11 Great Campsites By The Coast

East Fleet Farm Touring Park
Dorset
Chickerell, Weymouth, Dorset DT3 4DW
01305 785768
eastfleet.co.uk
East Fleet Farm is set on the shores of the Fleet Lagoon, overlooking Chesil Beach and the sea. The Lagoon is nature reserve, and as such, there is no swimming, fishing or boating allowed, but it’s a wonderful place for a stroll to watch the sunset and do some wildlife spotting. It is home to the Mute Swans of the Abbotsbury Swannery too. If you do need a beach for traditional days by the sea then the sandy beaches of Weymouth are only three miles away. If you don’t fancy driving, a bus service runs to the town every 20 minutes in the week and hourly at weekends from the end of the lane near the campsite (½ mile). The campsite is part of a 200-acre organic farm with basic camping pitches pitches and one with electric. Facilities include toilets and showers, a disabled shower room, family shower rooms and dishwashing. There’s also the Old Barn family bar open from Easter and a site shop.

Mannix Point Camping & Caravan Park
Republic of Ireland
Ring of Kerry coast, Cahirciveen, Co Kerry
00 353 66 9472806
campinginkerry.com
Another top site for location – the views from the pitches at Mannix Point are simply stunning. Set on the Gulf Stream coast of Kerry, pitches face across the bay to the nearby islands, hills and mountains. There’s 500 metres of waterfront here and the site is surrounded on three sides by hills and mountains. The local town of Cahirciveen is a 20-minute walk away with a choice of restaurants, shops and pubs. The range of facilities on site include toilets and showers, a laundry, a picnic garden, barbecue and cosy sitting room area – the venue for many an impromptu music session. There is also a campers’ kitchen and dining room area with cookers, microwave, fridges and a freezer. Mannix Point is perfect for stargazing as it is located inside the Kerry International Dark Sky Reserve so you can enjoy starry nights from your pitch. You can also take a boat trip out to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Skellig Michael island.

Damage Barton Caravan & Camping Site
Devon
Station Road, Mortehoe, Devon EX34 7EJ
01271 870502
damagebarton.co.uk
If you’re not so bothered about being directly on a beach’s golden sand, but would prefer a peaceful site with panoramic sea views, then Damage Barton could be the choice for you. The caravan and camping site covers 16 acres of a 600-acre working beef and sheep farm, situated on the north Devon coast between Woolacombe and Ilfracombe. There are plentiful coastal walks to be enjoyed in the area – 1.5 miles through the farm’s land leads to the South West Coast Path. Woolacombe’s award-winning beach is two miles away and there’s a bus stop at the site’s entrance. There are grass pitches on site for tents, with two heated toilets blocks, a shop, wetsuit washroom, picnic area, plus dog exercise paddocks and dog walk. The Tarka Trail cycle route along old railway lines is one mile from Damage Barton and both nearby Mortehoe and Woolacombe offer a selection of pubs, shops and restaurants.

Woodhill Park
Norfolk
Cromer Road, East Runton, Norfolk NR27 9PX
01263 512242
woodhill-park.com
Another site with fantastic sea views as the pitches are set in a clifftop location with the beach below. Woodhill Park is located between Sheringham and Cromer with mostly grass pitches and electric hook-ups are available. On site there is a small shop, a laundry and a large recreation field with pentanque court, tennis nets and crazy golf. Cycle hire can also be arranged by the site for those wanting to explore the area on two wheels. For campers there are toilet and shower facilities, provisions for disabled guests, a family bathroom and three family shower rooms. Guests can walk from Woodhill Park along the coast path to Sheringham or Cromer and the site’s website has a choice of walking routes in the local area – all starting from the site. Sheringham is a traditional town with Victorian and Edwardian architecture and little shops and quiet beaches. In the other direction is Cromer, where you can enjoy the delicacy of Cromer crab and walk the 100-year-old pier.

Warner Farm Touring Park
West Sussex
Warner Lane, Selsey, Chichester, West Sussex PO20 9EL
01243 604499
warnerfarm.co.uk
Warner Farm Touring Park is a great choice if you are looking for a coastal site with all the facilities you could ever need on site but with the touring area away from the hustle and bustle of the main complex. Set in the seaside location of Selsey, Warner Farm has swimming pools, an entertainment venue, a variety of places to eat, all close to a mile-long beach front. The touring park is set a short walk from the leisure facilities and beach, but a free bus service runs on the site so it’s easy to get around. Grass pitches with or without electric are available, on a 12.5-acre park, surrounded by hedging. There are toilet and shower facilities, a laundry and pets are welcome. Warner Farm is within walking distance of the village of Selsey and only nine miles from the cathedral city of Chichester.

Channel View Caravan Park
Somerset
Warren Road, Brean, Somerset TA8 2RR
01278 751055
somersetleisure.co.uk
There are a multitude of campsites along Brean’s famous strip, but Channel View stands out as the only site on Brean Sands that offers beachside pitches with views of the beach and headland. Some pitches are right behind the sea wall, with a couple of steps over the wall and you’re on the beach! The site is dog friendly and dogs are allowed on the beach. Pitches are on grass with or without electric across two fields and there are two toilet and shower blocks, with washing up areas and facilities for the disabled. During peak season a third field is available just across the road from the main site and ideal for tents as there is plenty of space. Barbecues are permitted as long as they are raised off the floor.  Channel View is ideally located close enough to the bars and entertainment of the busy Brean strip, but still far enough away to provide a relaxing coastal retreat. There is a pub within walking distance, plus a shop and laundry close by. 

Picture credit: Discover Brean

Rosemarkie Camping & Caravanning Club Site
Scottish Highlands
Ness Road East, Rosemarkie, Highlands IV10 8SE
01381 621117
campingandcaravanningclub.co.uk
With the beaches of the Moray Firth on one side and hills and woodland on the other, Rosemarkie Club Site boasts a stunning location. Rosemarkie beach is a long stretch of golden sand with caves and rockpools to explore. There are views from site over the water to Fort George and a walk along the sand leads to Faerie Glen – an RSPB nature reserve set within woodland and boasting beautiful waterfalls. You can also take a short walk to Chanonry Point where there is a lighthouse and you may likely spot dolphins swimming in the water. A walk in the other direction leads to Fortrose with its pretty harbour, ruined cathedral and several restaurants and tearooms. Facilities on site include toilets and showers, dedicated accessible facilities, a dog walk, and grass pitches with or without electric. There’s a bus stop just 500 metres from the site entrance.

Pencarnan Farm
Pembrokeshire
Pencarnan, St Davids, Pembrokeshire SA62 6PY
01437 720580
pencarnanfarm.co.uk
Pencarnan Farm is a 96-acre working farm set above Porthsele Beach in the most westerly point of Pembrokeshire, close to St Davids. The sandy beach reveals rock pools at low tide and you can safely kayak or swim in the bay. Whitesands Beach is a one-mile walk away and the beach there has a café, deckchair and wetsuit hire and lifeguards in the summer months. Two of the pitching fields overlook Whitesands Bay and then there are two other areas set further back, with a view towards Ramsey Island. Pitches with hook-ups are available but booking is essential. All pitches are within a short walk of the beach where you can get direct access to the Pembrokeshire Coast Path. Dogs are welcome and allowed on Porthsele beach all year round. Facilities on site include toilets and showers, a family room with disabled access, a small shop and kayak hire. A mile walk south along the coast path will bring you to the RNLI lifeboat station and St Justinian Cove where you can take boat trips to the RSPB reserve of Ramsay Island.

Crows Nest Caravan Park
Yorkshire
Gristhorpe, Filey, North Yorkshire YO14 9PS
01723 582206
crowsnestcaravanpark.com
Set on the Yorkshire coast, with great sea views and fabulous sunsets, Crows Nest Caravan Park is just two miles from Filey and five miles from Scarborough. Filey is a traditional Victorian seaside town with a five-mile stretch of award-winning beach. For a busier seaside resort head to Scarborough with its sandy beaches and ruined medieval castle. There are also plenty of restaurants, bars and theatres here for your evening entertainment. A handy bus stop is located at the site entrance with regular services running from March to October. For tents there is a grassy area overlooking Gristhorpe Bay and out towards Scarborough Castle. The scenery makes for a lovely view when you step out of your tent each morning. Other site facilities include showers, wet rooms, privacy cubicles, a disabled shower room and laundry.

Grange Farm Brighstone Bay
Isle of Wight
Military Road, Brighstone, Isle of Wight PO30 4DA
01983 740296
grangefarmholidays.com
The camping site at Grange Farm lies in an area which has been designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, as is much of the Brighstone Downs. The site overlooks the sea and coastal access is just 100 yards down the coastal path. Dogs are also welcome on this beach.   The whole area is ideal for cycling, fishing and fossil hunting, and is a walker’s paradise. The local village is just under one mile away where you’ll find a pub, newsagents, post office and grocery. Grange Farm is a small working farm with many unusual animals, including alpacas, pigs, goats, a horse, water buffalos, donkey, poultry and small pets. There are grass pitches with electric if required. Facilities include showers, toilets, a laundry, coin-operated bath, shop and play area.

Picture credit: VisitEngland/Jeremy Cangialo

For more great campsites visit Premier Parks