North Devon campsites for coast and countryside
Camping in north Devon is one of those holidays that just makes sense – with great swathes of cracking coastal scenery, some brilliant beaches and the wide open spaces of Exmoor to prowl around, outdoors really is the place to be around here.
And what better way to soak up that alfresco life than a stay at a campsite or holiday park in north Devon? (Or maybe a glampsite, or a caravan park, or a motorhome site, or a log cabin… there are many ways to get a fab fix of fresh air without bringing a tent – and we’ve got you covered either way.)
Ready for strolls, surfing, sandcastles and stacks of splendid days out? Before you set off, have a look at our guide to finding the best campsites in north Devon for your personal preferences.
Fancy or frill-free: picking your north Devon campsite
Some will come to this part of the world for classic seaside resorts, some for the surf waves, some for the hikes, and some for… well, myriad reasons really. Clearly this isn’t a one-size-fits-all situation so it’s not surprising to find that there’s a good collection of places to stay here, whether you’re in the market for a simple secluded spot or somewhere with easy access to entertainment.
But let’s start with the basics… what kind of place do you want to stay? Bringing along a tent is the most popular option, of course – and we’ve got tent pitches galore to cater for that. Within the tents category are all manner of things from family parks with play areas and pools to simple rural pitches with little more than a toilet. Our 'features' tick boxes will help you pick the style and the facilities you need (and find such things as places that allow dogs).
Family camping hols can be utterly fab, but sometimes it’s not practical to source and bring along all the kit you’d need – and that’s where such things as static caravans and log cabins or lodges in north Devon come in. Have a little check of the details page for the place you’ve picked, but it’s highly likely that you’ll find much of what you need (including the kitchen sink) provided at these sorts of places – leaving you simply to concentrate on the surfboard/bucket and spade/walking kit.
If you fancy something of a mashup between the two approaches, there are plenty of places to go glamping in north Devon, cosying up under canvas at a yurt, bell tent, tipi or wigwam or maybe snuggling up in something like a shepherd’s hut. Solid but simple camping pods are often a good pick too, if you’re after somewhere warm to bed down after a day of hikes or hitting the waves.
Got your own home on wheels? This is an excellent part of the world to park it up for a little while, and there’s plenty of choice when it comes to motorhome pitches and touring caravan sites in north Devon. Find a secluded grass pitch on a farm, or sort a stay with hookups, hardstandings and handy facilities at one of our dedicated caravan parks in north Devon – it’s all up to you.
But will there be a loo? Finding facilities at north Devon campsites
It’s likely there will be – even places that go for the wild camping vibe often pop in a portaloo these days. But then again, there may not be. Your key to finding out lies in those same filters, which can help you work out exactly what you’ll find on site when it comes to things like toilets, showers and other basic amenities.
These sorts of stripped-back places to stay have a lot going for them – not least, the chance to stay somewhere properly peaceful that feels a world away from the pace of modern life, focusing your full attention on listening to the birds, watching the stars and working out how to keep your campfire going (although you’ll want to check that you’re staying somewhere that allows campfires first…)
There will, however, be a lot of you out there that will be in search of something rather more ambitious on the facilities front than just a toilet or two – and for you the ‘leisure on site’ filters can guide you to such things as sites that have their own play area, bar or fishing. More again? Perhaps a hot tub, an indoor pool, a place to eat, a bit of evening entertainment…? Fiddle about with those filters until you find the north Devon campsite that’s just the one for you.
Out and about… how to fill your days while camping in north Devon
So you’ve sorted the perfect place to stay – now time to plan getting away from it again… There are indeed many ways to fill days in north Devon, so it’s worth having an idea of what you might get up to while you’re there.
If you’re in the market for oodles of outdoor activity, you may like to start with walks on the South West Coast Path, rambles in the western parts of the Exmoor National Park or bike rides on the Tarka Trail, which runs for a splendid 180 traffic-free miles from Ilfracombe down to the south coast. On top of that, seek out surf lessons in Croyde, coasteering in Ilfracombe and horse riding in Exmoor.
Time for a little breather? It doesn’t all have to be full-on activity… you could chill out at one of the fab beaches (Saunton Sands, Woolacombe or Westward Ho! perhaps), ride the West Somerset Railway, take a day trip to Lundy island or explore the cobbled streets of Clovelly.
And if the nippers are clamouring for more action, the places to investigate include the Big Sheep farm park, The Milky Way Adventure Park, North Devon Wake Park, Exmoor Zoo, the rides at Watermouth Castle, Combe Martin Wildlife & Dinosaur Park… (maybe time to book another break to fit it all in?)
Keen to see more of the stunning south-west? Travel a little further west to try out our campsites and holiday parks in Cornwall.
