Despite being less than four miles from North Cornwall’s Widemouth Bay, the 33-acre Bakesdown Farm feels like a wild outpost in the back of beyond. There are just four pitches at the top of a farm-side meadow, each petering out into waist-high grass that’s coloured with cow parsley and buttercups. No manicured lawns and regimented plots here; just a refreshingly understated setting and a whole host of chilled-out vibes.
In fact these prized tent spots, mown into the grass and accompanied by a campfire at every pitch, occupy just one of four different meadows hidden around Bakesdown Farm. A second is for ‘exclusive camping’ – a two-acre paddock for groups with its own compost toilet and a shower – while a yurt and a cabin also have patches of their own. It’s these glamping options that perhaps most stand out. They exude the same rustic feel as the rest of the farm – hardwood floors, rugs, and wooden furnishings feel aged but not outdated – and offer the extra comfort of a proper double bed. Both also have their own private kitchen shack with a covered seating area, cooking equipment and a stove.
All of the different meadows around the farm share extra facilities in the main yard itself, a short stroll up the gravelly path. Here there is a proper flushing toilet and electric shower, along with a fridge, freezer and electricity points. The farmyard acts as a sort of gateway into the outside world, reminding you that modern life exists beyond the sanctuary of your private meadow. Beyond the little caravan shop, housing a colouring table at one end and a small farm shop at the other, the road to the outer world awaits. Not that heading down it is a bad thing – surfing, sun lounging and sand castling are all on the other side.
Great Orchard Cabin is a unique hand built structure, all made from local timber sawn here on the farm. It has some of the best views on the farm, looking across the young orchard, over fields and woodland. All the facilities in your field are for your private use.
Your Cabin provides a main sitting room with log burner, separate bedroom with double bed and 2 single beds (you bring all bedding and linen), 2 fold-out camp beds can be set up in the sitting room.
Your Kitchen has a gas hob, sink with drinking water, table and 6 chairs, pots, pans, utensils, cutlery and crockery aplenty.
Your private space has a gas-powered shower and compost toilet in individuals huts, recycling and rubbish facilities, fire pit with log seats and washing line.
'Great Orchard' is the original field name on the 1878 deeds of this 3 acre field. When we moved here, there were no apple trees left, so 12 years ago we re-planted, and now we harvest more apples than we can eat every year! The apple trees are at the top of the field, near your Cabin, then the field runs downhill, to a wetter area. This is perfect for wildflowers such as purple loosestrife, yellow flag and lady's smock. The long tussocky grass here has become a favourite hunting ground for our barn owl. If you walk down the hedge on the left of the field (when starting at the Cabin), right to the bottom, there is easy access to the little patch of woodland. This is a lovely place to explore, climb a tree and paddle in the stream.
There is free use of the fridge, freezer, charging locker and sale of fire boxes (containing logs, kindling and eco firelighters) at £10, sited in the farmyard. These are a shared resource for all the guests staying at Bakesdown Farm. There is no fee for the charging locker, but you leave items for charge at your own risk.