Aller Farm Glamping

South West England is blessed with a bounty of bucolic beauty, with Devon the proud possesor of no less than five Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty. There's the enchanting coves of the North Devon Coast; the striking, red triassic cliffs of East Devon; the classic pastoral patches of South Devon; the verdant Tamar Valley straddling the border with Cornwall; and last but by no means least, the Blackdown Hills. These inland lying peaks are among the county's lesser-visited regions. But anyone who bypasses these lush undulating slopes and wooded pockets in favour of the county's coastal delights aren't getting the whole picture. Traversing the high-hedged lanes and paths, you really get a sense of what life must have been like here a century or two ago – utterly idyllic and blissfully remote. The Blackdown Hills AONB is unique in that there are no towns or cities within its boundary. You can walk for miles without hide nor hair of another living soul. That is until the chime of church bells or howls of 'howzat!' from the cricket green beckon you to the one of the scattered quaint villages that dot the landscape. Villages like the sleepy drive-through of Stockland, home to the Parris family's Aller Farm.

Hosts Nigel and Emma are exceptionally welcoming to guests staying on their working Devonshire dairy farm-cum-glamping retreat. Guests, both young and young at heart, are treated to guided walks and encouraged to join in the day-to-day running of the farm, including the daily milking rounds. Aller Farm calves year round, and there's always an adorable baby cow near the tents so guests can chart it's progress. There are also plenty of turkeys, ducks and free-range laying hens, which means fresh eggs for breakfast.

While the setting might be authentically rustic, accommodation here is strictly of the glamping persuasion, with three spacious safari offerings to choose from. Oak, Ash and Beech all comfortably sleep up to six guests in their cosily-furnished confines. There's a double bed for mum and dad, bunks, and a 'magical cupboard bed' the kids will all be fighting over. Each tent has its own bathroom with proper flushing loos, while the latter two even boast their own private wood-fired hot tubs – the perfect setting for contemplating the unspoilt views of the surrounding countryside.  

Despite the luxurious lodgings, this family-friendly farm site has been lovingly crafted with kids in mind. Conscientious little touches like the den building and little outdoor explorer kits available mean children can let their imaginations run riot as they connect with nature.

Needless to say there are innumerable lovely walks leading right from the farm. Nigel and Emma are happy to help you plot your route, or just follow the River Yarty to the east or the Umborne Brook to the west. Some of the region's most popular attractions lie within easy reach, not least the UNESCO-anointed Jurassic Coast, around a 20 minute drive away. But back on site, it's wonderfully secluded. At night a chorus of hooting owls accompany the crackling of flames from the firepit and gentle babbling of the stream behind the tents. And as you decide how best to spend tomorrow, plans might have to be shelved as the lure of the life on the farm might just prove too strong. And what's wrong with that?