November 18, 2015

Best campsites in Devon

Finding the place is like making it on to the best VIP guest list in town. Secret Spot Camping, Moor Lane Nursery, Saunton Road, Devon EX33 1HG

Finding the place is like making it on to the best VIP guest list in town.

Never has there been a campsite more aptly named. It took this reviewer 20 minutes and two phone calls to find the place, despite the satnav indicating that I was around 200 metres away. Persevere, though, and the determined camper is rewarded with a brilliant little piece of England to call their own. Our tip is to look out for the sign for Moor Lane Nursery as, rather sweetly, the day-to-day business here is growing and selling gorgeous plants.

What this means is that the whole place is beautifully designed, with stunning plants at every turn. A stroll through the site is a revelation, revealing nooks and crannies peppered with comfy chairs, a barbecue, picnic tables and a wishing well along with essential amenities such as a fridge-freezer, microwave, kettle and so on. Its proximity to Croyde Beach means that it’s a favoured hangout of the surf crowd but, thanks to its tranquil, private vibe, it attracts the more chilled variety of surfer. There’s unspoilt countryside in every direction and you’ll share your stay with butterflies, owls, egrets, bats and dragonflies (plus the lovely Steve and family – this is their home and they'll be on hand to accommodate in any way). Finding the place is like making it on to the best VIP guest list in town. Back to nature, then, but with the bonus of the lively village of Croyde just down the road.