Gidleigh Wood

View prices & book 9.7 114 reviews
View to the east
View to the east
Gidleigh wood from higher murchington
Tent and campervan site
Looking north
Looking north
Sun rises over gidleigh wood.
Gidleigh woods tent and campervan pitch
Easter sunday
1/161
Gidleigh wood from higher murchington
Tent and campervan site
Looking north

  • Simple pitches in 150 acres of privately owned Devon woodland
  • A 20-minute drive to Okehampton; 40 minutes to Exeter
  • Direct access to Dartmoor and the Two Moors Way, plus walks on site
Get down to Devon and a gorgeous setting in Dartmoor National Park – the simple grass pitches at Gidleigh Wood are part of a 150-acre site that’s mainly filled with conifer and broadleaf trees in the north Teign river valley. It’s an extremely peaceful location – and a scenic one too, with views out over the surrounding hills and woodland. If you’ve come this way for a bit of walking or cycling, you’re in the right place. Such outings can start right there on site, as there are numerous tracks crisscrossing the woodland, including one that takes you up Princeps Tor (with an elevation of 333 metres). There’s a mile or so of river frontage too, so you can get a close look at the water (it’s an unusual colour thanks to the peaty moorland soil…) Beyond the woods, you can get out onto the moors via a footbridge over the river. Once you’ve crossed the water, there’s a generous 365 square miles of moorland to explore, with nearby walks taking you to places like Kestor Rock and some standing stones. Something even longer in mind? This is a popular spot with students on Duke of Edinburgh Award expeditions, and it’s also a handy stopover point for the Two Moors Way, as the Mariners Way (part of the longer trail) runs through the woods. Life on site is fairly simple, with just the essential facilities provided – guests will have access to showers, compost toilets and a washing-up area but are otherwise left to their own devices.

Site type

Tent pitches 15
Motorhome pitches 3
Open now
Opens 28 August
Please note
  • Under 18s must be accompanied by their parents or legal guardians.
  • Your dog must be tattooed or microchipped.
  • The site does not accept breeds/crossbreeds listed in the Dangerous Dogs Act (i.e. XL Bully, Pit Bull Terrier, Japanese Tosa, Dogo Argentino, and Fila Brasileiro).
  • Continental touring caravans (caravans built with the passenger door on the right-hand side) are not permitted.
  • If making a fire, the fuel, logs and coal have to be purchased on site.
  • Swimming in the lake is not allowed.
  • Please note that the shower facilities are unisex.

Languages spoken

English

Open from Thu, 28 Aug to

Open from Tue, 30 Dec 2025 to

No availability here for your search criteria

Reviews

9.7

Overall rating from 114 Pitchup.com customers

  • 85%
    10
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    9
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    8
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    5
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Location
 10
Value for money
 10
Accommodation
 9
Facilities / Activities
 9
Customer service
 10
Child friendliness
 9
Cleanliness
 10
Wifi
 7
ForestPeaceful

98% would recommend this site to a friend

97% would stay here again

What customers say

This quiet, semi-wild campsite in lovely woodland by Dartmoor offers direct access to walks. Hosts Mark and Karen are praised for being friendly and helpful. Facilities like compost toilets and hot showers are clean. The communal fire pit is a hit. Some narrow approach roads and gentle slopes on pitches are noted.

Summary AI-generated from Pitchup.com customer reviews

Reviews page 1 of 12
Arrival date (latest first)

A wonderful, peaceful stay . Site…

Overall

10 out of 10
Location
 10
Value for money
 10
Accommodation
 No rating
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Customer service
 10
Child friendliness
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Cleanliness
 10
Wifi
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Helen D.

Non-electric grass motorhome pitch

Liked A wonderful, peaceful stay . Site was set in woodland with beautiful views along the forest tracks perfect for dog walks. Very friendly owners. Will definitely be back.

Recommend to friends Visit again

Tranquility at its best.

Overall

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

Non-electric grass motorhome pitch

Liked The simplicity and ease of everything. Mark has yet again done it v.well indeed. This time I bought my kids so they really got stuck into the off grid camping. Lovely wild swimming nearby too.

Recommend to friends Visit again

Wonderful, peaceful spot nestled in the…

Overall

10 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
Rebecca B.

Non-electric grass tent pitch

Liked Wonderful, peaceful spot nestled in the trees. Feels remote with access to beautiful walks on Dartmoor but also only around 2 miles to Chagford for a pint and a small shop.

Shout out to Mark, the friendly owner, for his helpfulness and resourcefulness - we forgot the pump for our airbed and he made one out of a milk bottle top and a canister of compressed air! Above and beyond what we expected.

Compost loos and shower also v clean and well-maintained.

Recommend to friends Visit again

Fantastic campsite! Beautiful locations and very…

Overall

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

Non-electric grass tent pitch

Liked Fantastic campsite! Beautiful locations and very relaxed. The owners were fantastic and very attentive. Thoroughly enjoyed my stay and hope to return in the future. Loved being able to swim in the river too!

Disliked I wake up early so it wasn’t and issue for me, but I could see how having 1 shower could be an issue when it’s busy.

Recommend to friends Visit again

This camp site is very special in and Mark made us feel very welcome

Overall

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

Non-electric grass tent pitch

Liked Wonderful peaceful location with the sounds of bird to wake up to. So good not being able to hear any roads!
Great location for getting up on your the high moor with excellent walks from the site. Would definitely recommend for anyone wanting to explore this area.

Recommend to friends Visit again

From the manager: Hi Emma, just read your review and thank you so much for your kind words. I really enjoyed chatting with you and would love to see you again, and thank you so much for rating Gidleigh wood campsite a 10/10!

Mark

The big dark sky at night…

Overall

10 out of 10
Location
 10
Value for money
 10
Accommodation
 No rating
Facilities / Activities
 9
Customer service
 10
Child friendliness
 No rating
Cleanliness
 10
Wifi
 7
Gordon C.

Non-electric grass tent pitch

Liked The big dark sky at night was amazing up there on the edge of Dartmoor nestled among a small forest. The owners were very kind and laid back, they furnished us with as much kindling for our bbq and fire pit, and some logs to get us started each day for free! It was peaceful and really well managed. Lots of walks in all directions to villages, pubs and the moor just a few minutes away. We reckon we’ll be back next year. Thankyou Mark and Wife!

Disliked Nothing to dislike!

Recommend to friends Visit again

From the manager: Many thanks Gordon for lovely review and rating us a 10/10! So glad you enjoyed your stay at Gidleigh wood campsite and we look forward to seeing you again next year.

Mark

Very relaxed atmosphere. Lovely peaceful location.…

Overall

10 out of 10
Location
 10
Value for money
 10
Accommodation
 No rating
Facilities / Activities
 5
Customer service
 10
Child friendliness
 No rating
Cleanliness
 7
Wifi
 No rating
Tina P.

Non-electric grass motorhome pitch

Liked Very relaxed atmosphere. Lovely peaceful location.

Recommend to friends Visit again

From the manager: Many thanks Tina for rating Gidleigh wood campsite a 10! We really appreciate it and that's why we do it.
So glad you enjoyed your stay and we look forward to seeing you again next year.

Mark

Mark and Karen are amazing hosts.…

Overall

10 out of 10
Location
 10
Value for money
 10
Accommodation
 No rating
Facilities / Activities
 10
Customer service
 10
Child friendliness
 No rating
Cleanliness
 10
Wifi
 1
Karen B.

Non-electric grass motorhome pitch

Liked Mark and Karen are amazing hosts. The site is a bit tricky to find… but omg what a stunning place! Very basic, compost toilet and a shower, sink and recycling area.
Walks within the woods take you to the river- wish I had prepared and then be able to go in for a swim.

Disliked Roads getting g to the site… but that’s Devon for you.

Recommend to friends Visit again

Peaceful, friendly, amazing walks on site-…

Overall

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

Non-electric grass motorhome pitch

Liked Peaceful, friendly, amazing walks on site- what’s not to love!! Will definitely return as soon as possible next spring.

Recommend to friends Visit again

From the manager: Many thanks Kerry for giving us a 10/10!
We are so glad you enjoyed your stay at Gidleigh wood campsite and we look forward to seeing you again soon.

Cheers

Mark

A Fantastic place to stay to unwind and relax.

Overall

9 out of 10
Location
 9
Value for money
 10
Accommodation
 No rating
Facilities / Activities
 7
Customer service
 10
Child friendliness
 No rating
Cleanliness
 10
Wifi
 No rating
Luke D.

Non-electric grass motorhome pitch

Liked The peace and tranquility.

Disliked Nothing

Recommend to friends Visit again

From the manager: Many thanks Luke for your lovely review.

Mark

Features

Pop-up campground

Dogs allowed

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

Utilities

Charging facilities Chemical disposal Electric car charging point(s) Gas cylinders available No drinkable water point Recycling available Renewable energy

Nearby amenities

Bar nearby Dog walk nearby

Type

Farm Pop-up campground Small (11-25 pitches)

Location

Gidleigh Wood

Berrydown Road

Gidleigh

Chagford

Devon

England

TQ13 8HR

Directions

Timezone

Europe/London +0100 (GMT+01:00)

GPS

50.67838°N
3.88191°W

Nearest transport

Coach
10.9 km Thomas Cook
23.7 km Bus Station
25.8 km Bus Station
Rail
10.1 km Okehampton Rail Station
11.2 km Sampford Courtenay Rail Station
15.5 km Yeoford Rail Station
Ferry
29.1 km Topsham Lock Ferry Landing
29.3 km Topsham Ferry Landing
29.4 km Topsham (Turf Lock Ferry) Ferry Landing
Airport
33.4 km Exeter International Airport

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

Fancy a challenge once you’ve warmed up on the trails nearby? How about a hike up High Willhays, the highest point in southern England at 621 metres. Meldon Hill, just outside Chagford, is another that’s worth a climb for some excellent moorland views. Shilley Pool, a few miles north of the site, is a lovely spot to cool off with some wild swimming in the river. For a glimpse into times gone by, stop by at the National Trust’s Finch Foundry (15 minutes’ drive) to see an old water-powered forge, or head to the Museum of Dartmoor Life (20 minutes) to explore the themed exhibits. Castle Drogo (20 minutes) may look like a historic building thanks to its medieval styling but it was actually constructed in the 20th century by renowned architect Edwin Lutyens – that modern take on a traditional style makes it a fascinating place to visit. Other days out nearby might take you over to Exeter (40 minutes) to visit the cathedral and museums and delve into the underground passages, or down to the coast for a day on the beach in Dawlish (45 minutes).

Water quality at nearby bathing waters

Name Distance Type 2020201920182017
Shaldon 30.9 km Estuary N/AExcellentExcellentExcellent
Teignmouth Town 31.1 km Sea N/AExcellentExcellentExcellent
Dawlish Coryton Cove 31.4 km Sea N/AExcellentExcellentExcellent
Ness Cove 31.4 km Sea N/AExcellentExcellentExcellent
Dawlish Town 31.4 km Sea N/AGoodGoodExcellent

Data source: European Environment Agency

Must see

Castle Drogo 5.3 km

Buckfast Abbey 21.9 km

Exeter Cathedral - Church of Saint Peter 25.3 km

Dartmoor Zoological Park 30.9 km

The National Trust Killerton House & Gardens 32.4 km

National Trust

Castle Drogo 5.3 km

Finch Foundry 6.5 km

The Church House 12.4 km

Lydford Gorge 16.5 km

Buckland Abbey 28.2 km

Cycle routes

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

Other

Chagford - Castle Drogo - Fingle Bridge 3.5 km

CASTLE DROGO 5.9 km

Bennet's Cross - Huckney Tor - Vitifer Mine Complex - Bennet's Cross 6.7 km

WOOD HOUSE 7.8 km

Postbridge CP - Broad Down - Longaford Tor - Powder Mills 9.7 km

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.

Want to know more about camping in Devon?

Frequently asked questions

  • Does Gidleigh Wood have a swimming pool? No View all features
  • Is Gidleigh Wood dog friendly? Yes View all features
  • What attractions are near Gidleigh Wood? Fancy a challenge once you’ve warmed up on the trails nearby? How about a hike up High Willhays, the highest point in southern England at 621 metres. Meldon Hill, just outside Chagford, … Read more
  • When can I check in and check out of Gidleigh Wood?
    Camping and touring
    Arrive:  noon –  8 p.m.
    Depart by:  noon
    Read more
  • How much does it cost to stay at Gidleigh Wood? From R572,17 (for 1 night, 2 adults) - prices may change depending on your dates and party.