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Deer Barn Retreats

93%
·
· Taunton, England
6 acres hosted by Emily H.
3 glamping pitches
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Creature comforts
Enjoy the comforts of home at some sites—including flush toilets, showers, and a kitchen.
Dog-friendly glamping on the Somerset-Devon border

It doesn’t take long to work out how Devon glamping site Deer Barn Retreats got its name. Stay quiet under the canvas cover of the lodge or bell tent here and the deer soon make an appearance. It’s one of the wild delights of staying at this pleasant place on the Devon side of the Devon-Somerset border. Others are the woodland birds and wildflowers. But it’s not too wild out here. Your accommodation, for example, is perfectly pleasant and there’s a pub for dinner just a 15-minute walk away.

Hosts Emily and John have set up this dog-friendly glamping retreat in the field next to their house. They’ll welcome you to the site and show you your accommodation and the shared facilities. These include the larder (with an honesty shop, dishwashing sink and somewhere to charge your phone) and an indoor bathroom per tent – complete with flushing loo and hot shower. Stroll over to the safari tent-style canvas lodge or the six metre bell tent where you’ve chosen to stay and things are more stripped back.

There’s no running water and no electricity which means limited lighting – and plenty of opportunity to see stars. Just because it’s off grid, it doesn’t mean you can’t expect comfort. In fact, there’s plenty of that. Comfortable beds and quality linen offer a good night’s sleep in whichever accommodation you’ve chosen. The canvas lodge sleeps up to five and has two separate bedrooms while the single space of the six-metre bell tent is as good for a couple as it is for a family of four. Both are positioned in a copse of trees with views over the meadow where those deer often graze. And both have cooking kit, a fire pit and day one’s logs provided.

If a campfire dinner doesn’t appeal, however, The Staplecross Inn is just over half a mile up the lane – it’s popular so book in advance. It’s a good option if you’ve been out exploring all day. Perhaps you’ll be spending your time on the beach at Topsham, Exmouth or Porlock Wier, or walking in nearby Exmoor National Park.

Activities
Biking
Hiking
Horseback riding
Wildlife watching
Natural features
Field
93%
29 Ratings · 25 reviews
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Gabriella J.
September 9, 2024
Canvas Lodge in Wildflower Meadow
Emily was really friendly and helpful and the campsite was lovely- really pretty views from the lodge and nice and cosy!
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Caz S.recommends
August 28, 2024
Bell Suite in Wild Flower Meadow
Magical and Peaceful Stay
We recently stayed in a bell tent at the Wild Flower Meadow in Taunton and had a wonderful time. The peacefulness of having the whole site to ourselves made it truly special. Emily greeted us warmly on arrival and showed us around. Our daughter especially enjoyed the outdoor games, which were free to use. The site was spotless, with clean tents, kitchen and bathroom. Emily mentioned that we might spot wild deer in the fields, and at 7 am, after an early start by the campfire, we were thrilled to see them. It was a magical experience, made even more special with the binoculars thoughtfully provided in the tent. Overall, it was a very positive stay with lovely touches throughout. Thank you, Emily!
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Stef N.recommends
June 6, 2024
Bell Suite in Wild Flower Meadow
Peaceful solitude, stunning views, immaculate high quality facilities. Perfect stay. Thank you for providing this space.
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Beth P.recommends
June 4, 2024
Bell Suite in Wild Flower Meadow
Beautiful location, very peaceful and feels like a real get away. There are only two on site so makes it very quiet and private. They have thought of everything you need and wre very helpful. Would definitely recommend.
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Helen V.
May 29, 2024
Canvas Lodge in Wildflower Meadow
Overall was a nice break. The tent itself was cosy and there were plenty of blankets and water bottles to use if necessary. The gas heater was a bonus as well but some instructions on how to light it would be useful. Be aware that the sink in the tent is not for use as it is not plumbed in. You need to carry all washing up etc to the kitchen at the bottom of the hill - bare this is mind if less able bodied. The information provided states that all you need to take are towels however I would suggest taking coffee and tea etc as the supplies in the kitchen left a lot to be desired. One teabag and dried up coffee in the bottom of a container.
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Lynne G.recommends
April 24, 2024
Canvas Lodge in Wildflower Meadow
We had a lovely stay at Emily’s lodge. Being early April, the weather was changeable and sometimes quite cold but the lodge was very cosy, especially with some warmth from the stove and the extra blankets provided. We had the entire field to ourselves so our city dog had the time of her life! There’s also some good local walks. I would definitely stay again.
Location
Taunton, England, United KingdomTo respect the Host's privacy, the precise address of this land will be provided after booking
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Hosted by Emily H.

Joined in April 2021
From the host
Located in a copse of tress with beautiful views, in a field full of wild flowers. Wild deer often pop in to the field and the dark skies, with no light pollution, make stargazing spectacular. There are many walks directly from the site and our village pub is just down the road - a 15 minute walk away. Brand new Canvas lodge sleeping up to 5 people in real beds, kitchen and dining area, outside veranda with seating, fire pit, BBQ and picnic bench. Bathroom chalets a short walk away. Kitchen and larder also on site. The lodge is off grid, electricity charging points are available in the kitchen area. We can only accept group booking for people over 21 years in age
Nearby attractions

Apart from the stargazing and wildlife watching on site, there are some good walks in the area including the short route along the lane to the local pub! Hosts Emily and John can help you out with other walking and running routes. Located in the middle of the border between Devon and Somerset, you can head north west to Exmoor National Park or south east to the Blackdown Hills, both have plenty of nice places to walk, cycle and sightsee. The National Trust’s Knightshayes House and Gardens is about eight miles away and its 13 miles to Taunton. The north coast of Somerset and the South Coast of Devon are both about 30 miles away. It’s quicker (35-45 minutes) to reach the south coast where Topsham’s pebbled beach and Exmouth’s sandy ones are popular places to visit. Driving to Porlock Wier on the north coast takes longer (about an hour) but it’s a scenic route through Exmoor National Park.

Food and drink

The closest shop is not that close so it’s handy that a few basic supplies, eggs and local milk, are provided in the site’s larder via an honesty shop system. Get in touch in advance and you can order breakfast hampers with local produce from Emily too. For more than that, the closest shop is the village shop in Stawley (four miles). The Staplecross Inn is just over half a mile up the road, and dog friendly. It serves food Wednesday to Sunday lunchtime. Other options are The Globe at Appley (four miles), The Culm Valley Inn, in the riverside village of Culmstock, and The Bear at Wiveliscombe (both eight miles). For local cider to sample by the campfire, head to Ridgeway Cider Farm, less than two miles away, and if you want to know more about the South West’s favourite tipple, join a tour at another cider farm, Sheppy’s, 10 miles down the road towards Wellington. There’s a good cafe/restaurant there too.

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