The Orchard Retreat
England / Cheriton Fitzpaine, Devon
The Orchard Retreat is the secret that Vogue didn't really want to tell you about! Featured in the prestigious magazine's ‘Best Destinations for Families', the eco-friendly, family-run and award-winning glamping site is rich in country luxury and blissful relaxation, offering plenty of on-site pampering and fun activities to boot.
Featuring two lovingly renovated holiday cottages and three locally handcrafted yurts set amongst fifteen fresh acres of meadows, woodland, streams and orchard, you'll find there's always something new to see and do! The site is dog-friendly too, so there's no reason for your four-legged friends to miss out on any of the fun.
Each of the three yurts (named Bramley, Russet and Pippin) are delightfully secluded within the four-acre apple orchard, and each comfortably sleep up to four people. All are within a short wander of their own individually private bathroom and kitchen facilities.
The yurts have been handcrafted by Green Device, based just two miles from the site. Each one is 18ft in diameter, and exquisitely finished with sustainably-sourced wooden frames, luxury cotton canvas and stable doors.
Inside, you'll find your very own cosy holiday sanctuary, equipped with a double bed, twin or double day bed (cleverly doubling up as a sofa), soft pillows and fresh linens - plus kitchen essentials, lanterns, a cool box and that all-important cafetiere! Outside, you can enjoy plenty of barbecues in your private seating area...complete with picnic table and toasting fork (so don't forget to bring a few marshmallows along!)
Short, well-lit paths will lead you to the Facilities Lodge kitchen and The Gallery, where you'll find your private bathroom equipped with hairdryer and shaving light. The kitchen facilities are shared, with plenty of storage, cooking equipment and eco-friendly cleaning products.
The Gallery is your friend if you just have to check in with social media during your stay! A stunningly restored cattle shed, the communal space is an ideal hangout for relaxation and games alike.
For extra holiday treats, why not hire the cob pizza oven for an evening and indulge? Or how about a well-deserved soak in the Hidden Tubhouse, an outdoor bathroom equipped with a shower and two cast-iron baths... we guarantee you'll soon be converted to bathing under the stars!
If yurts aren't really your thing, the Cider Barn - a renovated cider press and brewing house that sleeps up to six - and Apple Tree Cottage, sleeping up to four, may be more suitable! Both cosy cottages are fully equipped with everything you'll need, and are perfectly nestled within the main courtyard.
Say hello to the friendly chickens as you explore the site, then why not let the kids loose on the treehouse and play area while you browse the shop, packed with glamping essentials, natural beauty products and locally-sourced delicacies?
Pack a picnic and enjoy eating al-fresco amongst the wild flowers and the rustling of the apple trees, then follow up your meal with a quiet snooze in The Hammock, slung between two apple trees and just perfect for two.
You'll find plenty to do offsite if you can tear yourselves away, from walks, beaches and local attractions, to shopping in nearby Exeter. Once you return from your hectic day out, you may find a meadow-set yoga lesson or personally tailored massage might be just the thing to help you relax all over again!
Are you ready to escape the pressures of daily life for a while? If so, the Orchard Retreat offers everything you need for the freshest and most naturally luxurious getaway you could possibly imagine!
Things to note
Check-in from 3:30pm, check out 10am, no outdoor shoes inside the yurts, no smoking inside the yurts, cottages or communal areas, one well-behaved dog is accepted (except Bramley yurt) at £25 per stay, 2 night weekend stays are considered outside of high season, free WiFi is available in the cottage and The Gallery, group bookings are possible on request, high chair and travel cot available on request. Online booking system takes bookings for Friday to Monday, Monday to Friday and Friday to Friday but contact the owner for stays outside of this.
The basics
Region: Cheriton Fitzpaine, Devon
Cost (from): £300 (3 nights in yurt)
Sleeps: Varies
Bedrooms: Varies
Bathrooms: Varies
Minimum stay: 2 nights (offpeak)
Property ref: 531
Facilities
Yurts sleep up to 4, double bed, twin/double day bed/sofa, bedding & towels provided, private bathroom, hairdryer, two ring gas burner, toast grill, cafetiere, crockery, utensils, cool box, water caddy, hot water bottles, wood burning stove, basket of logs provided, lanterns, torches, candles, garden, picnic table, BBQ.
The Cider Barn sleeps up to 6, 2 double bedrooms (1 ensuite), double bedroom with single bed, bedding & towels provided, family bathroom, fully equipped kitchen, dishwasher, kitchen equipment, condiments, dining table, WiFi, FreeSat TV, DVD player, garden, picnic table, BBQ.
Communal facilities include a kitchen with extra facilities, communal pizza oven, fire pit, treehouse, trampoline, Hidden Tubhouse with two cast iron bath tubs, plus The Gallery with WiFi, games, books and laundry facilities.
Apple Tree Cottage is also available and sleeps 4, view property website for more details.
Local activities
Onsite: badminton, table tennis, yoga, massage.
Offsite: cycling, canals, boating, markets, climbing, horse riding, segway, GoApe, coastal walks, beaches.
At a glance
- Fifteen-acre luxury glamping site in Devon, featuring two converted cottages and three orchard-based yurts with private bathroom facilities.
- Easily accessed by road, with parking available.
- The site is dog-friendly, however please note that dogs are not permitted in Bramley yurt. There are free-range chickens on site, so dogs should be supervised.
- There is a wide range of facilities on site, from an outdoor bathroom, a pizza oven, a treehouse, indoor and outdoor games, communal kitchen facilities and a shop.
- Close to a range of country walks, towns and attractions.
- Large family groups/entire site bookings welcome. Supper club can be arranged for groups of 8 or more guests.
Tags
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