Dornafield is a family affair, and even though this was my first visit, I was welcomed as one of the family.

Peter Dewhirst, and several of his extended clan, met me at reception. After showing me how to get to my pitch, Peter offered to set aside milk, a newspaper and a fresh croissant every morning of my stay. As I was travelling solo, Richard and his tractor helped me get my caravan onto the pitch. The wardens, who live on site, introduced themselves during the first afternoon and told me to knock on their door at any time if I needed a hand.

Space is Dornafield’s greatest asset. Two fields are reserved for caravans and motorhomes with both grass and gravel hardstanding pitches available. The pitches are all an extremely generous 13 metres wide, which allows hook-up, drinking water taps and waste water disposal to be placed on every pitch. Many pitches also have an aerial point and toilet chemical disposal as well. Alongside the pitches are two large play areas and a roomy dog-walking field. Even the shower cubicles are more commodious than what is usually on offer.

Every part of this site is immaculate. The washrooms, which have piped music and fresh flowers, are cleaned daily, as are the launderettes and dishwashing areas. The hot water in all these facilities is free. The pitches, grass areas, play areas and roads are also perfectly maintained.

Dornafield has an increasing green theme. Indigenous plants are used for the privacy hedges, the surrounding woodland is maintained, and a recycling system has been introduced. The team is also looking into renewable energy options. In recognition of this environmentally friendly approach, the site has held a David Bellamy Gold Award for the last six years.

There is no club house or statics here. The buildings housing the facilities have been thoughtfully designed to complement the surrounding countryside and woodland, so the site maintains a relaxed and charming atmosphere.

In addition to all this, the site is in a fabulous location. It offers the visitor a wonderful rural escape, and yet is close to everything you will need. There are two traditional pubs within easy walking distance and Newton Abbot, just a few miles away, has shops selling essentials and more. Within a short drive are lively seaside resorts of Torbay, Totnes and unspoilt Dartmoor National Park. To make the most of the local area, visit the site’s information room for brochures on local attractions, take away menus and emergency contact information.

Practical Caravan Top 100 Parks Award 2008 - OVERALL WINNER.

When you stay at Dornafield you will be caravanning in style. Even the reception building, a converted 14th-century farmhouse, brings the charm of the surrounding countryside right into the site itself. The other amenities buildings have also been adapted to fit in with their surroundings.
There are two fields for caravans – Buttermeadow and Blackrock Copse. Both have their own modern, heated washblocks as well as washing-up and laundry facilities and themed play areas. The adventure play area, with its own fort, is in Buttermeadow. Blackrock Copse has a woodland play area and an open hill top, which is a great place for flying a kite.
Other on site activities include a tennis court and a games room. And you can easily walk to the nearby 18-hole golf course.
It won’t matter which pitch you are on, in either field, as they are all a very generous 13 metres wide and have electric hook-up, water and TV aerial points. All the pitches in Blackrock Copse are fully serviced hardstandings. Buttermeadow has a combination
of grass and hardstanding pitches.
Also on site is a well-stocked shop that sells chilled wine, and the local bakery delivers fresh croissants every day. The site doesn’t have a club, but there are several village inns very close
by. The staff will be happy to point you in the right direction.
If you want to spend some time exploring the local area,
the staff in the tourist information room will help you organise
a day trip. Torquay is a favourite with families. It has sandy, safe beaches, good shopping, and
a range of places to eat.
You can also visit Paignton or Brixham, which are a little further around the bay.
Lovers of the outdoors should head for the walking paths in Dartmoor National Park. The steam train, butterfly park and otter sanctuary in Buckfastleigh, on the edge of Dartmoor, will keep everybody busy for a day.
Plymouth, historic Totnes, the Eden Project and Buckfast Abbey are also within reach for a day trip from this award-winning site.

Practical Caravan Top 100 parks Award 2007

With almost every pitch fully serviced, and nearly half of them classed as super pitches, Caravan Club-affiliated Dornafield offers a luxurious experience for even the most discerning caravanner. Pitches are a generous 13m wide and the washing facilities are state-of-the-art. The shop is well stocked, and even has chilled white wine in the fridge. A games room is set in the old milking parlour and offers table tennis, darts, television, a pool table, table football and games machines.
Despite its modern facilities, Dornafield is steeped in history. During the civil war in the 17th century, the Royalist-owned farmhouse on the site was bombarded with canon fire. The owners survived the attack and rebuilt parts of the house, including the stately arched entrance that greets visitors to this site today.
Set in an idyllic rural location, Dornafield has easy access to the coast, moors and the cities of Plymouth and Exeter. The site is landscaped with hedgerows, trees and meadows, all of which provide a haven for wildlife, and in spring it is carpeted with bluebells and daffodils. Dogs are allowed, but must be kept on a lead outside the designated dog walk.
Few sites manage so successfully to combine rural tranquility with such up-to-date services.

Practical Caravans Top 100 Parks Awards 2006

With almost every pitch fully serviced, and nearly half of them classed as super pitches, Caravan Club-affiliated Dornafield offers a luxurious experience for even the most discerning caravanner. Pitches are a generous 13m wide and the washing facilities are state of the art. The shop is well stocked, and even has chilled white wine in the fridge. A games room is set the old milking parlour and offers table tennis, darts, television, a pool table, table football and games machines
Despite its modern facilities, Dornafield is steeped in history. During the 17th century Civil War, the Royalist-owned farmhouse on the site was bombarded with cannon fire. The owners survived the attack and rebuilt parts of the house, including the stately arched entrance that greets visitors.
Set in an idyllic rural location, Dornafield has easy access to the coast, moors and the cities of Plymouth and Exeter. The site is landscaped with hedgerows, trees and meadows, all of which provide a haven for wildlife, and in spring it is carpeted with bluebells and daffodils. Dogs are allowed, but must be kept on a lead outside the designated dog walk.

Practical Caravan Top 100 Parks Awards 2005

Since 1972, Peter Dewhirst and his family have striven to create a site that will appeal to the discerning caravanner. From the number of awards that Dornafield Farm has garnered, they have achieved their ambition.
Dornafield lies in an idyllic rural location, with easy access to the coast, the moors and the cities of Plymouth and Exeter. The site is sensitively landscaped with hedgerows, trees, woods, meadows and wild flowers, all of which provide a haven for local wildlife. In spring, the site is carpeted with bluebells and daffodils. Dogs are allowed, but they must be kept on a lead outside the designated dog-walk.
The pitches are a generous 13 metres wide, most are fully service and nearly half are ‘super pitches’, with chemical toilet disposal points and night-time lighting.
Dornafield has reason to be proud of its state-of-the-art – and, yes, luxurious – toilet and shower rooms. They are kept impeccably clean and feature climate controlled, underfloor heating.
The location is steeped in history.
A farmhouse was built there in 1238,
and, during the Civil War, the royalist-owned property was bombarded by canon fire. Its owners survived the attack, made repairs and built on in
1664, including the impressive porch that greets visitors today.

Practical Caravans Top 100 Parks Awards 2004

Since 1972, Peter Dewhirst and his family have striven to create a site that will appeal to the discerning caravanner. From the number of awards that Dornafield Farm has garnered, they have clearly achieved their ambition.

Dornafield lies in an idyllic rural location, with easy access to the coast, moors and the cities of Plymouth and Exeter. The site is sensitively landscaped with hedgerows, trees, woods, meadows and wild flowers, all of which provide a haven for local wildlife. In spring, the site is carpeted with bluebells and daffodils. Dogs are allowed, but they must be kept on a lead outside the designated dog-walk.

The pitches are a generous 13 metres wide, most are fully serviced, and nearly half are ‘super pitches’ with chemical toilet disposal points and discreet night-time lighting. The word luxurious does not even begin to describe the state-of-the-art facilities in the toilet and shower rooms. Impeccably clean with climate controlled, underfloor heating, they are the jewel in Dornafield’s crown.

Dornafield Farm is steeped in history, despite its modern facilities. A farmhouse was built on the land in 1238, and during the English Civil War the royalist-owned property was bombarded with cannon fire. Its owners survived the attack and made various repairs including the impressive porch that greets visitors today.