A Blissful Weekend at Berridon Farm: A Busy Mum’s Escape to Nature

As a mum of two energetic kids (aged 5 and 7), life is a whirlwind of school runs, snack requests, and never-ending to-do lists. So when we had the chance to spend a weekend at Berridon Farm, a charming glamping site in the Devon countryside, I grabbed it with both hands. I wanted fresh air, freedom for the kids to roam, and a break from screens, schedules, and the chaos of everyday life. Berridon Farm delivered all that and more!

We arrived at Berridon Farm in the late afternoon, greeted by rolling fields, fresh country air, and had the APP to hand so we knew exactly where to go. The kids tumbled out of the car, instantly distracted by the sight of chickens wandering and a rustic play area.

Our home for the weekend? A beautiful canvas lodge, complete with proper beds, a wood-burning stove and, this is the scary bit.. no WiFi, no TV – just the sounds of nature. I’ll admit, the thought of no screens made me nervous, but within minutes, the kids were too busy exploring to care.

We headed up to the farmyard where the wood-fired pizza oven was in full swing. The kids made their own pizzas, covered in gooey cheese and fresh toppings, before racing off for a game of hide and seek with some new farm friends.

The next morning, the kids woke up early and excited – no need for alarms here! They were straight into their wellies and out to explore. Feeding the chickens and collecting eggs was the highlight of their morning, and they took their job very seriously.

After a leisurely breakfast of farm-fresh eggs and toast, we set off on a nature scavenger hunt (courtesy of the farm’s handy activity packs). The kids loved spotting different leaves, insects, and animal tracks, while I soaked in the rare joy of not rushing anywhere, and may have had my morning coffee in the hot tub...

Afternoon meant den-building in the woods followed by a short drive to the beach for some rock pooling and sandcastle building. I had packed a picnic, and we spent hours simply playing, laughing, and enjoying the salty sea breeze.

In the evening we had our campfire cooking kit delivered to the cabin so Harry set about making dinner while I had put my feet up. With chilli con-carne sizzling over the fire and marshmallows being skewered ready for toasting I felt a world away from a usual Saturday night of deciding what to watch on telly.

Sunday morning was all about slowing down. We took a stroll through the fields, the kids running ahead, picking wildflowers and chasing butterflies. I sipped my coffee by the fire, feeling grateful for this peaceful pocket of time. We had the most incredible Sunday lunch at The Farmers Arms pub, and then headed to North Devon Aqua Park to jump around on inflatables and, inevitably, fall into the water in heaps of laughter.

Packing up on Monday morning was bittersweet – we weren’t quite ready to leave. As we waved goodbye to Berridon Farm, my 5-year-old sighed, “Can we live here forever?”

A weekend here reminded me of the joy of simple pleasures: fresh air, good food, and uninterrupted time together. We’ve already booked a week in August!

If you’re a busy parent looking for a weekend escape where your kids can run free and you can truly unwind, Berridon Farm is a must.