Courtbrook Farm

The smell of wet grass and turned earth hangs in the morning air here, that unmistakable scent of a working farm waking up on the edge of Exeter.

This is one for couples after a countryside escape without giving up a proper bed, or anyone wanting to dip a toe into outdoor sleeping via a camping pod before committing to canvas. The guest house offers a more traditional stay, while the pods give you that closer-to-nature feeling with a roof overhead. You're in Devon farming country but close enough to Exeter for supplies or a night out, and the rural lanes around here are perfect for dog walks if you ask ahead about bringing yours along.

You've got wifi if you need it, which is handy for rainy evenings planning the next day's exploration. Campfires are a maybe — worth checking when you arrive as it'll depend on conditions and where you're pitched. It's open all year, so this works for winter boltholes as much as summer breaks. The vibe feels genuinely agricultural rather than theme-park rural, the kind of place where you might hear a tractor before breakfast and not mind one bit.