Taw Bottom | Girlguiding Devon

Girlguiding Devon Camp Site

Taw Bottom is situated in the centre of Devon at South Tawton, near Okehampton. One of its boundaries is the River Taw and it is within walking distance of Dartmoor. The fourteen-acre site comprises extensive woodland with four main campsites, Longhouse building, a campfire circle and a quiet area.

Each of the main campsites has its own solid wooden shelter, flush toilets, wash basins and hot showers.
Trees and bushes give privacy from the other sites.
Beech and Hawthorn sites share two outdoor catering sinks with hot and cold water.
There is good accessibility for those with disabilities
Ideal location for Duke of Edinburgh and Ten Tors camp

On-site activities you will find a set of pioneering equipment which includes materials for making bridges, chariots, rafts and more. There is also a Taw Bottom Challenge (badges can be purchased for this). Additionally, there is an archery range and instuctors are available. Please contact archery@devonguides.org.uk who may be able to help.

The Longhouse is a good-sized wooden building which has a fully equipped catering-style kitchen, an activity room and a covered dining/activity area outside. It can be booked separately from the camping sites. There are facilities for the disabled. The car park is large enough for coaches as well as a good number of cars and minibuses.

Taw Bottom is easily accessible from the A30 and the town of Okehampton is only seven miles away, with a good range of shops, supermarkets and other facilities.

Other local activities include:

walking on Dartmoor
swimming at Okehampton and adventure playground
Finch Foundry (National Trust, junior activities) www.nationaltrust.org.uk/finchfoundry(link is external)
Museum of Dartmoor Life, Okehampton www.museumofdartmoorlife@eclipse.co.uk(link is external)
Adventure Okehampton (varied adventurous activities) www.adventureokehampton.com(link is external)

Taw Bottom lends itself to camps and day visits by many groups including Guides, Scouts, schools and students. It is ideal for Forest School type activities and as a base for Ten Tors or Duke of Edinburgh training.

With the availability of the Longhouse/kitchen and adjoining toilet/shower block, tents are the only addition needed for a quick and easy residential.

In 2023 Taw Bottom celebrated its 40th birthday. Whilst camping in the last 40 years has changed and evolved, the fun and friendship has not changed a bit. Camping in the great outdoors is still as much fun as it was back in 1983 when Taw Bottom welcomed its first campers. The site has changed enormously over that time as well with the addition of toilets, showers and huts on each of the 4 main sites to name but a few.

The landscape itself has changed too. With Ash die back many of the trees needed to be felled but instead of devastating the site it has, in fact, enhanced it by opening up the undergrowth and allowing new vegetation to grow. New trees were planted in the Autumn of 2022 to replace some of those that had to be felled.

The site benefits from twice yearly visits from The Sticklepath and Okehampton Conservation (StOc) Group; volunteers who come along and help with the maintenance and conservation of the site; digging ditches, building steps among the trees so that campers can safely move around the site, erecting fencing etc. Their contribution to the upkeep of the site is hugely welcome.

Please follow us on Facebook "Taw Bottom Campsite" and we look forward to seeing you soon at our beautiful Devon County campsite.

We hope that all who visit Taw Bottom will enjoy all that the site has to offer, including the peace and tranquility which can be found in this beautiful, secluded place.

Document:

Attachment	Size
Taw Bottom Orienteering trail.pdf	57.74 KB
How to make a Ballista.pdf	266.79 KB
How to make a chariot.pdf	366.31 KB
How to make a commando bridge.pdf	167.79 KB
How to make a monkey bridge.pdf	200.15 KB
How to make a raft.pdf	132.31 KB
How to make a swing boat.pdf	230.95 KB
2023_Taw_Bottom_Booklet_110334.pdf	790.64 KB
Risk_Assessment_Taw_Botton_Campsite.docx	3.21 MB
Taw_Bottom_Fire_Risk_Assesment_2024.docx	29.85 KB

TAW BOTTOM FEES 2025

GUIDES AND SCOUTS/DofE/Ten Tors groups:

£6.00 per head per night

DEPOSITS - this is non-refundable

£50 per weekend camp (2 nights), payable with booking form

£100 per longer booking, payable at least 6 months in advance, or on application if booking is made within 6 months of camp date. The booking secretary cannot undertake to send reminders regarding any payments which may be overdue. The site may be re-booked if the deposit is not paid by the due date.

£20 per Permit and Duke of Edinburgh camp, payable with booking form

NB Unless provisional bookings are followed by a booking form and deposit within 4 weeks, the site(s) will be made available to other groups.

NB If cancellation is made within 2 months of the camp a charge will be made.

SCHOOLS or non-Guiding/Scouting groups:

Groups are welcome during term time. Bookings from Mondays to Fridays only. £8.00 per head per night

£100 deposit which is non-refundable and must be sent with the booking form. If cancellation is made within 2 months of the camp a charge will be made.

HIRE OF LONGHOUSE & KITCHEN

£35 per day or part of day including gas

£85 per weekend

DAY VISITS: by arrangement and not during school holidays

£3.00 per head. £20 deposit per site which is non-refundable and must be sent with the booking form. If cancellation is made within 2 months of the camp a charge will be made.

£20.00 deposit per site which is non-refundable and must be sent with the booking form.

If cancellation is made within 2 months of the camp a charge will be made.

For booking forms and queries contact the Booking Secretary via the website contact email - tawbottom@devonguides.org.uk