Enjoy Devon as the locals do with a farm stay in 2023 – farm stays are a great option for families or couples, especially if you like having space, privacy and beautiful surroundings. As you might expect, there are farms all over the county and many of them offer accommodation on a self-catering or B&B basis, making them perfect for a peaceful stay where you can live like a local.

As you might expect, a stay on a farm means that the owners live onsite which gives you a tour guide on hand to offer advice for the best places to visit that tourists wouldn’t usually see and with the majority of them being run independently, you can often pick up special offers and last-minute deals, making it even better! Plus, if you choose to stay as spring begins, you have a chance to meet the new baby lambs and chicks and enjoy a host of home grown food and drink! If you’re lucky, you might even get a trip in a tractor!

If you need a bit more inspiration for your farm holiday in Devon, here are some excellent suggestions to get you started.

On the border of North Devon, which is famous for the quality of the coastline and is home to the UK’s first surf reserve are Wheatland Farm Nature Reserve and Lodges, a perfect destination for anyone who wants to experience rural Devon. These lodges are incredibly eco-friendly, they’re wind powered, so you don’t need to worry about your carbon footprint while staying here. The farm has a couple of accommodation options and never has more than 26 guests at any one time, so you can choose something that suits you and can be sure of a peaceful break. Visitors are welcome to explore all 21 acres of land and keep a look out for the various animals that call it home. Should you want to go a bit further afield, there are a host of little towns and villages around for you to discover, plus the countryside of Mid Devon and the coast of North Devon all within easy reach.

decking at lower campscott

Image: Lower Campscott Farm

Within North Devon and overlooking the coast is Lower Campscott Farm. The farm has holiday homes, lodges and cosy cottages to choose from and prides itself on being ideal for family holidays – everyone is welcome to join in with the daily animal feeding and grab a ride on a tractor! All the lodges are also dog friendly, so it can be a true family holiday. As well as having everything you would expect from a working farm, there is also a games room full of activities to keep guests entertained and has a farm shop on site where you can pick up tasty farm-produced food and drink. When it comes to finding things to do, Farmer Tony is always on hand and happy for you to help with feeding the animals, collecting the eggs and cuddling the newborns. In return, he is also happy to offer advice for things to do and the farm is only a short distance from the most popular places in North Devon. The town of Ilfracombe, with the Tunnels Beaches and its iconic aquarium, is just a stone’s throw away, while you can find the South West Coast Path and Exmoor nearby too.

Alternatively, there is Pickwell Barton Cottage which sits within 600 acres of farmland above Woolacombe and Putsborough beaches. The cottage has been refurbished from the farm’s original coachman’s cottage and remains next to the barn that would have housed the horses, as well as still retaining its original features providing a modern and atmospheric property which easily marries comfort, modernity and character. With the beaches so close and acres to explore, this one is a great option for anyone looking for an adventure holiday, there is even space to hang wetsuits and to store surf boards, bikes and anything else you might need to have a great time. With central heating throughout and a wood burner, as well as a south facing patio, Pickwell Barton is suitable whatever the season.

child feeding goats

Image: Nethway Farm

In South Devon, there is Nethway Farm and their holiday cottages that are just two miles from Dartmouth and Brixham allowing you to easily explore South Devon and the English Riviera. Despite the fact that they are hidden in a valley giving the impression of seclusion, you’re actually very close to all the major attractions that South Devon and the Torbay have to offer. The cottages sleep up to 6 and three of them are dog friendly with enclosed outdoor spaces so you don’t have to worry about your pooch running off! The farm has its own heated indoor swimming pool for guests, as well as a soft play area for smaller children – that’s on top of the farmland for you to explore!

Not sure where you want to stay, just that you like the idea of a farm holiday? Take a look at the portfolio offered by Devon Farms, they specialise in farm and country stays and have a range of holiday cottages all over the county for you to choose from. Whether you want to be near the coast, in the heart of the country or on the outskirts of one of Devon’s cities, there are lots of options to suit a range of guests. All the stays listed with Devon farms offer exceptional standards of hospitality and amazing facilities so you can find something that suits you.

children feeding a chicken

Image: Devon Farms

If you don’t want to be completely self-catering, Devon Farms have B&B options as well as self catering. By staying with one of these properties, you can enjoy a farm stay with an incredible farmhouse breakfast to start each day! What could be better than that!

It isn’t all cottages on offer with a farm stay either, there are several glamping options too, like at Nymetwood Treehouses. The treehouses are set within 20 acres of woodland and meadows with views looking over Dartmoor. The treehouses and the farm is family run and you can find the owners onsite at all times should you need any advice or have any queries about your stay. Not sure what glamping is? Think of it like posh camping! Rather than sleeping under canvas in a sleeping bag, here you can enjoy a king sized bed, bath tubs, fitted kitchens and shower rooms – all within a tree house! It certainly offers a different take on a farm stay!

Interested in a Devon farm stay in 2023? You can find more inspiration here

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