You know how it is, you always have a memory of a favourite campsite, there are a lot of reasons this could be, from the friendships you made, the great weather, brilliant amenities... you know what I mean dont you? Well, here is a stonkin' little site that has so much going for it I firmly believe it is probably the best site I have been on in fifty, yes fifty, years of camping in some form or another!!
The site is called Dornafield https://www.dornafield.com/
So, why is it so special?
Simple, it's on an old farm, in Devon, run by people who love their job and their place of work. Nothing is too much trouble, it's very clean, neatly laid out, fantastic award winning toilets and showers, excellent services. By services I mean, apart from the camping field, every pitch has the following amenities:
Mains water
Waste water
Electricity
TV Aerial
WC / Elsan point
Hard and grass standing
Presentation
Each pitch is fastidiously manicured by the site staff, hedges are well kept and offer plenty of shelter and privacy. Pitches are quite generous and caravans are generally parked alternatively outward then inward facing so you don't interrupt each other's space. It also means cabling and piping are facing the correct direction to connect up!
On the camping field there is no hard standing, the pitches are MASSIVE and they have the same facilities as Caravan pitches except the Elsan point and TV aerial are omitted.
TV reception is not the best but is not bad off a caravan aerial and if you wish, the shop currently sell aerial leads for £11.00 (from memory) so that you can make use of the aerial point if fitted!
Mobile reception is not the best, but, a signal could be had at most times somewhere on the site on EE, Three and Vodafone as experienced by our party 3 or 4G did appear occasionally but was sporadic as we are in a bit of a valley on the site surrounded by trees. However, and this is a plus point for those who desperately need to have a data connection, site wide Wireless broadband!
Two devices cost us £15.00 per week and the signal seldom had an issue and was roughly 8-10 meg down and similar up. Not too shabby when you consider you have a site load of people on devices streaming video's or Game of Thrones!
As a plus side there is plenty of room for the youngsters and two play parks and a dog walk are available but this is not a Pontins with slot machines, so, bare that in mind! (There is however a small games room by the shop)
Downsides?
Well the approach road is narrow, about half a mile long, twisty and undulating and they ask you to obey a simple rule of: Leave by 11.00am and do not arrive before 12.00!! (A traffic light system would be brilliant if only it could be done)
Two caravans in opposing directions will not be able to pass... You have been warned!
The shop does not hold a lot of stock, (it's not Tesco) but, if you order the day before they will have it delivered for next day. We are talking milk, bacon, bread and papers... that sort of thing. If you should run out of gas, that is on site, as is blue and pink toilet liquids and other assorted camping paraphernalia!
Shop is open from 9-5 from memory.
Only other downside I can think of and I am being very "picky" here, is, it is Devon and Devon does have a few hills! The site is a bit steep in places for the older or infirm person, but generally access is good and disabled parties are well catered for!
I pinched this following bit off their website about the facilities as although we were there over two weeks we did not require the full list offered. https://www.dornafield.com/
119 all weather fully serviced pitches
16 all grass fully serviced pitches
Free showers
Baby bath and changing units
Disabled facilities
Two laundries
Wi-Fi access
Facilities open 24 hours
Well stocked shop including Calor Gas and Camping Gaz, fresh milk, newspapers, bread and our famous croissants
Tourist Information Room
Indoor Games Room with table tennis, pool and darts
Two Adventure Play areas
All-weather tennis court
Two spacious off-lead dog exercise areas
Dishwashing and vegetable preparation facilities
Microwaves
Ice pack freezing facilities
Chemical closet disposal points
Motorvan dump station
Payphone
Cycling in most areas
18-hole golf course within 1 mile
Conclusion
An excellent site, well situated for visiting the whole of Torbay and the beautiful Dartmoor area or, for that matter, anywhere between Dartmouth to Exmouth! Superb facilities and excellent staff. Will I go again? Undoubtedly!!
Moriarty