It's hard to believe Tim and Rebecca Webb are new to this campsite-owner lark. Set between the sprawling wilderness of atmospheric Dartmoor and the unspoilt coastline of the North Devon coast, the Webb's Appledore Park was opened in September 2013. Yet such is the slickness of service, standard of the pitches, and seamless way facilities merge with surroundings, you'd think these guys were old hands at running their own campsite. Well, if 25 years experience camping and caravanning their away around Britain has taught them anything, it's what camper's want. And we're inclined to agree.
Spread across eight acres of prime North Devon farmland, this lush pastoral scene hosts 40 spacious pitches. The park is terraced so whether you opt for a hardstanding or one of the level spots in the tents-only area, you'll enjoy uninterrupted panoramic views of the rolling verdant fields. A long while in the making, Tim and Rebecca spent months masterfully landscaping the land and crafting the hi-spec facilities. The facilities block houses brand-spanking new showers with underfloor heating. Eco-conscious to the last, the Webb's have even planted 4,500 trees and hedge plants to encourage a wildlife-rich woodland, "with a glade for folks to camp in".
When not chilling by the tranquil carp-filled pond (perfect for a spot of coarse fishing) or getting to know the resident twin Weimaraners (Spooky and Fester), there's a wealth of places to explore. As the Appledore sign proudly proclaims, this is, after all, 'the stairway to Devon'. Dartmoor beckons to the south, while to the west the stunning beaches of Croyde Bay, Bude and Widemouth are amongst the finest in the world. And then there's the titular Appledore itself. While the campsite is a good 45 minute's drive away, the journey up the A386 is well worth it. Situated at the end of a peninsula, this enchanting seaport is all cobbled streets, mariner's cottages and sail-makers workshops. Be sure to visit for the yearly regatta, myriad festivals and famous World Crabbing Championships.
