Napps Caravan Site

I've stayed at Napps four or five times over the years (I think tha t the tent in the middle of the picture could actually be ours, but I could be wrong), and it was always such a pleasure to return. It's located mid way between Coombe Martin and the delightfully named Berrynarbor, up a road through the woods, right beside the coast path.

It's easy to find, if you drive from Coombe Martin to Berrynarbor or visa versa, you turn either ...
.../> The main problem with Napps is their attitudes towards campers and caravanners. If you are in a caravan you get priority on the lower site, which means that capers are often relegated to the sloping field at the top of the site, and the company of the sheep and the rabbits (the sheep are kept in a field right at the back of the site, not on the site itself I hasten to add). If you don't like noise, this can be a good thing, however, as the bar ... more

I've stayed at Napps four or five times over the years (I think tha t the tent in the middle of the picture could actually be ours, but I could be wrong), and it was always such a pleasure to return. It's located mid way between Coombe Martin and the delightfully named Berrynarbor, up a road through the woods, right beside the coast path.

It's easy to find, if you drive from Coombe Martin to Berrynarbor or visa versa, you turn either left or right at the Old Sawmill pub, by the large sign directing you to it. You drive up through the wood (which gave me nightmares for years), to enter at the bottom of the site. It's developed up quite a steep hill, so the first five or so levels are terraced, with the top level being a large open field, with an area for groups tucked away in a corner.

The bottom level of the site is home to the reception and the camp shop (which sells games and trinkets as well as some camping essentials like milk and ice-reams), the toilet and shower blocks, a games room, children's play area and tennis courts, the swimming pool, a cafe, a bar and, bizarrely enough, a paint your own pottery workshop, or there was last time I went. The site even has a beach, which, if you dare to visit it, you will probably have to yourself, as it's only accessible down a very steep and very long stone staircase cut into the cliff.

The facilities are, generally, excellent. The cafe/takeaway has slightly unusual opening hours but does excellent food right beside the swimming pool, the toilets are kept to a high standard, but a queue often forms just after the pool, which has a special shallow area with a slide for smaller children, closes. I've never visited the bar, but I can vouch for the Old Sawmill at the bottom of the road, five minutes walk for what I am assured is quite a good pint and occasional morris dancing. The children's play area is also excellent, I remember it being better than it is now, but nostalgia is likely to do this, and I have no real complaints.

The main problem with Napps is their attitudes towards campers and caravanners. If you are in a caravan you get priority on the lower site, which means that capers are often relegated to the sloping field at the top of the site, and the company of the sheep and the rabbits (the sheep are kept in a field right at the back of the site, not on the site itself I hasten to add). If you don't like noise, this can be a good thing, however, as the bar can get very loud, especially on karaoke night once a week.

The site has quite a lot of wildlife, apart from the rabbits, which get everywhere. On the site itself I've seen buzzards, foxes and squirrels, and I'm assured that they also have a rare breed of bat, red deer, badgers and cows; in the surrounding area there are otters, which I've never been lucky enough to see, and seals, dolphins and peregrine falcons, which I have, as well as the obligatory Exmoor Ponies on Exmoor.

Attractions in the local area include, of course, the beaches around the coast, including the mile long Woolacombe sands, Watermouth Castle, the theme-park just down the road, Exmoor Zoo, several museums, boat trips, miles of beautiful walking and a few other theme-parks like the Combe Martin Dinosaur Park and the Big Sheep (truly fantastic).

Napps is perfectly situated, with a stunning view out across Watermouth Bay, directly next to the coast path which can lead you almost anywhere, and with good road access to anywhere you want to go. It's sadly lost one of the main excitements for me, as in the early years when I started going there, you got the sonic boom from Concorde going over, but, of course, that doesn't disturb the tranquility anymore. 

...less