Hole Station Campsite is a small family run campsite set in 45 acres, 23 of which are woodland, with a woodland walk and picnic spot. Situated near the village of Highampton, in the quietest and least populated part of Devon - it's not the place for you if you are seeking night club thrills and kiss me quick hats! [Discuss]

Review:

Over the Easter Bank Holiday we decided to head down to Hole Station, after having seen their website, and liking the idea of it being on an eco friendly campsite that also allowed campfires and was in walking distance of a pub. It's not often that you find all of these in combination.

Hole Station is located in the middle of West Devon's glorious countryside. As soon as you approach Okehampton you feel the stress fade away, unless you arrive at the wrong time of day and get stuck in the bottle neck that is Okehamptons high street. I would recommend you turn off at the second turning off of the A30 for Okehampton and work your way back to Hatherleigh to avoid the traffic. Okehampton is a good pit-stop though for your essentials on the way there as there is a both a Somerfield and a Waitrose as well as other local shops, including a camping store.

As you near the campsite the lack of cars around makes you realise that life is at a slower pace round here, and that the your stay will be a peaceful one. There are two villages near to the campsite that you drive through on the way, Highampton and Holsworthy. Hatherleigh is slightly larger and has a Co-Op store, a bank, and a petrol station. Where as Highampton is much smaller with a post office and a local pub, The Golden Inn.

As you pull in to the campsite the first appearances are that you are driving in to someone's home, or a working farm. I loved the simple and tranquil appearance and was instantly welcomed to the campsite by Greg and his dogs. We were shown around the site, and the facilities were explained with pride. Greg's sons offered to carry our stuff from the car to the pitch as the car parking and the pitches are a short walk apart. Wheelbarrows are also available to help you. The fact that cars are not allowed on the pitches adds to the tranquillity of the site and you are not constantly disturbed by people opening their car doors or by headlights in your tent at night. This is nothing but a bonus here as the site is so picturesque and the sound of the wildlife so captivating that you find yourself slowing down and listening to natures sounds rather than wanting to play your music. This site works its charm as soon as you arrive.

The campsite is surrounded by 23 acres of private woodland, making for a secluded and stunning campsite. There are two main areas to the campsite. The main field, surrounded by wild flowers and meadow grasses, and then there is the woodland area. There are only 12 pitches, which makes for a small and intimate site. All of the pitches are a decent size, and are all weather pitches covered in woodchip so even when it has been raining for days you will not end up pitching in a bog. Greg and his family have lovingly developed this campsite in order to maintain the woodland site, and it is well worth taking a stroll through the woods to find the sunset viewpoint. You can even set up a fire in the designated area in the woods, then head back to your tent for the remainder of the evening. Parts of the woodland are reminiscent of a bayou, with tendrils of ivy and moss trailing from ancient trees. Remember to take your wellies so you can make the most of this whatever the weather.

The facilities are basic but this all adds to the charm of the site and will hopefully keep the hordes away. I would hate for this campsite to ever change its ethos as there are plenty of campsites in Devon that appeal to the masses, it is refreshing to have such an independent site.

Campfires are allowed on site in designated firepits and fire kits are brought out of an evening to keep you warm as you watch the stars reveal themselves and listening to the owls sweeping past.

The day before we arrived Greg had finished installing a new block of eco loos (sawdust toilets). The structure is all made from wood and even old crates have been used to form fencing. It is unfair for us to give a thorough review of the facilities as they had only just been installed but Greg was more than helpful sorting out any teething problems. There are instructions on how to use the eco loo's and in my mind they were a lot cleaner and less smelly than many other campsites I have visited. There is one toilet for men and one for ladies, 1 shower (another was being added) and 2 washing up sinks. The only suggestion I would make about the facilities is that you ensure you take your own toilet paper as it did run out a few times at night.

The site has the atmosphere of a small holding. This is added to by the fact that there are horses in stables, Mario the Romanian cob and Sanne the Haflinger, Crash the goat in his pen, the girls (rescue chickens), Minnie the cat who welcomes you as you pitch your tent, and the dogs, Star the Terrier and Holly the Weimeraner that all welcome you to the site. Children love the chickens and the goat, and we were told we were free to feed the chickens at any time. Hole Station will eventually host Equine holidays, where you can book a pitch and take your own horse along and shelter it in the newly built stables. Other plans for Hole station is to offer carriage rides from the site to the local Inn, and Bushcraft weekends.

The Local pub, the Golden Inn, is a 15-25 minute walk down a level path through woodland and fields, along a stream. Make sure you take your torch for the walk back as there is no lighting at all. The local is a friendly and welcoming pub, great for a meal, and a place to shelter if the weather is cold, with its roaring fire and 'bear' of a dog to welcome you. However the best pub in the area for food is the Half Moon Inn at Sheepwash. The food there is fantastis, I would recommend you book a table though.

Greg and his family proved themselves more than helpful and added to the charm of this site. They made us feel instantly welcome and were always on hand for advice and guidance. When we needed to find food on Easter Sunday they even arranged a trip to a local farm for us to purchase some sausages. See our feature on East Graddon Farm to read more.

There are only a few rules at this site. They mainly encourage the eco friendly aspect of the site and I would suggest that you fully embrace this. There are recycling points, eco loo's and a no radio policy. This site is not for the club campsite fan or anyone looking for a loud party. This campsite is a pure back to basics site and I hope it remains this way. After visiting this site and speaking to the local farmers and store owners, Perfect Pitch magazine would like to recommend that you take only a little food and supplies with you for your stay. Support the local trade and purchase some of the fantastic local products on offer. It may be more expensive but supporting local traders can only improve our failing economy and by taking less with you, you are also lowering your carbon footprint.

On the note of taking less with you, Hole station also offers a Rent-A-Tent scheme. If you are a first time camper, are thinking of buying a tent and want to test out camping, or just want the easiness of not taking your own equipment, this is a perfect option. Nearly all your camping kit is provided including pre-erected tents and a cooking/dining shelter. These are decent sized tents and all you need to take with you is your sleeping bag, and supplies. The site is set up for your arrival, you relax as soon as you arrive.

The most memorable moment I have of staying at Hole Station is waking to visit the loo's early one morning after the clearest night I have ever seen. The frost had decorated all of the tents with frosting and the peace across the site was immense. I was told that some mornings at this time a family of Deer pass through the site, but unfortunately they did not show themselves whilst I was around.

I will certainly be returning to Hole Station and would recommend it to anyone looking to get back to basics in a picturesque and homely little site. I left Hole Station feeling thoroughly refreshed and longing to come back.