacy cubicles and decent showers. There’s also a disabled bathroom with baby-changing facilities and a separate family bathroom, plus an indoor dish-washing / vegetable preparation area and a chemical disposal point. All facilities here are of a high standard.

As the site has no disco or restaurant, and is aimed at families and couples only, it has a tranquil and relaxed feel. It’s worth noting that dogs are allowed on the campsite – if kept on a lead – and there is a separate dog-walking area set aside for them.

For a sit down meal head to the pretty village of Stoke Gbriel it has 2 pubs, a cafe and restaurant. There is also a gift shop and post office/village store.

Within a few miles of the campsite you can also catch the ferry to Dartmouth from Kingswear (only a pound for foot visitors at the time of our visit), while Paignton, Torquay and the harbour at Brixham are all close by.