1 / 13

Croyde Bay Campsite

Devon Ex33 1 Nn, Devon, England
1 acre hosted by Benny S.

If your vision of a campsite is a sprawling meadow with far-reaching views, horses nuzzling at the hedgerows and the nearest town a ten mile drive away, then prepare yourself for Croyde Bay Campsite, a pocket-sized patch in North Devon that turns countryside camping on its head.

Nuzzled in against the edge of Croyde Village, a two-minute walk from the pubs, post office and surf shops, this is a campsite happy to be in amongst the action, a true feature of Croyde itself. This might sound a little crowded but, sheltered by high hedgerows, you needn’t worry about neighbours crooning through bedroom windows, and, instead, the resulting atmosphere really lends itself to feeling a part of the local community. Campers here can dine out within easy reach of their tent or stroll, surfboard under arm, down Moor Lane to the beach. You can even walk to Croyde’s village cinema, which is all of 75 yards away – a quirky, independent affair with deck chairs for seats.

As well as its proximity to the village and popular surfing beach, another stand-out feature of Croyde Bay Campsite is not so much the facilities as the way in which those facilities are managed. The young staff – an enthusiastic bunch with a penchant for surfing – are friendly from the off and scrupulous in their regular cleaning of the washblock. Facilities are spotless and, surprise, surprise, there are also some thoughtful surfer-friendly touches, including an outdoor shower for rinsing wet-suits, a drying rack and very affordable equipment hire.

You’ll be correct, then, in concluding that this is a top pick for surfers but there are plenty at the campsite with the intention of walking the coastal trail or exploring nearby Braunton Borrows too. The lack of electrical hook-ups means that tenters generally reign supreme, while campervans and smaller motorhomes are also welcome. And, though there is a slight slope to the camping meadow, it’s positively flat compared to some places in the local area. Compact, convenient, convivial and clean, Croyde Bay Campsite is becoming a staple of the village and it’s well worthy of its prized spot.

Activities
Biking
Hiking
Surfing
Natural features
Beach
Coastal
Not currently accepting bookings on Hipcamp
More camping spots nearby
Location
Devon Ex33 1 Nn, Devon, England, United KingdomTraditional, ancestral territory of various First Nations according to To respect the Host's privacy, the precise address of this land will be provided after booking
Hosted by Benny S.Joined in January 2014
From the host
Welcome to Croyde Bay Campsite. A charming campsite with lots of character, situated in the heart of one of North Devon's pictures villages. Croyde Bay Campsite is open this summer. A short 10 minute walk to the beach and only 2 minutes down the hill into Croyde village itself. So why not come and meet the team and enjoy your holiday at Croyde's most charming campsite?
Nearby attractions

The clue's in the name at Croyde Bay Campsite. Most people come here for its proximity to the bay and there's no doubt it's a big hit with the surfing community. The surf at Croyde Bay is world class but it's also a very family friendly beach and the presence of plenty of local surf schools – book some lessons with the likes of Surfing Croyde Bay (0800 188 4860) or Surf South West (01271 890400) – as well as RNLI lifeguards throughout summer, make this a good spot for beginners and families too. If you fancy a little beach variation, try visiting Putsborough and Saunton Sands, which are both a five-minute drive away. The latter is backed by the vast dune system of Braunton Burrows (England’s largest 'psammosere'), which boasts an extraordinarily diverse plant community of over 400 recorded species (its ecological importance has been recognised by UNESCO). It makes for a great walk. So too does the stroll from the campsite out to Baggy Point, following the coastal path across almost entirely National Trust-owned land, with excellent views back into Croyde Bay and, later, around to Woolacombe and Putsborough beach. If watching all the surfers as you walk makes you wonder how it all began, visit the Museum of British Surfing (01271 815155) in Braunton. Here you’ll find a detailed history of the long board in British waters, including sketches of Hawaiian surfers by Captain Cook’s crew, airbrushed surf art on early boards and photos of the locals riding the waves on wooden planks in the 1920s.

Food and drink

Croyde Bay Campsite is set right between the bay and Croyde village, so all the eateries of the settlement are within walking distance. It's handy, though, that one of the very closest spots, The Blue Groove (01271 890111), is also one of the best; expect a contemporary seaside vibe with a wide variety of vegetarian and vegan options, as well as locally-landed fish specials, mussels, steaks, hearty breakfasts and excellent barista coffee. To really get in with the surf crowd, enjoy a pint at Billy Budds (01271 890606) – surfboards on the ceiling, surf photography on the walls and loads of outdoor space – which is also a good pub in its own right. For a proper boozer, though, The Thatch (01271 890349) is renowned for its classic character and is just a little further down the road, with low beams, carpets and old pub pews. There are plenty of other eateries besides, just take a stroll along Hobb's Hill and St Mary's Road.

Safety at Hipcamp

Inclusion Policy
Inclusion Policy
Inclusion Policy
Hipcamp Hand

Safety partners

Recreate Responsibly

About us

Cool Camping is now Hipcamp, your best resource for beautiful private campsites.

Discover & reserve tent camping, caravan parks, cabins, treehouses, & glamping.

Download the Hipcamp App

Hipcamp is created with ❤️ and hope for our future.