Staycations have become a buzzword over the last couple of years due to the restrictions on overseas travel and, although these have eased, holidaying in the UK is an increasingly popular choice. With its idyllic countryside, picturesque villages and delicious food, the Crediton area has lots to offer for those wanting a relaxing break. It also has some really unusual places to stay. From an off-grid wooden yurt to luxury treehouses, we’ve found something special to suit all tastes.
Wootten Deer Park
Think family-sized safari lodges on the crest of a hill, with meandering red deer as your closest neighbours! Set in a 15-acre field, near Zeal Monachorum, this novel glamping site is in the heart of a deer park. The wood and canvas lodges are comfortably furnished with fully fitted kitchens, proper beds, shower rooms and cosy living spaces with wood burners and deep sofas.
Comforts include WiFi and proper TVs – ideal should you get a rainy day. The tent interiors are wood-clad, with sliding barn style doors and a raised front deck that stretches into the deer enclosure so that the animals can wander right alongside.
Wishes
An adults-only wellbeing retreat, offering accommodation in luxurious and cosy cabins, spa facilities and meditation gardens. Set in 24 acres of private land with endless views of the Exe Valley, this is the perfect place to relax and renew, enjoying wonderful local walks and a range of massage and other treatments.
Built and run by Sandie, Howard and their son Dominic, at Kitlake Farm, Stockleigh Pomeroy, they aim to promote mindfulness and wellbeing in everything they do. They also offer delicious wholesome meals in their Aquarius Bar.
Big Sky Devon
This special place near Kennerleigh has two handcrafted wooden buildings - Big Sky Retreat and Big Sky Lookout - both with breath-taking views of rolling Devon countryside.
Inspired by legendary American yurt builder Bill Coperthwaite and his iconic 70s book A Simpler Life, owners Alison and Scott set about building Big Sky Retreat using his wooden yurt plans. Constructed from recycled and natural materials, their yurt is completely off grid. The wooden furniture, including the Swedish style enclosed king-sized bed, was all handmade by Scott.
Big Sky Lookout is a hand made wooden cabin, inspired by fire lookout posts, located on the edge of an ancient woodland. Both offer privacy and quiet, with plenty of scope for exploring, the woods and wildlife meadows that Alison and Scott have been nurturing for the past 20 years.
Nymetwood Treehouses
Just opened this year near Spreyton, and set in 20 acres of woodland, meadow and apple orchard, are two luxury treehouse cabins - Black Cap and Starling. Sitting high in the tree canopy with uninterrupted views of Devon countryside, each treehouse has a king size bed, sofa, a fully fitted kitchen, shower room and even a copper bathtub on the deck if you fancy a soak outdoors.
Starling also has a bunk room with 2 extra beds for your little people. The perfect hideaway for anyone looking to escape the day-to-day and immerse themselves in the peace and tranquillity of their surroundings,
Just Us Retreats
Situated on a most private glamping site, Gabriel, the 6m bell tent, is hidden among trees within a sunlit glade. Adjacent to this copse, is a spacious meadow full of daisies in the summer months. The site is privately located at the heart of the charming 300-acre East Coombe Farm, near Stockleigh Pomeroy.
If you are looking for seclusion and total privacy during your stay, with a personal touch, Just Us Retreats is an idyllic destination. Enjoy a delicious Devon cream tea and later, perhaps a scrummy pizza cooked in the pizza oven. Unwind and reconnect with nature and with each other. Relish the country view.
Holly Water Holidays
An off-grid glamping escape, a place of peace and quiet with wood-fired hot tubs. They have two gorgeous shepherd huts, each sleeping two in comfy handmade king size beds. There is also a treehouse, tucked on the end of a bluebell copse, which sleeps four in two cosy bedrooms.
Family run, by Iain and Jane, you’ll be on their farm, near Cheriton Fitzpaine, and surrounded by dairy cows, pedigree Dorset sheep and traditional breed pigs. There’s also a motley assortment of chickens, crazy goats and some beautiful Highland cows.
Viveka Gardens
A retreat offering yoga, meditation, prayer and food growing. Tucked away from the world, (at West Leigh, near Coldridge), you can drop everything, tune in to nature and enjoy wholesome home-cooked vegan food.
The property consists of two four-hundred year-old barns, in traditional Devon cob, tastefully and comfortably converted to provide accommodation for weekend retreats, bespoke individual retreats and B&B. The retreat is entirely vegan, and the land is managed in a vegan way with no animal inputs.
The buildings are situated in 8.5 acres with a modern herbaceous perennial garden, kitchen garden, orchard, paddock, woodland and large field with super view across the valley and a newly planted wood in the growing. There is no light pollution, wonderful night skies and sweet fresh air.
Orchard Lodge Campsite
If you fancy setting up your own pitch then how about these family-friendly pitches among cider apple orchards, near Stockleigh English. Being entirely surrounded by trees means plenty of peace and privacy for guests, as well as some rather enticing aromas from the fruit!
Facilities here have been kept to a minimum to avoid interfering with the crops, but guests will have access to toilets and showers.
You can find more information about where to stay, where to eat and what to do in the Crediton area in the Visit section of this website or if you’re looking further afield in the area check out the Visit Mid Devon website.
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