Bales Ash
UK England South West England Devon Chulmleigh, Winkleigh & Umberleigh
Like all the best campsites, there’s not much to see at Bales Ash for most of the year. It has a quietly ephemeral feel that almost makes you wonder whether a campsite really calls this patch of Devon's Taw Valley home at all. There’s no playground and just a few faint lines traced in the grass by vehicles that disappeared in mid September.
But summer is an altogether different story. Alive with the colour of canvas tents and infused by the sound of children's laughter, the distant strumming of a guitar and the evocative aroma of smouldering barbecues, you realise that the campsite is perfect entirely because of its lack of all things permanent. This is a lesson in how all campsites should be: pop-up, fuss free, sheep-mown aprons of grass and refreshingly understated.
Camping at Bales Ash is very much of the chilled-out variety. There are a handful of electric hook-ups for small campervans that don’t mind the country lanes and two spacious fields where up to 30 families or groups can spread themselves around. After that. It’s up to you to find the excitement, whether that be impromptu games of football that rope in strangers from the sidelines or communal evening campfires where kiddies gorge themselves on marshmallows.
That being said, animal lovers will enjoy checking in with the rabbits in ‘The Bunny House’ opposite the shower block, while parents and young children alike will revel in Hungry Gorilla’s Story tent where a friendly life-sized gorilla (don’t worry – he’s stuffed!) has taken up residence for the summer with a selection of children’s books for you to enjoy together.
Yet for all its simplicity, Bales Ash still has everything you could possibly need. Campfire pits are rented out at just £3 for your entire stay, high spec hot showers and top notch compost toilets are available for use and there’s even Wi-Fi. It’s the very antithesis of the holiday park scene, right down to the beautifully furnished bell tents (aka 'The Belles of Bales Ash') nestled against the hedge in the small field. If you don’t fancy putting up your own tent and seek a bit of luxury then one of the Belles may be the girl for you! And whilst we’re talking about luxury why not treat yourself to one of Ann, Debbie and Caro’s unbeatable cream teas whilst enjoying the view from outside their Victorian summer house shop and café? (Remember we’re in Devon here – cream first, jam after).
Beyond, views over the hedges to Exmoor draw you out from your camping cocoon. It’s a half hour drive to the national park, though footpaths closer to home offer similarly pleasant rambling routes even if not feeling quite so ‘remote’ – after all, who’s going to complain if you take in a few pubs en route? To the north, Barnstaple and the coast are closer still (about 20-35 minutes in the car) and boast some of the best surfing beaches in the country, with Croyde, Saunton Sands and Woolacombe all sharing the spoils of the swell that rolls in across the Atlantic. By the time winter comes back around you'll never look at an empty field the same way again.
Our Coronavirus Booking Guarantee
Book with complete confidence at Bales Ash with the Glampingly Coronavirus Booking Guarantee. We guarantee the following clear policy for your booking:
- A low deposit of 30% to secure your booking
- Balance due 30 days before your holiday
- Complete flexibility to move bookings up to the end of 2021 in the event of Coronavirus restrictions
- Due to the flexibility provided we are unable to offer refunds
- This guarantee supersedes any other policies
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Details
Facilities
3 super hot showers, 3 cold water basins, 3 compost toilets plus a portaloo, electric hookups, water taps in both fields, washing machine, freezer. Free Wi-Fi available. Campfires allowed in firepits (supplied by the campsite only), plus there is a large communal firepit – the perfect place to gather under endless Devon skies offer for unrivalled stargazing! On site shop.Suitable For
Tents, camper vans, small motor homes, family and group get togethers, couples children, dogs, awnings and event shelters – yes. Unsuitable for very large caravans and motorhomes.Nearby
The campsite has direct access to a number of local walks – try the gentle one-hour route to the pubs in High Bicklington or visit the woods at Kingford Hill, owned by the Woodland Trust. The South West Coast Path is rightfully popular, and a great way to access some of the quieter, less accessible beaches. Croyde, Woolacombe, Saunton, Putsborough and Westward Ho! are the most well known beaches and all within around 30-minutes' drive. Backed by seaside towns, they're awash with places where you can rent surfboards, take lessons and enjoy fudge and clotted cream ice cream . For family cycling routes, the well known Tarka Trail is a short drive from the campsite; alternately cycle to one of the stations along the Tarka Line train route. For golf enthusiasts, Libbaton Golf Club (01769 560269) – an 18 hole, par 73 course – is less than a mile away.Food & Drink
Homemade cream teas are available (and not to be missed) along with basic camping foods, fresh farm eggs and home baked cakes. Gluten-free bakes (coeliac owner) and vegan bakes are a speciality. There is a well stocked community shop in the village, whilst nearby Barnstaple has all the shops for supplies (Tesco, Sainsburys, Lidl etc) and the coastal villages boast numerous pubs, restaurants and takeaways. There are two pubs in High Bicklington, a pleasant 20 minute walk across the fields from the campsite. The Golden Lion (01769 561006) is the newer of the two, relatively speaking – it's still a 19th century haunt with a single bar and grainy local pictures from yesteryear. The Old George Inn (01769 560513), meanwhile, is a thatched local from the 1500s that retains many original features. There's a cosy bar area with pub grub and a skittle alley. Less than 10 minutes drive gets you to a fab range of gastro pubs – try The Bell Inn (01769 540368) at Chittlehampton, The New Inn (01805 603247) at Roborough, The Rising Sun at Umberleigh (01769 56044 or Ram's Head (01805 804255) at Dolton.Opening Times
Late May – early September.Family Friendly
Summer comes and summer goes but the memories from this pop-up paradise will stick with little ones forever. If every empty meadow could be transformed in this way then the world would surely be a better place.
Why book with Glampingly?
- Coronavirus Booking Guarantee
- Best Price Guarantee, with no fees
- Instant booking confirmation
- Trusted for over 10 years
- A chance to win prizes in our regular competitions
The Owner Says
Accommodation
30 spacious camping pitches and 3 fully equipped 5m bell tents.AnnaBelle
Location
Getting There
bends with a high hedge on your left, drive past a white house and then the next building on your left is the brick built Whitebridge Boarding Kennels. Turn left immediately in front of
the kennels and drive on down the lane, take the first right following the blue arrow sign to Bales Ash (ignoring your sat nav which may try to take you straight ahead down a no through road - don’t!) and follow the lane down until you see a building on your right. Carry on beyond the closed wooden gate and then past the open black gates and enter the campsite through the metal barred gate on your right opposite an old stone barn. Please close the campsite gate behind you and then drive over to The Victorian Summerhouse on the right of the field to book in.
lodge signs on your right, next a skidding car warning sign on your left and almost immediately a blue arrow sign to Bales Ash on your right. Turn right onto the lane and proceed uphill for about 1/4 mile. Campsite entrance is through a metal barred gate on your left (opposite a small stone barn on your right). Please close the campsite gate behind you and then drive over to The Victorian Summerhouse on the right of the field to book in.
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Why book with Glampingly?
- Coronavirus Booking Guarantee
- Best Price Guarantee, with no fees
- Instant booking confirmation
- Trusted for over 10 years
- A chance to win prizes in our regular competitions
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