Safari Tent Glamping in Devon at Ruda Holiday Park Review
Collaboration
With the early May bank holiday upon us, we packed the car and headed off for a long weekend on the coast of Devon to stay in a safari tent at Ruda Holiday Park. Read on for our Ruda Holiday Park review.
Where Did We Stay?
Ruda Holiday Park
Croyde
North Devon
Book accommodation or find out more at johnfowlerholidays.com
Glamping
- 3 nights safari tent glamping £399
Our Visit
In order to maximise our time in Devon, we made the decision to set off from Cheshire at a frankly ungodly hour on Friday morning. With a loose plan of places to visit, a booking for a hack at Mullacot Riding Centre, and a boot stuffed with everything from bodyboards and wetsuits to riding apparel, I set off bleary-eyed, already mentally fast-forwarding to our first coffee stop.
I won’t bore you with the travel details, we’re all painfully aware that Devon might as well be on another continent if you’re travelling from the north, suffice to say, several hours later than anticipated, we finally pulled into our first pre-check-in destination.
I’m typically not a fan of captive animals and haven’t visited a zoo in close to twenty years, but I was willing to make this one exception. Ever since discovering the existence of African Shoebills, I’ve been utterly obsessed – giant, prehistoric-looking birds that appear to have been designed by Jim Henson after a particularly wild fever dream. They are completely, mesmerising and otherworldly.
Deep in the recesses of my perimenopausal brain, I recalled that the only Shoebill in the UK could be found at Exmoor Zoo. A quick Google confirmed I hadn’t fabricated this fact and I was indeed right. A further search revealed it was less than half an hour from Ruda Holiday Park, and with check-in not until 4pm, Exmoor Zoological and Conservation Centre proved the perfect place to stretch our legs, take in some fascinating wildlife and finally see my beloved Shoebill, Abou, in person.
Upon arriving at the holiday park, check-in was straightforward and we were soon making our way to the glamping village, consisting of four neat rows of safari tents with a distant shimmer of sea on the horizon. There are three different styles of safari tent to choose from, each sleeping up to six people across two bedrooms.
Safari Tents
Our Croyde safari tent came with a double bedroom housing a gloriously comfortable bed, a separate twin bedroom, a living area with a kitchen at one end, a flushing loo with sink, and outside, a covered veranda with a table and seating. In short, everything you need for a genuinely comfortable family break.
Having never stayed in a safari tent before, I was immediately won over by the combination of the proper camping feel of canvas and fresh air, paired with all the creature comforts (and warmth) of self-catering accommodation.
An electric heater took the edge off the spring chill, hot running water meant no trudging across the park to wash up, an induction hob and microwave made hot drinks and hot water bottles effortless, and perhaps most importantly, a flushing loo meant no 3am torch-lit pilgrimages to the toilet block.
As a notoriously poor sleeper, It was a revelation to sleep so exceptionally well every single night. In fact, the double bed was supremely comfortable and, with the addition of an extra blanket, genuinely snug too despite the weather being so chilly and wet.
Whilst during the day, there’s no denying it, the park is noisy (but not excessively so) with the sound of kids, doing kid stuff and with occasional adults bellowing at said kids, the noise did cease by around 11pm each night.
Site Facilities
Ruda largely attracts families including those with young children, teenagers and extended families booking across several units, and with such close proximity to Croyde Bay Beach, accommodation to suit a range of budgets and excellent on-site facilities, it’s easy to understand the appeal.
The on-site surf shop is a standout, stocking everything from wetsuits and bodyboards to current-season Roxy and Rip Curl clothing, and there’s a second surf shop and hire facility directly at the beach too. The Cascades Tropical Adventure Pool is a big draw for younger visitors – complete with a thrilling 200-foot water slide, lazy river and jacuzzi. There’s a craft hub with regular activities for creative kids, an indoor soft play area and a lovely adventure playground.
When it comes to food and drink, the choices are numerous, with plenty of family-pleasing options. The Boardwalk Bar and Restaurant, Roberto’s Pizza, Hollerbird Fried Chicken, Stateside burger joint, The Catch fish and chip shop, a Flying Scoop ice cream parlour and with Costa Coffee available on site too, there’s enough to keep most happily fed and caffeinated.
The Nisa Local is impressively well-stocked for self-caterers, there’s a launderette on site, and the Showbar delivers regular family-friendly entertainment.
Ruda holds a four-star Visit England rating and, nestled within the North Devon Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, the setting alone is worth the journey. This truly is a lovely area of Devon to explore and spend time in. The park itself is immaculately kept and we particularly loved the wildflower banks, a thoughtful touch that feels both beautiful and ecologically minded, softening the boundary between holiday park and the natural landscape beyond.
Croyde Bay Beach is just a five-minute walk away, and the charming village of Croyde, with its handful of independent shops and some excellent places to eat, is a leisurely fifteen-minute stroll. Blue Groove is a great shout for relaxed dining, but if you visit just one restaurant, make it Roku – quite simply outstanding. For post-surf or swim fuel, Biffen’s is non-negotiable. Their Barrel wraps are, and I say this with complete conviction, absolute perfection.
Ruda Holiday Park Verdict
Ruda is a relatively large and very lively park and that’s exactly what you get! If you’re positioned near the adventure playground, as we were, expect the full, unfiltered soundtrack of children having an absolute blast from early morning until well into the evening.
For families with energetic kids, this is all part of the fun. For couples or anyone seeking a peaceful retreat, consider a mid-week stay and avoid the school holidays and peak holiday season for the best chance of relaxation.
In short, Ruda is ideal for lively family holidays, and I mean lively in the very best, most wonderfully chaotic sense of the word!
Would we stay in a safari tent again? Absolutely, and as someone who has been glamping since its earliest days, I’m slightly embarrassed that it took me this long to tick a safari tent off the list! As for Ruda, it’s a park that knows its audience and delivers everything families tend to look for.
DISCLOSURE | We were invited to stay at Ruda Holiday Park. We have not been paid to write this review, but we did receive free accommodation.
