Camping Inspiration: 12 Great Campsites In The Westcountry

Explore one of the most popular regions of the UK with this selection of southwest sites

GALMPTON TOURING PARK
Devon
Greenway Road, Galmpton, Brixham, Devon TQ5 0EP
01803 842066
galmptontouringpark.co.uk
This site is ideal for exploring the English Riviera and features 122 pitches set over 10 acres overlooking the River Dart. There are grass and hardstanding pitches with electric. There is a small shop stocking the essentials as well as a large toilet and shower block, with separate disabled and child’s bathroom. There’s also a laundry and pot wash room. The site is within walking distance of a large village shop and a local pub, and within a mile of two train stations and the Park and Ride to Brixham – a small fishing town (motorhomes can park in the Cayman Golf Course car park). Attractions in the area include Paignton Zoo, the seaside town of Paignton, and the larger coastal resort of Torquay. Galmpton offers a variety of unique ways to get around the local area without the car – choose from a steam train, and even ferry routes from Greenway Quay!

LOBB FIELDS CARAVAN & CAMPING PARK
Devon
Saunton Road, Braunton, Devon EX33 1HG
01271 812090
lobbfields.com
Perfect for outdoor adventurers, Lobb Fields overlooks Braunton Burrows sand dunes, a UNESCO biosphere reserve. The dunes lead to Saunton Sands, a beach that welcomes dogs all year round. The South West Coast Path passes by the beach so you can walk to your heart’s content. The site is also on the outskirts of Braunton village, where the Tarka Trail cycle path runs for 30 miles to Meeth using old railway lines. The village itself has a selection of shops and places to eat. Lobb Fields has 180 pitches, 115 with electric. Facilities include toilets, showers with hairdryers and straighteners, laundry rooms, a play area, dog walk, surf hire and Hideaway Café for hot food and drinks. For those that would like to take to the water, surf lessons are available at nearby Croyde Surf Academy.

MEADOW LAKES
Cornwall
Hewas Water, St Austell, Cornwall PL26 7JG
01726 882540
meadow-lakes.co.uk
With 56 acres of beautiful meadows, woodlands and lakes, Meadow Lakes is an award-winning site in Cornwall, close to St Austell. For those who love fishing and nature there are four lakes waiting to be explored, set at the bottom of the park in tranquil surroundings. Pitches are large and spacious with electric if required and there is a choice of grass or paved hardstanding. Dogs are welcome and there is a dedicated dog walking area on site. Facilities at Meadow Lakes include four shower blocks, with private bathrooms, indoor washing up areas, a heated outdoor pool, a café overlooking the pool area, and two outdoor and indoor play areas. There’s also a pets’ corner with miniature Shetland ponies, donkeys, goats, guinea pigs, ducks and chickens.

DURDLE DOOR HOLIDAY PARK
Dorset
West Lulworth, Wareham, Dorset BH20 5PU
01929 400200
durdledoor.co.uk
Think of Dorset and several things may spring to mind. One of the most iconic being the limestone rock arch of Durdle Door and the sweeping turquoise waters of Lulworth Cove. For a site with great access to both of these beautiful attractions, it has to be Durdle Door Holiday Park. Part of the family-owned Lulworth Estate, the holiday park backs straight onto the South West Coast Path. You can easily walk from the park to the Jurassic Coast and explore the dramatic cliffs and secluded coves. The village is just a 30-minute walk with restaurants, coffee shops, cafes pubs and an information centre. There’s a choice of pitch locations on site, from shaded, to an open field. Facilities include electric hook-up, play areas, toilets and showers, a laundry, dishwashing area and Wi-Fi. There’s also a shop on site and the Blue Crab Café Bar.

BURROWHAYES FARM CARAVAN & CAMPING SITE
Somerset
West Luccombe, Porlock, Minehead, Somerset TA24 8HT
01643 862463
burrowhayes.co.uk
Situated beside Horner Water and with a view of Dunkery Beacon, this site is in the heart of the Exmoor National Park, which is ideal to explore with its wooded valleys, streams, hills and coastal scenery. The camping field lies adjacent to the field where ponies graze. Facilities include toilets and showers, a laundry, dishwashing room and well stocked shop. The farm buildings have been converted to riding stables and escorted rides are available. You don’t need the car to explore here, with many walks leading directly into the woods and onto open moorland. You can also access stretches of the South West Coast Path. The stream and woods provide a natural playground if you have children in tow too. Porlock is one mile away offering pubs, a variety of shops, cafés and restaurants. Porlock Weir is delightful little harbour where sea fishing trips can be arranged.

BACK OF BEYOND TOURING & CAMPING PARK
Dorset
234a Ringwood Road, St Leonards, East Moors Lane, Dorset BH24 2SB
01202 876968
backofbeyondtouringpark.co.uk
Back of Beyond Touring Park provides an adult-only oasis within a 30-acre park of woodland, heathland and lakes. The site is a haven for wildlife and located within a short drive of beaches and the New Forest. There are three main camping areas, with non-electric pitches in a woodland glade or 10-amp electric pitches in the ‘warren’. The modern toilets and showers offer luxurious comforts such as power showers and there is a washing up area. There’s also a warm water dog wash, a reception shop and a fishing lake stocked with carp, chubb and tench. Recreation facilities include a pitch and putt course and also a boules pitch – clubs and balls are provided. Moors Valley Country Park and Hurn Forest are close to the site, with New Forest villages and Ringwood just a cycle ride or short drive away. Major coastal resorts such as Bournemouth and Poole are within 30 minutes’ drive.

PADSTOW TOURING PARK
Cornwall
Padstow, Cornnwall PL28 8LE
01841 532061
padstowtouringpark.co.uk
Padstow Touring Park has a luxury award-winning toilet block, with underfloor heating to keep you comfortable all year round. The park has views over countryside and is only one mile from the fishing harbour town of Padstow – access is easy via a public footpath into the historic town. The site’s facilities include a disabled and family wet room, electric hook-ups, a play area, dog wash room, and a shop. There’s also a camp kitchen with microwave, kettle and veg prep area. An added bonus is the on-site heated coffee lounge where you can relax while planning where to visit first. You could visit a different beach each day of your holiday as there are Seven Bays for Seven Days – Trevone Bay, Harlyn Beach, Booby’s Bay, Constantine Bay, Mother Ivey’s, Treyarnon and Porthcothan. As well as exploring these beaches it is also easy to get to Wadebridge and Bodmin and the popular seaside resort of Newquay.

TEHIDY HOLIDAY PARK
Cornwall
Harris Mill, Illogan, Redruth TR16 4JQ
01209 216489
tehidy.co.uk
This is a family-owned, award-winning site with less than 30 pitches, making for a haven of peace and tranquility midway between St Ives and St Agnes. There are grass and hardstanding pitches, there’s electric available, and the pitches are surrounded by wildlife areas, hedging and shrubs. There are woodland walks direct from site, with the Tolskithy valley having a network of footpaths tracing the course of the stream and meadows. There are also footpaths starting in the village leading down through the woods to the local beach, and cycle routes also starting in the village. The Camel Trail is only 35 minutes away providing great cycling along a disused railway line. On site you’ll find a shop stocked with basic groceries and local produce, a play area, games room, showers, laundry, a disabled and family room and Wi-Fi. For campers there’s also a BBQ cooking shelter. Please note that no pets are permitted at Tehidy Holiday Park.

BATH CHEW VALLEY CARAVAN PARK
Somerset
Ham Lane, Bishop Sutton, Bath & NE Somerset BS39 5TZ
01275 332127
bathchewvalley.co.uk
Bath Chew Valley Caravan Park is set in a beautiful location just 10 miles from Bath, Bristol and Wells and all the attractions these three historical and cultural places offer. The site is a peaceful, adult-only retreat, in a garden-like setting with thoughtful planting making each pitch private and secluded. There are 45 pitches, all hardstanding with electric, and many of them fully serviced with TV, water and drainage. Near the site entrance is the reception area and heated toilet block. There are private cubicles with toilet, shower and basin in each. There is also a laundry and dishwashing. There is an acre of woodland set aside as well as a dog walking area and 800 metres away is Chew Valley Lake. Here there are walking, fly-fishing and bird watching opportunities.

NEWLANDS HOLIDAY PARK
Dorset 
Charmouth, Dorset DT6 6RB
01297 560259
newlandsholidays.co.uk
Nestling beside the World Heritage village of Charmouth, Newlands Holiday Park is also close to Lyme Regis, West Bay and the stunning Jurassic Coast. Set in 23 acres of landscaped grounds, surrounded by countryside the site is only a 15-minute walk from the beach. There are many walks in the area including the National Trust’s Golden Cap which is a hill and cliff situated on the Dorset coast. On-site facilities include both indoor and outdoor pools, a games room, indoor and outdoor play areas, and activities and entertainment in peak season. There is also a restaurant on site where you can eat in or take away, and then the usual amenities such as toilets, showers, a laundry and shop. With a handy bus stop at the site entrance you can easily explore without the car if you wish. If you head for Lyme Regis you can go fossil hunting, or in the opposite direction to West Bay’s harbour where the TV drama Broadchurch was filmed.

WIDEMOUTH FIELDS CARAVAN & CAMPING PARK
Cornwall
Park Farm, Poundstock, Bude, Cornwall EX23 0NA
01288 361351
peterbullresorts.co.uk
Located just a mile from the golden sands of Widemouth Bay, and only five miles from Bude, this campsite has non-electric grass pitches for tents or there is electric hook-up if required. Most pitches have views over rolling countryside and all have electric hook-up. Facilities include toilets, showers, a laundry, play area and small bar. Guests of Widemouth Fields get free access to sister park Bude Holiday Resort with its outdoor pool and summer entertainment programme. As well as having the seaside resort of Bude close by there’s also the English Heritage’s Tintagel castle 30 minutes’ drive away. Steeped in Arthurian legend, there are outstanding coastal views from the dramatic castle ruins. There are also plenty of walks and the beach to be enjoyed here.

RIVERSIDE CARAVAN PARK
Devon
Leigham Manor Drive, Marsh Mills, Plymouth, Devon PL6 8LL
01752 344122
riversidecaravanpark.com
Riverside is a secluded countryside park just a few hundred yards from the A38 in Plymouth. On site is an outdoor pool, a bar, restaurant and takeaway, a laundry, games room, play area and dish washing room. Riverside enjoys a pleasant position among the Plym Valley bordered by both the river and ancient woodland. The Plym Valley is home to the Plym Peregrine Project with peregrine falcon watching commencing in March each year. Riverside is near to Plymouth and Exmoor Zoo. For those interested in boating, Plymouth Sound offers a full range of activities and within the city there is plenty to do, from marvelling at the boats in the harbour to browsing the many shops. The local park and ride facility with a regular direct service into Plymouth City Centre is a level 15-minute stroll along the riverbank.