Camping in South West England

Beach getaways, UNESCO-listed landmarks, and wild moorlands draw explorers to the UK’s southern peninsula.

96% (1050 reviews)
96% (1050 reviews)

Popular camping styles for South West England

Under £50

Dog-friendly getaways

12 top campsites in South West England

100%
(63)

Meldon Lake and Woods

5 units · Motorhomes, Tents8 acres · Okehampton, Devon, South West England
Seriously simple but beautiful wild camping beside a lake on Dartmoor
Pets
Potable water
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from 
£20
 / night
Booked 2 times

Three Hares Campsite

15 units · Motorhomes, Tents1 acre · Exeter, England
A simple site with campfires, tree swings and hammocks in Dartmoor
Potable water
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from 
£8
 / night
93%
(203)

Sweet Hill Farm

10 units · Motorhomes, Tents1 acre · Dorset, South West England
Simple, almost-wild, seaside camping on the Isle of Portland
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from 
£12
 / night
97%
(38)

Hideaway Camping

17 units · Glamping, Motorhomes, Tents24 acres · Okehampton, England
Carefree camping and glamping in Devon with a nature-friendly setting and imaginative owners
Potable water
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from 
£13
 / night
Booked 2 times

Berry's Ground Lane Campsite

1 unit · Motorhome, Tent40 acres · Martinhoe, England
Lovely wild camping pitches on the North Devon coastline. You will be one of a maximum of 6 pitches in a large field on the beautiful North Devon coast with incredible sea views. We can provide a firepit to borrow and you can purchase logs onsite so you can stargaze and chatter around the fire - back to nature! We are based just outside the pretty hamlet of Martinhoe in North Devon, a stone's throw from the SW Coast Path. There is a historic Roman Beacon closeby and plenty of wildlife around, we'd be surprised if you didn't see deer in the neighbouring fields! There is a compost loo and a water point, but no electricity / wifi - delightfully off-grid. Situated on an organic working farm this is the perfect place to escape!
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from 
£28
 / night
98%
(91)

Brig's Farm

21 units · Glamping, Tents1 acre · Bridport, Dorset, South West England
Family camping with campfires near Charmouth, with sea views and a couple of quirky glamping lorries
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from 
£12.50
 / night
97%
(169)

South Dean Camping

70 units · Motorhomes, Tents12 acres · Barnstaple, Devon, South West England
Clifftop camping with epic sea views, right next to Exmoor National Park.
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£35
 / night
97%
(31)

Hennock Hideaways

32 units · Motorhomes, Tents5 acres · Devon, South West England
A camping and glamping site with views across the Teign Valley on the edge of Dartmoor
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Potable water
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from 
£10
 / night
Booked 2 times

Little Harford Lower Woodland

5 units · Tents3 acres · Exeter, England
Little Harford Lower Woodland is set in a property of just over 6 acres, an old thatched cottage with an artistic and creative atmosphere. The woodland here at Little Harford is a tranquil place for people wanting to find peace and quiet in a back to nature experience. A small river meanders through the bottom of the lower woodland which can occasionally come up to the top of the bank with lots of rain. A winding path leads down to where the land levels out at the water meadow area of the woodland. A family of buzzards live in the valley and you can often hear owls, pheasants and wild birds. A certain degree of fitness is needed as there is no vehicle access and wheelbarrows are available to help move your gear. There is parking at the entrance to the lower woodland on hard standing. A compost toilet is available for all No.2’s and mindful wild peeing is encouraged. Tap water is available from an outside tap at the property for washing up (eco products provided) and drinking water but currently no shower. Campfires are allowed and seasoned wood can be purchased at a small extra cost. Nearest village of Tedburn St Mary with a local pub with good pub food and the village shop is 1 ½ miles away. The nearest town of Crediton is 3 miles away with plenty of supermarkets, cafes, pubs and restaurants. Dartmoor is close by with Fingle Bridge just a 20 minute drive. We only offer a very limited number of camping spots at any time to preserve the tranquility for everyone. BBQs and firepits allowed, dog friendly
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£30
 / night
100%
(1)

Devon Tipi Camp & Glamp

18 units · Glamping, Tents2 acres · Exeter, England
Located next to the River Culm, the campsite is almost completely surrounded by water. On site is composting toilets and river showers. It’s just outside a Devonshire village with pubs (the Stoke Canon Inn and the Agricultural Inn across the river), a village shop and bus route to the local historical town and city.
Pets
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from 
£20
 / night
93%
(22)

West Town Farm

32 units · Glamping, Tents1 acre · Exeter, Devon, South West England
Eco camping on an organic farm just a hop from Exeter city centre and 25 minutes from the coast
Potable water
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from 
£15
 / night
89%
(9)

Wild camping at Emmetts on Exmoor

3 units · Tents950 acres · Minehead, England
Emmetts on Exmoor is part of the highest farm on the moor, up at an altitude of 1250 feet with gorgeous views out over the surrounding scenery of the national park. You won't find a better place for spotting wildlife right from your tent! Red deer herds regularly frequent the moor which is opposite your pitch. Other wildlife in the area include cuckoos, woodpeckers, golden plovers, foxes and much more! This is a place that’s big on space but small on guest numbers, so there’s always plenty of space around to soak up the rural atmosphere, spot wildlife and play games. It’s worth noting that Exmoor National Park was designated Europe’s first Dark Sky Reserve back in 2011, so you should hopefully be in for spectacular displays of stars by night too. Unsurprisingly, this is a great area for walks and mountain bike rides; other activities in the area include things like fishing, sailing and pony trekking. If you’ve still got any energy left after that little lot, ask on site about hiring the farm’s all-weather tennis court for a game or two. There is a shower and loo available next to the car parking area and all pitches are approximately a 500 yard walk away from this area along a sloped track. Remember the site is off-grid so it’s a good idea to remember to bring along a torch. Guests are welcome to bring along a barbecue or hire a firepit and purchase wood onsite. You can also buy fresh free-range eggs from the farm’s hens and sausages and bacon from home reared pigs, so a good breakfast should be on the cards too. Exford, Withypool and North Molton (all within 15 minutes) have good village shops for picking up any other supplies you might need. The Poltimore Arms and The Exmoor Forest Inn are two very local pubs that are well worth a visit.
Pets
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from 
£28
 / night

Available this weekend

Star Hosts in South West England

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Camping in South West England guide

Overview

South West England packs a punch when it comes to natural attractions—two national parks, four UNESCO sites, and more Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty than any other region. The idyllic coast and countryside of Cornwall, Devon, Dorset, and Somerset offer plenty of perfect places to pitch a tent whether you fancy a site near the sea or a rural retreat. Seaside resorts and surf breaks await along the rocky shores of Cornwall and Devon, while inland is prime for hiking, biking, and horse riding across the moorlands of Exmoor and Dartmoor. Add in the usually warmer weather of the south and it’s no wonder that so many campers holiday in South West England. Summer is peak season for coastal campers, but many choose to return to admire the fall foliage or spring wildflowers. Winters are wet and windy but milder than elsewhere in the UK, making it a safe bet for campervan and caravan trips. South West England is a region well worth exploring—and a camping holiday is the perfect way to do it.

Where to go

Gloucestershire and Wiltshire

The enigmatic ruins of Stonehenge draw crowds to Wiltshire, and attending the Summer Solstice celebrations is a bucket-list must for adventurous campers. If glamping and gastro-pubs is more your style, nowhere does idyllic countryside quite like the Cotswolds, with its rolling green hills, honey-coloured stone cottages, and numerous celebrity residents. To the south, hikers can also set out along the legendary Offa's Dyke Path, a National Trail that runs between England and Wales.

Somerset and Dorset

The cities of Bristol and Bath are the gateway to the rural regions of Somerset and Dorset, where the beach is never more than a few hours’ drive away. Some of the best hiking and camping is found in the Exmoor National Park, but equally rewarding is a hike through the Cheddar Gorge. More than 40% of Dorset is designated as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, so it’s not hard to find a pretty pitch. Set up camp near the beach (sandy favourites include Weymouth and Bournemouth) or in the wide-open Dorset countryside. In Somerset, great campsites sit on its 40-mile stretch of coast (try Minehead, Weston-super-Mare, or the start of the South West Coastal Path), but even more lie inland. The Somerset Levels and Moors make up a flat landscape of fertile low-lying land perfect for farm and meadow campsites, while the Mendips, Blackdown Hills, and Quantocks are all Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Devon

With a north and south coast, plus a whole lot of countryside sandwiched in between, Devon’s sea views and hillside hikes make prime terrain for outdoor enthusiasts on camping holidays. Explore the wild landscapes of the Exmoor and Dartmoor national parks, where native ponies roam freely across the moors. Continue to the south coast to discover the Jurassic Coast, stopping at the port towns of Torquay and Brixham or surfer-friendly beaches like Croyde and Woolacombe, and don’t forget to try some traditional English scones, served with jam and Devonshire clotted cream. Like neighbouring Cornwall, Devon has plenty of campsites for experiencing the charms of both coast and country.

Cornwall

Soaring sea cliffs, tranquil fishing villages, and blue flag beaches provide the backdrop for hiking, camping, and exploring in Cornwall. Check into a beachfront campsite along the Cornish Riviera, try a countryside farm campsite instead, head to the surf mecca of Newquay on the north coast, or escape the crowds on the Isles of Scilly. Other must-dos include a visit to Land’s End, the westernmost point of mainland Britain, and a hike along the South West Coast Path. During a Cornwall camping holiday, you can get a taste for this fiercely independent county with Cornish pasties, cream teas, and ice creams. On days out from your campsite, visit the most westerly point of the British mainland at Land’s End or the most southerly point on the Lizard peninsula.

Top things to do while camping in South West England

  1. Have a cream tea. Devonshire or Cornwall, it’s up to you—as is whether you prefer jam on the cream or cream on the jam!
  2. Take a walk on the 630-mile South West Coast Path, which edges all the counties in South West England.
  3. Build sandcastles on one of the region’s sandy beaches.
  4. Hone your skills on a surfboard. Beginner or old hand, the south west is England’s surfing capital.
  5. Check out the geology—see the fossils and chalky stacks of Dorset and Devon, the cliffs of Cornwall, or the caves of Somerset.
  6. Enjoy West Country produce: apples, cider, and cheese, among other things, make for perfect picnic lunches on days out from your campsite.
  7. Visit a national park. Hit Exmoor or Dartmoor to explore the heathland and see free-roaming ponies.

Top counties in and near South West England

Top towns in and near South West England

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