Brightlycott Barton

View prices & book 9.6 121 reviews
Panoramic view of the site
Looking over the site
Entrance lane
Lower tier pitch

  • Small family-run park on a regenerative farm near Barnstaple
  • Peaceful atmosphere with spectacular valley views
  • Table tennis room, dog walking lane and clean modern amenities
Fancy yourself as a bright holiday type? Want to keep well away from the madd(en)ing crowds? Make your way to Barnstaple’s Brightlycott Barton, a small family-run park and farm for canny holidaymakers who want the perks of peace and quiet. The farm focuses on regenerative farming, like sowing herbal leys and planting native tree species rather than agriculture. This is a spot to sit and watch the world go by in contented contemplation: with stunning views over the valley and spacious level pitches, all you have to do is pitch up and sit back. If the kids are harshing your valley vibe, pack them off to the table tennis room in the barn, let them reach for the skies on the swing frame, or gently suggest that they take the dog for a walk in the tree-lined lane next to the site. (The kids at least will probably come back covered in muck, but that shouldn’t stress you out either as there’s free use of the washing machine and tumble dryer on site: suggest that the offspring wash their own clothes if you want to max out your amusement factor.) The modern amenities here will keep you bright and smiling too: there’s a modern shower block with washing-up spot, plus a separate area with disabled facilities and a big fridge freezer for everyone’s use.

Site type

Motorhome pitches 20
Tent pitches 10
Touring caravan pitches 20
Open now
Opens 4 April

Tourist board rating

Please note
  • Under 18s must be accompanied by their parents or legal guardians.
  • The site does not accept breeds/crossbreeds listed in the Dangerous Dogs Act (i.e. Pit Bull Terrier, Japanese Tosa, Dogo Argentino, and Fila Brasileiro) and/or any of the following: Staffordshire bull terrier, American Staffordshire terrier, Rottweiler, any Mastiff or Tosa.
  • Single-sex bookings of 4 or more people (couples and immediate family members excepted) are not permitted via Pitchup.com.
  • This is a quiet site: no music is allowed.

Languages spoken

English

Open from Fri, 4 Apr to

Pitch types & availability

Other options

Reviews

  • 79%
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99% would recommend this site to a friend

97% would stay here again

What customers say

This is a quiet, well-maintained campsite offering spacious pitches and stunning views. Visitors consistently praise the friendly and helpful owner, Charles, and the cleanliness of the facilities, including warm showers. While some mention the facilities are a little dated, they are generally considered adequate. The site is a great base for exploring North Devon, though it is noted as being a little out of the way with limited local amenities within walking distance. Some pitches can be sloped.

Summary AI-generated from Pitchup.com customer reviews

Reviews page 1 of 13
Arrival date (latest first)

Lovely campsite with great countryside views and hospitable owner, Charles. This…

Overall

9 out of 10
Location
10
Value for money
9
Accommodation
No rating
Facilities / Activities
9
Customer service
10
Child friendliness
No rating
Cleanliness
9
Wifi
No rating
Susan C.

Electric grass pitch

Liked Lovely campsite with great countryside views and hospitable owner, Charles. This turned out to be one of our favourite sites and we will definitely return. Located easy 2 miles drive north east of Barnstaple with access to lots of places to visit including Arlington Court, Woolacombe, RHS Rosemoor and Dartington glass. So much to do in the area and lots of fabulous beaches within easy reach.

Disliked Nothing

Recommend to friends Visit again

Quiet, Peaceful, Nice Owner, P Spacious and clean toilets and showers, Hot running…

Overall

9 out of 10
Location
9
Value for money
8
Accommodation
9
Facilities / Activities
9
Customer service
9
Child friendliness
No rating
Cleanliness
8
Wifi
No rating
Marcus A.

Non-electric grass pitch

Liked Quiet, Peaceful, Nice Owner, P
Spacious and clean toilets and showers, Hot running water, Lovely views.

Disliked Nothing

Recommend to friends Visit again

A really great campsite, small and quiet

Overall

10 out of 10
Location
10
Value for money
10
Accommodation
10
Facilities / Activities
10
Customer service
10
Child friendliness
10
Cleanliness
10
Wifi
No rating
Elaine J.

Non-electric grass pitch

Liked Quiet small campsite, not overcrowded and no loud music.
Kids play area was a good focal point for the children to gather and form friendships for their stay.
Close to lots of attractions and Barnstaple town
Clean facilities
Free washing machine
Fridge freezer available
Tumble dryer available
Charles the owner was lovely
My husband declared it the best site he's been to in over 40 years of camping

Disliked Nothing

Recommend to friends Visit again

Excellent site

Overall

10 out of 10
Location
10
Value for money
10
Accommodation
No rating
Facilities / Activities
10
Customer service
10
Child friendliness
10
Cleanliness
10
Wifi
No rating
EMMA G.

Electric grass pitch

Liked Amazing view across a valley. Was sad to leave. Spacious facilities block with hot showers. Washing machine, tumble dryer, hair dryer, indoor washing up area.
Pitches are 10m wide on the top field with the view to the front, so most caravans pitched across the pitch which was weird but best for the view. The road into town is very steep so it’s a 8min car journey or 20min e-bike ride to nearest shop (co-op). Quiet site with no road noise. Grass was well maintained. Kids play area in middle of field. Would stay again. Good 4G signal, could stream Netflix fine.

Disliked Water tap was a bit of a walk, not a problem for us, but something to consider if you can’t carry a watering can or water roller for roughly 200m. We were probably the furthest. We needed the exercise though

Recommend to friends Visit again

A good find for a short camping break.

Overall

9 out of 10
Location
8
Value for money
8
Accommodation
No rating
Facilities / Activities
8
Customer service
10
Child friendliness
8
Cleanliness
8
Wifi
No rating
Anonymous

Electric grass pitch

Liked Lovely views. Quiet, fairly small campsite. Field and swings for children to play. Shower/toilet block adequate size while we were there and seemed clean enough. Useful washing machine and fridge/freezer. Friendly owner.

Recommend to friends Visit again

Overall, great location and everything you'd basically need.

Overall

9 out of 10
Location
10
Value for money
10
Accommodation
No rating
Facilities / Activities
9
Customer service
10
Child friendliness
No rating
Cleanliness
9
Wifi
No rating
Philip B.

Electric grass pitch

Liked Very pleasant, helpful and knowledgeable host.
Clean facilities and extra facilities for use in washing up area.
Site not over lit allowing amazing skies on clear nights without light pollution.
Great views from pitch and easy access to many parts of Devon.
Tarka trail a short cycle away which offers different routes and length to travel.
Would stay again

Disliked Nothing comes to mind.

Recommend to friends Visit again

It’s a peaceful campsite with clean and generous facilities, a strong WiFi…

Overall

10 out of 10
Location
10
Value for money
10
Accommodation
10
Facilities / Activities
10
Customer service
10
Child friendliness
10
Cleanliness
10
Wifi
10
Rey D.

Electric grass pitch

Liked It’s a peaceful campsite with clean and generous facilities, a strong WiFi signal, and, most importantly, excellent service from Charles!

Disliked Nothing to dislike.

Recommend to friends Visit again

Laid back camping on quiet site with great history.

Overall

9 out of 10
Location
8
Value for money
9
Accommodation
8
Facilities / Activities
8
Customer service
10
Child friendliness
9
Cleanliness
8
Wifi
No rating
Duncan H.

Electric grass pitch

Liked Easygoing, laid back camping in a large Devon field away from the crowds.

Disliked Ground under swings was a bit worn and lack of a baby seat meant the play equipment was less suitable for our 16mo toddler. Was fine for our 3yo.

Recommend to friends Visit again

Toller Platz mit weitem Blick ins Land…

Overall

10 out of 10
Location
10
Value for money
10
Accommodation
10
Facilities / Activities
10
Customer service
9
Child friendliness
No rating
Cleanliness
9
Wifi
10
Anonymous

Electric grass pitch

Liked Toller Platz mit weitem Blick ins Land

Recommend to friends Visit again

Amazing weekend, wish it was longer.

Overall

10 out of 10
Location
10
Value for money
10
Accommodation
10
Facilities / Activities
10
Customer service
10
Child friendliness
10
Cleanliness
10
Wifi
1
Marcus G.

Electric grass pitch

Liked The area was beautiful and so peaceful, the views were amazing. The toilets were a short distance and super clean. The owner greeted us on arrival and was very friendly. Would definitely come back.

Disliked Nothing to dislike

Recommend to friends Visit again


Features

Leisure on site

Bar or club house Cycle hire Evening entertainment Fishing Fitness centre Games room Indoor swimming pool Kids' club On-site restaurant/cafe Outdoor swimming pool Play area TV room Take away Tennis Watersports

Amenities on site

Bath available Car parking by pitch/unit Composting toilet Dog park Drying room Food shop Free wifi Ice pack freezing Internet access Launderette Parent & baby washroom Pick-up from public transport Portable toilet Pub toilets Public telephone Shower available Toilet block Washing-up area Wifi

Groups welcome

D. of E. welcome Family friendly Motorcycle friendly Single-sex groups welcome Student groups welcome

Rules

Barbecue provided Barbecues allowed Campfires allowed Commercial vehicles allowed Dogs allowed Dogs allowed all year

Themes

Peaceful

Utilities

Charging facilities Chemical disposal Electric car charging point(s) Gas cylinders available Recycling available Renewable energy

Nearby amenities

Bar nearby Dog walk nearby Nearby farmers' market

Type

Farm Medium (26-50 pitches)

Nearby leisure

Cycle hire nearby Cycling nearby Fishing nearby Golf nearby Horse riding nearby Restaurant nearby Tennis nearby

Touring and motorhomes

Tourer storage facilities

Location

Brightlycott Barton

Shirwell

Barnstaple

Devon

England

EX31 4JJ

Directions

Timezone

Europe/London BST (GMT+01:00)

GPS

51.1005°N
4.02944°W

Route directions

Satnav info: please do not turn right off the A39 at the North Devon District Hospital. This road leads to the site but is a very narrow steep lane and is not suitable for motorhomes or caravans. By train The nearest train station is about three miles away in Barnstaple. This has a regular service from Exeter. If cycling from the station, head for the North Devon District hospital. From here you can either carry on along the A39 or take the quieter lane (Roborough Road) behind the hospital which is a more direct route to the campsite (please note this lane is tarmac but is steep and unsuitable for caravans). By bus Stagecoach buses from Holsworthy, Bideford, Ilfracombe, South Molton, Torrington run to the North Devon District Hospital. From here, the campsite is one mile away up the leafy lane (Roborough Road) behind the hospital. First Devon and Cornwall run regular services to the hospital from Barnstaple bus station, via Service 2.

Nearest transport

Coach
1.9 mi Bus Station
3.4 mi Garage
3.4 mi Garage
Rail
2.3 mi Barnstaple Rail Station
5.8 mi Chapelton (Devon) Rail Station
7.5 mi Umberleigh Rail Station
Ferry
7.5 mi Instow Ferry Landing
7.7 mi Appledore Ferry Landing
8.4 mi Ilfracombe Ferry Landing

Please note: All distances on this page are calculated "as the crow flies" - please check actual distance depending on your mode of travel using the Get directions button above.

Local attractions

Barnstaple has been the main market for north Devon since the Saxons were around, so follow in their Saxony footsteps with a trip to the historic Pannier Market along Butchers Row to bag local food, crafts, art and antiques. Culture vultures can stay on in the town into the evening for stage and film at Queen’s Theatre or catch a gig most nights of the week at the local pubs, while skater bois and girls can hurtle about Barnstaple’s Rock Park at the skate park or in the play area. Elsewhere around, make up for suggesting your small fry do their own laundry by giving them a sandtastic time at the local beaches of Woolacombe, Croyde and Saunton, taking them to explore Exmoor National Park, or having a roaringly top time at the Combe Martin Wildlife and Dinosaur Park. This area of Devon is probably best known for the Tarka Trail, one of the longest traffic-free walking and cycling paths in the country: join it at Barnstaple for strolls and rides around river valleys, bays, moorland and coastal cliffs. For a more leisurely day out, bloom at National Trust’s Marwood Gardens with its camellias and magnolias, tee off at the golf course three miles from the site, or settle into some nearby fishing or horse riding. A fly fishing and trout lake is a mile away from Brightlycott.

Water quality at nearby bathing waters

Name Distance Type 2020201920182017
Combe Martin 7.4 mi Sea PoorPoorPoorPoor
Ilfracombe Hele 8.2 mi Sea N/AGoodGoodGood
Saunton Sands 8.4 mi Sea N/AExcellentExcellentExcellent
Ilfracombe Tunnels Beach 8.7 mi Sea N/AExcellentExcellentExcellent
Putsborough 8.9 mi Sea N/AExcellentExcellentExcellent

Data source: European Environment Agency

Must see

RHS Garden Rosemoor 11.8 mi

Castle Drogo 29.5 mi

National Trust

Arlington Court and the National Trust Carriage Museum 3.7 mi

Heddon Valley 9.1 mi

Watersmeet 13 mi

Holnicote Estate 21.5 mi

Dunster Working Watermill 25.8 mi

Cycle routes

Find local routes on the National Cycle Network - over 12,000 miles of cycling routes.

Other

YOULSTON PARK 1.2 mi

ARLINGTON COURT 3.4 mi

ISLEY MARSH (CURRENT BOUNDARY FROM 05/04/1990) 5.8 mi

CASTLE HILL 7 mi

CHAPEL WOOD (CURRENT BOUNDARY FROM 21/11/1950) 7.1 mi

Please note: All distances on this page are calculated "as the crow flies" - please check actual distance depending on your mode of travel using the Get directions button above.

Nearest sites

Unfortunately, we have no nearby bookable sites.

Want to know more about camping in Devon?

Frequently asked questions

  • Does Brightlycott Barton have a swimming pool? No View all features
  • Is Brightlycott Barton dog friendly? Yes View all features
  • What attractions are near Brightlycott Barton? Barnstaple has been the main market for north Devon since the Saxons were around, so follow in their Saxony footsteps with a trip to the historic Pannier Market along Butchers Row to … Read more
  • When can I check in and check out of Brightlycott Barton?
    Camping and touring
    Arrive:  1 p.m. –  9 p.m.
    Depart by:  11 a.m.
    Read more
  • How much does it cost to stay at Brightlycott Barton? From £15 (for 1 night, 2 adults) - prices may change depending on your dates and party.