Ashbourne Woods named top-selling site in Devon

Ashbourne Woods in South Brent has been named by Pitchup.com as its top-selling site for Devon for 2015.

The figures, compiled from Pitchup.com’s bookings for 1,605 camping and caravan sites throughout Europe, show Ashbourne Woods led the way for visitors to Devon in 2015, bringing an impressive 749 bookings to the region, 9% ahead of its nearest competitor in the county.

Early bookings suggest Ashbourne Woods is set to maintain its momentum this year.

Dan Yates, founder of outdoor accommodation specialist Pitchup.com, commented: “Devon is a popular destination for our users with the South West attracting 8.2 million searches on our site in 2015.  With its wide range of hiking trails and adventure activities, Dartmoor National Park is a big draw for our client base of outdoor enthusiasts and Ashbourne Woods is ideally located for all of this. The site offers popular glamping options such as camping pods and bell tents but we believe its focus on traditional wild camping has won it the top spot with our users, who rate the site highly at 8.9 out of 10.”

For those who want to go off grid, Ashbourne Woods is the ideal place to get back to nature and unleash their inner Bear Grylls.  The site, which is located on the south-eastern tip of Dartmoor National Park, offers a genuine wild camping experience amongst 68 acres of pristine woodland. Wild camping areas are accessible by foot only, with cars left at the main site, and campers can simply pitch up tents where they choose.  Wood for building campfires is available from the onsite shop.  For those who prefer a ‘mild camping’ experience, a range of pitches with optional electric hook-up for tents, tourers and motorhomes are available with access to communal facilities including hot showers, washing-up areas and a laundrette.  There is also a two-bedroom static caravan, which can accommodate up to six people; a timber camping pod, which can sleep up to four people; and a canvas bell tent which is popular with glampers.

Commenting on their success, Lister Bass of Ashbourne Woods, said: “It’s great to hear that we were the best selling site for Devon in 2015. We joined Pitchup.com following our decision to diversify Ashbourne Woods into a working woodland suitable for camping and we have never looked back. The campsite was just supposed to help with our income, but thanks to Pitchup.com’s continued support and promotion, it looks like the campsite will be the main earner, going from strength to strength.”

He continued: “We are already looking at taking on more local employment for the coming busy months and we’re expanding significantly this year with the introduction of tree tent pitches, log cabins and new nature trails.  We’ll also be introducing a solar and Biomass boiler to heat the showers, toilets and reception area.”