Here is our review of Barley Meadow Touring Park, which is situated right on the edge of Dartmoor National Park.
As with all our reviews here, and what we want to achieve on this site, we only review the campsites we have stayed at, so you know you are getting an honest opinion from honest campers. This is a review based on our experiences, totally independent and not sponsored or influenced by the campsite in any way.
If you haven’t been camping since the Coronavirus restrictions were lifted, then this post may help you when understanding what to expect.
Video Review of Barley Meadow Touring Park
Address
Barley Meadow Touring Park
Crockernwell
Exeter
EX6 6NR
Open Dates & Costs
Open 11 months of the year. Closed – 5th Jan to 5th Feb
Prices Range from £16 to £24 per night, depending on pitch
Highlights
Quiet Location
Clean, and well kept pitches
Close to Dartmoor Nat Park
Small, personal site, with family feel
Snapshot Review of Barley Meadow Touring Park
As soon as we arrived, we could tell this was a well looked after site. The manicured grass, the impeccable Dog Walking field, and the brightly coloured stones that we drive in on contrasted beautifully.
Check-in, in the COVID era, was painless, we didn’t have to leave the Campervan.
The shower and facility block here at Barley Meadow Touring Park was well looked after, and clean, and the pitches were tidy, spacious and well located.
Location – 8 / 10
Customer Service – 8 / 10
Showers / Toilets – 8 / 10
Cleanliness – 9 / 10
Facilities – 7 / 10
I think our only complaint at this stage was that there were hardly any hand sanitisers. Just one next to the Chemical Toilet facility. When we stayed at Pebble Bank, a week earlier, there were hand sanitisers everywhere.
Grass Pitch 
Hardstanding Pitch
Location of Barley Meadow Touring Park
Barley Meadow Touring Park is nestled right on the edge of Dartmoor National Park. This gives you great access to all things Dartmoor.
We were there for less 48 hours, and hiked up to Haytor Rocks, explored House of Marbles and cycled some of the Granite Way.
There are endless things you can do in the area, and you can learn more about this here.
Around Barley Meadow Touring Park is very hilly, with some quite narrow roads. We attempted a walk to the pub, about 1.5 miles away in Drewsteignton. Half way in, we decided to go back. The roads were narrow, Max was on his bike, and we just weren’t comfortable with the walk.
Customer Service and Staff
The gentleman that booked us in turned out to be the owner, and re-enforced my feelings this was a family run site.
He was helpful, courteous and answered any questions with a smile on his face. We learnt while we were there, that he bought the site in 2019, from the CandC club.
The next day, I saw him on his ride-along lawn mower. The well-kept lawns and pitches confirmed he takes great pride in Barley Meadow Touring Park.
Showers and Toilets
This is quite often the most important part of a campsite. The showers and toilets at Barley Meadow were clean, and well maintained. It wasn’t cold when we went, so not sure what they would be like in the winter, but I get the impression they will be warm
Each cubicle had 3 hanging pegs in, which I think should be the minimum. Particularly as it is difficult to keep the whole area dry when showering, so hanging things up is critical for a dry exit!
The water did come out a little ‘jet-like’ in the one I used and didn’t give a nice wide spray, and the push button only gave 10-15 seconds of water, but I am now being hypercritical. But that’s what I am here for right?!
Shower Cubicles 
Sinks 
Toilets
General Cleanliness
Good. Zero complaints. This Touring Park was clean and tidy. Everywhere was clean and we didn’t spot anything untoward.
Obviously, the people using the facilities has a major impact on this and it seemed people here were courteous and cleaned up after them.
I think in my opinion, I may have changed two things.
1 – More hand sanitisers. As mentioned, there was just the one.
2 – Cleaning times. The leaflet given to us on arrival stated cleaning happened at 11am and 6pm. This is great, but that means there is no cleaning between later in the evening and first thing in the morning. These times are when people tend to use the facilities the most.
Facilities
Don’t come to Barley Meadow if you have children that need or expect lots to do. There is no play park, they don’t allow ball games, and there is no pool or other entertainment. There is a games room, that was closed, and after a peek through the window, there is a pool table, and board games.
But, it is not selling itself as a children’s campsite. It states clearly on their website:
Please note we do not have outdoor children’s play areas or space for ball games and are not suitable for high energy/high activity on-park based holidays due to limited space on park and proximity to other pitches.
Showers and Toilets – Clean, modern and well maintained. Not really much more you can ask for really.
Washing Up – 4 sinks in total. Outside, but well covered. Hot Water came through quickly, and there was a plug in the sink!!
Shop – There was a small onsite shop, selling essentials, but I would suggest you come prepared with what you want, as it is not a huge grocery store type shop.
Chemical Toilet Disposal – Perhaps more important than it used to be, certainly to us as we try as much as possible to use our own facilities. This was covered outdoors, which was appreciated! It was also spacious with plenty of room manoeuvre the base of the loo to the right tipping angle!
Conclusion
I think if we were in the area again, the only thing that would stop me from staying here again, would be my desire to try somewhere new.
If you are looking for a quiet campsite, with good clean facilities and an area to just relax, then you could do a lot worse.
There is not really a pub within walking distance or anything for the children to do, but for a clean, well looked after site then Barley Meadow Touring Park is a great choice if you are. visiting the Dartmoor area.
Where is your best place to visit in Dartmoor National Park?
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