Contact us on 07721 045123 or 01643 862470 or sparkhayes@hotmail.com
Sparkhayes Camping Site
  • About
  • News
  • Reviews
  • Directions
  • Contact

Summer has arrived!

7/14/2021

1 Comment

 
After a long spell of rain, the weather has finally come good and blessed us with not only sunshine but a heatwave to boot..!  It's time to head for those beautifully cool Exmoor combes, with the shade of their ancient oaks and the sparkle of the rushing river. Dipping one's feet, or possibly a lot more, in the still-icy water is the best refreshment during such warm weather.

Back at the campsite things have been progressing very smoothly.  We have really enjoyed welcoming campers back and it's lovely to see the fields busy again. Not a lot has changed in Porlock village; the shops have largely survived the past 18 months and are benefitting from people coming to visit again.  All of nature can be seen in abundance, with the hedgerows absolutely bursting into life and singing with the sound of happy insects. Larger wildlife is also thriving, recent encounters with a handsome pricket (that's a young stag of course) and a swift-running fox show all is as it should be.

Certain changes are welcome of course. The nearby village of Malmsmead had become a little neglected in recent years, but a large part of it has been taken over by the National Trust, along with the famous Doone Valley.  This picturesque village (maybe hamlet is more accurate) now boasts a National Trust tea room which serves very decent cream teas - sampled for research purposes only obviously.

Back here in the village, regular visitors will remember a shop called The Mandala, which used to serve pizza among other things. It has at last reopened under new ownership and now Ted's serves delicious pizza, ice cream, coffee and more and is well worth a visit too. Also our village clock, mounted on the church tower, had succumbed to the passing of time (how ironic!).  A fantastic fundraising effort was made and we can happily report that the funds are now in place to repair this historic and much-valued local feature. 

Why not visit us and come to see all of this and much much more for yourself?! 
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
1 Comment

We're Open!!!

4/12/2021

0 Comments

 
Crack out the champagne, Sparkhayes campsite is back!

A few things to note; washing facilities and toilets are open, but we are currently unable to offer shower facilities. 
Drinking water and waste disposal are available.  

Camping is available for individuals, one or two household groups or six people in a group only. 
Social distancing must be observed please.

​Please call us on 07721 045123 for more information and to book.  

​Welcome back folks!

Picture
0 Comments

Nearly there...

3/29/2021

0 Comments

 
After the rain comes the rainbows!

We wait with great anticipation for 12 April, along with a lot of potential campers who have been getting in touch with us recently.  We are keeping a close eye / ear on the news, because it might well be that there will be limitations on the facilities we can offer to begin with. We thank you all for bearing with us!  

If you'd like to discuss a provisional booking, please call Phil Weaver on 07721 045123.  Many thanks.
Picture
0 Comments

The holidays are coming...

3/5/2021

1 Comment

 
It is with enormous relief (and a little trepidation) that we anticipate re-opening on 12 April 2021.  What a crazy time it's been and we have so missed our customers and the rhythm of the camp site throughout the year.  It will be so good to have your company again and to see the field being used by occupants other than sheep.  

The terms of our re-opening will follow in due course as we follow the Government's advice. It may well be the case that we are unable to open all facilities immediately, so some patience will be required until we have got the go-ahead to fully re-open. In the meantime, we hope to provide some much-overdue camping experiences to those who are able to rely on their own, or reduced, facilities. 

With all good wishes to our customers, here's hoping that the 2021 season will be a joyful one.
Picture
Picture
1 Comment

Happy Christmas!!!

12/7/2020

1 Comment

 
Wishing all our customers and dear friends a very merry Christmas and a happy New Year from Sparkhayes campsite. 
Picture
Here's a photo from the archives, of a very hardy camper here in the snow!  No snow here yet this year, but it's jolly cold at the moment so a flurry wouldn't be a surprise.  Keep warm, stay safe and we'll be ready to welcome you as soon as we're able in the New Year.  ​Happy Christmas!
1 Comment

Closed from 5 November 2020

11/1/2020

1 Comment

 
Sadly, Sparkhayes Campsite will have to close on 5 November 2020, in accordance with the Government's advice.  It will be a shame to have to close our gate again, particularly with the weather about to improve (perhaps!). 

​We thank everyone who has stayed with us, or made enquiries this year, for their patience and understanding.

We hope all our customers and compatriots stay safe and happy and we hope to see you again soon.

Photos from September 2020, a brief but happy open period! 
Picture
Picture
1 Comment

Traces of Autumn

9/28/2020

0 Comments

 
Well, it was a strange summer, there's no doubt about that.  We have continued to welcome campers to our socially-distanced fields and have enjoyed a modicum of normality amid the chaos.  It's sad to see so many of our local events cancelled (and the list keeps growing unfortunately), but heartening to see the rest of it survive; luckily our village is currently thriving.  Most importantly, we are all well!  

In an effort to keep things that way, we are continuing to keep the camp site clean and hygienic, following the rules and looking out for each other.  This week we have also gained our new Covid QR code, to use with the new Covid-19 app.  You are encouraged to download this to your phone (unless it is a wonderfully-traditional phone that has no idea what an app is..!) and use it during your daily travels. 

We continue to take bookings (up to ten days in advance) for the campsite.  Booking is essential but we are open for the remainder of the year, unless a very wet season means the ground is too wet to support our campers.  Come and enjoy the glory of Exmoor in the Autumn, it really is a very special and colourful place and we have plenty of left time to explore our surroundings before we need to need to settle down and start writing our Christmas shopping-lists..! (sorry, I just love Christmas, I couldn't resist!). To book please call Phil on 07721 045123, he can check availability and help you make a booking.  
Picture
Picture
0 Comments

Latest News

7/24/2020

0 Comments

 
So far so good, here is our latest update about the coronavirus situation.  

We are pleased to welcome campers with the following rules, which have been designed for our customer’s safety and confidence:

  • Customers must book in advance of arrival, though bookings can be made no more than ten days in advance (the situation here, like government advice, is under review).
  • We have l​imited toilet and shower facilities, please bring your own facilities if you would feel uncomfortable about using shared facilities - so bring a toilet tent for example, or motorhome.
  • Chemical emptying facilities and drinking water will be available but the laundry and washing up room facilities, plus the fridge, freezer etc facilities will all be unavailable.
  • We are not encouraging bookings that include children under 12. Please bear with us while we assess how successful our reopening is, we look forward to welcoming children again in due course.
  • Campers are expected to bring with them all personal sanitising equipment.​
Picture
​Please call us on 07721 045123 for more information or to book.  
0 Comments

BREAKING NEWS

7/10/2020

0 Comments

 
I am delighted to announce an important moment in the history of Sparkhayes campsite.  No not the pandemic - it's card payments!  We are now able to accept debit and credit card payments with our shiny new mobile card reader.  

So far all is going well with our cautious re-opening and we thank our customers for their patience and understanding at this unprecedented time.  The hostelries in Porlock have been welcoming back customers this week and the village has a cheerful air, let's hope the summer season continues well and that we can increase the facilities we have on offer.  Stay safe everyone!
Picture
Picture
0 Comments

Cautious Re-Opening

6/24/2020

1 Comment

 
Update - 24 June 2020

We are pleased to announce a cautious re-opening from 4 July 2020 with the following rules, which have been designed for our customer’s safety and confidence:

  • Customers must book in advance of arrival, though bookings can be made no more than a week in advance (the situation here, like government advice, is under review).
  • We are only currently able to accommodate campers who can provide their own facilities - so tents with a toilet tent for example, or motorhomes.
  • Chemical emptying facilities and drinking water will be available but the toilet and shower facilities, the laundry and washing up room facilities, plus the fridge, freezer etc facilities will all be unavailable.
  • Initially we are not accepting bookings that include children under 12. Please bear with us while we assess how successful our reopening is, we look forward to welcoming children again in due course.
  • Campers are expected to bring with them all personal sanitising equipment.
Please call us on 07721 045123 for more information or to book. 
1 Comment
<<Previous

    Authors

    The little team here at Sparkhayes have keen interests in / knowledge of Porlock, Exmoor, steam railways, British pubs, sports and adventure, family activities, relaxing and making happy memories.  Use us!

    Archives

    July 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    September 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    October 2018
    August 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    February 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015

    Categories

    All
    2016
    2017
    2018
    2020
    2021
    Activities
    Ada Lovelace
    Alfred Vowles
    Allerford
    Allerford Forge
    Allerford Museum
    Antler Show
    Apple Day
    Autumn
    Bank Holiday
    Beach
    Best Biking Roads
    Biking
    Birthday
    Blue Anchor
    Boat Trip
    Bonfire
    Booking
    Book Signing
    Bossington Dog Show
    Bouncy Castle
    Burrowhayes
    Bus
    Campers
    Camping
    Care Moor
    Carols
    Certificate Of Excellence
    Charity
    Cheddar Gorge
    Children
    Christmas
    Church Clock
    Cinema
    Closed
    Coleridge Way
    Compliments
    Coronavirus
    Covid
    Crabbing
    Craft Fair
    Credit Cards
    Culbone
    Culbone Stone
    Cycling
    Dark Skies
    Debit Cards
    Diary
    Donkeys
    Doone Valley
    Drama Society
    Driftwood Cafe
    Drone Film
    Duck Race
    Dulverton
    Dunster Beach
    Dunster By Candlelight
    Dunster Castle
    Dunster Country Fair
    Easter
    Elderflower
    Eric
    Exmoor Adventures
    Exmoor Flag
    Exmoor Hawk And Owl Centre
    Exmoor National Park
    Exmoor Ponies
    Exmoor Society
    Facebook
    Family Fun
    Father Christmas
    Film
    Firework
    First Bus
    Flashback
    Flood
    Flower Show
    Flying Scotsman
    Fossils
    Friday Bell
    Fun Run
    Gift Fair
    Gifts
    Glen Lyn Gorge
    Guided Walks
    Half Term
    Halloween
    Happy Customers
    Harbour
    Hares
    Heatwave
    Hedgerows
    Hiking
    Hill Climb
    Holistic Fair
    Holnicote
    Horse Racing
    Horse Riding
    Horticulture
    Hurlstone Point
    Ice Cream
    Improvements
    Inspirational Women
    Internet
    Isolation
    ITV
    Johnny Kingdom
    Jurassic
    Lambs
    Live Music
    Lockdown
    Lynmouth
    Lynmouth Pavilion
    Lynton
    Lynton And Barnstaple
    Lynton Cinema
    Malmsmead
    Mandala Pizza
    Marsh
    Minehead Raft Race
    Motorcycling
    Mountain Biking
    Mown Grass
    News
    New Year
    One Show
    Open Gardens
    Opening
    Orchard
    Oysters
    Photography
    Photography Competition
    Photography Exhibition
    Photos
    Play Area
    Point To Point
    Pony Trekking
    Poppies
    Porlock Bay Oysters
    Porlock Beach
    Porlock Carnival
    Porlock Country Fair
    Porlock Hardware
    Porlock Hill
    Porlock Horse Show
    Porlock Late Night Shopping
    Porlock Marshes
    Porlock Pantomime
    Porlock Traditions
    Porlock Visitor Centre
    Porlock Weir
    Price Freeze
    Prices
    Prizes
    Pumpkin
    Railway
    Rain
    Rainbows
    Real Ale
    Remembrance
    Reopening
    Re Opening
    Re-opening
    Reviews
    River
    Road Bikes
    Samphire Festival
    Scenery
    Sea Shanties
    Sheep
    Shopping
    Showers
    Silverbacks
    Smugglers Run
    Snow
    Social Media
    Somerset Stages Rally
    South West Coast Path
    Spring
    Spring Show
    Spring Steam Gala
    Stoke Pero
    Storm
    Storms
    Stream
    Summer
    Sunset
    Sunshine
    SUP
    Supbikerun
    Ted's
    Thank You
    The EX
    Toy Shop
    Traction Engine
    Trick Or Treat
    Trip Advisor
    Unplug
    Valentines
    Victorian Week
    Village Clean Up
    Walking
    Walking Festival
    Wassail
    Watchet
    Weather
    Wedding
    Weirfest
    West Country Food And Farm Tour
    West Somerset Railway
    Whitsun
    Whortleberry
    Wifi
    Wild Exmoor
    Wimbleball Lake
    Winter
    World Crabbing Championships
    Young Carers

    RSS Feed

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.