Trill Farm is the acquisition of global entrepreneur and founder of Neal'sYard Remedies, Romy Fraser. Her aim is to promote and teach a timetable of sustainable and energy-saving life skills, pardy funded by income from the campsite. She created the Trill Trust as a charitable education centre; its ethos greener than the leafy trees that border the land. Campers and day visitors alike can sign up for subsidised courses on nutrition, homeopathy, and vegetable growing (to name but a few) conducted in a striking outbuilding that contains a kitchen and communal working area. Fraser's goal is to build a commune of like-minded businesses committed to creating sustainable lifestyles.
Farmhands will drive camping gear to the top of the hill, and once you've followed them up past herds of cows you're on your own. Two small fields are hedged by surrounding woodland, with hill views in one direction. In keeping with the site's rustic, back-to-basics nature the facilities are simple and cooking is done over fire pits. There are no noise curfews here - you're too far from the firm let alone any neighbours to create a disturbance.
Animal lovers and natural medicine aficionados will appreciate Trill Farm. Join the daily feeding rounds of pigs, chickens, and lambs; explore the woods; and check the website for activities such as food-foraging and bushcraft skills. Otherwise, bring a book, a torch (solar-powered, preferably), and let the world stand still for a few days while you contemplate your own contribution to a sustainable future.
COOL FACTOR Pass lamb pens, chicken runs, and a herd of Ruby Reds to find a rugged hilltop space that accommodates just 20 tents.
WHO'S IN? Tents, groups - yes. Campervans, caravans, dogs - no.
ON SITE Two sloping fields: one wild and one that's kept trim, are largely enclosed and high above the farm, so you don't have to tiptoe around. Two compost loos; a sheltered outdoor eating area; 2 washing-up sinks; benches for gas stoves; and a fire pit where you can grill meat are communal. The upper field has 2 solar-heated showers with warm water. Sustainable living skills courses are held throughout the year - see website for details. A shop sells ice creams and apple juice. There are no hook-ups, and vehicles are not permitted up the hill, it's a short sharp walk. No campfires.
OFF SITE Drop into Ottery St Mary's Escot Park (01404 822188; www.escot-devon.co.uk) for a day of forest games and treasure hunting, and finish off with a cream tea.
FOOD AND DRINK Drive 7 miles south, passing pretty thatched cottages, to the Masons Arms (01297 680300) at Branscombe, where you can feast on steamed West Country mussels and just-caught lobster above a bewitchingly beautiful, sweeping bay.
GETTING THERE At Axminster, take the A358 south and follow signs to Musbury until you see a sign on the left, 'Trill H'.The site is the first left turn down a long, potholed track.
PUBLIC TRANSPORT A taxi from Axminster station costs approx. £8, or take bus no. 885 towards Seaton, which stops at the 'Trill ¾' sign, before Musbury.
OPEN Mid July-mid September.
THE DAMAGE Adult £5 per night; under-16s £3, under-5s are free.
Farmhands will drive camping gear to the top of the hill, and once you've followed them up past herds of cows you're on your own. Two small fields are hedged by surrounding woodland, with hill views in one direction. In keeping with the site's rustic, back-to-basics nature the facilities are simple and cooking is done over fire pits. There are no noise curfews here - you're too far from the firm let alone any neighbours to create a disturbance.
Animal lovers and natural medicine aficionados will appreciate Trill Farm. Join the daily feeding rounds of pigs, chickens, and lambs; explore the woods; and check the website for activities such as food-foraging and bushcraft skills. Otherwise, bring a book, a torch (solar-powered, preferably), and let the world stand still for a few days while you contemplate your own contribution to a sustainable future.
COOL FACTOR Pass lamb pens, chicken runs, and a herd of Ruby Reds to find a rugged hilltop space that accommodates just 20 tents.
WHO'S IN? Tents, groups - yes. Campervans, caravans, dogs - no.
ON SITE Two sloping fields: one wild and one that's kept trim, are largely enclosed and high above the farm, so you don't have to tiptoe around. Two compost loos; a sheltered outdoor eating area; 2 washing-up sinks; benches for gas stoves; and a fire pit where you can grill meat are communal. The upper field has 2 solar-heated showers with warm water. Sustainable living skills courses are held throughout the year - see website for details. A shop sells ice creams and apple juice. There are no hook-ups, and vehicles are not permitted up the hill, it's a short sharp walk. No campfires.
OFF SITE Drop into Ottery St Mary's Escot Park (01404 822188; www.escot-devon.co.uk) for a day of forest games and treasure hunting, and finish off with a cream tea.
FOOD AND DRINK Drive 7 miles south, passing pretty thatched cottages, to the Masons Arms (01297 680300) at Branscombe, where you can feast on steamed West Country mussels and just-caught lobster above a bewitchingly beautiful, sweeping bay.
GETTING THERE At Axminster, take the A358 south and follow signs to Musbury until you see a sign on the left, 'Trill H'.The site is the first left turn down a long, potholed track.
PUBLIC TRANSPORT A taxi from Axminster station costs approx. £8, or take bus no. 885 towards Seaton, which stops at the 'Trill ¾' sign, before Musbury.
OPEN Mid July-mid September.
THE DAMAGE Adult £5 per night; under-16s £3, under-5s are free.