It looks like you're using an old web browser that we no longer support, so some parts of the site may not work as well as they should and you won't be able to make a booking. Please update your browser (view more details) to make sure you get the best experience.
Bovey sits in the corner of a tranquil meadow in the hills close to the South Devon coast, looking down to the kid’s outdoor play area and beyond to the hills of the South Hams. The beaches and coves of the coast are just five miles away, but the idyllic woods and meadows around Bovey could keep you busy for days. Join Kate on her twice-daily trips to feed the pigs and chickens. Engage in group battles with frisbee, rounders or football on the lawn, or ping pong and foosball in the games room. Round it all off by ordering up a meal from Kate’s home-cooked menu and enjoying s’mores under the stars with a kit picked up from the honesty larder. And, if in need of a little stock up on supplies, you can head to the onsite shop for things like local drinks, eggs from the farm, souvenirs, toiletries, charcoal, snacks, etc.
Bovey is the first tent at the top of the two-acre buttercup field that houses all four safari tents. All evenly spaced, about 30m apart and with a shower and toilet to the rear of each tent. As the sun sets in the evening sky and a blanket of stars emerges above, gather together in the wood fired hot tub to soak weary limbs after a day of exploration and adventure.
Bovey has a wood-fired hot tub! An extra £27.50 per night (wood included) is payable directly to the owners in advance.
Read more
Essentials
The important stuff
Check in: 4 PM
Check out: 9:30 AM
Please bring wellies, a torch, walking boots and flip flops that you can wear on your way to the hot tub
Use of the hot tub is an extra £27.50 per night and payable direct to the owners. If your stay is for a week, the hot tub on your 7th night is free
Three of the tents are located on a sloping field, accessed via a gravel path which is not suitable for push chairs or wheelchair users, although the owners will do their best to accommodate access by allowing vehicular access to the tent as needed. Yealm safari tent is the closest tent to parking, is on flat ground with the owners able to provide a ramp
Family/couples only permitted in school holidays (including all of July and August). For adult only groups at other times of the year, please enquire before booking
Guests are advised to respect the site's low noise policy after 9pm, to allow the younger children to get a great nights sleep.
Guests are advised to bring trained dogs, over the age of one and kept on leads at all times outside the tent apart from the orchard which is a fully fenced, off-lead area to exercise your dog
All firewood is provided free of charge for the hot tub and the indoor stove. Additional firewood can be purchased for £5 per wheelbarrow
Mobile phone signal depending on the network
Plug sockets available
Wifi available in the Barn and car park
This space is accessible by public transport
Bike storage is available
EV charger available. £15 for initial charge from empty then £6 per night additional charges and must be pre-booked
Sleeping arrangements
One king-size bed, two single beds and one double cabin bed
Extra space available
Space
for 2 pets
from £30 per pet per stay . No puppies under the age of one
Space
for 1 baby
no charge.
Space
for 2 children
no charge.
Kids & Pets
Children are very welcome. A travel cot, high chair, baby bath, and changing mat can be provided on request and a microwave is available to heat milk. Dogs are welcome and bowls and a mat are provided
Cooking
Kitchen equipped with a single ring induction hob, wood-burning stove with hob and oven, and fridge with a small freezer compartment
Cooking utensils, crockery and glassware
Firepit BBQ with Dutch oven
Washing
Bathroom with shower, sink and flushing toilet
Shampoo, conditioner and soap provided
Heating, lighting & bedding
Towels and bed linen provided and extras available on request
Main source of heating comes from the wood-burning stove plus a radiator in the two bedrooms and a heated towel rail in the shower
What3Words: ///toast.originals.sound - What3Words is a new more accurate version of a postcode. This will take you directly to the entrance so we recommend using this in your Sat Nav but remember to look at the owners’ directions too!
Please text Kate when you reach Exeter, then she will be ready and waiting for you. It should take 30 minutes from there.
By Public Transport
Newton Abbot is the nearest station (5 miles) and can be reached from London Paddington in 2 hours 40 mins. The station is ten minutes away by taxi.
The nearest bus stop is in Marldon (1.5 miles).
Car hire is available in Newton Abbot through Europcar.
By car
From Exeter, heading south on the M5, the M5 splits between A38/A380. Follow the A380 signposted for Torquay for several miles until the road divides at Newton Abbot. (There is a Sainsbury's signposted "superstore" just off this roundabout if you need supplies). Stay in the outside lane signposted Torquay and go over the bridge and then immediately move into the left hand lane taking the first exit signposted towards "Bickley Mill Inn". At the roundabout take the third exit and follow the brown signs all the way to the Bickley Mill for 3 miles (En route you will cross straight over the next roundabout, turn right after 250m and then continue along this road under a railway bridge and a very sharp left hand bend in the road, under a second bridge and past Stoneycombe quarry).
Pass the Bickley Mill on your right and take the left hand road at the fork and pass the Compton Valley Nursery on your right take the right hand turning at the T - junction signposted to Compton and then turn left at the next T junction towards Compton. Keep your eyes trained on the RIGHT hand side of the road and you will see the green Brownscombe sign. As you come up the drive, bear left in front of Compton Holt and you will see the communal parking area for guests of Brownscombe Luxury. Glamping and Reception, which will be open until 6.30pm on changeover days.
Parking
Parking is about 100 - 150 metres away depending on which tent you're in (Bovey is the nearest to the car park so recommended if you have small children).
When you are checking in, you can drive into the field and unload after you've been greeted by Kate. During your stay you will need to park in the car park as the field is kept car free to allow for free range children!
As you come up the drive, bear left in front of Compton Holt and you will see the communal parking area for all guests at Brownscombe Luxury Glamping adjacent to Brownscombe larder. Please note that the field is not suitable for cars but it is possible to unload/load close to your tent, once we have shown you how to get there on foot. There are two parking spaces available per tent.
Read more
Food & Drink
At Brownscombe
A welcome hamper of tea, coffee, sugar, a pint of semi-skimmed milk (alternative can be provided if notice given), salt and pepper, cooking oil (local award winning rapeseed), prosecco (non alcoholic alternative or beer/cider can be provided) and a treat.
The Brownscombe shop stocks camping essentials, locally made snacks including crisps, ice cream and chocolate, condiments, marshmallows and a range of wine, beer and cider as well as a range of locally made homeware and accessories, perfect for cat sitting presents!
Brownscombe also offer you private dining in The Lodge, pizza nights in The Barn during the school holidays, and a whole selection of homemade meals and produce in The Larder that guests can pre-order throughout their stay that include a wide selection of gluten free, dairy free and vegan meals.
Local shops
Occombe farm (1.5 miles)
Fermoys (2 miles)
There is a large Sainsburys at the Penn Inn roundabout at Newton Abbot on the way to Brownscombe (5 miles). Kate also recommends their Riverford milkman for dairy and veg boxes.
Pubs & Restaurants
The Bickley Mill (22-minute walk) - easily walkable along a very pretty route across the fields – perfect for Sunday lunch and it is very friendly and welcoming to children with a 6 pm sitting.
The Church House Inn (30-minute walk) - voted Best Dining Pub in Devon in the Good Pub Guide – ask to sit in their Bar if you are taking your dog, they even supply dog treats for well-behaved pooches.
Coppa Dolla (4.5 miles) - in nearby Broadhempston, home to the famous 2 in 1 pie and you’ll get a very friendly welcome.
Crab Shack (10 miles) - great for lunch but you need to book, but they have a very good takeaway deli if they can’t squeeze you in.
Cott Inn (8 miles) - a must for Sunday lunch and is a proper Devon thatched longhouse in Dartington near Totnes.
Riverford farm (8.5 miles) - based nearby in Buckfastleigh and you can take a farm tour then enjoy lunch or dinner in the atmospheric contemporary barn.
The Cary Arms (6.2 miles) - One of the very best seaside gastro-pubs which serves real ales. All set within Babbacombe Bay, in Devon, enjoying outstanding views across Torbay and you might spot Sammy the Seal!
The Elephant (5.8 miles) - a delicious 3 Michelin starred restaurant in Beacon Quay Torquay and it is where Kate had the best pudding that she had ever eaten!
Read more
Activities
At Brownscombe
You can meet the animals, collect eggs or simply roam freely amidst the wild buttercup meadows, spotting the wildlife.
Head down to the communal barn where you can take part in pizza night and eat around the barn tables together in school holidays.
Your children will love it here. They can roam to their heart’s content exploring the Brownscombe site, collecting eggs and helping to feed the friendly farm animals. Kate does “farmers rounds” every morning - all the children will have be able to join her at least once during their stay.
There’s a play area hidden under the Ash trees at the bottom of the meadow, with sawn-off logs for seats, a rope swing and a little wicker wendy house. The kids will feel totally hidden but all safari tents have a clear view of the den from the deck. Watch from your deck or join in the fun! The good news is that after running around with new found friends, the little ones should sleep really well!
On rainy days there's always the games room to fall back on, where table tennis and table football will keep guests of all ages occupied.
Wellness room offers spa treatments every Wednesday and Saturday and you can book Yoga or individual fitness sessions
If you get up early, you might catch a glimpse of a deer in the early morning mists of the valley.
Places to visit
The combined river - boat and steam railway trip between Totnes and Dartmouth is not to be missed, while both towns offer a fab day out shopping and exploring their castles.
Ashburton (9.1 miles) - a must for antique shops and if you have teenagers they will thank you for taking them to Exeter for great shopping.
Salcombe (25.5 miles) - is bustling in the summer and is surrounded by beautiful walks and coastal scenery.
Pennywell Farm (12 miles) - you can bottle feed lambs, cuddle miniature pigs and ride a pony here. Allow at least three hours as you won’t get the kids out of there easily!
Outdoor & Active
Woodlands Leisure Park (34 miles) - Dartmouth has indoor play centres, outdoor adventures, Zoo-Farm, and Falconry Centre.
Becky Falls (14.4 miles) - three trails to follow and a spectacular waterfall with the added attraction of birds of prey and various reptiles (you can hold an enormous Boa Constrictor snake!).
Compton Castle (0.4 miles)- turn right out of the drive and head for the Castle. Just before you get to it turn left, you will see a map and arrows pointing to a one mile walk giving you some fantastic views. It is steep but worth it. Watch out for the cows and keep dogs on leads. This field was used for a scene in Sense and Sensibility with Kate Winslet and Alan Rickman.
Haytor(13 miles) - if you climb to the top, you can see Brownscombe hill! Fantastic views, ice cream in the car park and travel on to Widecombe to see the church and stop off at the Rugglestone Inn for a a great pub lunch (get there early if you want to sit in the garden).
Haldon Forest Park(18.2 miles) - there is a big cycling scene in Devon and you can arrange to spend a Sunday morning with the mid Devon Cycling Club or talk to Kate about a guided trip to Dartmoor. As a family, the Tregonings love Haldon Forest Park. It has marked trails from beginner to advanced and you can hire bikes if you don’t have them with you. There are also flatter cycling paths between Totnes and Dartington with local cycle hire. There is secure storage for your bikes adjacent to the Larder.
Read more
Meet your hosts
Meet Kate, Andrew, Annabel & Emma
The valley in which Brownscombe is set has been farmed by Kate's family for 30 years. After Kate's parents retired, she and Andrew moved back to Devon from London in 2012, to give their two children, Annabel and Emma, the same freedom and country childhood that Kate and her three younger sisters shared there. Kate spent 2013 project managing the building of their oak framed family home (which is adjacent to the Games Room and Larder) and shortly after, she threw herself into creating Brownscombe Luxury Glamping. They wanted to create something that would feel like a huge adventure for the children while the adults could have the best night's sleep possible and all the home comforts.
Although they no longer farm as much land, Brownscombe has stayed true to its rustic roots, with pigs, chickens and ducks producing eggs, sausages and bacon. Now the glamping meadow is full of wildflowers creating the perfect playground for children to roam about in or for groups of friends to get away from it all and have a taste of country life.
Wildlife & Environment
Brownscombe is working with the Barn Owl Trust to manage two acres of rough grassland opposite the safari tents, to maximise the food source for barn owls and kestrels. The barn owl box is occupied and it has been a thrilling site for many guests to see it hunt at night.
There are regular sightings of badgers, deer, foxes, buzzards and the rare cirl bunting. Brownscombe is also in a lesser horse shoe bat super highway!
Bovey sits in the corner of a tranquil meadow in the hills close to the South Devon coast, looking down to the kid’s outdoor play area and beyond to the hills of the South Hams. The beaches and coves of the coast are just five miles away, but the idyllic woods and meadows around Bovey could keep you busy for days. Join Kate on her twice-daily trips to feed the pigs and chickens. Engage in group battles with frisbee, rounders or football on the lawn, or ping pong and foosball in the games room. Round it all off by ordering up a meal from Kate’s home-cooked menu and enjoying s’mores under the stars with a kit picked up from the honesty larder. And, if in need of a little stock up on supplies, you can head to the onsite shop for things like local drinks, eggs from the farm, souvenirs, toiletries, charcoal, snacks, etc.
Bovey is the first tent at the top of the two-acre buttercup field that houses all four safari tents. All evenly spaced, about 30m apart and with a shower and toilet to the rear of each tent. As the sun sets in the evening sky and a blanket of stars emerges above, gather together in the wood fired hot tub to soak weary limbs after a day of exploration and adventure.
Bovey has a wood-fired hot tub! An extra £27.50 per night (wood included) is payable directly to the owners in advance.
Please bring wellies, a torch, walking boots and flip flops that you can wear on your way to the hot tub
Use of the hot tub is an extra £27.50 per night and payable direct to the owners. If your stay is for a week, the hot tub on your 7th night is free
Three of the tents are located on a sloping field, accessed via a gravel path which is not suitable for push chairs or wheelchair users, although the owners will do their best to accommodate access by allowing vehicular access to the tent as needed. Yealm safari tent is the closest tent to parking, is on flat ground with the owners able to provide a ramp
Family/couples only permitted in school holidays (including all of July and August). For adult only groups at other times of the year, please enquire before booking
Guests are advised to respect the site's low noise policy after 9pm, to allow the younger children to get a great nights sleep.
Guests are advised to bring trained dogs, over the age of one and kept on leads at all times outside the tent apart from the orchard which is a fully fenced, off-lead area to exercise your dog
All firewood is provided free of charge for the hot tub and the indoor stove. Additional firewood can be purchased for £5 per wheelbarrow
Mobile phone signal depending on the network
Plug sockets available
Wifi available in the Barn and car park
This space is accessible by public transport
Bike storage is available
EV charger available. £15 for initial charge from empty then £6 per night additional charges and must be pre-booked
Sleeping arrangements
One king-size bed, two single beds and one double cabin bed
Extra space available
Space
for 2 pets
from £30 per pet per stay . No puppies under the age of one
Space
for 1 baby
no charge.
Space
for 2 children
no charge.
Kids & Pets
Children are very welcome. A travel cot, high chair, baby bath, and changing mat can be provided on request and a microwave is available to heat milk. Dogs are welcome and bowls and a mat are provided
Cooking
Kitchen equipped with a single ring induction hob, wood-burning stove with hob and oven, and fridge with a small freezer compartment
Cooking utensils, crockery and glassware
Firepit BBQ with Dutch oven
Washing
Bathroom with shower, sink and flushing toilet
Shampoo, conditioner and soap provided
Heating, lighting & bedding
Towels and bed linen provided and extras available on request
Main source of heating comes from the wood-burning stove plus a radiator in the two bedrooms and a heated towel rail in the shower
What3Words: ///toast.originals.sound - What3Words is a new more accurate version of a postcode. This will take you directly to the entrance so we recommend using this in your Sat Nav but remember to look at the owners’ directions too!
Please text Kate when you reach Exeter, then she will be ready and waiting for you. It should take 30 minutes from there.
By Public Transport
Newton Abbot is the nearest station (5 miles) and can be reached from London Paddington in 2 hours 40 mins. The station is ten minutes away by taxi.
The nearest bus stop is in Marldon (1.5 miles).
Car hire is available in Newton Abbot through Europcar.
By car
From Exeter, heading south on the M5, the M5 splits between A38/A380. Follow the A380 signposted for Torquay for several miles until the road divides at Newton Abbot. (There is a Sainsbury's signposted "superstore" just off this roundabout if you need supplies). Stay in the outside lane signposted Torquay and go over the bridge and then immediately move into the left hand lane taking the first exit signposted towards "Bickley Mill Inn". At the roundabout take the third exit and follow the brown signs all the way to the Bickley Mill for 3 miles (En route you will cross straight over the next roundabout, turn right after 250m and then continue along this road under a railway bridge and a very sharp left hand bend in the road, under a second bridge and past Stoneycombe quarry).
Pass the Bickley Mill on your right and take the left hand road at the fork and pass the Compton Valley Nursery on your right take the right hand turning at the T - junction signposted to Compton and then turn left at the next T junction towards Compton. Keep your eyes trained on the RIGHT hand side of the road and you will see the green Brownscombe sign. As you come up the drive, bear left in front of Compton Holt and you will see the communal parking area for guests of Brownscombe Luxury. Glamping and Reception, which will be open until 6.30pm on changeover days.
Parking
Parking is about 100 - 150 metres away depending on which tent you're in (Bovey is the nearest to the car park so recommended if you have small children).
When you are checking in, you can drive into the field and unload after you've been greeted by Kate. During your stay you will need to park in the car park as the field is kept car free to allow for free range children!
As you come up the drive, bear left in front of Compton Holt and you will see the communal parking area for all guests at Brownscombe Luxury Glamping adjacent to Brownscombe larder. Please note that the field is not suitable for cars but it is possible to unload/load close to your tent, once we have shown you how to get there on foot. There are two parking spaces available per tent.
A welcome hamper of tea, coffee, sugar, a pint of semi-skimmed milk (alternative can be provided if notice given), salt and pepper, cooking oil (local award winning rapeseed), prosecco (non alcoholic alternative or beer/cider can be provided) and a treat.
The Brownscombe shop stocks camping essentials, locally made snacks including crisps, ice cream and chocolate, condiments, marshmallows and a range of wine, beer and cider as well as a range of locally made homeware and accessories, perfect for cat sitting presents!
Brownscombe also offer you private dining in The Lodge, pizza nights in The Barn during the school holidays, and a whole selection of homemade meals and produce in The Larder that guests can pre-order throughout their stay that include a wide selection of gluten free, dairy free and vegan meals.
Local shops
Occombe farm (1.5 miles)
Fermoys (2 miles)
There is a large Sainsburys at the Penn Inn roundabout at Newton Abbot on the way to Brownscombe (5 miles). Kate also recommends their Riverford milkman for dairy and veg boxes.
Pubs & Restaurants
The Bickley Mill (22-minute walk) - easily walkable along a very pretty route across the fields – perfect for Sunday lunch and it is very friendly and welcoming to children with a 6 pm sitting.
The Church House Inn (30-minute walk) - voted Best Dining Pub in Devon in the Good Pub Guide – ask to sit in their Bar if you are taking your dog, they even supply dog treats for well-behaved pooches.
Coppa Dolla (4.5 miles) - in nearby Broadhempston, home to the famous 2 in 1 pie and you’ll get a very friendly welcome.
Crab Shack (10 miles) - great for lunch but you need to book, but they have a very good takeaway deli if they can’t squeeze you in.
Cott Inn (8 miles) - a must for Sunday lunch and is a proper Devon thatched longhouse in Dartington near Totnes.
Riverford farm (8.5 miles) - based nearby in Buckfastleigh and you can take a farm tour then enjoy lunch or dinner in the atmospheric contemporary barn.
The Cary Arms (6.2 miles) - One of the very best seaside gastro-pubs which serves real ales. All set within Babbacombe Bay, in Devon, enjoying outstanding views across Torbay and you might spot Sammy the Seal!
The Elephant (5.8 miles) - a delicious 3 Michelin starred restaurant in Beacon Quay Torquay and it is where Kate had the best pudding that she had ever eaten!
You can meet the animals, collect eggs or simply roam freely amidst the wild buttercup meadows, spotting the wildlife.
Head down to the communal barn where you can take part in pizza night and eat around the barn tables together in school holidays.
Your children will love it here. They can roam to their heart’s content exploring the Brownscombe site, collecting eggs and helping to feed the friendly farm animals. Kate does “farmers rounds” every morning - all the children will have be able to join her at least once during their stay.
There’s a play area hidden under the Ash trees at the bottom of the meadow, with sawn-off logs for seats, a rope swing and a little wicker wendy house. The kids will feel totally hidden but all safari tents have a clear view of the den from the deck. Watch from your deck or join in the fun! The good news is that after running around with new found friends, the little ones should sleep really well!
On rainy days there's always the games room to fall back on, where table tennis and table football will keep guests of all ages occupied.
Wellness room offers spa treatments every Wednesday and Saturday and you can book Yoga or individual fitness sessions
If you get up early, you might catch a glimpse of a deer in the early morning mists of the valley.
Places to visit
The combined river - boat and steam railway trip between Totnes and Dartmouth is not to be missed, while both towns offer a fab day out shopping and exploring their castles.
Ashburton (9.1 miles) - a must for antique shops and if you have teenagers they will thank you for taking them to Exeter for great shopping.
Salcombe (25.5 miles) - is bustling in the summer and is surrounded by beautiful walks and coastal scenery.
Pennywell Farm (12 miles) - you can bottle feed lambs, cuddle miniature pigs and ride a pony here. Allow at least three hours as you won’t get the kids out of there easily!
Outdoor & Active
Woodlands Leisure Park (34 miles) - Dartmouth has indoor play centres, outdoor adventures, Zoo-Farm, and Falconry Centre.
Becky Falls (14.4 miles) - three trails to follow and a spectacular waterfall with the added attraction of birds of prey and various reptiles (you can hold an enormous Boa Constrictor snake!).
Compton Castle (0.4 miles)- turn right out of the drive and head for the Castle. Just before you get to it turn left, you will see a map and arrows pointing to a one mile walk giving you some fantastic views. It is steep but worth it. Watch out for the cows and keep dogs on leads. This field was used for a scene in Sense and Sensibility with Kate Winslet and Alan Rickman.
Haytor(13 miles) - if you climb to the top, you can see Brownscombe hill! Fantastic views, ice cream in the car park and travel on to Widecombe to see the church and stop off at the Rugglestone Inn for a a great pub lunch (get there early if you want to sit in the garden).
Haldon Forest Park(18.2 miles) - there is a big cycling scene in Devon and you can arrange to spend a Sunday morning with the mid Devon Cycling Club or talk to Kate about a guided trip to Dartmoor. As a family, the Tregonings love Haldon Forest Park. It has marked trails from beginner to advanced and you can hire bikes if you don’t have them with you. There are also flatter cycling paths between Totnes and Dartington with local cycle hire. There is secure storage for your bikes adjacent to the Larder.
The valley in which Brownscombe is set has been farmed by Kate's family for 30 years. After Kate's parents retired, she and Andrew moved back to Devon from London in 2012, to give their two children, Annabel and Emma, the same freedom and country childhood that Kate and her three younger sisters shared there. Kate spent 2013 project managing the building of their oak framed family home (which is adjacent to the Games Room and Larder) and shortly after, she threw herself into creating Brownscombe Luxury Glamping. They wanted to create something that would feel like a huge adventure for the children while the adults could have the best night's sleep possible and all the home comforts.
Although they no longer farm as much land, Brownscombe has stayed true to its rustic roots, with pigs, chickens and ducks producing eggs, sausages and bacon. Now the glamping meadow is full of wildflowers creating the perfect playground for children to roam about in or for groups of friends to get away from it all and have a taste of country life.
Wildlife & Environment
Brownscombe is working with the Barn Owl Trust to manage two acres of rough grassland opposite the safari tents, to maximise the food source for barn owls and kestrels. The barn owl box is occupied and it has been a thrilling site for many guests to see it hunt at night.
There are regular sightings of badgers, deer, foxes, buzzards and the rare cirl bunting. Brownscombe is also in a lesser horse shoe bat super highway!
Brownscombe was our main summer holiday with our 8, 5 and 3 year old. We had the beauty of waking up in the middle of a field surrounded by farm animals, whilst living in a truly luxurious safari tent. Kate provided the most fantastic guide of places to go nearby - i would have been lost without this! Kate's hospitality was amazing, she is very warm and kind. Her manner makes you feel very much looked after. Pizza night was a huge hit - my boys said it was the best pizza they ever had! We will be back. Thank you Kate!!
09/08/2024
Roisin
Bovey was amazing. Kate was the perfect host and we had the most enjoyable stay
06/07/2020
Anabelle
When you arrive and are shown around, everything is explained to you, and Kate’s manner means you relax straight away after your journey. There is a bottle of chilled Fizz, and ice cubes in case you fancy something else, awaiting you. The kids loved the farmer’s rounds in the morning. The adults all treated themselves to the beauty treatments that were available on site, and they were great. The pizza night is brilliant fun, and all the facilities are in your accommodation to cook whatever meals you fancy. But if you just want something delivered, the owner does an excellent range of food hampers. The place is clean, child and dog friendly. It has wonderful views and is so relaxing and calming, we didn’t want to explore the area. It doesn’t matter if it’s raining or blowing a gale, the Safari Tents are warm and stay snug. There’s a well-equipped games room, a washing machine and a fabulously well stocked shop on site that is not expensive. Good local walks from the site and great local pubs. If it was a hotel you would rate it 5 *. I go glamping a lot, and this is special. I will be coming back with more family members in the future.
28/10/2019
Alivia
Three nights for a wonderful birthday weekend. Kate was so welcoming and the additional parts were a bonus (pizza night, shop, farm). Secluded location, tents spaced well apart so although children present it was not a problem. Very dog friendly. Set up easy and clear. Beautiful and recently refurbished interior. Kitchen well stocked. Roomy tent. Hot water bottles a bonus.
05/04/2019
Hannah
Lovely location, wonderful accommodation and Kate was a brilliant host!
18/06/2018
Laura
A truly fabulous short break in a safari tent with the family. We cannot speak highly enough of our host, Kate. She was one of the warmest people we have ever encountered and the children loved her. They were so excited to go and feed the animals with her twice a day. It was a sublime setting, impeccable service and glorious food (an added bonus that we didn't have to cook and were greeted with a beautiful cassoulet from Kate upon arrival).
06/05/2016
Trisha
Brownscombe has officially upped the stakes for 'glamorous' camping! Kate has carefully added every luxurious feature imaginable to create a home from home - gorgeous toiletries, unbelievably comfy beds, and beautifully designed furniture. She hasn't forgotten the beloved Canopy & Stars touches though: there's a fire pit to gather around by night and a flock of chickens to meet and greet!
15/01/2016
Catherine, Canopy & Stars
Reviews
Brownscombe was our main summer holiday with our 8, 5 and 3 year old. We had the beauty of waking up in the middle of a field surrounded by farm animals, whilst living in a truly luxurious safari tent. Kate provided the most fantastic guide of places to go nearby - i would have been lost without this! Kate's hospitality was amazing, she is very warm and kind. Her manner makes you feel very much looked after. Pizza night was a huge hit - my boys said it was the best pizza they ever had! We will be back. Thank you Kate!!
09/08/2024
Roisin
Bovey was amazing. Kate was the perfect host and we had the most enjoyable stay
06/07/2020
Anabelle
When you arrive and are shown around, everything is explained to you, and Kate’s manner means you relax straight away after your journey. There is a bottle of chilled Fizz, and ice cubes in case you fancy something else, awaiting you. The kids loved the farmer’s rounds in the morning. The adults all treated themselves to the beauty treatments that were available on site, and they were great. The pizza night is brilliant fun, and all the facilities are in your accommodation to cook whatever meals you fancy. But if you just want something delivered, the owner does an excellent range of food hampers. The place is clean, child and dog friendly. It has wonderful views and is so relaxing and calming, we didn’t want to explore the area. It doesn’t matter if it’s raining or blowing a gale, the Safari Tents are warm and stay snug. There’s a well-equipped games room, a washing machine and a fabulously well stocked shop on site that is not expensive. Good local walks from the site and great local pubs. If it was a hotel you would rate it 5 *. I go glamping a lot, and this is special. I will be coming back with more family members in the future.
28/10/2019
Alivia
Three nights for a wonderful birthday weekend. Kate was so welcoming and the additional parts were a bonus (pizza night, shop, farm). Secluded location, tents spaced well apart so although children present it was not a problem. Very dog friendly. Set up easy and clear. Beautiful and recently refurbished interior. Kitchen well stocked. Roomy tent. Hot water bottles a bonus.
05/04/2019
Hannah
Lovely location, wonderful accommodation and Kate was a brilliant host!
18/06/2018
Laura
A truly fabulous short break in a safari tent with the family. We cannot speak highly enough of our host, Kate. She was one of the warmest people we have ever encountered and the children loved her. They were so excited to go and feed the animals with her twice a day. It was a sublime setting, impeccable service and glorious food (an added bonus that we didn't have to cook and were greeted with a beautiful cassoulet from Kate upon arrival).
06/05/2016
Trisha
Brownscombe has officially upped the stakes for 'glamorous' camping! Kate has carefully added every luxurious feature imaginable to create a home from home - gorgeous toiletries, unbelievably comfy beds, and beautifully designed furniture. She hasn't forgotten the beloved Canopy & Stars touches though: there's a fire pit to gather around by night and a flock of chickens to meet and greet!
Our weekly newsletter delivers a burst of green to your inbox. You'll be the first to find out about our hand-picked places to stay, receive some fantastic offers and gain an insight into the inner-workings of the collective Canopy & Stars brain (don't say we didn't warn you).
And, as ever, we promise never to share your details with anyone else.
We will never pass your personal information on to any third parties, which is why we don't ask you whether or not we need your permission to do so! Find out more about our Privacy Policy.
Thank you for signing up
One more thing, we need to confirm your email address just to make sure we only send our newsletter out to those who really want it.
To do this, please click the link in the confirmation email we just sent you.
Book with us in confidence knowing you won’t find that place cheaper elsewhere. All of the prices we display are set and matched by our Owners. (In this world of foreign currency, we do have to say 'subject to exchange rates' for some of our European places.)
What does ‘from price’ mean?
Our ‘from price’ is based on a four night stay in low season and designed to help you to compare different prices across our collection. Some of our Owners vary their nightly rates and check in days throughout the year, so it may differ from the rate quoted below the calendar. It is quite common (although by no means universal) for places to charge a little more in peak season or for shorter stays, to cover changeover costs. Consider booking longer stays during the cooler months if you’re looking for the lowest nightly rates.
Agency Terms & Conditions
Except where otherwise specified, we Sawday’s Canopy & Stars Ltd (Company No 09088366) of Merchants House, Wapping Road, Bristol, BS1 4RW act only as an Agent in respect of all bookings we take and/or make on your behalf. As an Agent we act as an intermediary between you and the owner (‘’Owner’’) of the holiday accommodation (‘’Property’’) you will be staying in. We help to arrange reservations and bookings between you and the Owner and take payments from you on behalf of the Owner.
We are only arranging a contract between you and the Owner for hire of the Property and for any other services or arrangement you purchase from the Owner (the “Booking”). This means the legal contract for the Booking is between you and the Owner despite the fact that a payment for the Booking has been made to the Agent. Your contract for the Booking is not with Sawday’s Canopy & Stars Ltd (Canopy & Stars).
Canopy & Stars is part of the Sawday’s family of companies, a majority employee owned business, 24% owned by a charitable trust and a B Corp. We accept no liability in relation to any contract you enter into in relation to Bookings or for the acts or omissions of any supplier(s) or other person(s) or party(ies) connected with any Booking.
When making your Booking we will arrange for you to enter into a contract with the Owner, as detailed in clause 1.2 below. Your Booking is subject to these Agency Terms & Conditions and any other specific booking conditions of the relevant Owner(s) you contract with. The Owner’s booking conditions may limit and/or exclude the Owner’s liability to you.
You may decide to make more than one Booking at the same time. The price charged in total for more than one Booking will always equal the prices charged separately for each individual Booking. All Bookings are available to be purchased separately at the same price as they are when more than one Booking is made. This means that any multiple Bookings do not constitute a package as defined in the Package Travel, Package Holidays and Package Tours Regulations 1992.
By making a booking, you agree that:
- You have read these Agency Terms & Conditions and agree to be bound by them;
- The lead name on the Booking will be the person responsible for the Booking and shall be responsible for paying the deposit and the full price, for making any amendment and cancellation requests and for the payment of any additional charges. The lead name accepts these Terms & Conditions on behalf of all persons in the Booking;
- You consent to our use of your information in accordance with our Privacy Policy;
- You are over 18 years of age and where there may be age restrictions in place, you declare that you and all members of your party are of the appropriate age
The Canopy & Stars online booking system enables Guests to make Bookings 24 hours a day. To confirm your booking, you must pay a 25% deposit (or full payment if booking within 10 weeks of your check in date) and the entire Booking will be subject to the cancellation policy as outlined in clause 2 below. The Canopy & Stars telephone booking line is open Monday to Friday 9am to 6pm and Saturdays 10am to 2pm. When using the online enquiry form, for those Properties without online booking, please allow 24 working hours for us to contact you by telephone to confirm the Booking. If we are unable to reach you by phone, we will attempt to contact you by email. We will contact you during Canopy & Stars working hours (Monday to Friday 9am to 6pm and Saturday 10am to 2pm). Online or email enquiries will be dealt with in the order they are received, but please be aware that we cannot guarantee reservation of your selected dates until the receipt of suitable payment. Therefore, if possible, we do recommend that you book on the Canopy & Stars website using the online booking system.
1. Booking and payments
1.1 In order to confirm your chosen Booking, you must pay a 25% non-refundable deposit as required (or full payment if booking within 10 weeks of the date of your check-in). The deposit is non-refundable as it covers costs incurred and services provided to enable your Booking. These include, but are not limited to, marketing and PR, property inspection fees, Owner management, booking management, credit card fees and customer service.
1.2 Your Booking is confirmed and a contract between you and the Owner will exist when we receive payment of the deposit and send you a booking confirmation on the Owner’s behalf. This Booking confirmation email will be sent within 24 hours and will contain the details of your Booking and of payments made and due. If you have not received your Booking confirmation email within the specified time, please notify us as soon as possible by email (bookings@canopyandstars.co.uk). Please check your confirmation carefully and report any incorrect or incomplete information to us immediately. As we act only as booking Agent, we have no responsibility for any errors in any documentation except where an error is made by us.
1.3 Once the 25% deposit has been paid, the full balance payment will be due 10 weeks in advance of your check in. A reminder to pay your balance will be sent to you one week prior to this 10 week date, where applicable, by email. We automatically take the balance payment using the same card as used to make the deposit payment. It is your responsibility to advise us if we should use a different card and to contact us by telephone (0117 204 7830) to arrange for alternative payment method. If the automated balance payment does not successfully go through as there is a problem with your card, such as it is expiring, then we will contact you to try and take alternative payment. If you do not make any payment due to Canopy & Stars by the due date for payment and at the latest within 5 days of this date, then with regret, we will notify the Owner who will cancel your Booking and terminate their contract with you. In these circumstances, your rights to a refund are set out in clause 2.3 and 2.4 below. Please note that if you have paid in a currency that is different to the original pricing, we will not be able to guarantee the same conversion rate that was used to convert the deposit payment.
1.4 Except where otherwise advised or stated in the booking conditions of the Owner concerned, all monies you pay to us for a Booking will be held on behalf of the Owner(s) concerned.
1.5 Credit Card payments are processed via Elavon who provide merchants services facilities to Sawday’s Canopy & Stars Ltd.
2. Cancellation by You
2.1 If you have to, or want to cancel or amend your Booking, this request must be sent to us by email (bookings@canopyandstars.co.uk) and will be considered and responded to within two working days of receipt. Please ensure that you have received written confirmation of any changes to your Booking prior to travel. Whilst we will always try to help, we cannot guarantee that such requests will be met.
2.2 Cancellation by you at any time will result in your 25% deposit being forfeited. The deposit is always non-refundable as it covers costs incurred and services provided to enable your Booking.
2.3 All bookings are non-amendable and non-refundable within 10 weeks of your check in date. If you need to cancel your booking within 10 weeks, the total cost of the accommodation including the deposit will be forfeited. Cancellation should always be in writing to bookings@canopyandstars.co.uk.
2.4 If you need to cancel your booking at a date 10 weeks or more in advance of your check in date, the 25% deposit will be forfeited. If the booking has been paid in full the balance will be returned to you, minus the 25% deposit. Refunds will be issued in the same form and ratio as the original payment was made. Therefore, if a Gift Voucher was used to book your stay, the refund will be back onto a new Gift Voucher at the same amount as originally used. Alternatively, if you paid in cash, your refund will be processed in the currency of the booking. Where this is different to the currency of the payment card, this will be converted at the current exchange rate on the day of the refund.
2.5 Cancellations made by you, at any time, may incur a £50 administration fee in addition to us retaining the non-refundable deposit. This represents the administration costs incurred by us on behalf of the Owner to deal with such requests.
2.6 If extreme weather prevents you from reaching your holiday, taking, or finishing your holiday, you are still subject to these cancellation terms as outlined in clause 2.3 above. We strongly recommend that you take out a travel insurance policy which covers this eventuality. In the event of the property becoming unavailable (such as due to fire or flooding), Canopy & Stars will endeavour to provide the Guest with suitable alternative accommodation, starting with any other accommodation that may be available with the same Owner of your Booking, or will refund all monies paid, or a proportion in the case of curtailment. The Agency cannot, however, pay any compensation or expenses as a consequence of such an event.
2.7 Cancellation insurance is available to purchase from many providers, but will be a third-party arrangement and not involve Canopy & Stars or the Owner in any way. You are strongly recommended to take out personal travel insurance for all members of your party for UK holidays and you must take out personal travel insurance for international holidays, including for illness and cancellation due to Covid-19. It is your responsibility to ensure that the insurance cover is adequate for your needs, including cancellation and curtailment.
2.8 If you fail to check-in on your date of arrival your Booking will be cancelled and no refund will be due.
3. Amendments to your booking, requested by you
3.1 Amendments to your Booking can only be made more than 10 weeks prior to the check in date, after which time amendments may be treated as cancellation and our refund policy as detailed in clause 2.3 above may apply. All amendments are subject to availability and may incur a £50 admin fee detailed in clause 2.5 above.
3.2 If we can fulfil your request to amend your booking, any differences in price as a result of the amendment, will be paid by you in the case of an increase and refunded to you in the case of a decrease in price, e.g. amending your booking from low season to high season.
3.3 In the event that a date swap is offered, this will normally be agreed with a set timeframe to rebook and sometimes a credit against a future stay will be offered. The credit can only apply to a stay at the same space as originally booked.
3.3.1 If a date swap is offered, then the Agency Booking Terms and Conditions applied at the time of your original booking will still apply. Therefore, if your date was swapped within 10 weeks of the original check in date, the 10 week cancellation policy set out in clause 2.3 applies to your new stay, even if the new check in date is beyond 10 weeks.
4. Refunds
If a refund is issued it will be in the same form and ratio as the original payment was made. Therefore, if a Gift Voucher was used to purchase the original stay, the refund will be back onto a new Gift Voucher at the same amount as originally used.
5. Insurance
You are strongly recommended to take out personal travel insurance for all members of your party for your holiday, including holidays in the UK. It is your responsibility to ensure that the insurance cover is adequate for your needs, including cancellation and curtailment for any reason. Please read your policy details carefully and take them with you on holiday.
6. Changes and Cancellations by the Owner
We will inform you as soon as reasonably possible if the Owner needs to make a significant change to your confirmed Booking or to cancel your Booking. We will also liaise between you and the Owner to try and organise an alternative Booking offered by the Owner, or a refund but we will have no further liability to you.
7. Cancellations due to events outside of Owner’s control
An Owner may have to cancel a booking due to events outside of their reasonable control (see clause 22). In such circumstances, we will liaise between you and the Owner to try and organise an any alternative Booking offered by the Owner, or a refund but we will have no further liability to you.
8. Complaints & Procedure
We always aim to provide the best possible holiday experience, however, if you have any complaint or problems during your stay, please immediately notify the Owner during the stay itself, so that the Owner has the opportunity to resolve the problem at the time. If you do not follow this procedure, there will be less opportunity for the Owner to investigate and resolve your complaint and to make your stay as enjoyable as possible. Delays may also mean that the amount of compensation you may be entitled to, may be reduced or negated.
Whether or not your complaint is dealt with satisfactorily, please also let us know of the problem as soon as possible by emailing info@canopyandstars.co.uk. We will aim to respond within 1 working day to acknowledge your email. We will then review your feedback and investigate the complaint. This may involve discussing your concerns with the owner, revising the website listing for inaccuracies, and reviewing previous guest feedback and internal inspection notes. This process can take time to complete, so please allow approx. 7 working days for a final response.
We also welcome you to fill in our feedback survey which will be sent to you via email the day after you check out. It is important for us to gather as much information as possible about the experiences our guests are having. This is what helps us support our Owner in fulfilling their potential and identifying if anything could be improved.
9. Our Responsibility for your Booking
Your contract is with the Owner and its booking conditions apply. As Agent, we accept no responsibility for the actual provision of the Booking. Our responsibilities are limited to making the Booking in accordance with your instructions and acting properly in accordance with our legal duties as an Agent. We accept no responsibility for any information about the Booking that we pass on to you in good faith. However, in the event that we are found liable to you on any basis whatsoever, our maximum liability to you is limited to twice the cost of your Booking (or the appropriate proportion of this if not everyone on the Booking is affected). We do not exclude or limit any liability for death or personal injury that arises as a result of our negligence or that of any of our employees whilst acting in the course of their employment.
10. Your Responsibilities
10.1 Please note that you have a contract with the Owner of the property. As such you are under a responsibility to behave in a proper, appropriate and legal manner whilst staying at the property with due respect to the Owner, the Property and other guests and their Property.
10.2 You are responsible for informing the Owner of any losses or damage to the property as soon as possible. Please note that you will be liable to pay the Owner for any losses or damage to the property caused by you or a member of your party (except reasonable wear and tear). Some Owners may also require a damage deposit. If so, this information will be provided on the website place page under ‘essentials’.
10.3 You must also leave the property by the check-out time specified on your Booking. If any guest behaves inappropriately or improperly (of which the Owner will be the final judge on their Property), or illegally, the Owner reserves the right to ask the guest and their party (at their discretion) to leave the Property before the end of the holiday period and/or refuse any future bookings from you. Please note that this would be without the right to any refund.
11. Pets
11.1 Not all properties accept pets. If you wish to take your pet on holiday, please advise us before booking and we can check whether pets are accepted at the property. You must obtain the prior consent of the Owner before taking any pets to the property. If you take a pet to a place that doesn’t allow pets, or you exceed the number of pets allowed at a place, the Owner has the right to refuse you to stay at the Property, and/or they may ask you to leave the Property before the end of the holiday period. Please note that this would be without the right to any refund.
11.2 A nightly charge may be made by the Owner for each pet and additional terms may apply, you will be notified of this at point of Booking. Please check these terms carefully before booking and arriving.
11.3 Please do not leave your pets alone or unsupervised in the property at any time during your stay. For the safety and comfort of your pet we request that Owners exercise due diligence at all times, especially where the property is located near a road/livestock. Canopy & Stars nor the Owner can accept responsibility for the safety of your pet.
11.4 If any guest has an allergy to pets, please be aware that Owners (and we) cannot guarantee that a pet has not stayed in a particular Property. We and Owners cannot accept responsibility for any suffering which may occur as a result of such animals having been present in a property.
11.5 We ask that all owners of pets keep their pet under control at all times and to be responsible for ensuring that they do not damage the Property, livestock or vegetation during the stay. You will be liable for any damage caused by your pet. Any damage is to be reported to the Owner immediately. Any additional cleaning required, that may incur an additional charge, will be at the Owner's discretion.
12. Special requests
If you have any special requests (for example dietary requirements, allergy, cots or room location), please let us know at the time of booking. We will pass on all such requests to the Owner, but unfortunately, we can't guarantee that they will be met and we will have no liability to you if they are not.
13. Maximum Numbers
Please note that except by prior arrangement confirmed in writing, only the number of persons specified on a booking confirmation may occupy a property. Most owners reserve the right to refuse admittance or revoke a Booking if this condition is not observed and you are unlikely to receive any refund.
13.1 The Owner reserves the right to sue the guest for any loss, damage or injury caused to the Owner, the Property or to other guests and/or their property. As Agent, we will have no liability to you in these circumstances.
13.2 The Owner only supplies the Property for domestic and private use. You agree not to use the Property for any commercial, business or re-sale purpose, and the Owner has no liability to you for any loss of profit, loss of business, business interruption, or loss of business opportunity. If you do wish to use the Property for a commercial purpose, you must contact Canopy & Stars prior to confirming your booking.
14. Group Bookings
Not all Owners accept Bookings for a single sex group (for example, a stag or hen party). Guests wanting to make such a Booking should check with us beforehand to enable us to check whether the Owner is prepared to accept the Booking. We will then advise you accordingly. In event that an Owner does not accept this type of Booking then it is with regret, that the Booking may be cancelled, and cancellation fees may apply. It is the Guest’s responsibility to enquire with Canopy & Stars and/or check on our website beforehand to make sure that this type of Booking is permitted.
15. Pricing
15.1 Canopy & Stars reserve the right to amend advertised prices at any time on behalf of the Owner. We also reserve the right to correct errors in both advertised and confirmed prices. Special note: changes and errors sometimes occur.
15.2 Rates are set per place in the currency specified by the Owner. Where this has been converted into the currency of your preference, until the payment stage this will be an estimation only, based on a recent exchange rate. The original rate will be displayed before you confirm your payment and you will be given the option of paying in your own currency at our guaranteed rate, or paying in your own currency and leaving the conversion and any associated fees to your card provider.
16. Information & Accuracy
The information and prices shown on this website are varied from time to time and may change between the time you first view a property and make a Booking. You should check that all the details are as you expect prior to making a Booking. It is always possible that, despite our best efforts, some of the properties (including the features and extras available) may be incorrectly described and/or priced. If we discover this is the case after you have made a Booking, we reserve the right to contact you with details of the correct information and/or pricing and will give you the option to:
(1) proceed with the Booking based on the correct information and/or pricing, which may require the payment of an additional amount by you
OR
(2) subject to availability, change your booking dates to dates when the pricing can be honoured and so no additional charge to you. In the event that a lower price can be offered for alternative dates then the difference would be refunded
OR
(3) cancel the Booking. If we do not receive your instructions within 5 days of contacting you, we reserve the right to cancel your Booking without liability to you.
17. VAT
Many of the Owners of properties in the Canopy & Stars portfolio are not registered for VAT in which case no tax is payable. Where VAT is payable, the tax is included in the advertised holiday rental price. If the rate of VAT changes between the date of the Booking and the date of the stay, Canopy & Stars may adjust the rate of VAT that you pay, unless you have already paid for the Booking in full before the change in the rate of VAT takes effect.
18. Visa, passport and health requirements
Unless you tell us otherwise, we assume that all members of your party are British citizens who hold or will hold full British passports valid for the entire duration of the international Booking. Information on visa, passport and health requirements, where given and applicable, is so given on this basis. Requirements may change and you are therefore strongly recommended to check the up to date position with the Owner of the Booking, Passport Office, appropriate embassy or consulate or your doctor as applicable in good time before the commencement of your holiday. Prior to international travel it is your responsibility to check whether it is safe to travel by visiting the FCO website www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice.
19. Governing Law and Jurisdiction
These terms and conditions have been drafted in accordance with and are governed by English law and the courts of England and Wales have exclusive jurisdiction in relation to any and all disputes arising out of these Agency Terms & Conditions.
20. Discrepancies
In case of a discrepancy between these Agency Terms & Conditions and any other Canopy & Stars literature, these Agency Terms & Conditions shall prevail.
21. Validity clause
In the event that a court finds that a condition in these Agency Terms & Conditions is illegal or void, the illegal or void provision will be severed from the remainder of the Agency Terms & Conditions, which will continue to be valid and have full force and effect.
22. Events beyond an Owner or Agency’s control
If an Owner or Canopy & Stars is prevented or delayed from complying with any of their respective obligations under these Agency Terms & Conditions or a contract for a Booking due to events or circumstances beyond their reasonable control, the inability or delay in performing those obligations will not be treated as a breach of these Agency Terms & Conditions or a contract for a Booking. Examples of such events or circumstances include fire, flood and other acts of God, strikes, trade disputes, lock outs, restrictions of imports or exports, riot, accident, disruption to energy supplies, civil commotion, acts of terrorism or war, pandemic (including Covid-19), any national/local/regional government restrictions.
Thank you for wading through all the very boring, but very important stuff above.
Now the outdoors is calling, so go and get wild in nature!
Brownscombe was our main summer holiday with our 8, 5 and 3 year old. We had the beauty of waking up in the middle of a field surrounded by farm animals, whilst living in a truly luxurious safari tent. Kate provided the most fantastic guide of places to go nearby - i would have been lost without this! Kate's hospitality was amazing, she is very warm and kind. Her manner makes you feel very much looked after. Pizza night was a huge hit - my boys said it was the best pizza they ever had! We will be back. Thank you Kate!!
09/08/2024