Glamping at Crealy Meadows in Devon: safari tent review
I’m often reminded by my parents that my first camping experience was when I was still in nappies. So holidays under canvas are nothing new to me. However, back in 2016 glamping was. This was when we were invited to review a safari tent at Crealy Meadows in Devon.
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Crealy Meadows is a camping and caravan site attached to Crealy Adventure Park & Resort in the South West of England. As well as pitches for tents and touring caravans, the site offers glamping tents and luxury lodges.
I was really excited to try out this new way of holidaying with my family and also about the campsite’s position right next door to the theme park. This meant entertainment was on tap for our then three-year-old and 16-month-old throughout the weekend.
Since 2016 we have done a number of family glamping breaks. If you’ve not tried luxury camping and fancy giving it a go here’s a guide to glamping with kids.
Crealy Meadows camping and caravan park
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Our Crealy Meadows safari tent
When we arrived at Crealy Meadows we were allocated a standard safari glamping tent with canvas sides and a zip-up door. It was very homely, with two bedrooms plus a cabin bed, a kitchen with wood burning stove, a dining table and sofa bed.
Outside there was a decked veranda with a rattan garden set, a fire pit and parking for two cars.
The tent came with all the equipment you might expect to find in self-catering mobile home or cottage, including crockery, utensils, a fridge-freezer, electric kettle and toaster. There was even a complementary bag of wood for the stove and fire pit. The one thing you must bring is bedding.
After we had settled in, one of the super-friendly staff (more on them later) was walking around asking families if they’d like an upgrade to a safari tent plus as they had a couple spare. We didn’t need much persuading.
As well as all the features I’ve already mentioned, the campsite’s three safari plus glamping tents come with heating, proper windows and a front door, insulated walls, carpet, bean bag seating and an enclosed veranda.
We certainly appreciated the extra warmth provided by the underfloor heating and radiators on a wet weekend at the beginning of September.
It really didn’t feel like we were sleeping in a tent but we had all the benefits of camping, like being able to sit out and watch the stars after the kids were in bed. It was extremely peaceful.
Crealy camping and glamping facilities
Whether you’re glamping, camping, or caravanning you won’t be disappointed with the facilities on offer at Crealy Meadows.
The toilet block is toasty warm with music piped in while you shower. The showers themselves are some of the best I’ve seen on a campsite with wide cubicles large enough to fit a parent and a couple of small kids if necessary.
However, there was never a need for us to share with the girls as there’s also a family bathroom with a full sized bath, separate shower and low level toilet. Also at the toilet block is a dish washing area and laundrette.
There are two children’s playgrounds, one located right next to the glamping tents. And the site has a well stocked little shop with plenty of grocery essentials, plus barbecue equipment, games, and sweet treats.
Entertainment at Crealy Meadows
During peak season there’s evening entertainment for visitors staying on the campsite. This happens within Crealy Adventure Park. The entertainment team run a nightly programme of kids games, bingo and a cabaret.
We visited at the end of the summer season and the team were working really hard to involve the small audience they had. I can imagine things are a lot more lively at the peak of the school holidays.
The bar is open throughout the evening, as is one of the park’s enormous soft play areas with slides, ball pits and climbing frames. This is fantastic when your kids don’t have the attention span for the entertainment.
Also included in glamping and luxury lodge holidays is entry to Crealy Adventure Park. When you arrive onsite you’re given instructions about a secret gate which allows you to bypass the entrance queues.
We thought this was a great idea as it gave us access to the rides within minutes of leaving our tent. It’s worth saying that you can hear the low rumble of the rides and families having fun during the day, but the campsite is very peaceful at night.
What’s at Crealy Park?
The park has 16 rides ranging from tea cups – which made me feel quite queasy – to The Twister rollercoaster and Tidal Wave log flume. We were pleasantly surprised how many rides Tin Box Tot could go on. She’s just under one meter but was able to try nine rides during the weekend.
Families with pre-teen kids will find plenty to keep them entertained all day. Unfortunately the weather wasn’t too great during our second day at the park but we still filled an afternoon in the indoor Animal Kingdom, Atlantis and the Adventure Zone.
A special mention for Crealy’s staff
There must be something in the water at Crealy as everyone is so polite and chirpy.
The staff go out of their way to be helpful and say hello. This makes the whole place feel really bright and friendly, even when it’s raining like it did during our stay. The Crealy Meadows team, ride operators, entertainment staff and bar team were very friendly.
Our tips for glamping at Crealy Meadows
- Bring a barbecue – we didn’t use the wood burning stove after being advised they take a long time to heat up. Instead we brought our own barbecue to cook our dinner. We also took advantage of a family meal deal at the Adventure Zone one evening.
- Don’t forget a torch – this is essential for trips to the toilet block at night.
- Bring a nightlight for the kids – it’s very dark in the safari tents at night, so your kids might appreciate a little extra light, especially if they get disorientated at night.
- Pack a potty for young children – this is a much better way for them to spend a penny after dark than waking them up completely for a walk over to the toilet block.
- Bring an extension lead – there are three plug sockets in the glamping tents but none in the master bedroom so you might want to run a lead there for hair dryers and to charge phones.
Final thoughts
We loved our first luxury camping experience and felt right at home glamping at Crealy Meadows. It’s the perfect place for a long weekend or holiday if you have pre-teen kids who enjoy all the fun of a theme park. If you have time to leave the site there’s a lot more for families to do in Devon too.
Watch a view about our weekend at Crealy Adventure Park & Resort:
Disclosure: we were guests of Crealy Meadows for the purposes of an honest review. All opinions are my family’s and my own.
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Thanks for the tips! We are going there glamping next week and will stay at the Maii Mara (exactly the one on your photo), just wondering if this is the one with underfloor heating that you mentioned you were upgraded to?
We will be staying there for 4 nights, and the weather is not great. Any tips on what to do in the evenings? 🙂
We’ve got a 8 and a 2 year old 🙂
xxx Gee
Hi Gee,
A campsite club house has been added since our stay in the safari tent. Check out my review of staying at Crealy Meadows in our caravan for some updates pictures and information on that (pop ‘Crealy Meadows’ in the search bar at the top of my website and you’ll find it). There’s a programme of evening entertainment in the school holidays. The Glamping Plus tent in my pictures is the upgraded tent so had underfloor hearting.
Hope that helps! Claire 🙂
I think we’re headed here at the end of the month and I’m even more excited after reading your post!
Stevie x
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You’ll have a create time Stevie!
I used to enjoy camping at the beach growing up and would love to give glamping a try one day for a more comfortable experience with a little one in tow – and more fun by the looks of it with the playground and amusement rides available! #MondayEscapes
Having the park so close by was definitely a bonus!
Ha ha love your pic on the tea cups, you look like you are loving it ! I haven ever camped I seriously don’t think I could, but I could glamp most definitely x
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I was green Sarah! I never thought the day would come that I’d feel sick on a theme park ride 🙂 Glamping is definitely a different proposition to camping as I know it. You should give it a go! x
That tent looks nice!!
I love the idea of glamping, but never tried it before! It looks like you guys found a really great spot to try it out! #mondayescapesh
It was great for keeping the whole family entertained. Thanks for popping by!
This sounds really good. I particularly like the sound of warm showers and loos. I’ve never been glamping but it’s certainly a good way to get a taste of the outdoors without going fully outdoors! The little theme park sounds really awesome too. Thanks for taking on #mondayescapes
The warm loos were good, especially when you’ve trotted over in the middle of the night 🙂
These are great. We stayed in one that looks almost identical in Anglesey, north Wales in April of this year and we loved it. They’re definitely a nice change for us from our bell tent. Glad you had a lovely time.
Potty Adventures
#MondayEscapes
We’d love a bell tent – there’s almost too many different ways to camp and not enough time to try them all!
Shhh don’t tell anyone but, as much as I love camping, I could be persuaded to give glamping a go! It sounds very appealing having everything set up for you -and no packing your stuff up in the rain (it always rains when you’re leaving!) Also loving the family bathroom and entrance to the park. Sound like a fab family holiday, have pinned this for next summer ideas! #mondayescapes
Yes, the bit where we didn’t have to pack anything other than out clothes was amazing!
I’ve never tried clamping, but I’ve certainly been intrigued. I know what you mean about those late night trips to the loo with small children’s. We’ve found glowsticks very useful when camping. It makes. it much easier to track everyone in the dark and the children love wearing them.
Glow sticks is a great idea! We usually have a few hanging around too. We’ll take them next time 🙂
I must admit, the thought of camping fills me with horror, but I’m pretty sure I could manage a bit of glamping somewhere like this. I know I’m going to have to bit the bullet at some point soon because my two little ones are dying to camp. Maybe I could persuade them that our garden is a very exciting place 😉
Yes! Start in the garden. It’s nice to have a safety net. Gleaming at a place like Crealy is really a long way from what I consider to be proper glamping though. There were far too many creature comforts 🙂
This sounds like a great family experience! I love camping so would definitely try this with my own family now. Devon sounds like a fun place for the little ones, never been there before so we’ll have to travel there some day. #mondaysescapes
I live in Devon, so I am slightly biased, but it is brilliant for families. Whether you’re after theme parks (albeit at the smaller end of the scale), castles or country parks, there’s loads to do.
Everything sounds so much fun for the whole family. I love camping since that’s something we’ve done in my family since I was little. We used to stay when not in tents, in what they call in Spain “Bungalows”, a bit smaller but similar to the ones you’ve reviewed. This seems like a nice place to try out with the kids! 🙂
#MondaysEscapes
It was a great place. We felt so at home 🙂
I’d love to try glamping and this looks amazing! Definitely one to put on the list! This is my first time at #MondayEscapes but I’m sure I’ll be back, thanks for hosting 🙂
Thanks so much for joining us. I hope you’re picking up lots of travel inspiration!
My kind of camping – and probably the best way to enter into the “camping” world that I have yet to try out! Thanks for hosting #MondayEscapes!!
Yes, this would defiantly ease you in. Thanks for joining us!
Wow Wee! What a fun place topped with the most amazing theme park. I had never heard of Glamping. I am from Singapore and camping in itself isn’t quite a usual activity for families here. Namely because of mosquitoes, the humidity and we really do love our beds more. Thanks for sharing this. If ever we make a trip, I will put this on our itinerary =) #MondayEscapes
Oh, I can see it wouldn’t be quite so pleasant to camp in Singapore. You’d need a lot of fly nets! I can recommend camping in the UK in summer, but even here you might need some insect repellant!
This looks amazing for families Claire. I particularly love the idea of under floor heating! Your video is great too and really shows everything that Crealy Meadows has to offer for kids. #MondayEscapes
The under floor heating really tipped it over the edge from being camping into luxury camping. I’m glad you like the video. I think I’m getting the hang of them 🙂
I keeping hearing about glamping and I think this would be my kind of camping. I’m not a fan of sleeping outside- or on the ground for that matter- but I love being outdoors. My husband enjoys it so maybe this could be a nice compromise. #MondayEscapes
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We used to go camping alot when the kids were younger, but nowadays we much prefer glamping. Would love to stay somewhere like this with proper beds and heating. Sounds amazing. I could even persuade the teem to go somewhere like this #MondayEscapes x
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Now I fully understand what’s glamping lol! The theme park seems to be a bonus. Personally, I would really love to get a taste of sitting out there enjoying the star in the dark with my hub;).
I have never glamped. I should give it a try. I love to camp and I am sure having a cozy place to stay will enhance any experience.
Ooo.. the idea of a secret gate intrigues me. The adventure park looks wonderful and I loved soft play areas when my kids were younger. Your kids are so brave with that snake!! #MondayEscapes
Bumble Bee Mum recently posted…Phuket Trip with Kids – Our One-Week Itinerary
We don’t have much glamping where I live (NYC suburbs), but I keep reading all sorts about it and am dying to try it! I think my girls would love it too. Thanks for taking over #mondayescapes
I love this tent!! With the stove in the middle, awesome! Looks like a great time. Thanks for keeping #MondayEscapes going!!
Now that is my kind of camping! We used to camp every year when I was a child and I loved it, but these days I find it so tedious to have to pack half the house just for one weekend under canvas, I much prefer the idea of staying somewhere where all I need to bring is the duvet!
I’ve not gone camping since school, but looking at your photos, looks like glamping might be the way to go. Thanks for sharing. and Thanks for bringing back #MondayEscapes.
I don’t do camping. I’m not great with tents. The reasons why are probably best saved for another time. However, I love the look of this safari tent and glamping is looking more and more attractive. I like the activities available so close by too.
#MondayEscapes
Glamping is definitely more my style than camping- and warm shower blocks with music could even persuade me to cope without my own toilet 🙂 Seriously, Crealy always sounds fabulous with kids, lovely to read your experience. #mondayescapes
Cathy (Mummytravels) recently posted…Discovering Costa Barcelona, Spain
I’ll be honest I have a fear of camping. So glamping is the way forward for me. Great that the place has an amusement park nearby to keep the mini-me’s entertained.
This looks just line a place I stayed at in Kent, the tents are fabulous aren’t they. Great post. #mondayescapes
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Great review and Ive subbed to your Youtube channel as for some reason I hadn’t before! We’ve never been glamping before. Don’t blame you for upgrading!!
Jane Batt recently posted…Everything you need to know about Valley Fest!
I’ve tried to make myself go camping but I just can’t do it. This looks sooo good though, I think I could get on board with it. And I really would love to sit and look at the stars one day just like you’ve described 🙂 #mondayescapes
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pretty cool! #mondayescapes
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Great to read about your experience of glamping, Claire. It’s something I’m keen to try. Your tips are spot on – a barbecue and a potty would both be really useful in that situation. Hope you’re enjoying #MondayEscapes!
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This place sounds fantastic! We’ve been glamping once and would do it again, maybe in warmer weather as we also went in September when it was particularly cold. Some great tips here for those that are visiting though! #mondayescapes
I’m usually not interested in camping, but what you did looks like fun! Looks like a great way to spend a weekend as a family. #MondayEscapes
Love that kitchenette in your glamping tent. Thanks for hosting the new Monday Escapes, Clare!
Yep, this looks like the kind of camping I can get on board with! Haha.
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I must say, I love glamping! My kids adore setting up our little dome tent but personally, I prefer the homely feeling of the pre-made ones, I just find them so charming. Good call about bringing a torch: I have memories of using a mobile phone to see at night… not a great idea, trust me!
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My mobile phone light always seems to turn off just at the wrong moment! Luckily Mr TB never leaves home without a head torch 🙂
This looks fab! Glamping is so much fun, and in a safari tent it’s such a different experience from sleeping in a normal tent. I love the fact that there’s an amusement park nearby, too. Really pleased you had a good time x
Nell (the Pigeon Pair and Me) recently posted…Eurocamp kids’ clubs at La Garangeoire, France
Thanks Nell. Yes, the theme park was a bonus, especially with the wet weather. We’ll definitely be clamping again!
This looks like so much fun! When we moved abroad I was worried my camping days are over, but I think Europeans are actually more my camping style! I love being in a tent but with so many of the necessities I miss tent camping in the states. Plus all the camp grounds seem to be near things to do for the kids. Thanks for sharing this great location. #MondayEscapes
It is a great location if you want to be close to on-tap fun for the kids. The also enjoyed running around outside the tent and the playground too. We weren’t short of something to do all weekend!
Wow! That’s quite a tent. I’ve heard a lot about glamping but haven’t tried it yet. I’m not a big fan of regular camping (I like my comforts of home) but I think I could get excited about glamping! Thanks for sharing!
There’s definitely A LOT of comforts that come with glamping! 🙂
Looks like you had a great time – we have had great family ‘glamping’ trips. I have been pleasantly surprised at how much we enjoyed our breaks. Great fun too, and also a great solution for those that have slightly larger families and need to accommodate 5 or 6 !
How fabulous that you were offered the upgrade, underfloor heating while camping has got to be the biggest luxury ever! Thanks for hosting new #mondayescapes
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It was toasty warm in there…not at all like the camping Mr TB and I did before kids 🙂
Friendly staff make everything so much better , don’t they?! And great glamping reviews make me want to go glamping myself even more!
The friendliness was above and beyond anything I’ve experienced anywhere else. They really were great.
How fun!
That looks like great fun! Im yet to try Glamping. I’m sure my boys would love it. thanks for sharing.
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My two thought it was great fun. We’ll definitely go clamping again 🙂
Whoops I am getting my hashtags mixed up! #mondayescapes 🙂 xxxx
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Oh this looks amazing! I keep trying to peruade Mr C that we need to try glamping. We once went camping (our first holiday together) and it was horrific and he now refuses to set foot in a tent! This looks perfect though, a great half-way house. How fab to have secret access to the park too. I really want to go! #MarvMondays
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It’s definitely a million miles from the negatives of camping the traditional way. But there are so many of the positives. I reckon your kids would love it too 🙂
The nearest I’ve come to camping is a mobile home in France – I suppose it’s only the toilet facilities which make it any different as your safari tent looks super. This looks a great place for families – my son would have loved being next to the amusement park.
Great to see you running #mondayescapes. Have fun!
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Thanks Trish! It was a minor inconvenience having to walk to the toilet block but it was lovely once we got there – so warm! Having done both mobile home and glamping holidays now I have to stay that glamping is my favourite out of the two.
This looks like the perfect family set up – particularly if camping isn’t really your thing a great compromise.
And i still can’t get over your teacup face PRICELESS!!!
Oh my, even if I didn’t look green I felt it!! 🙂
This looks fabulous I want to do a uk break with the kids and keep mentioning camping but they look at me like I’m mad. Going to go take a closer look now, thanks x
It’s definitely not ‘camping’ camping so perfect for you if you can’t get everyone excited about the traditional version 🙂
That accommodation is awesome! My kids would love having all the comfort in a rustic still posh looking atmosphere. That kitchen rocks! And the beds look so comfy. The pictures are amazing (I would have skipped the snake though 😉 )
It was really very friendly 🙂
Looks like you had a lovely time, love the Safari tent! I’ve always wanted to stay in a tent that has a wood burning stove in it. I think even though it’s ‘glamping’ you’re still connected more to nature & the outside world when staying in somewhere like this. I found your post via Twitter, I’m @pouchvintage over there
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It was a really great weekend. I did love sitting out under the stars after the kids were in bed. The sky was full of them.