The Dark Skies
No light pollution for miles. The Milky Way, shooting stars and, on the right night, the Northern Lights overhead.
Tamar Valley · West Devon
Where two rivers meet, two tents wait.
An off-grid wild glamping retreat on a hidden peninsula. Only ever two bell tents, and the whole field is yours.
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Wild in the real sense. Off-grid, quiet, and open to the sky.
Two tents. A whole field. No-one across the grass but you.
Tucked above the meeting of the Tavy and the Tamar, Damson Keep is a small, private escape on a peninsula almost nobody knows. You'll wake to birdsong, cook over fire, and fall asleep under some of the darkest skies in Devon.
It's a working smallholding with rare-breed sheep, foxgloves and buzzards overhead, set up for two bell tents and no more. Come to reset, to potter, to do gloriously little.
Come for whatever you need
Find your own corner
On the Water
Five slipways within five minutes. Bring the boat, the paddleboard, the canoe. Few sites let you launch like this.
The Wild & Quiet
Buzzards by day, owls after dark, pheasants through the grass. A whole field to yourself and nothing you must do.
The Animals
A smallholding with rare-breed Dartmoor sheep, and two tame pet lambs the children won't want to leave.
Two tents, one field
Book either · or take bothThey're deliberately different. One is a roomy family tent that sleeps four; the other a cosy bell for two. Book one on Airbnb, or take both and have the whole field to yourselves.
The Family Tent
Book the Family Tent
Room to spread out
Our roomy bell tent, with a proper double, a sofa bed and pull-outs, plus a Simba bed you don't expect to find under canvas. Room for a family to spread out and settle in.
- Real beds & cotton linen
- Wood burner
- Wood-fired pizza oven
- Gas hob & BBQ
- Fire pit under the stars
- Compost loo
- Hot outdoor shower
- Lockable canvas, your code
The Bell Tent
Book the Bell Tent
Just the two of you
A cosy five-metre bell for two. A comfortable double with bedding provided, your own picnic bench and fire pit, and long views over the countryside. Simple, off-grid glamping at its most peaceful.
- Double bed & bedding
- Your own fire pit
- Picnic bench
- Countryside views
- Compost loo
- Hot outdoor shower
- Free on-site parking
- Dogs on a long lead
Off-grid by design. There's no mains here, so bring or buy drinking water, logs and kindling on site. Live dates and prices are on Airbnb.
Under canvas, under stars
The stars are yours to explore.
Presented in grandiose splendour.
Out here the night actually goes dark, with no streetlights and no glow on the horizon. Lie back by the fire and the sky fills in: planets, satellites, the slow wheel of the Milky Way.
Last autumn the Northern Lights came out over the top field. We have the photographs to prove it.
The Place
A hidden corner of the Tamar Valley
- Where two rivers meetViews over the Tavy and the Tamar as they run down to the sea.
- On the waterFive slipways within five minutes, with Weir Quay and its boatyard café down the lane.
- On foot & by railThe Tamar Trail five minutes away, and the Tamar Valley Line, which creeps over the 120-foot Calstock viaduct on its way through the prettiest stations in Devon.
- The villageButcher, post office and the essentials, two miles up the road.
Days out
Worth leaving the field for
Buckland Abbey
about 20 min
A medieval abbey turned Tudor house, once home to Sir Francis Drake, with gardens and woodland walks above the Tavy.
Cotehele
about 25 min
A Tudor manor and terraced gardens high above the Tamar, with its own quay and riverside paths.
Morwellham Quay
about 25 min
A restored Victorian copper port and open-air museum, with a little train that rattles down into the mine.
Lydford Gorge
about 40 min
The deepest gorge in the South West, with the Whitelady waterfall and a path through wooded ravine on the edge of Dartmoor.
Dartmoor
15 to 20 min
Open moor, granite tors and wild swimming, with the western edge just up the road.
Most are within about half an hour, with Lydford a little further. The slipways and the Tamar Valley Line are closer still.
Getting here
We're tucked on the Bere peninsula near Lopwell, where the Tavy runs down to meet the Tamar. We're a little tricky to find, and sat navs don't always get it right, so please message your host through Airbnb before you set off. We'll send an exact pin and simple directions, and it helps to let us know roughly when to expect you.
I allow myself to slow down, breathe deeply, and feel at peace in nature.
Before you book
Off-grid, and proud of itA wild, off-grid stay is part of the charm, but it does mean a few things are different from an ordinary campsite. Here's what to know before you book.
Truly off-grid
No mains power or water. The tents are lit by lantern, so bring a power bank if you need to charge a phone.
Drinking water
There's no tap on site. Please bring your own drinking water, or pre-order and we'll have it ready for your arrival.
Firewood & kindling
Bundles of logs and kindling are on site to buy on arrival, if you'd like the fire pit or wood burner going.
Loo & shower
A proper compost loo and a hot outdoor shower among the trees. Simple, clean and part of the experience.
A working sheep farm
Sheep graze nearby, so please close every gate behind you. They can be moved to another field during your stay if you ask in advance.
Dogs welcome
On a long lead at all times, please. It's a working farm with livestock and close neighbours.
Free parking
Free on-site parking on hard standing, so you'll drive in and out whatever the weather.
A peaceful camp
No parties and no loud music, out of respect for the wildlife, the livestock and the neighbours. Come for the quiet.
Whatever the weather
It's Devon. The tents are large and fully waterproof, with plenty to do rain or shine.
Shared facilities & the grounds
The field, for everyoneA few things are shared between both tents: the compost loo, the hot outdoor shower, the washing-up point and the fire. The whole field is yours to roam.
Questions, answered
FAQIs it really off-grid?
Yes, completely. There's no mains electricity or running water on site. It's part of what makes Damson Keep so quiet and dark at night, but it does mean a little more preparation than a normal campsite.
Is there electricity?
No mains power. The tents are lit by lantern in the evenings. If you need to charge a phone or camera, bring a fully-charged power bank.
What are the toilets like?
There's a proper compost loo, kept clean and simple. No flushing chain, no mains plumbing, just a comfortable, low-impact loo among the trees.
Is there a shower?
Yes. There's a hot outdoor shower tucked among the trees, with a wooden floor and a bit of privacy. It's one of the nicest parts of the stay on a warm evening.
Can I bring my dog?
Dogs are very welcome, but must be kept on a long lead at all times. It's a working farm with grazing sheep and close neighbours. If you'd like, the sheep can usually be moved to another field during your stay, just ask us in advance.
Do I need to bring drinking water?
Yes, please. There's no tap on site, so bring your own drinking water, or pre-order and we'll have it ready when you arrive.
Is there firewood for the fire pit?
Bundles of logs and kindling are available to buy on arrival. Bring marshmallows.
What should I bring?
Drinking water, warm layers for the evenings, a torch or head-torch, a power bank for phones, and anything you'd like to cook. Bedding, towels and the beds themselves are all provided.
What time is check-in?
Check-in is from 3pm. We'll confirm the details, and send directions, once your booking is confirmed on Airbnb.
How do I find it?
We're on the Bere peninsula near Lopwell, and we're a little tricky to find, sat navs don't always get it right. Message your host through Airbnb before you set off and we'll send an exact pin and simple directions. It helps to let us know your rough arrival time too.
Now open · 2026 season
Come and stay
Bookings are handled on Airbnb. Choose the tent that suits you, or book both and take the whole field.