All about The Wood Life

The perfect location of The Wood Life came about by pure chance. Matt's family have lived in the area for generations and it just so happened that the woods on their land were ideal for the project, offering seclusion, beauty and convenience.

Environmental policy

The Wood Life is completely off-grid. The tent itself was designed and built by Albion Canvas, a brilliant British tent-making company, the shower is powered by a wood-burner and the compost loo is as eco-friendly as they come. The Wood Life operates seasonally not just because it would mean burning a large amount of fuel to warm the tent in bad weather, but also to give the resident badgers a bit of peace now and again.

Wildlife

There are foxes, deer and badgers living in the woods and a large variety of bird life from owls to woodpeckers. Guests are encouraged, with a range of wildlife guide books and magnifying jars, to learn about their surroundings as well as to treat the with care.

Getting there

The Wood Life, Kenn, Exeter, Devon

By car

Follow signs to village of Kenn on the A85 from the end of the M5. Look for Pennycombe Farm. These directions go to the farm from which you will be guided to The Wood Life.

By train

From Exeter St. Davids station there is a bus (366 at time of writing) to the village of Kenn. The Wood Life is a couple of miles from there.

If you are getting to the Cabin by train, bus or any other non-car means you can think of be sure to take a photo and enter our Go Greenly competition to win a 4 night stay at The Wagon or The Ark.

Things to do

The Wood Life itself is a fantastic place to play. Take out the magnifying jars and guide books into the great outdoors, mess around on the rope swing and climb about in the treehouse platform...

The sea at Dawlish

Outdoor & active

The sweeping sands of Dawlish Warren and the open expanse of Dartmoor are both nearby. There are numerous cycling and walking trails in the area and Exeter itself is just a few miles away to the east.

You can hire a bike from Saddles and Paddles in Exeter and cycle along the river and canal right down to The Turf Locks about 5 miles away avoiding any roads. Or go no further than the Double Locks, another good pub on the edge of Exeter. Saddles and Paddles also hire out canoes and kayaks (hence the name) and offer basic tuition if you've never canoed before.

Places to visit

Cast your eye over rare and beautiful plant species at the Bicton Botanical Gardens

Powderham Castle is about a mile away, located in a unique, picturesque setting beside the Exe estuary. Housing over six hundred years worth of history as one of England's oldest family homes, there is plenty to explore both inside and out, situated in the centre of a deer park home to around 600 fallow deer. There is also a farm shop there with a café as well as other attractions for kids like the fort and a secret garden full of cuddly animals.

The Miniature Pony Centre is also under an hour away by car, set in 20 acres of beautiful countryside within Dartmoor National Park.

The Bicton Park Botanical Gardens span nearly 300 years of horticultural history set in East Devon's picturesque Otter Valley. There are also the RHS gardens at Rosemoor.

Exeter is only a 15 minute drive away and has a magnificent cathedral. Also worth touring are Exeter's Underground Passages that date back to 14th Century with tours available, along with many other historic sites and lots of shopping.

Eating & drinking

Pubs & restaurants

The Ley Arms, Kenn (1 mile). A traditional village pub in nearby Kenn. It's child-friendly and easily walkable from The Wood Life.

The Anchor, Starcross (3 miles). A truly charming inn, specialising in seafood but offering a menu to suit all tastes. Reputedly over 450 years old, it was originally opened as a Seamen's Mission. Now an old English pub, decked out like a cavernous boat inside, it stages live bands, jazz music and entertainment twice weekly - take a look at their events calendar to see who's playing while you're down.

The Turf Locks, (4 miles). Serves classic pub food and, when the weather permits, a popular barbecue from their huge beer garden bordered by the Exe Estuary on one side and Turf Locks on the other. The owners pride themselves on being one of the few pubs in the country not accessible by road. Situated in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, walking, cycling and boating are the only ways of reaching it.

Orange elephants, or South Devon cattle as they are often known

The Quay Brasserie, Topsham (7 miles). If you fancy something a bit more fancy, The Quay prepares quality food from locally sourced ingredients in a beautifully converted boat shed situated on Topsham's historic quay, just a 20-minute drive from Exeter.

The Orange Elephant ice cream parlour, Taverner's Farm (3 miles). Winner of Taste of the West award for its Lime & Elderflower flavour ice cream, they have also come up with such interesting varieties as Cathedral Crunch, Skate Rattle and Roll and the mysterious Muddy Green Wellies. They also make a mean cream tea, have a good farm shop and play equipment for kids and then, of course, there're the orange elephants themselves...

All about The Wood Life

The perfect location of The Wood Life came about by pure chance. Matt's family have lived in the area for generations and it just so happened that the woods on their land were ideal for the project, offering seclusion, beauty and convenience.

Environmental policy

The Wood Life is completely off-grid. The tent itself was designed and built by Albion Canvas, a brilliant British tent-making company, the shower is powered by a wood-burner and the compost loo is as eco-friendly as they come. The Wood Life operates seasonally not just because it would mean burning a large amount of fuel to warm the tent in bad weather, but also to give the resident badgers a bit of peace now and again.

Wildlife

There are foxes, deer and badgers living in the woods and a large variety of bird life from owls to woodpeckers. Guests are encouraged, with a range of wildlife guide books and magnifying jars, to learn about their surroundings as well as to treat the with care.