Glamping in Devon (with a touch of the Mongolian steppe)

Glamping in Devon (with a touch of the Mongolian steppe)

Glamping in Devon in a Mongolian yurt was the perfect compromise for a wild camper and his outdoor girlfriend. Here's what we did

I have often said that I am happiest with everything I need when wild camping. Kia recently asked me why I like it so much. I told her I love the simple life. I love being cut off from the hectic modern world and being close to nature. A bit cliche, I know, but true nonetheless.

Unfortunately, Kia doesn't quite share the same enthusiasm. She loves nature and dramatic landscapes, but would rather return to a warm hotel and delicious food than a damp sleeping bag and freeze-dried couscous.

When we first met and talked about our dreams of seeing the world together, her only request was that I feed her and keep her warm. It's a simple enough plea, but I sometimes overstepped the bounds.

I tried twice to take her to the wild camp, both times in vain. Their first experience on a beach in the South Pacific resulted in a minor mishap. Her second experience in a rainforest in Colombia led her to declare that she was “done camping!”

We haven't camped much since then. There were two warm nights on the grounds of a hotel in Chile, and when we hiked to Machu Picchu, she endured three nights camping on the Inca Trail (albeit with an air mattress and the promise of a hot shower and a wonder of the world at the end). it all).

Understandably, I was a little nervous when I booked three nights of glamping in a Mongolian yurt in Devon for her birthday this year. Considering that during my last camping experience in Devon I had to contend with hailstorms, torrential rain and gale-force winds amid Storm Katie, even glamping in Devon was a risk.

alt=“Glamping in Devon at – 20″>That’s exactly what I feared

I was hoping that the unpredictable English weather would be on my side for a change. I checked the forecast regularly leading up to the trip. I watched in horror as it rapidly deteriorated. Classic English rain, clouds and general gloom loomed on the horizon, with a bit of thick Bodmin Moor fog thrown in for good measure.

Large. My girlfriend would definitely leave me.

Luckily, the Mongolian yurts at Koa Tree Camp offered a completely different experience inside. Equipped with a wood-burning stove, a comfortable bed with extra blankets and soft incandescent lighting, the yurts guaranteed a cozy experience. There was even a skylight for stargazing - there wasn't much on offer during our stay.

alt=“Glamping in Devon Koa Tree “>Luckily we had our cozy yurt to return to every day

Imported from Mongolia, the yurts are as close to an authentic Mongolian experience as you can get in England, although they are heavily adapted to the needs of outdoorsy types.

There is electricity for starters with electric lamps and sockets for “essentials” like hairdryers and smartphones. The recycled and redesigned furniture is eclectic and traditional, with nightstands papered with comic book pages and trunks that double as dressing tables. There are grills on the patio of each yurt.

The converted barn, or Rainy Day Room as it is called, serves as a kitchen, cozy lounge and bathroom block. Although calling it a “bathroom block” is a disservice. Each party gets their own personal bathroom, some complete with a bathtub – essentially luxury hotel-style bathrooms, just not en suite.

alt=“Glamping in Devon Koa Tree – Rainy Day Room”>The Rainy Day Room

There are a plethora of activities including surfing and paddleboarding lessons, on-site massages and art classes. The campsite is close to the Devon/Cornwall border so there is plenty of trekking and day walks on offer as well as endless tea rooms and cozy pubs for eating and drinking in the afternoons and evenings.

In terms of weather, contrary to my fears, our long weekend was anything but a failure. We enjoyed a relatively sunny day as we visited the charming village of Clovelly on the north Devon coast and walked part of the South West Coast Path over rugged cliffs and dramatic coastline.

The countryside is quintessentially English and is some of the best in the UK. I vowed to return this summer and hike more on the Coastal Path as part of a longer hike.

The rest of our days were spent walking around the various viewpoints along the coast (Hartland Quay and Welcombe Mouth), visiting seaside towns for fish dinners and quiet walks (Bude and Appledore), popping in for afternoon tea at the nearby Rectory Tea Rooms and Docton Mill Gardens and playing endless games of table tennis between cups of hot tea and biscuits.

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Even though Kia sometimes sails close to the wind, she is still my friend. I fed her and kept her warm throughout the trip and earned a few brownie points the next time I take her outside her comfort zone.

Our first glamping experience turned out to be successful and exceptionally unique. How else could one enjoy a fusion of camping, luxury hotel and Mongolian nomadic life?

Glamping in Devon Essentials

What: Glamping in Devon, UK.

Where: Koa Tree Camp in north Devon. Contact the owner, Andy, on 07492 750861 or andy@koatreecamp.com. There is a selection of Mongolian yurts, bell tents and log cabins to choose from.

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When: Unfortunately, you're never guaranteed a completely dry period in England, but June to August is without a doubt the driest and warmest time of the year. However, it is also high season and availability could be an issue, particularly during the school holidays from late July to August.

The campsite is open from April to October, making the low season (April-May and September-October) a good time to visit.

How: We rented a car and drove down from London. The campsite is located between Bideford and Bude, just off the A39, around 4.5 hours' drive from London. You can find more detailed directions here.

Buses and trains run regularly from London to Exeter, where there are connections to Bude and Barnstable. At 17 km (11 miles) away, Bude is the closer terminus station. Book buses through National Express or Megabus for cheaper prices. Trains can be booked through National Rail. Book well in advance to get the best prices across all sites.

Taxis can be arranged from Bude for approximately £20 ($30 USD) or contact Andy at Koa Tree Camp to arrange transport. They even have a minibus so they can serve larger groups.
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