Wild Camping in a Somerset County Wildlife Site

Campsite in Churchstanton, United Kingdom

  1. 6 guests
  2. 6 bedrooms
  3. 6 beds
  4. 1 bath
Hosted by Emma
  1. Superhost
  2. 5 years hosting

Listing highlights

Beautiful area

This home is in a scenic location.

Valley view

Soak up the view during your stay.

Park for free

This is one of the few places in the area with free parking.
A rare opportunity to stay at Satori, 22-acres of enchanting woodlands and ancient meadows nestled on the Blackdown Hills in Devon/Somerset - an off-grid sanctuary for anyone wanting the opportunity to reconnect with the grounding elements of nature, be it for a day or longer. You'll find a tiny stream, waterfall and river, enjoy the wonderful night skies, fauna, beautiful mosses and wild flowers.

The space
Ok....just before I carry on describing Satori - for some reason Airbnb says that as a campsite, you'll have the whole place to yourself - this ISN'T true - sorry!!! But, nonetheless it is very magical here, and with plenty of space and a maximum of 12-guests at any one time, it may feel like you have the place to yourself!!! So, to be clear...there are 6-people camping possibilities: that might be 1 tent sleeping 6, 6 individual tents, or 3 tents with 2 guests in each etc.

You need to provide your own tent, bedding and all your gear - don't forget a torch as we have no lights.

Unless you hire Satori exclusively (which is possible, get in touch), as well as any campers, there may also be guests staying in our yurt (sleeps 4) and/or the little hut (sleeps 2).

That hopefully clarified!...Satori is a Somerset County Wildlife Site, set on the side of a gently south-west sloping valley that levels out in the private wild flower glade and woodlands, where you can camp.

There is no vehicle access to your pitch; parking is near the main entrance, where you'll find wheelbarrows available if needed to help move your gear across the meadows.

Facilities are simple, off-grid and 'wild'. We mow two small areas for campers, and you're welcome to find your own pitch if you'd prefer.

The Wonky Woodstore is home to the washing up sink and our sustainable wood-burning shower (eco-shampoo, washing-up liquid and soap we provide). There is a dedicated tap with filtered drinking water from Satori's very own spring. And our environmentally friendly compost toilet is short walk from the glade entrance.

The utility-facilities are shared with other guests.

We provide a compost bin for vegetable waste only. There are no bins here, please take all other rubbish home with you. We've chosen not to offer bins to help highlight the amount of waste we all create - please support us and the environment by consuming less and reducing plastic :-)

Open fires are allowed, as long a you never leave them unattended, and ensure they are extinguished and the pit covered over before you leave. Seasoned/dry firewood is available to purchase for a minimum donation of £7/sack for kindling and £10/sack for logs.

We are advocates of wildlife so please no loud parties and only tents that blend with the environment (i.e. greens, greys etc...). The site is suitable for tents, hammocks and bashers.

Our philosophy: Even your footprints should be hard to find

You are welcome to add on some basket weaving, reflexology, or from March to August, some sensory-based wild food foraging. Send me a message to book a space.

I look forward to meeting you!

Best wishes, Emma

Other things to note
As a retreat, guests often choose to be here for time alone and are not looking for interaction with others. Please be respectful of their privacy and personal space.

Lastly, occasionally our local car stadium in Smeatharpe hosts a demolition derby or race-day. Depending on the wind direction sometimes you can hear the cars quite loudly. I've never had any complaints from guests, but I choose to mention it as I feel bad about the disruption to our mostly tranquil setting!

What this place offers

Valley view
Free parking on premises
Fire pit
Smoking allowed
Unavailable: Carbon monoxide alarm
Unavailable: Smoke alarm

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Rated 4.9 out of 5 from 20 reviews.

Guest favorite
This home is a guest favorite based on ratings, reviews, and reliability

Overall rating

  1. 5 stars, 90% of reviews
  2. 4 stars, 10% of reviews
  3. 3 stars, 0% of reviews
  4. 2 stars, 0% of reviews
  5. 1 stars, 0% of reviews

Rated 4.9 out of 5 stars for cleanliness

Rated 4.8 out of 5 stars for accuracy

Rated 5.0 out of 5 stars for check-in

Rated 5.0 out of 5 stars for communication

Rated 4.8 out of 5 stars for location

Rated 4.9 out of 5 stars for value

Guest reviews mention

Where you’ll be

Churchstanton, England, United Kingdom
This listing's location is verified and the exact location will be provided after booking.

Neighborhood highlights

The Blackdown Hills is an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (BHAONB). Most of the land here has been held in the same family for many generations. Because of the many natural springs and wooded valleys that are found here, the land has escaped intensive farming so retains a touch of Old England, supporting a diverse array of flora and fauna, some of it quite rare.

The BHAONB regularly put on interesting walks and talks to help rediscover the landscape, rural skills etc...

Our small and local village of Churchingford is within walking distance from Satori (approx. 1.9 miles away). This is home to The York, a good English country pub (pre-booking essential at weekends), a post office and well-stocked community shop.

Hemyock, the largest village on the Blackdown Hills, is 4-miles away - you'll find a post office and a Spar shop (open quite late). And, on a Friday night Exe-Valley Pizzas rock up in their mobile van and sell the most delicious wood-fired pizzas!

There are many small communities nearby with enthusiastic villagers who create activities for those that live here and visit, such as film showings, farmers' markets and tabletop sales....there are historic interests such as Hembury Hill Fort, Blackbury Camp and the Wellington Monument; and the ocean, with its striking Jurassic Coast, or Beer Caves - all not far if you have a car.

The ancient and historic city of Exeter is about 40-mins by car, with all medley of things to do there such as the Underground Passages tour (you need to book) which takes you through a network of ancient tunnels, some only chest height, where they used to channel water under the city!

There is loads to do!

Meet your host

Superhost
138 reviews
4.97 out of 5 average rating
5 years of hosting
Speaks English
Lives in Churchinford, United Kingdom
Since 2014, I've been evolving Satori into a nature retreat for people to enjoy. I hope you like it!! I've realised, firsthand, how healing nature can be. So to keep nature forefront (it's hard not to in this stunning, unspoiled landscape), and as I'm not driven by money (but please book!), I keep the number of guests to no more than 12--it may at times feel like it's just you and the tawny owls!!

Emma is a Superhost

Superhosts are experienced, highly rated hosts who are committed to providing great stays for guests.

Host details

Response rate: 100%
Responds within an hour
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Things to know

Cancellation policy
House rules
Check-in: 1:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Checkout before 11:00 AM
6 guests maximum
Safety & property
No smoke alarm
Nearby lake, river, other body of water
May encounter potentially dangerous animal