We are currently experiencing the third heatwave of the year and we are only at the beginning of July.  The temperatures are in the low thirties and its officially sweltering.  Our yurts are a fabulous shady place to be when the weather is so hot, and no need to light a fire to keep warm.  During the exceptionally hot days we are asking our guests to refrain from lighting any fires or using barbecues due to the high risk of wild fires spreading.  We have placed a large bucket of water outside each yurt so that any fires that may have been inadvertently started can be extinguished immediately.   The wildlife can suffer when its very hot days so you might notice strategic bowls of water in the camp in various locations to assist the hedgehogs and birds in these extreme temperatures.  

May is such a beautiful month - the smell of blossoms and wild garlic fill the air and all the grass and trees are growing and displaying in a flush of greenery.  The weather in the next week is set for the first very hot spell of 2026.  Up until now its been quite a cool couple of months with not much in the way of rain.  This week also sees the annual Devon County Show at Westpoint near Exeter - around 25 miles from the camp.  Its a wonderful spectacle of agriculture, farming, produce, livestock, horses and amazing food and drink.  Its well worth a visit if you are staying with us.  The show runs over 3 days and has ample parking and you can spend all 3 days wandering the stalls, and watching the performances in the rings.  Yurt guests have been enjoying some lovely clear skies this week too.  Star gazing around the camp fire is a must - and if you like a little sweet treat then marshmallows are essential for toasting!!!

Easter School holidays are early this year and our recent guests have been treated to a lovely warm sunny spell with temperatures reaching over 20 degrees on Wednesday.  The evenings are still cooler but wonderful time to have a nice camp fire and toast some marshmallows over the flames of the crackling logs.  Each yurt and the hut have their own firepit with a grill over.  Each accommodation also has its own seating area as well as use of the communal field kitchen and other kitchen areas.  Its a funny year with fuel prices rocketing and some international flights being cancelled due to the fuel shortages in Europe.  So its a fabulous time to consider a staycation in Devon.  We are now offering a 10% discount for all returning guests, so if you have stayed with us before and would like to book again - look out for the discount link on our website on the "returning guests" page.  We value the loyalty of our guests that like to return to us year after year so are offering this discount until October 2026.   

2026 has started with many storms and much rain - this is becoming the norm with climate change on our minds.  With wetter winters and more extremes and drier summers with balmy days and sunshine.  Its a concern and we can all do our bit by becoming more conscious of our actions.  We are beginning to think about rebuilding our yurts which have been safely stored in our barn over the wet winter months.  The yurts will all be ready by easter which will be at the beginning of April this year, 2026.  Its easy to book a holiday with us by using our online booking form, or you can always do the traditional thing and give me a call.  Spring is on its way - there are little glimmers of hope with snowdrops and daffodils awakening and the warmer temperatures too.  The birds have started singing again too and this morning I was watching the crows and rooks courtin in the fields.  The swans are dominating our lake and the 2 Canadian geese that are regular breeders here have returned from their winter foray so I am hopeful that we will be weloming lots of babies soon too!

Christmas will soon be here - and there is so much emphasis put on "Black Friday" deals - it makes me wonder whether we should enter this arena of special offers or whether to stick with our old fashioned ways of advertising.  We are of course really happy to see returning guests and will offer loyalty discounts to those who return year after year - just get in touch if you would like to stay with us again in 2026.  We also happily welcome new guests who may want to try what our bijou glamping site has to offer.  Often over the festive season people are starting to think about their holidays in the next year and are yearning for some spring and summer sunshine instead of the dreary winter rain and wind.  So if you are pondering on your 2026 holiday then we can guarantee you will receive a warm welcome at Hemsford Yurt camp so get in touch and ask about our "Black Friday" deals!    

Its that time of year when our yurts are deconstructed and stored away safely in our barn.  We rope in our family and friends to help and we always wait for a weather window of fine and dry to ensure everything stays lovely and clean and completely dry.  Autumn has been surprisingly warm and dry this year with only one storm so far and the rest of October has been cool and dry with light winds and some beautiful sunny afternoons.  The trees are shedding their leaves and the fruits in the orchards are plentiful and acorns, sweet chestnuts and conkers are abundant.  My mother always told me to carry acorns in my pockets to ward off evil spirits and for good luck so I love to carry on these old traditions and will be passing on this to my granddaughter for sure.  We are taking yurt bookings for 2026 already and if you have specific dates you would like to visit then why not take advantage of the 2025 rates and book early.   We are still offering our shepherds hut during the winter months.  Lots of people love the Christmas markets in Totnes and the ambiance and warm welcome from Totnesians is second to none.  

This summer has flown by and I can hardly believe that September has arrived with some much needed rain and showers.  The months of June and July have been very dry and our land was parched and longing for some moisture to return to the land.  The season has been busy with many lovely guests enjoying the wonderful long sunny days and clear dark nights with camp fires, toasted marshmallows and the calming smell of wood smoke.  Its so nice to see so many returning guests this season and I thank everyone who makes a return visit - its so much appreciated.

It will soon be time to take our yurts down once again for the winter months, but guests can still enjoy glamping here at Hemsford andstay in our shepherds hut over the winter months.  Our Shepherds hut is perfect for those who have not been glamping before.  It has its own tiny wood burning stove, and electricity supply and there is free superfast wifi.  During the winter months from October - March the guests in our shepherds hut have the facilities to themselves and can enjoy all the peace and quiet of our site even though the winter times.  Booking can be done traditionally over the telephone or by using our online booking portal.  Returning guests who contact me directly can always expect a discount!!!

Its the middle of June and almost time for the longest day and summer solstice.  This week has seen a heatwave at the camp with our current guests enjoying clear skies with balmy peaceful summer evenings.  The wildlife surrounding the camp including, on our lake all the water fowl, ducks, geese, swans and moorhens are all enjoying a busy breeding season and its lovely to watch their interactions in the lake at the camp.  The bats are also prolific this year and the fruit trees are started to set their fruits and we think it may be a mast year and are looking forward to a wonderful harvest in the autumn.  Temperatures this week are going to be almost 30 degrees so who needs to go abroad to enjoy sunshine!  The school holidays will be upon us at the end of July and we currently have some availability for July and August so why not try a glamping holiday in Devon? 

its been a lovely March with very little in the way of rain - and its been wonderful to be able to build our yurts in the comfort of dry ground.  We are now going through the task of filling the yurts with all our beds and furniture and this takes a week of intensive lifting and carrying from our barn on site to the yurts. Luckily having a large family with 3 strapping grown up sons really helps and they all get involved in this task! This year we have been busy in our kitchen areas which have been painted and revamped.  The car park is newly swept and we are looking forward to welcoming guests for the Easter period.  Booking early is always recommended especially if you are wanting to stay during the popular school holidays.  

Spring is on its way, the signs are all there, with the birdsong starting early morning and later in the evenings.  The light is starting to return and we are officially half way through the winter.  Our yurts are safely stored within our barn at the camp and around the beginning of March we will start to rebuild them - weather permitting of course.  We always aim to have the yurts ready for guests from the start of the school Easter holidays.  This winter has been stormy with plenty of rain and gales so we are longing hoping for some sunshine and good weather soon.  Our shepherds hut has been welcoming guests all winter and is cosy with its wood burning stove, and the benefit of electricity inside and superfast Wifi - all mod cons for sure!!!!  Bookings are starting to come in now, and we hope that all our guests will be making some nice memories whilst staying with us.