non-electric pitches

WISH YOU WERE HERE

Posted on May 6, 2026

Back of Beyond Touring, Camping & Glamping Park

Back of Beyond Touring, Camping & Glamping Park in St Leonards, Dorset, is a beautifully run adults-only retreat that blends peaceful woodland surroundings with excellent facilities and warm, attentive management.

Run by Martin and Victoria Bowrey since 2013, the 30-acre, five-star park has grown a loyal following for its calm atmosphere, spacious layout and thoughtful touches that make every visit feel restorative. The park offers 98 well-maintained pitches, ranging from fully serviced options to astroturf and non-electric pitches, ensuring that both touring guests and traditional campers are well catered for.

Those seeking something a little different can choose from cosy glamping pods, huts or even a yurt, all nestled among the woodland, lakes and heathland that define the site’s character. Facilities are excellent: two modern amenities blocks provide clean toilets and showers, while Monty’s Bar and a rotation of visiting caterers create a friendly social hub in the evenings.

Guests also benefit from on-site Wi-Fi, a handy shop stocked with essentials and locally sourced treats, and a dog wash—perfect after exploring the park’s extensive woodland. Nature lovers will particularly appreciate the dedicated wildlife lakes, part of a designated Site of Special Scientific Interest, and the 18 acres of off-lead dog-walking woodland.

There’s even a rustic pitch-and-putt golf course for relaxed afternoons outdoors. The team’s commitment to sustainability is evident through their recycling efforts, support for local producers and on-site beehives, whose honey is sold in the park shop—a charming and delicious reminder of their eco-friendly ethos. Location is another major draw.

Just three miles from Ringwood, the park is well placed for exploring Moors Valley Country Park, Avon Valley Country Park, the New Forest National Park and the sandy beaches of Bournemouth. It’s easy to see why Back of Beyond has earned recognition including Dorset Tourism Awards for both Best Campsite and Dog Friendly Business, plus a place among the Top 100 Sites and Adult-Only winner for 2025.

Peaceful, welcoming and impeccably maintained, Back of Beyond offers the perfect escape for adults seeking tranquillity, nature and a touch of comfort in one of Dorset’s most scenic corners.

Back of Beyond Touring, Camping & Glamping Park
St Leonards,
Dorset
01202 876968
info@backofbeyondtouringpark.co.uk
www.backofbeyondtouringpark.co.uk

WISH YOU WERE HERE at River Dart Country Park

Posted on February 10, 2026

River Dart Country Park has been welcoming guests as a holiday park and visitor attraction since 1976. Set within 90 acres of beautiful Devon countryside on the edge of Dartmoor, it blends outdoor adventure with relaxed, family-friendly camping.

The park is run with a strong sense of heritage, sustainability and community, and remains one of Devon’s best-loved destinations for active families. The campsite offers a wide choice of accommodation, with 243 grass pitches and 38 hardstanding touring pitches suitable for tents, caravans and motorhomes.

Guests can choose between non-electric pitches, electric hook-up options, hardstanding, or “super-pitches”, which combine hard base with grass. Each pitch is generously sized at approximately 11m × 11m, giving families plenty of space.

Facilities include modern amenity blocks with hot showers and free hot water, washing-up areas, laundry rooms, Wi-Fi zones, a well-stocked onsite shop and the popular Old Sawmill café-restaurant. Secure barrier entry, disabled and family-friendly amenities and a dedicated dog-walking area add to the convenience.

GENERAL MANAGER IS ROGER SELL

Adventure is at the heart of River Dart Country Park. From extensive outdoor playgrounds and a lakeside pirate ship to climbing pods, a tree-top tower, canoeing, kayaking, high-ropes courses, zip wires and an impressive Bike Park, the park offers activities for all ages.

Younger visitors love the mini-beach and gentle water play areas, while the surrounding woodland and riverside trails provide a peaceful contrast. Being just a mile from the A38 and sitting at the gateway to Dartmoor National Park, the location is both accessible and scenic.

The park has received multiple accolades, including success at the Visit Devon Tourism Awards and, most recently, a Bronze for “Touring Camping & Caravanning Park of the Year” (2025). Sustainability is a defining part of its identity. River Dart Country Park uses a hydro-dynamic screw turbine to generate electricity, biomass heating for its facilities, solar PV, electric site vehicles and an extensive recycling policy.

Its family-friendly Eco Trail helps visitors discover these initiatives first-hand. What truly sets the park apart is its blend of nature, adventure and atmosphere. As many families say, the pirate-ship lake alone makes it “their favourite place ever.”

River Dart Country Park
Ashburton,
Devon,
postcode TQ13 7NP
T. 01364 652511
E. info@riverdart.co.uk
www.riverdart.co.uk