Wednesday 29 June 2016

Glamping at Crealy in Devon

A couple of weeks ago we were invited to stay for the weekend at Crealy which is located in Devon. Crealy is an adventure park which has its own caravan and campsite. As you know we recently went to a festival and camped together for the first time as a family of 4 which we really enjoyed, so we were very keen to try out the glamping tents that we were offered.

We live in Wales and the journey to Crealy took us about 1 hour and 45 minutes. Once we arrived check in was very quick, easy and stress free. We paid a refundable deposit of £3 for a gate pass which is used to drive in and out of the campsite. There was also a shop in the reception area which supplies food, drink and other camping essentials and entertainment.




We were staying in the medieval area of the campsite in the Sir Galahad tent. There was also a safari area with different style glamping tents. You were able to park very close to the tent which is easier for unloading the car. The tents are well spread out so you don't feel like you are on anyone's doorstep. There was plenty of room for kids to run around and enjoy themselves.





We've never been glamping before so we don't have anything to compare the tent to but we found it amazing.  They are large and sleep up to 8 people, if you also use the sofa. They are fully furnished which is a wonderful thing to have when camping. All we had to take was bedding and towels. There was even 2 plug sockets and a light. The tent is split into 3 rooms which are the kitchen, lounge and dining area and 2 bedrooms either side. 

The main bedroom had a double bed, chest of drawers and a clothes rail. It was a large room which had plenty of space to store luggage etc. We used our pop up cot in this room for Ophelia to sleep in and there was still enough room to move around.







The other bedroom had bunk beds and 2 single beds. Eva thought she was cat that got the cream having all those beds to herself. 





The kitchen had a sink, fridge, toaster, kettle, hot and cold running water, plates, cutlery, glasses, saucepans and a wood fired stove. There was a sofa bed and a dining room table.







I left hubby to use the wood fired stove as I am a bit of a cry baby when it comes to fire. Every glamping tent comes with a basket of fire wood but you can purchase more if you run out. He found it easy enough to use although it takes a little while to get going and heat up. We ate there for breakfast and dinner but had lunch in the adventure park. If cooking really ins't your thing then there are places to eat in the adventure park or there are plenty of pretty looking country pubs close by.

The stove made the tent lovely and warm. A far cry from how cold you normally feel in a tent. It was lovely to not wake up shivering from head to toe.

There is a decked area outside the tent with a table and chairs. We sat out there both mornings for our breakfast and hubby and I sat and enjoyed some quiet time there at night with the fire pit blazing to keep us toasty. 




The toilet and shower facilities are the best i've ever seen at a campsite. They were a very short walk from the tent. There were plenty of toilet and shower cubicles so you were never queuing to use them. They are heated too which is a nice touch. They did have a hairdryer in there which was available at a small charge.






There was a park near the tent too which Eva loved. Some of the tents had a clear view of the park so that you could watch your child playing from the Terrace.





We absolutely loved staying at Crealy. The staff were very friendly and helpful. The facilities were the best i've seen for a campsite. It was all very clean. It was ideal for families with children of all ages. The medieval glamping tent felt like a home away from home. I'm not sure how i'll be able to use a normal tent again after having such a fantastic glamping experience. The location is great too. It's close to lots of beaches. We popped to Exmouth beach one evening for a walk which was a lovely experience.




We are definitely going to go back. I think we'd try a Safari tent next time to see how they differ. We spotted one called Kilimanjaro which is where we got engaged, so we'll have to try and stay in that one. There are also lodges with hot tubs which would be amazing to stay in. You can also stay and use a pitch for your own caravan or tent but if you can I would give glamping a go as it was so easy and stress free. It meant we were able to relax and enjoy ourselves almost straight away.




I'll be writing a separate post about Crealy's adventure park so make sure you pop back to read that tomorrow. 

Have you ever stayed here? Have you ever been glamping? 








SHARE:

36 comments

  1. This looks amazing. I like the idea of having proper furniture x

    ReplyDelete
  2. We've never tried glamping, but would love to try it too! I must say I do love camping but hate the idea of having to walk all the way to the facilities to do your thing and so having the toilet/shower in your tent, sounds fab to me :)

    ReplyDelete
  3. I can't believe how much you're getting out and about these days! I love love love the look of those beds and feel like even I could cope with camping if i had them to sleep on. Also Ophelia looks pretty impressed too! :)

    ReplyDelete
  4. I've loved seeing your Instagram photos of your trip so I had been keeping an eye out for your review. It looks fantastic. I love the idea of glamping with young kids, sounds like a great compromise of camping but having all the amenities you need when holidaying with young children. I must admit, I thought it would be further away from us in South Wales than it is, but 1hr45 is a really manageable distance. Sounds like there is loads to do in the area for families too. Glad you had a lovely time. X

    ReplyDelete
  5. I love camping, but have to say, the idea of glamping definitely appeals. It looks fabulous here, what great facilities and tents!

    ReplyDelete
  6. we went glamping a few weeks ago and I loved it - definitely my kind of camping when there is a proper bed to sleep in! ;)

    ReplyDelete
  7. That looks amazing and totally something I'd love with my son. We went glamping recently with canopy and stars which I'll be writing up about soon. x

    ReplyDelete
  8. Oh wow! This looks great. I'd love to go glamping. We are also going to our first festival this year! I'm quite excited x

    ReplyDelete
  9. I've never been clamping before, but this so much fun and great for kids too! x

    ReplyDelete
  10. This looks amazing! We camped at a festival a few years ago and I was quite ill from the Paella that I ate and I still have memories of waking up in a hot stuffy tent feeling sick! I haven't been able to bring myself to camp since BUT even I would love to go here!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Love the Sir Galahad tent, how fab is that. I am going glamping soon and can't wait to try it out. Do you have any tips for me?

    ReplyDelete
  12. Those facilities are great! I'm not the biggest fan of camping, but glamping - yes!

    ReplyDelete
  13. I hate camping ...but glamping - i think i could make an exception for that. Love the fact you still have those elements of home comforts despite the fact you're essentially "camping" in a tent. xx

    ReplyDelete
  14. This looks great!! I love that they have proper beds inside! I have not been camping since I was little, love this idea :)

    ReplyDelete
  15. Those tents are so cool! I used to go camping begrudgingly as a kid, and my other half is even worse, but I don't think I'd mind glamping - that kitchen looks nicer than the one in our house! :)

    ReplyDelete
  16. LOL, wish I'd gone camping like this as a kid x

    ReplyDelete
  17. I go camping but now I want to go glamping asap!

    ReplyDelete
  18. I hate camping but that is definitely more my style!!

    ReplyDelete
  19. Oh wow that looks AMAZING!!! I want to go there right now, my kids would be so excited at the thought of it. We stayed in Devon last year and I remember seeing signs for Crealy, will have to look into it some more :)

    ReplyDelete
  20. We are going here this month and I cannot wait - it is going to be so much fun!

    ReplyDelete
  21. Wow i had no idea glamping was like that! All that furniture must have made it seem quite surreal!

    ReplyDelete
  22. This campsite looks very interesting. I have never gone glamping.

    ReplyDelete
  23. I so want to go glamping - it looks so fun and most importantly, comfortable. I am just not cut out for camping haha.

    ReplyDelete
  24. I've never been camping before but if I ever do I'd definitely go down the glamping route, it looks fab and how fun to have all your home comforts only outdoors! :)

    ReplyDelete
  25. Wow it really is GLAM. My family used to go camping twice a year, never anything as lush at that though, looks lovely!

    ReplyDelete
  26. Im so ready for glamping too. I think im pretty over the traditional camping. I love this post and it made want to go into glamping more.

    ReplyDelete
  27. Wow that is definitely luxury camping!! It's beautiful. I'd love to go camping with the family.

    ReplyDelete
  28. oh wow this sounds absolutely amazing! ive never been glamping but it looks cozy and if the loos are as good as you say then id be happy haha! #TotsTravel

    ReplyDelete
  29. what a fabulous place. so practical for families with so much to do. i love it. well done for sharing

    ReplyDelete
  30. Looks gorgeous where you stayed but I am a sucker for a hot tub- Think I'd have to go for a lodge!

    ReplyDelete
  31. This looks amazing, love the idea of having furniture while your camping! x

    ReplyDelete
  32. Wow that's class and nuts at the same time. This would be something for me and the kids.

    ReplyDelete
  33. This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

    ReplyDelete

Blogger Template Created by pipdig