Efford Down Campsite

View prices & book 8.9 96 reviews
Visitor image of the site (added by manager 20 Oct 2022)
Visitor image of the sunset over the site
Site
Camping in the sun at efford down

  • Pick your own pitches at this back to basics camping field in Cornwall
  • A five-minute walk from Bude and the South West Coast Path
  • Spacious hillside pitches; barbecues and dogs permitted
No frills but in a splendid hillside setting on the north Cornwall coast… pitches at Efford Down Campsite are in a sloping farm field that's great for family breaks. Located five minutes' walk from Bude and its independent shops, cafés and pubs, it's also within easy strolling distance of supermarkets for picking up self-catering supplies. There’s plenty to do outdoors too: a five-minute walk will see you surfing off Summerleaze beach, or you can potter down to Bude Sea Pool for a swim in less than 10 minutes. There’s also direct access to the South West Coast Path from the campsite, for action-packed days hiking headlands, or gentler ambles along Bude Canal and around the fishing harbour. But that’s not all – there are canoe and mountain bike rentals, pony trekking and golf courses all within a few minutes' drive, and you can try your hand at coasteering, sea kayaking and surf kayaking from local activity centres too. There are no designated pitches here, so you'll be able to choose your own camping spot from what’s available when you arrive in the gently sloping field. Simple facilities at the site include running water, toilets, showers and plenty of space to park cars by your pitch.

Site type

Tent sites 10
RV sites 10
Open all year
Opens
Please note
  • Under 18s must be accompanied by their parents or legal guardians.
  • Group bookings of 4 or more units (e.g. tent, caravan, RV or accommodation hire) traveling together are not permitted via Pitchup.com.
  • Group bookings of 6 or more adults are not permitted (couples and immediate family members excepted).
  • Single-sex bookings of 4 or more people (couples and immediate family members excepted) are not permitted via Pitchup.com.
  • No bachelor/bachelorette parties permitted via Pitchup.com.
  • Twin axle vehicles are not permitted on site.
  • Minimum spacing of 2 metres between pitches.
  • If making a fire, the fuel, logs and coal have to be purchased on site.
  • Guests are advised to bring a good quality flashlight with them as parts of the park are unlit.
  • Bookings must not consist of more than 4 different households.
  • Toilet rolls are not provided, please bring your own. Please note: your booking confirmation email should be printed and displayed on the driver's side of your vehicle's dashboard.

Languages spoken

English

Reviews

91%

would recommend this site to a friend

91%

would stay here again

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Only showing reviews for the last 30 months.

This is a fantastic site so close to the beach yet feels…

Overall 10/10
Location 10
Value for money 10
Accommodation 10
Facilities / Activities 8
Customer service 10
Child friendliness 10
Cleanliness 8
Wifi No rating
Anonymous The reviewer booked through Pitchup.com

Primitive grass tent or RV campsite

Liked: This is a fantastic site so close to the beach yet feels really rural, the shower and toilet blocks were clean and functional. There was plenty of room and no strict boundaries, a lovely relaxed site that was quiet at night. The reception were super helpful prior to our arrival with altering our booking. We will be back to enjoy the peace and quiet. Such a find! And one we only booked due to the hilarious replies to reviews.

Disliked: Not meeting Roderick! Was promised a hug and feel quite rejected… 🤣🤣🤣

Recommend to friends Visit again

Very friendly, great location to bude walkable to the beach , town…

Overall 10/10
Location 10
Value for money 10
Accommodation No rating
Facilities / Activities No rating
Customer service 10
Child friendliness 10
Cleanliness 10
Wifi 10
Amanda H. The reviewer booked through Pitchup.com

Primitive grass tent or RV campsite

Liked: Very friendly, great location to bude walkable to the beach , town , lovely showers, basic love you can pitch up anywhere , have fire pits , dog friendly stayed a few times will definitely be back

Recommend to friends Visit again

Great little simple relaxing site

Overall 10/10
Location 10
Value for money 8
Accommodation 8
Facilities / Activities 6
Customer service 8
Child friendliness 8
Cleanliness 8
Wifi 2
Anonymous The reviewer booked through Pitchup.com

Primitive grass tent or RV campsite

Liked: Quiet Close to town Easy relaxed vibe

Disliked: Nothing , it was all as expected

Recommend to friends Visit again

local to Bude…

Overall 10/10
Location 10
Value for money 10
Accommodation 8
Facilities / Activities 6
Customer service 10
Child friendliness 10
Cleanliness 10
Wifi 2
Emma S. The reviewer booked through Pitchup.com

Primitive grass tent or RV campsite

Liked: local to Bude

Disliked: needs a power unit for charging phone

Recommend to friends Visit again

Great for proximity to Bude. Perfect for exploring.

Overall 10/10
Location 10
Value for money 8
Accommodation 10
Facilities / Activities 10
Customer service 10
Child friendliness No rating
Cleanliness 10
Wifi No rating
Ruth D. The reviewer booked through Pitchup.com

Primitive grass tent or RV campsite

Liked: Proximity to Bude was great. I had a campervan and used the levelling blocks which worked well. It was also close to coast path which allowed easy access for walking dogs. Toilets and showers clean.

Recommend to friends Visit again

The peace and quiet. Sound of the sea. Close to stuff…

Overall 8/10
Location 8
Value for money 6
Accommodation 6
Facilities / Activities 6
Customer service 6
Child friendliness 4
Cleanliness 6
Wifi 6
Anonymous The reviewer booked through Pitchup.com

Primitive grass tent or RV campsite

Liked: The peace and quiet. Sound of the sea. Close to stuff

Disliked: Less easy to find than hoped

Recommend to friends Visit again

Loved it, beaut location, lush and quiet, really clean and good value…

Overall 10/10
Location 10
Value for money 10
Accommodation 10
Facilities / Activities 10
Customer service 10
Child friendliness 10
Cleanliness 10
Wifi No rating
Kathryn E. The reviewer booked through Pitchup.com

Primitive grass tent or RV campsite

Liked: Loved it, beaut location, lush and quiet, really clean and good value for money x

Recommend to friends Visit again

The location, perfectly close to town…

Overall 8/10
Location 10
Value for money 6
Accommodation 10
Facilities / Activities 6
Customer service 4
Child friendliness 10
Cleanliness 6
Wifi No rating
Anonymous The reviewer booked through Pitchup.com

Primitive grass tent or RV campsite

Liked: The location, perfectly close to town

Disliked: Facilities were very basic, only one sink working

Recommend to friends Visit again

Proximity to beach, quiet and peaceful site, choice of showers (outdoor and…

Overall 10/10
Location 10
Value for money 10
Accommodation 8
Facilities / Activities 8
Customer service 10
Child friendliness 8
Cleanliness 10
Wifi No rating
Anonymous The reviewer booked through Pitchup.com

Primitive grass tent or RV campsite

Liked: Proximity to beach, quiet and peaceful site, choice of showers (outdoor and indoor), friendly staff

Recommend to friends Visit again

Really good set up amazong space not over crowded and the toilets…

Overall 10/10
Location 10
Value for money 10
Accommodation 10
Facilities / Activities 10
Customer service 10
Child friendliness 10
Cleanliness 10
Wifi No rating
Lewis m. The reviewer booked through Pitchup.com

Primitive grass tent or RV campsite

Liked: Really good set up amazong space not over crowded and the toilets were clean as well as showers being nice and warm. 2 min Walk to the beach will be going back any time I'm in the area

Recommend to friends Visit again

From the manager: Geddon me beauty! Cheers for that smashing review. Toilets are clean enough to eat your dinner off them... I know because Rodderick invited me round for a dish last night x


Features

Leisure on park

Bar or club house Cycle hire Evening entertainment Fishing Fitness centre Indoor swimming pool Kids' club On-site restaurant/cafe Outdoor swimming pool Playground Recreation room/arcade TV room Takeout Tennis Watersports

Amenities on park

Bath available Car parking by site/unit Composting toilet Dog park Drying room Free wifi Grocery store Ice pack freezing Internet access Laundromat Parent & baby washroom Payphone Pick-up from public transport Portable toilet Pub toilets Restrooms Shower available Washing-up area Wifi

Groups welcome

Family friendly Motorcycle friendly Rallies welcome Scouts welcome Single-sex groups welcome Student groups welcome

Rules

Barbecue grills allowed Barbecue provided Campfires allowed Commercial vehicles allowed Dogs allowed

Themes

Budget/backpacker Hikers’ paradise Peaceful Wild camping

Utilities

Charging facilities Dump station Electric car charging point(s) Propane/gas cylinders available Recycling available Renewable energy

Nearby amenities

Bar nearby Convenience store nearby Dog walk nearby Nearby farmers' market Public transportation nearby

Type

Farm Small (11-25 sites)

Accessibility

Disabled facilities

Nearby leisure

Canoeing/kayaking nearby Climbing nearby Cycle hire nearby Cycling nearby Fishing nearby Golf nearby Horseback riding nearby Indoor pool nearby Leisure/theme park nearby Mountain biking nearby Outdoor pool nearby Restaurant nearby Surf school nearby Tennis nearby Watersports nearby

Location

Efford Down Campsite

Vicarage Road

Bude

Cornwall

England

EX23 8LJ

Directions

Timezone

Europe/London +0100 (GMT+01:00)

GPS

50.82588°N
-4.54941°W

Route directions

As you travel from Bude towards Widemouth Bay, you will pass the Brendon Pub on your right-hand side. Immediately after the row of houses that are to the left of the Bendon Pub, there is a secret entrance lane. While driving down the leafy entrance lane, please drive very carefully and slowly. Please do not drive through the stone pillar driveway next to the property.

Nearest transport

Coach
0.5 km The Strand
32.2 km Nelson Road
32.4 km Bideford Quay
Rail
40.4 km Okehampton Rail Station
41.6 km Gunnislake Rail Station
42.5 km Coombe Junction Halt (Rail Station)
Ferry
32.4 km Bideford Ferry Landing
35.8 km Appledore Ferry Landing
36 km Instow Ferry Landing

Please note: All distances on this page are calculated "as the crow flies" - please check actual distance depending on your mode of travel using the Get directions button above.

Local attractions

Around Bude, there are plenty of things to keep you busy. This pleasant resort has half a dozen different beaches to explore, with sandy spots, secluded coves, rockpools and the saltwater Bude Sea Pool to try out. Just out of town, you can escape the hustle and bustle at Widemouth Bay (five minutes' drive), or for a peaceful few hours of sport you could make a day of it at Bude and North Cornwall Golf Club (five minutes), where visitors are welcome. The South West Coast Path (five minutes' walk from base) has ample hiking opportunities for serious walkers (and less serious ones who fancy a shorter jaunt to some of north Cornwall's less accessible beaches). Good public transport services run along much of the route, making it possible to loop back to base in Bude by bus rather than walking the long way home. For families, this part of Cornwall has Tintagel Castle (35 minutes) with its connections to King Arthur; the village of Tintagel also has caves and a toy museum to keep the kids occupied. Alternatively, take them for a go on the rides, slides and flumes at Camel Creek Family Theme Park (50 minutes).

Water quality at nearby bathing waters

Name Distance Type 2020 2019 2018 2017
Summerleaze 0.6 km Sea N/A Excellent Good Good
Crooklets 1.1 km Sea N/A Excellent Good Good
Northcott Mouth 2.5 km Sea N/A Excellent Excellent N/A
Widemouth Sand 3.7 km Sea N/A Excellent Excellent Excellent
Sandymouth 3.9 km Sea N/A Excellent Excellent Excellent

Data source: European Environment Agency

Must see

Tintagel Castle 23 km

RHS Garden Rosemoor 31.7 km

Rock Beach 40.6 km

Cornwall's Crealy Great Adventure Park 46 km

National Trust

Tintagel Old Post Office 23.1 km

Lawrence House 24.7 km

Lydford Gorge 37.1 km

Lundy 38.4 km

Cotehele 43.4 km

Cycle routes

Find local routes on the National Cycle Network - over 12,000 miles of cycling routes.

Other

Bude - Canal and Nature Reserve 0.2 km

Bude - Canal and Coast 0.2 km

Bude to Sandymouth 0.7 km

Poughill - Bude - Northcott Mouth 2.4 km

Battle of Stratton, 1643 2.4 km

Please note: All distances on this page are calculated "as the crow flies" - please check actual distance depending on your mode of travel using the Get directions button above.

Nearest sites

Unfortunately, we have no nearby bookable sites.

Want to know more about camping in Cornwall?

Frequently asked questions

  • Does Efford Down Campsite have a swimming pool? No View all features
  • Is Efford Down Campsite dog friendly? Yes View all features
  • What attractions are near Efford Down Campsite? Around Bude, there are plenty of things to keep you busy. This pleasant resort has half a dozen different beaches to explore, with sandy spots, secluded coves, rockpools and the saltwater Bude … Read more
  • When can I check in and check out of Efford Down Campsite?
    RV, travel trailer and tent sites
    Arrive:  2 p.m. –  9 p.m.
    Depart by:  noon
    Read more
  • How much does it cost to stay at Efford Down Campsite? From $44.31 (for 1 night, 2 adults) - prices may change depending on your dates and party.