Spotlight on: Ross Park, Devon

With a prime location, nestled between the English Riviera town of Torquay and Dartmoor National Park, Ross Park offers the best of both coast and countryside.

It’s the perfect base for exploring both the wide-open space of Dartmoor and the long sandy beaches and attractions of the south Devon coast.

Ross Park is a countryside retreat and, as you pull off the single-track road that leads up to the site, you feel the peace and tranquillity. This is a haven of stillness and, despite being a popular destination for families, there’s no sense of the commotion that is sometimes associated with sites with lots of children.

At Ross Park each pitch is individually landscaped, with planted hedgerows and borders between the pitches to create your own space. In fact, the whole site is beautifully landscaped; you’ll find floral displays throughout and there’s a tropical conservatory, with many interesting plants. Many of the pitches enjoy views of Dartmoor, including Haytor and the surrounding countryside.

Dog owners are more than welcome to bring Fido along – in fact, the site prides itself on being pet-friendly. There’s a large exercise field where they can enjoy time off the lead and burn off some energy, and a handy dog shower for afterwards. There’s even a hair dryer, so they don’t return to the motorhome soaked!

The main amenities are centrally heated and include accessible facilities, plus a launderette. For kids, you’ll find an indoor soft play room and a covered play area outside. The snooker room is for adults only.

One thing the site misses is its own shop, but there’s a well-stocked Spar shop 100 yards away in the nearby village. The independently run Hugo A Go-Go bar and restaurant is open daily during peak season, serving up tasty breakfasts, lunches and evening meals. The Sunday roast is especially recommended, with vegetarian and vegan options available and they’ll even treat your dog to a free roast dinner!

Ross Park
The Old Barn, Ipplepen, Newton Abbot, Devon TQ12 5TT
01803 812983

This site review first appeared in MMM magazine, May 2023 issue, submitted by Iain Duff.

Image 3: Haytor - Robert Hughes/Pixabay
Image 4: Paignton - Ian Woolcock/stock.adobe.com