Motorhome travel: 12 campsites for a coastal escape in your motorhome

See also: Motorhome Coastal Travel Guide

The UK summer is well and truly here - whatever the weather might be - and if you're looking to book a motorhoming holiday by the sea, you'll be pleased to learn there are plenty of great campsites right on the coast.

Take a look through this selection of 12 campites beside the seaside, from the stunning Rosemarkie in the Scottish Highlands to the peaceful Damage Barton in glorious Devon...

Damage Barton Caravan & Camping Site, Devon

Station Road, Mortehoe, EX34 7EJ
01271 870502
damagebarton.co.uk
Open: 15 March – 3 November
This is a Premier Parks site

If you’re not so bothered about being directly on a beach, but would rather have a peaceful campsite with panoramic sea views, then Damage Barton could be the choice for you. The site covers 16 acres of a 600-acre working farm on the north Devon coast. There are plentiful coastal walks to be enjoyed in the area – 1½ 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 hardstanding and grass pitches on site, with two heated toilet blocks, a shop, motorhome service point and dog walk.
 

Grange Farm Brighstone Bay, Isle of Wight

Military Road, Brighstone PO30 4DA
01983 740296
grangefarmholidays.com
Open: March – 31 October

This site at Grange Farm lies in an area that has been designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, as is much of the Brighstone Downs. The campsite overlooks the sea and access is just 100 yards down the coastal path. Dogs are also welcome on this beach.

The whole area is ideal for walking, cycling, fishing and fossil hunting. 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, water buffalos, poultry and small pets.

There are hardstanding pitches with electric and fully serviced pitches available, which are best booked in advance. Facilities include showers, toilets, laundry, coin-operated bath, shop and play area.

Crows Nest Caravan Park, North Yorkshire
 

Gristhorpe, Filey YO14 9PS
01723 582206
crowsnestcaravanpark.com
Open: 1 March – 3 November

Set on the Yorkshire coast with great sea views and fabulous sunsets, Crows Nest is just two miles from Filey and five miles from Scarborough. Filey is a traditional Victorian seaside town and, for a busier seaside resort, head to Scarborough with its castle ruins. 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.

The site has all-weather pitches with 16A electric, water and grey waste. Facilities include an indoor pool, bar, shop, showers, wetrooms, privacy cubicles, a disabled shower room and laundry. There’s also a handy motorhome service point, play area, dog park and a takeaway.
 

Channel View Caravan Park, Somerset

Warren Road, Brean, TA8 2RR
01278 751055
somersetleisure.co.uk
Open: 29 March – 3 November

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; 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 electric and there are two toilet and shower blocks, with washing-up areas and facilities for the disabled. Premier pitches have a guaranteed beach and sea view and are suitable for motorhomes with fixed (cassette-style) awnings only. 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. 

Pencarnan Farm, Pembrokeshire

Pencarnan, St Davids SA62 6PY
01437 720580
pencarnanfarm.co.uk
Open: All year

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 hire and lifeguards in the summer.

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 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 brings you to the RNLI lifeboat station and St Justinian Cove where you can take boat trips to the RSPB reserve of Ramsay Island.

Rosemarkie Camping & Caravanning Club Site, Scotland

Ness Road East, Rosemarkie, Highlands IV10 8SE
01381 621117
campingandcaravanningclub
Open: 1 April – 28 October

With the beaches of the Moray Firth on one side and hills and woodland on the other, Rosemarkie club site boasts a stunning location.

There are views from the 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’ll 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 electric. There’s a bus stop located just 500 metres from the site entrance.
 

East Fleet Farm Touring Park, Dorset

Chickerell, Weymouth, DT3 4DW
01305 785768
eastfleet.co.uk
Open: 16 March – 2 November

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; it’s a wonderful place for a stroll to watch the sunset and spot wildlife. It is home to the mute swans of the Abbotsbury Swannery, too.

If you do love a beach for days by the sea then the sandy beaches of Weymouth are only three miles away. 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 hardstanding electric pitches and some fully serviced ones. 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.

Ravenglass Camping & Caravanning Club Site, Cumbria

Walls Drive, RavenglassCA18 1SR
01229 717250
campingandcaravanningclub.co.uk
Open: 7 February – 4 November

Thanks to six acres of woodlands, this club site is a perfect choice for walkers and is also only 500 metres from the seafront. The site is located on the outskirts of Ravenglass, a Roman fishing village, and ideal for exploring the lesser known coastal areas of the Lake District National Park.

The campsite sits within the mature woodland, which was once part of the Muncaster Estate – in fact the castle, gardens and hawk and owl centre are only 1½ miles away.

Pitches are hardstanding with electric and facilities include toilets and showers, shop, laundry and motorhome service point.

There is a pub within one mile and a bus stop within 500 metres of the site.

Coastal, woodland and fell walks can be enjoyed from the site and Hadrian’s Cycleway starts just along the lane. Take care when navigating to the site as sat-navs can lead you over Corney Fell with a 6ft 6in width restriction.

Woodhill Park, Norfolk

Cromer Road, East Runton NR27 9PX
01263 512242
woodhill-park.com
Open: 19 March – 30 November
This is a Premier Parks site

Another site with fantastic sea views since the pitches are set in a clifftop location with the beach below.

Woodhill Park is located between Sheringham and Cromer with mostly grass pitches but some hardstandings are available. These include a premium pitch with added water and waste connection. 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 motorhomers 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 either Sheringham or Cromer and the site’s website has a choice of different-length walking routes in the local area – all starting from Woodhill Park.

Sheringham is a traditional town with Victorian and Edwardian architecture, little shops to browse and quiet beaches.

In the other direction is Cromer, a somewhat livelier resort, where you can enjoy the delicacy of Cromer crab and take an evening walk along the 100-year-old pier.

Mannix Point Camping & Caravan Park, Republic of Ireland

Cahirciveen, Ring of Kerry
00353 669 472806
campinginkerry.com
Open: Easter – 15 September
This is a Premier Parks site

Another top site for location – the views from the pitches at Mannix Point are simply stunning.

Set on the Gulf Stream coast of Co 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 restaurants, shops and pubs.

The range of facilities on site include toilets and showers, laundry, picnic garden, barbecue and cosy sitting room area – the venue for many an impromptu music session. There are hardstanding pitches with electric  hook-up available.

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.

Warner Farm Touring Park, West Sussex

Warner Lane, Selsey, Chichester PO20 9EL
01243 604499
warnerfarm.co.uk
Open: 8 March – 3 January
This is a Premier Parks site

Warner Farm is a great choice if you want a site with lots of facilities but with the touring area set away from the main complex.

Facilities include swimming pools, entertainment venue and a variety of places to eat, all close to a mile-long beachfront.

The campsite is set a short walk from the leisure facilities and beach, and a free bus service runs on the site.

Fully serviced pitches are available, on this 12½-acre site, surrounded by hedging. There are toilet and shower facilities, a laundry and pets are welcome.

Warner Farm is only nine miles from the city of Chichester.

Pentewan Sands Holiday Park, Cornwall

Pentewan, Mevagissey PL26 6BT
01726 843485
pentewan.co.uk
Open: 29 March – 2 November
This is a Premier Parks site

For beachside campsites you can’t get much closer than Pentewan Sands. The front row pitches are literally a few steps from the golden sands, but they do get booked up. 

The site is located on the Cornish coast, between Pentewan and Mevagissey. The famous Lost Gardens of Heligan is just a short drive away (three miles) and makes for a great exploratory day out.

Next door to the site is the village of Pentewan, which has a harbour and a small selection of shops.

This is a 400-plus pitch site with a whole host of facilities for everyone. These include two indoor pools, a lap pool for serious swimmers, WiFi, a bar and restaurant. In peak season there is entertainment and watersports. Servicing the pitches are four toilet blocks, with disabled facilities and a laundry. Other amenities on site include a takeaway, tennis courts, supermarket, cycle and kayak hire.

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