Girlguiding

Girlguiding Devon Camp Site

Taw Bottom is situated in the centre of Devon at South Tawton, near Okehampton. One of its boundaries is the River Taw and it is within walking distance of Dartmoor. The fourteen-acre site comprises extensive woodland with four campsites, the Longhouse building, a Campfire Circle and a Quiet Area. Each of the campsites has its own solid wooden shelter, flush toilets, wash basins and hot showers. Trees and bushes give privacy from the other sites.

There is camp equipment for hire, sufficient for twenty-four people. Also on-site are pioneering equipment, (which includes materials for making bridges, chariots, rafts - and more), a Fitness Trail and an Orienteering Trail. Archery instruction is available on request.

The Longhouse is a good-sized wooden building which has a fully equipped catering-style kitchen and an activity room. It can be booked separately from the camping sites. There are facilities for the disabled. The car park is large enough for coaches as well as a good number of cars and minibuses. A 2-berth caravan may be hired for additional accommodation.

Taw Bottom is easily accessible from the A30 and the town of Okehampton is only seven miles away, with a good range of shops, supermarkets and other facilities.

Other local activities include:

• walking on Dartmoor
• swimming at Okehampton
• pony trekking
• canoeing
• exploring nearby ancient villages
• Finch Foundry (National Trust)
• Museum of Dartmoor Life
  

  

Taw Bottom lends itself to camps and day visits by all Girlguiding members. We hope that all who visit it will enjoy the peace and tranquility which can be found in this beautiful place.

Taw Bottom is the home for the beautiful Girlguiding Devon Centenary Stone.  It has been placed in the middle of the Quiet Area seating and is a superb piece of craftsmanship.  As well as the commemorative wording it has the centenary logo - and it has been designed so that girls can make prints and rubbings using paper, charcoal or crayons.  Do take the opportunity to visit Taw Bottom and see it for yourself.

We also have a sundial which overlooks Ash site.  It was a gift from Girlguiding Devon in memory of Mavis Budden, a much-loved former County President.

Recent Developments have been:

• the laying of hardcore paths on all the main sites between the shelter and cooking area to improve drainage and help preserve the grass
• the resurfacing of the final approach lane, complete with drainage channels
• the building of a small shelter on Oak site which has proved a great asset
• improving the Archery Area
• the formation of two small sites, Acorn and Willow, suitable for a Patrol or D of E group
• the felling of some trees as a safety measure and to open up areas of woodland to encourage new growth on the ground

Attachment	Date	Size
Fitness Trail	02/01/09 3:41 pm	238.58 KB
Taw Bottom Pioneering Projects	02/01/09 3:41 pm	1.33 MB
Orienteering_trail__-_2010[1].doc	21/10/10 4:50 pm	51 KB