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Lovely, clean, quiet well kept campsite, though it is basic but suits us as we like these type of campsites. Had a lovely few days. Perfect location for walking and visiting the surrounding area. Porlock is a lovely village and the campsite owner is very friendly. Would recommend and will be back next year.
It's located in the centre of the lovely village of Porlock which has a selection of 3 pubs, several tea rooms, cafes/restaurants and various other quirky shops.
Access to the site is narrow and might be a problem to bigger units and caravans.
The pitches are all on grass and most have a sea view. EHUs are available. Pitch where you like. The facilities were a bit tired but ok and there was a room with a microwave and facilities for backpackers etc to prepare food with a few seats out side.
The owner was very friendly and helpful and we loved the laid back feel of the site.
The site is just off the South West coast path and there are lovely walks nearby.
Our third visit here (see review from March 2015) but only three nights this time. Doors have appeared on the shower cubicles, so you can begin to dry yourself off a bit without the curtain expressing its love. The Austin Princess carcass has gone, and Porlock's disappointing hardware shop is under new management. There's an excellent new pizza gaff called the Mandala. Other than that nothing much has changed.
Still my favourite site: quiet, relaxed, friendly, convenient, beautiful, just busy enough, good ground and good EHU in a fab location.
This award winning Adults Only campsite has a working 17th century watermill in a peaceful wooded valley within the Exmoor National Park. Grass and hardstanding pitches, all set beside the River Exe or the sparkling mill stream, with electric, water, drainage, and TV hook-ups. A leisurely stroll up to a weir, and an area where dogs may run free and splash in the river.
Facilities include the beautiful dog walk, free wifi, fishing, modern toilet and shower block, dog wash, working watermill (tours on most Sunday mornings), salmon pass on the weir, shop, bus service, and excellent pubs in the locality. The site has beautiful views, an abundance of wildlife and many footpaths leading directly to the Exmoor woodlands and rivers. Find out more here
Having visited Porlock before, I knew the surrounding area would be perfectly substantial for the type of holiday my husband and I enjoy - that being walking the dog to local pubs for the afternoon and generally meandering around.
Our position, on the corner, with EHU and facing the owner's house, was ideal for people watching, as out beagle loves to do. We did feel exposed somewhat, as we were facing the whole park, but this was easily rectified with a couple of wind-breakers.
The site's facilities are basic. The showers are awkward, mainly as there is nowhere to undress / dry / redress. I found a solution of wearing loose shorts and dressing again the shower - some women were happy with undressing wholly in the sink area - be warned when you fling open the door as you might accidentally expose someone!
Furthermore, although cleaned daily, the toilets are tired. They suit their purpose, but I suspect the growing nature of the site has meant extra-use has affected the quality of the toilets. There is a wealth of information by the toilets too, along with benches/left over oil/pans etc. To cook from - presumably for those back-packing or travelling light.
The owner circulated regularly, which I find reassuring and welcoming. He has excellent local knowledge of walks, where to buy items left behind and if anything, will make you feel like you've known him forever even when buying one 'use' of the washing machine.
We walked a lot, mainly on the coastal path, during our holiday and I would recommend a meander down to Porlock Weir, and across to Bossington for afternoon tea! Yum!
Download the very useful Porlock App for directions on key walks, with photos to refer to to ensure you haven't gotten lost!
This is the fourth or fifth time I have stayed at Sparkhayes and it never fails to remind me what a truly great site it is, for what I like out of a site, it is possibly the best I have stayed at.
Previously I have camped in a small group or on my own, however, this time there were 19 of us on a Stag Weekend, a mature Stag Weekend I might add but the owner could not have done more for us, providing us an area out of the way from all other campers and very politely asking us to keep the noise down late at night when we may have been a little over excited.
The site is just wonderful, the sea in the distance, Exmoor behind and a large grass, pitch where you like site, that helps create a really relaxed and friendly atmosphere. The facilities are maybe a bit old and ramshackle but they were always clean and fine with me, and whilst the showers may not appear particularly welcoming they were powerful and very warm and it was difficult to prize oneself out.
Porlock is a delight, quaint and picturesque but with a few goods pubs to keep things lively enough to enjoy a night out. A walk to Porlock Weir along the coast path is worth it for the bottom Ship pub which is a proper traditional coastal pub. In the village the Royal Oak appears to be the local's choice and does good traditional pub grub, the top Ship is just a really nice pub and the Castle is a little more upmarket and lacked atmosphere.
Although it was a tough walk at times, especially after the night before, walking to the top of Dunkery Beacon was well worth it, we trekked onto Minehead which is not far and has more facilities but lacks the charm of Porlock.
I will definitely be back at Sparkhayes fairly soon, but maybe for a quieter, more relaxing stay this time round.
I spent two weeks of the Easter holidays here with my 6yo daughter; it was our second visit. The pitches are good: flat, well drained with mown grass, although with a few sheep droppings - if that sort of thing upsets you. Pegs go in easily. It's fairly well sheltered from westerlies, although we did feel the big blow just before Easter. The EHU area filled up for the bank holiday week end, but it wasn't cramped.
The location is superb: right in the heart of Porlock with plenty of smaller shops, an excellent butcher, a Post Office which does hiking and some camping gear, a disappointing hardware shop and more than its fair share of pubs and restaurants, most of which will do breakfast if you can't face it.
Access to the site can be a bit tight, not helped by some weird parking on the approach. Once you're there though, the atmosphere is very relaxed and friendly. Children play quite freely but without being a pain; ditto a rather boozy but well behaved group. Lots of Duke of Edinburgh-ists passed through whilst we were there, but as has been mentioned elsewhere, they're gone by 07:30 and didn't stress the facilities.
The facilities are a bit basic - no changing rooms, and the showers are few and a bit feeble, but they are cleaned promptly and to a standard I'd be happy with in a hotel. The washing machine and drier work well. The kettle and microwave in the washing up area are really useful. There are also fridges and freezers in a rather forbidding shed, where many tents are in storage.
Phil the warden is very helpful and clearly puts a lot into this site. The laid back atmosphere obviously takes a considerable amount of work! Don't be put off by the rotting Austin Princess. The prices are excellent, you're not bombarded with rules and everyone seems to enjoy staying here. I rather wish all sites were more like this one. Highly recommended.
Mobile signals are variable. Best bet for mobile broadband is 3. I couldn't tell you about TV reception, but there were plenty of units with aerials out.
I arrived after 8pm on a Friday so just pitched up which the owner didn't mind and he sort me out once I'd pitched.
Single tent with car no EHU with free showers - £7pn which is great value. Pretty relaxed about arrival and departure. 2 big fields both flat and well maintained, showers dated but water hot so no complaints here.
20p charge for ice pack freezer which is useful when tourer and not using electric.
Location is good. A stroll to the village and its pubs, restaurants etc - Top Ship is the best pub. Easy walk along the marsh to Porlock Weir from the lane at the site entrance and no problem walking up to Dunkerly Beacon through Horner Woods from the site.
The owner is a friendly chap who makes himself visible in the morning and evening. Also, happy to have a chat in the pub when I saw him there.
The site seems to get a lot of colleges doing the Duke of Edinburgh thing. Don't let this put you off as the kids are shattered and are soon fast asleep and were very quiet on their early starts.
Have been coming to this site for a few years now and it's lovely. Friendly guy who runs it who has a relatively relaxed attitude and comes round in the evenings for a quick chat and his site fees (£7 per person) Bottom field can get a bit busy with orienteering school visits but although we were initially put off by their presence we found them to be no trouble and they're generally gone by 7am the next morning! Our only request to the owner is to alter the showers so there's more privacy as it's just a curtain and no-where to get dried and dressed without frightening your fellow campers! They are included in the site fees though. Porlock (couple of minutes walk) is a lovely town/village and some fab walk all around. Some great sunsets over the sea too.
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Common Questions
Is Sparkhayes Camping Site child friendly? YES, it accepts children View all facilities
Where is the nearest shop to Sparkhayes Camping Site? There is a shop within 1 mile View all facilities
A day of all things motorhome and campervan. The show is held both in the main indoor arena and across the grounds. Catering, hot drinks and food options are available. Easy access to the site and free parking included. Win one of five pairs of day tickets
All reviews and comments are the personal opinion of the review author only , and as such do not represent the view of the UK Camp Site.co.uk.
The facilities shown on this website are a guide only, and you should check with the campsite direct before making any booking. The UKCampsite.co.uk will not be held responsible for any errors or omissions
Tent Pitches 
No Caravans 
Motorhome Pitches 
Small Campervans 
No Glamping Units 
No Statics for Hire 
No Statics for Sale 
No Seasonal Pitches 
Electric Hookups 
Hardstanding Pitches 
No Fully Serviced Pitches 
Families Welcome 
Not Members Only 
No Rallies 
Not Naturist Site 
Dogs Welcome 
No Dogs Allowed 
Groups Welcome 
Motorbikers Welcome 
Toilet Facilities 
Hot Showers 
Washing Up 
No Bathroom 
No Baby Changing 
Laundry On Site 
Drinking Water 
Disabled Friendly 
Chemical Disposal 
No Battery Charging 
No Gas Exchange 
Recycling Facilities 
No Kitchen Facilities 
Freezer / Fridge 
Motorhome Point 
No Wifi Access 
Shop <1 mile 
Bar <1 mile 
Restaurant or Cafe or Takeaway <1 mile 
No Playground 
No TV Room 
No Games Room 
No Evening Ents 
Fishing <5 miles 
No Wild Swimming 
No Indoor Pool 
No Outdoor Pool 
Horse Riding <1 mile 
No Cycle Hire 
No Golf 
No Tennis 
Beach <1 mile 
Watersports <10 miles 
Boat Launch / Mooring <5 miles 
Sea Views 
Not Working Farm 
No Campfires Allowed 
No Waterside Pitches 
Public Transport <1 mile
Offroad Dog Walk On Site or Direct Access 
Great site. Visited on a cycling tour soon after lockdown ended. Amazing value for money, especially taking into account the location. 
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