Welcome Exe Valley Caravan Site

We’re very pleased to announce that Exe Valley Caravan Site has joined Tranquil Parks. It’s an award-winning, family-run park in Exmoor National Park.

This site offers a peaceful countryside experience where you can relax to the sound of babbling water and birdsong.  It’s a very special site in several ways:

• Every pitch is next to water
• There’s a historic mill on site
• The well-stocked shop is popular with the public as well as guests

Waterside camping

We spoke to Tonia Matthews, who now runs the site, her parents having bought it in 2004. “The campsite is almost on an island” she explains. “There’s the River Exe on one side, the mill stream on the other and a weir at the end.  The campsite has not flooded while it’s been open – at least since my parents bought it” Tonia adds reassuringly!

Great for dogs

There’s a distance of about 300 yards from the end of the campsite to the weir. This is a recreation area where dogs can explore off the lead. If they want to splash around in the river, Tonia has thoughtfully installed handrails to help dog owners get down and back up the riverbank.

Tours of the historic mill

The old mill building, with all its machinery still in working order, is also on site, and Tonia’s parents live there. Paul, Tonia’s father, invites guests on a guided tour of the mill on Sundays, when he’s at home. “It was last used to grind flour in the 2nd World War” says Tonia. “We think there’s been a mill here since the 1200s, with the current mill house dating back to the 1600s.”

Lots within walking distance

Exmoor attracts walkers. So what’s considered ‘walking distance’ by some guests could be several miles. That said, there’s plenty very close to the pitch, starting with the shop at the site entrance. “The shop is open to members of the public” explains Tonia. “We specialise in local produce and also have an alcohol licence.”

From the entrance you can walk to the local village pub, which sometimes serves evening meals (booking is essential). You can also walk to other local pubs and tea rooms, as well as onto Exmoor.

The closest town, Dulverton is about 6 miles away and it’s about 5 miles to the famous Tarr Steps.  Guests often walk to Dulverton and get the bus back. “It’s not frequent, but it is reliable” Tonia points out.

Wildlife sightings

The area is teeming with wildlife. Over 50 varieties of bird, including kingfishers and dippers, are known to visit the park. You might also catch sight of a red deer, an otter or an escapee sheep from a nearby farm! Exmoor is, of course, famous for its wild ponies.

Find out more

To find out more about this unique adult only site and get information about the pitches, please visit the park’s pages.