Short story: we won't collect it because we can't remove it.
Towards the end of the camping season in 2022 — and for the first time in more than 50 years — West Somerset County Council (WSCC) declined to remove rubbish collected from our campsite — rather than "blame" them we would rather engage with them ... ... ... ...
This despite the fact that we pay Business Rates to WSCC.
To compound our rubbish removal challenge — during the same time frame, last year, and since — we were and have been unable to identify "a single" commercial removal service "willing" to take on Westermill Camping as a client.
And "Just So You Know" ... we are on the phone and web regularly trying to get this sorted.
As far as Westermill Farm is concerned "rubbish" is any container, bag or box or other, holding more than one kind of material.
For example: a plastic bag containing glass bottles and plastic bottles is "rubbish" ...until... its contents are sorted into their respective sections of our recycling area.
Our apologies for we will now ask that...
IF you are staying 3 days or less please — plan — to take your rubbish with you when you leave
IF you are staying more than 3 days or are visiting from outside the UK please see Jill or Oliver upon arrival
Please take broken camping equipment eg. chairs, tents, gazebos, etc. to the nearest facility: Minehead Recycling Centre
Westermill will accept paper, plastic, cans and bottles for recycling
No.
For the same reason we won't bury it: damage to the environment... in particular Westermill's environment.
Plus we like our neighbours and love the River Exe too much.
Yes.
Westermill will accept paper, plastic, cans and bottles for recycling
The Recycling Area is located in the building kitty-corner to the First Field Loo Block.
Firstly, please have a look at either or both of these authoritative resources:
Visitor Exmoor the "official tourism site to Exmoor"
Exmoor National Park the other "official tourism site to Exmoor", see especially...
- Exmoor Explorers for 10 recommended walks
- Dark Sky Discovery Trail
Lynton and Lynmouth about 15 miles – directions
A couple of our personal favourites in Lynton and Lynmouth
The Victorian Portrait Company
Pannier Market in South Molton, Thursday and Saturday, about 16.7 miles – directions
Fair question...
We do not have 'set pitches' so there is no "default" way to arrange this but here are two suggestions.
1. Arrive together... or as close together as you and your friends are able and simply pitch up
2. Come camping when you and your friends will have the campsite more or less to yourselves... the chart below will give you an idea of 2022's visitor density.
Any dates with "around" 50 visitors — or less — will more or less guarantee you (and your friends — of reasonable number) the opportunity to camp together.
The orange bars in this chart indicate the two busiest weeks of Summer 2022.
No, you pitch up in whichever of the camping fields suits you best.
Yes, each online booking form should only contain the details of an immediate family.
“Immediate” being the people you usually live with in your home.
Yes, of course, you may reschedule your visit.
Please contact us at:
... to let us know.
Yes, of course... with the following considerations:
There is a non-refundable deposit for all bookings, amounting to either...
- £25, or...
- ...the balance, if the total booking fee is less than £25
- The non-refundable deposit may be applied to an alternate camping visit anytime until the end of October in the current year's camping season.
You are welcome to make your online booking on the day that you are planning to arrive — if that suits you best.
Please make payment for your booking at the same time or in Reception upon your arrival.
Absolutely ... but you will need to make payment "on the spot"... BACS or cash only.
IF you cannot make a BACS transfer online — please contact us to let us know that you will pay cash for your visit when you arrive.
The easiest (= "best") way to drive to the farm is to "start" from Exford *
Leave Exford heading west with the village green or your left, after 1/4 mile the road has a "Y" fork... bear left... you are now on a single track road.
Continue along this lane for about 2 miles then bear left at the large "Westermill Farm Campsite" sign on a tree and onto our farm lane, a couple of hundred yards thereafter arrive at the farmhouse.
*Unless, that is, you are coming down Wellshead Hill — in which case you will have to negotiate a very sharp right-hand hairpin turn onto our farm lane at the bottom of the hill, where the large Westermill sign on the tree is.
The Westermill Farm Campsite consists of four fields of about 12 acres, see the Campsite Map TBD!.
No, we do not have set pitches — you choose a spot and pitch up wherever suits you best.
Almost...
You can pitch up anywhere in the four camping fields [see Campsite Map TBD!] that does not infringe upon the space of another camper.
Yes... emphasis on “beside”... please DO NOT park on your tent.
Not exactly... our First Field is fenced off from the Exe River and consequently is best suited for families with young children.
Otherwise, families with children of different ages camp in ALL our fields.
a. Yes, “quiet time” begins at 11:00 PM.
b. Yes, “quiet time” begins at 11:00 PM ... which means "no noise" which your camping neighbours can hear.
Preferably before 8 PM and certainly before “dark”... even if you are familiar with our campsite arrivals after “dark” tend to be disconcerting for other campers.
Preferably before 5 PM and certainly before “dark”... even if you are familiar with our campsite traffic after “dark” tends to be disconcerting to other campers.
a. From the “out side” of a fence – Maybe... but even then be vigilant and cautious
b. From the “in side” of a fence – No! Children should never be in a field with livestock, regardless of whether or not they are accompanied by an adult.
c. Visiting / feeding... lambs, chickens and dogs can be arranged, talk to Dave the Farmer.
No matter "how well trained" you know your dogs to be — Health and Safety as well as Public Safety guidelines require all dogs to be on leads in public spaces such as our campsite.
There is a specified "off leash" area to the west of the campsite in Douglas Wood [see Campsite Map TBD!].
As outlined in our Camping Terms & Conditions:
- Dogs must be kept under control at all times.
- Dogs must be kept on a leash in the campsite and on the tracks running through the campsite.
- All fouling must be picked up and deposited in a rubbish bin.
- For the safety of yourselves, your dogs and our animals, do not take dogs near livestock, cows and calves or sheep.
The campsite – itself – is open "anytime" ... but the shower and loo blocks are closed from November through February.
While facilities can be made available during the "off season"... ADVANCE ARRANGEMENTS ARE ESSENTIAL!
Yes.
And JSYK... there is a Chemical Disposal located just above the gate into the Second Field [see Campsite Map TBD!].
IF you are bigger than the geese ... hold your arms outstretched away from your body and simply walk towards them.
They will back away.
IF you are about the same size as the geese ... say "Go away geese!" in your loudest voice.
AND ... hold out your arms as wide as you can.
They may not back away but you should feel better.
AND ... the geese will know that you mean business!
No, you pitch up in whichever of the camping fields suits you best.
Fair question:
We do not have 'set pitches' so there is no "default" way to arrange this but here are two suggestions — depending upon how many friends there will be.
1. Arrive together... or as close together as you and your friends are able and simply pitch up
2. Come camping when you and your friends will have the campsite more or less to yourselves... the chart below will give you an idea of 2022's visitor density.
2a. Any dates with "around" 50 visitors — or less — will more or less guarantee you (and your friends — of reasonable number) the opportunity to camp together.
The orange bars in this chart indicate the two busiest weeks of Summer 2022.
Yes... there are Four Waymarked Walks around the farm – see Campsite Map TBD!
In fact you may walk anywhere you want around the farm BUT you cannot enter any farm buildings unless you are accompanied by farm staff or Edwards family member... AND... Please, Please, Please: “LEAVE THE GATES THE WAY YOU FOUND THEM!”
Yes, the campsite has fire pits in the Fourth Field... BUT... you may also...
Bring a brazier or Bar-B-Q or other fire containment system which — raises the fire far enough above the ground that it does not singe the grass — in which case you may have an open fire in any of our Camp Fields.
In all cases — please exercise all due caution around open flame.
Yes, bags of logs are £5 each.
No
Sort of... approximately in the area between the Farmhouse and the First Field Loo Block – see Campsite Map TBD!
This depends “specifically” upon your mobile phone provider... we have had campers phone us from the Fourth Field and others who cannot connect anywhere on the campsite.
Yes... well, "sort of"... charging is available at a “multi-point” plug in Reception: very sorry but we cannot be responsible for devices left to recharge.
Yes, the campsite has both a washing machine and tumble dryer available in the First Field Loo block – see Campsite Map TBD! and... bring ₤1 coins.
In addition... we have a LARGE drying room heated by our bio-mass boiler, dedicated to drying every kind of clothing and foot wear.
Yes, we have both, see Campsite Map TBD!
Sorry, no ... but please check this link to Camping Gas
Sorry, no.
Yes, depending upon the time of year we may have fresh but we always have frozen.
Exmoor Stores in Exford about 2.2 miles – 01643 831 244 – all the basics... directions
Petrol Station in Wheddon Cross about 7.2 miles away – 01643 841 221 – FUEL plus all the basics and more... directions
Londis in Porlock about 7.8 miles away – 01643 862 396 – a convenience store... directions
Co-op in Dulverton about 10.8 miles away – 01398 323 241 – full on grocery store... directions
The nearest petrol station is at Wheddon Cross about 7.2 miles – directions
The nearest pubs are in Exford:
The Crown Hotel in Exford about 2.2 miles – 01643 831 244 – directions
The White Horse Inn in Exford about 2.3 miles – 01643 831 279 – directions
However, there are several good pubs in the area – perhaps too far to walk to but well worth a visit:
The Exmoor Forest Inn in Simonsbath about 5.4 miles – 01643 841 221 – directions
The Royal Oak Exmoor in Winsford about 7.2 miles – 01398 323 241 – directions
Tarr Farm Inn at Tarr Steps about 7.6 miles – 01643 862 396 – directions
The Castle Hotel in Porlock about 7.8 miles – 01643 862 504 – directions
Woods Pub & Restaurant in Dulverton about 10.8 miles – 01398 324 007 – directions
The Black Venus Inn in Challacombe about 10.8 miles – 01643 831 279 – directions
The Bridge Inn in Dulverton about 10.9 miles – 01643 841 221 – directions
The George Inn in Brompton Regis about 12.7 miles – 01398 371 273 – directions
The Exmoor Pony Centre about 8 miles – directions
Burrowhayes Farm about 9 miles – directions
Brendon Manor about 11.3 miles – directions
West Anstey Riding Stables about 12.8 miles – directions
Far enough to give you time to get your sunscreen or wet suit on.
No... well, “yes”... but it’s the roadway!
IF you do walk into Exford... walk in the middle of the road and wear bright colours during the day and reflective gear or head lamps at night.
Locals are very good at traversing this road... sorry to say but it's the "visitors" that need to be watched out for.