Meet the owners:

How did you find Hole Station and how long have you lived there?

We came across Hole Station whilst trawling the interweb for properties with land, and found it tucked away in a corner of a private sellers website. We moved in in June 2007.

What is the history behind Hole Station?

Hole Station was built in 1925 as a part of the newly formed North Devon & Cornwall Junction Light Railway. Upon nationalisation in 1948 it became part of the Southern Region of British Railways, with control later passing to the Western Region. Closure came as part of Beechings Axe in 1965. The station was abandoned and became derelict, until in the late 90's it was restored by Mr R Johnston, from whom we purchased it along with 45 acres of pasture and woodland.

What made you start a campsite?

We decided to open the campsite as a way of funding the restoration of the neglected woodland, and maintaining the culm pasture - an exceedingly rare habitat classed as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI).

We wanted to run the kind of site we would want to stay on ourselves.

What three words describe Hole Station?

De-Stress Central.

How long have you been open?

We ran a trial in July, August and September 2008 to determine interest and assess viability. Following the success of the trial we applied for PP which was granted in March 2009.

What was the site like when you first brought it?

The camping meadow had been taken over by rushes and goat willow.

How involved does the rest of your family get in the running of the site? What did they think of you starting a campsite?

They have all been very helpful in preparing for the full opening. The two eldest are at College and University, the youngest, Max, is at school in nearby Holsworthy and helps out most days. Liz helps with the general running.

"Why can't they just be normal like everyone else's parents and get proper jobs."

How easy was it to get planning permission?

Lots of silly hoops to jump through, a very beaurocratic process.

What changes have you made so far to the site and what are your planned changes for 2009?

We have made the pitches All Weather, and built a new eco toilet and shower block. We have a Bushcraft instructor coming in to do courses later in the year.

What facilities are there?

Showers, Loos, dogs allowed, All Weather pitches, camp fires.

A lot of your site features are based on an eco-friendly and organic ideaology how do you think this alters the general mood and well-being of your average camper?

Beyond making some of them stop and think, I have no idea!

What is Hole station like for wildlife and bird spotting?

It is a rich habitat, being further improved by our coppicing programme. Not being a twitcher myself I couldn't rate it out of 10, but I do know the loudest noise we hear is the birds!

What has been your favourite sight at Hole Station?

Probably Mr. Crash the goat showing off when he goes for walks - he pogo's, snorts, charges, and is generally just so pleased to be alive.

What rules and regulations exist?

No radios, keep it down after 11-ish.

What sort people do you see camping there?

Quite a mix. Families, couples of all ages, lone cyclists and groups. We get alot of groups of families and friends hiring several pitches. Everyone seems to enjoy the camp fires.

What available for kids to keep them entertained?

The woods and the animals keep them occupied for hours, but we don't provide 'holiday park' facilities. Their imagination and a safe, adventurous environment is all they need.

When are you busiest?

Any Bank Holiday, July, August and September

Have you seen a rise in bookings since the credit crunch?

We weren't open prior to that, but the bookings are coming in well in advance of what we expected.

What options are there for out of season camping?

We are quite happy for people to camp all year round if they want to, our published open dates are April-September, but that isn't hard and fast. If people book, we are open.

What advice would you give to anyone thinking of visiting Hole Station and what one thing would you recommend them doing on their stay?

Think about buying your food here, either straight from the farm or from our local farm shops. British agriculture has been stamped on from a great height by the powers that be, but in the not to far distant future we are going to need them again, help keep them in business between now and then.

Switch off their mobile phones and forget them for a while.

What is the local area like for sourcing locally produced food?

Excellent. Tasty and unadulterated.

Which pubs would you recommend in the area?

The Golden Inn at Highampton, an easy walk, the Half Moon at Sheepwash, an easy drive, and the Tom Cobley at Spreyton (CAMRA pub of the year - again). The Plymouth Inn in Okehampton does good beer and has regular entertainments, including folk music.

You have a rent a tent scheme - what is the theory behind this?

The idea is to make it easy for newbies to try camping without the expense of buying equipment (we provide pre-erected tents and dining shelters, cutlery, pots pans, cookers, air mattresses etc.) and for experienced campers who appreciate not having set up and take down hassles - they just love walking away and leaving it for someone else to deal with!

What advice would you give someone thinking of camping for the first time?

Repeat at regular intervals.

What is the Best/worst tent seen here?

No really bad ones, the best your very own Bell Tent.

Do you go camping yourselves, where and when?

We have had family camping holidays since the kids were tiny - we ended up in convoy taking a car, a van and a kayak trailer along with our kids friends!

Max and myself have camped in Bavaria in January at -25 for a sidecar rally, and in the Sahara en-route to Timbuktu and back by motorcycle. Before I got married my longest camping trip was 3 months crossing America by motorcycle, camping wild most nights, with stays in motels to wash my clothes.

What is your best camping memory?

As a child, camping wild next to a beach on the Mull of Kintyre, eating freshly boiled prawns just bought from a fishing boat on Campbeltown quay.

What tent do you own?

My personal tent is a Coleman 3 man, though we have about 20 tents for Rent-A-Tent use on the campsite.

What do you think makes The Perfect Pitch?

No cars, a view when you open the tent door, plenty of space between your and your neighbours and no mud.