Campsite Location — see Campsite Location

The campsite is located in the heart of the International Dark Sky Reserve, which means you are perfectly located for some excellent stargazing; you just need to look up on a clear night!

Westermill makes an ideal base for exploring the open moorland, wooded valleys and spectacular coastal scenery, or just simply for relaxing and escaping the hum drum of everyday life.

Westermill campsite is a beautiful, secluded valley site in the centre of Exmoor National Park, which consists of about 8 acres (3.3 hectares), divided into four fields: link to Campsite Diagram or see below.

Set up your pitch on mown meadows beside the River Exe where you can take full advantage of private access to a two mile stretch of the river.

The first field is fenced off from the river and all the others are open to the river.

Given appropriate supervision it is a children’s playground, allowing them to make dams, fish with nets and splash around, whilst parents relax.

Third Field Loo Block — see Campsite Diagram

• Cold Water

• Women's Accommodation
  • 4 toilets, 3 sinks

• Mens's Accommodation
  • 3 toilets, 3 urinals, 3 sinks

• Washing Up Area
  • 2 sinks

• FREE
• IF this water does not taste as good as WHATEVER water you buy ... I will drink it for you!
• Available from ALL cold water taps on the campsite
• Please feel free to take some bottles home! ... bottles, mind, not "barrels" =:)

Westermill provides a recycling area — see Campsite Diagram which accepts:

• Paper
• Plastic
• Cans
• Glass
• Food waste

Westermill provides specialised receptacles for dog waste — see Campsite Diagram

Please take broken camping equipment eg. chairs, tents, gazebos, etc. to your local recycling facility or the nearest facility to Westermill Farm: Minehead Recycling Centre

Every fire constitutes a hazard which always carries the risk of serious injury!

Please pay the utmost attention to the safety of yourself and others!

Before using any type of open flame or fire system:

• Please position a bucket of water or sand or approved fire extinguisher or fire blanket close to your fire emplacement
• Please familiarize yourself with the fire suppression equipment located on the campsite: Campsite Diagram
• Please familiarize yourself with our: Emergency Contacts

Westermill Farm strongly recommends that anyone intending to build a fire or use a portable fire systems inform themselves thoroughly by consulting additional authoritative references on fire safety in the countryside: for example...

Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue

Fire Safety Outdoors — Gov UK

For your safety as well as the safety and enjoyment of other campers, please keep in mind the following guidelines when using in-ground fire pits, barbecues, braziers, stoves, and ovens.

Location and Setup:

• In-ground Fire Pits are located in the Fourth Field, see the Campsite Diagram.
• Under —NO CIRCUMSTANCES— dig your own fire pit!
• Portable fire systems — barbecues, braziers, stoves, and ovens — are ONLY permitted in the First, Second, Third and Fourth fields of the campsite.
• Ensure the equipment is placed on a stable, non-flammable surface, away from tents, vehicles, and flammable materials.
  • For instance: Avoid setting up under overhanging branches or near dry grass.

Lighting Fires:

• Use only approved fire starters or kindling.
• Do not use petrol, paraffin, white spirits or other non-approved accelerants.
• Ensure a responsible adult is present at all times when using any type of fire.

Fire Control:

• Have a bucket of water, bucket of sand, approved fire extinguisher or fire blanket nearby.
• Keep fires and flames small and manageable.
• Never leave any fire, barbecue, brazier, stove, or oven unattended.
• Flames must be extinguished completely before leaving the area.
• Ash and coals or fire containment system should be cool to the touch for the fire to be considered extinguished.

Smoke and Flames:

• Be mindful of wind direction to prevent smoke from bothering other campers.
• Do not burn materials that produce harmful fumes or excessive smoke.

Children and Pets:

• Keep children and pets at a safe distance from fire pits, barbecues, braziers, stoves, and ovens.
• Educate children about the dangers of fire and the importance of fire safety.

Noise Control:

The notion of "noise control" is just as tricky for Westermill as it is for every other campsite.

As much as we want you to enjoy yourself/selves around your campfire we also want everyone else to enjoy themselves.

Intrusive volume — may be unwelcome — no matter how positively generated or well intentioned.

• Please respect the campsite’s noise curfew of 11 PM.
• Please keep noise to a minimum, later in the evening.
• Please avoid loud conversations, music, or gatherings around fire pits, barbecues, braziers, stoves, and ovens late at night.

Consideration for Others:

• Be mindful of other campers’ comfort and safety.
• Keep the area around your fire pit, barbecue, brazier, stove, or oven clean and tidy.
• Dispose of all waste properly.

In the First Place:

• Please position a bucket of water or sand or approved fire extinguisher or fire blanket close to your fire emplacement
• Please familiarize yourself with the fire suppression equipment located on the campsite: Campsite Diagram
• Please familiarize yourself with our: Emergency Contacts

In Case of Fire becoming Unmanageable

• Use your best judgment to safely deploy the nearest fire suppression device to extinguish the fire.
• If a fire remains — unmanageable — evacuate the area and immediately contact campsite staff at Westermill Farmhouse or failing that emergency services at:Police, Ambulance, Fire:  999Address: Westermill Farm, Exford, Minehead, TA24 7NJGrid Reference:  SS 834 299

First Aid:

• In the case of burns or injuries beyond your ability to treat reliably — immediately contact campsite staff for assistance and access to further first aid supplies.

Preparation:

• In-ground Fire Pits are located in the Fourth Field, see the Campsite Diagram.
• Under NO circumstances dig your own fire pit!
• Clear the area around the fire pit of any flammable materials, such as leaves, twigs, or dry grass.
• Use only seasoned wood or approved firewood.
• Do not burn rubbish, plastics, or treated wood.

During Use:

• Never leave fire pits unattended while burning.
• Keep fires within the confines of the fire pit.
• Do NOT allow flames to exceed 3 feet in height.
• Use a fire screen or mesh cover to contain sparks and embers — if available.

Extinguishing Fires:

• Allow fires to burn down naturally.
• Extinguish any remaining embers with water, stirring to ensure all parts are soaked.
• Ensure the fire pit is cool to the touch before leaving the area or going to sleep.

Charcoal Barbecues:

• Use only the necessary amount of charcoal (usually around 5 cm or 2 inches deep).
• Allow coals to burn down to a grey ash before cooking to avoid excessive smoke.
• Never leave barbecues unattended.

Gas Barbecues:

• Store gas cylinders away from direct sunlight and frost.
• Ensure all gas connections are secure and check for leaks using soapy water before use.
• Turn off the gas supply before disconnecting the gas cylinder.
• Never leave barbecues unattended.

Cooking Safety:

• Keep a safe distance from the barbecue to avoid burns and splatters.
• Monitor food while cooking to prevent burns and fires.
• Keep children and pets away from the cooking area.
• Use heat-resistant gloves and tools to handle hot equipment.

Setup and Use:

• Set up braziers, stoves, and ovens on stable, non-flammable surfaces.
• Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for safe setup and use.
• Ensure proper ventilation to avoid carbon monoxide buildup.
• Never leave fire systems unattended.

Fuel:

• Use only recommended fuel types for your brazier, stove, or oven.
• Do not overfill fuel containers and keep fuel away from open flames.

Cooking Safety:

• Keep a safe distance to avoid burns and splatters.
• Monitor food while cooking to prevent burns and fires.
• Keep children and pets away from the cooking area.
• Use heat-resistant gloves and tools to handle hot equipment.

... depending upon cloud cover and phase of the moon.

International Dark Sky Reserve

"Located in the southwest of England in Somerset and Devon Counties, Exmoor National Park enjoys the darkest skies in the country ..." Exmoor National Park Dark Sky Place

Westermill Farm is a quiet — family campsite — so we ask for NO NOISE after 11 PM.

If you wish to listen to music, sports or other audio broadcasts — that is well and good — but IF others can hear them — then it is not.

In general — please keep sound to a minimum: Thanks.