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We were invited to spend the weekend at Dartmoor Reach Alpaca & Glamping Farm where we could disconnect from our hectic lives and reconnect with nature.
If you are looking for a family-friendly glamping site just outside Dartmoor that offers sustainably built accommodation and the chance to chill with alpacas, you need to read this review.
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About Dartmoor Reach Alpaca & Glamping Farm
Nestled on the edge of Dartmoor National Park, just a short drive from Bovey Tracey is a secluded stretch of farmland that is home to Josh and Natalie Hyson, their children as well as 16 alpacas, two guinea pigs, and a number of chickens and ducks.
There may also be sheep and pigs, although we didn’t see those during our stay.
The farm is not only Josh and Natalie’s home. It is also their business where they welcome guests looking to escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life in exchange for a moment of calm relaxation and restorative connection to nature.
Arriving at this Devon glampsite
Dartmoor Reach is situated just off the A38. Visitors should leave the A38 at the Chudleigh Knighton junction, after a short drive through some scenic countryside you will arrive at Dunley Lane.
The approach to the farm is down a typical farm lane that is very uneven in places, so do drive slowly and carefully, avoiding the potholes.
Upon arrival at the farm, which is from 4pm to 6pm, you will need to phone Josh who will come out and greet you. He will inform you where to park. There is one parking space allocated to each glamping hut.
The huts are a short walk from the car park but there is a small tractor that Josh can use to drive your baggage to the glamping hut, so you don’t need to lug it too far.
Josh and Natalie can provide a breakfast or BBQ hamper to be ready on arrival at a cost of £25. The hamper includes home reared pork sausages, bacon, freshly laid eggs from their hens, a jar of Natalie’s homemade marmalade, milk, freshly baked bread and butter.
You will need to order this prior to your arrival so that they can prepare it for you.
About the Dartmoor Reach glamping huts & double decker bus
There is a double decker bus and three glamping huts available to hire at Dartmoor Reach.
The Hen House, Bluebell, and Buttercup are the huts – all built by Josh and are constructed from reclaimed materials as far as possible.
Sustainability is a large focus for Josh and Natalie, and in 2023 they were awarded the Devon Women in Business Award for Eco Friendly Business of the Year.
We stayed in Bluebell which sleeps four. It is a spacious hut with ample room for a family of four.
Outside is a spacious deck with picnic bench and two loungers for soaking up some sunshine if you’re lucky with the weather.
The hut comes fully equipped with an en-suite toilet, and an outdoor hot shower attached to the hut for your private use.
The king-size bed is elevated off the ground and accessed via a short ladder. So do bear this in mind if you have accessibility or mobility problems.
Beneath the king-size bed are two beds for children which are floor level so ideal for smaller children. All bedlinen and towels are provided.
There is a small sofa, a dining table and four chairs and a small but well-equipped kitchenette. This features a three-ring gas hob, sink, fridge, kettle, toaster, plates, cutlery, pots and pans and utensils.
A few essentials are also provided such as washing up liquid, tea and coffee.
Dartmoor Reach glamping facilities
We stayed at Dartmoor Reach for two nights and found there was plenty to keep us occupied without really leaving the farm.
The children were more than happy playing outside and watching and interacting with the alpacas that were freely roaming in the field just a few metres away from our hut. In fact, on the first morning, we awoke to gleeful squeals as the girls opened the curtains only to see a number of alpacas surrounding the deck.
My husband and I spent a fair amount of time sat on the bed either reading or watching the alpacas out the window. It was like our own natural TV. In the evenings we drank hot chocolate and played card games as a family.
On one of the evenings, while I went to bed early to read, my husband and daughters sat outside at the firepit and enjoyed the warmth and crackling of an open fire.
A BBQ, firepit, logs and charcoal can all be hired onsite.
The farm
During our stay, we were able to wander freely around the farm and see all the animals. The girls particularly enjoyed watching the two guinea pigs and seeing the chickens and ducks.
But the alpacas obviously stole the show, and they spent the most of their time in the field trying to infiltrate the herd and picking out their favourites.
They noticed quite early on that they all have very distinctive personalities which provided hours of fun as they gave them all nicknames.
Outdoor café
The outdoor café is where the Alpaca Experience takes place. We joined Josh, Natalie and their children in the café for lunch.
We were served home-reared pork hot dogs and potato wedges made from their home-grown potatoes.
Honesty shop
There is a tiny honesty shop onsite where you can buy eggs, bacon, sausages, animal feed, logs, charcoal and beer. There is also a small selection of pottery available to buy that has been thrown by Josh.
If you require supplies not available from the honesty shop, Bovey Tracy is a six minute drive away where you will find a fruit and veg shop, a baker, butcher, two delicatessens, a Tesco, a Co-Op and an M&S in the town centre.
Fairy door trail
Kids will love the fairy door trail where they must hunt down the eight strategically hidden doors around the farm. If they locate them all, they can report back to Josh and win a prize.
Yoga studio
Tucked in the corner of the field is Natalie’s purpose-built yoga studio. As a fully qualified Yoga Instructor and Holistic Therapist with more than 20 years experience, she also provides on-site treatments including therapeutic massage, meditation, reflexology and Indian head massage.
If you are interested in a 1:1, couples or family group yoga session, make sure you book this before your arrival.
Dartmoor Reach wellbeing retreats in Devon
Josh and Natalie also offer wellbeing retreats designed to offer rest and reflection in the tranquillity of the South Devon countryside.
Tailored for individuals and families, these retreats allow you to disconnect from your everyday stresses and responsibilities, and enjoy a peaceful escape that allows you to relax, recharge, and reconnect.
Available as a two, four or five day retreat, you can enjoy time on the farm, feeding animals and collecting eggs, practicing yoga, walking on Dartmoor, indulging in wild swimming and enjoying dinner around the camp fire.
Things to do near Dartmoor Reach Alpaca & Glamping
Whilst we found no need to leave the farm during our stay, preferring to spend quiet time in nature with the animals and keep our days slow and relaxed, there is plenty to do in the local area should you wish to plan a day out.
The House of Marbles is an eight-minute drive away and there is an outdoor swimming pool in Bovey Tracey.
For the more crafty of kids, Pom Stitch Tassel in town offers various crafting workshops.
There are also plenty of other great days out in South Devon if you are prepared to travel a little further afield. And don’t forget that Dartmoor is on the doorstep.
Where to find Dartmoor Reach in Devon
If using Google Maps to find the glampsite, a search for ‘Dartmoor Reach’ will take you straight there.
If you have the What3Words app on your phone their reference is: ///sparkle.profited.shifters
If we’ve tempted you, check availability and rates for Dartmoor Reach.
Disclosure: Stacey and her family were invited to stay at Dartmoor Reach Alpaca & Glamping Farm in exchange for a review on Devon with Kids. All opinions are her own. With the exception of the headline image, all photos were taken by Stacey and her husband unless otherwise stated.