Campgrounds for backpackers in South West England

Rowden Farm

• Semi-wild farm camping in a hay meadow near Tiverton in Devon
• A 25-minute drive to Exmoor National Park; 50 minutes to Lynmouth
• Off-grid pitches for over-16s only; pub five minutes’ drive

Wee World

• Stays on a small, dog-friendly site in a paddock surrounded by trees
• A five-minute drive to the town of Helston and Flambards Theme Park
• Within 10 minutes of Porthleven beach and 30 minutes to Lizard Point

Cator Hill View

• Scenic dog-friendly wild camping site in Dartmoor National Park
• A five-minute drive from Bellever Forest; 25 minutes from Becky Falls
• Spacious pitches with room for car parking; barbecues permitted

West Twitchen Ball Farm

• Hilltop grass pitches with outstanding Exmoor National Park views
• A 30-minute drive to Exmoor Zoo; the South West Coast Path 40 minutes
• Close to major cycle routes, an ancient monument, pubs and shops

Bideford Bay Holiday Park

Bickham Bridge Field

• Wildlife-filled Devon meadow site bordered by the River Avon
• Dartmoor National Park 15 minutes' drive; half an hour to the coast
• Simple pitches with access to a river pool for wild swimming

Sandymouth Surf Town

• Eco-friendly coastal site set over 220 acres of countryside
• Widemouth Bay and Bude both within 15 minutes' drive
• Surf hire and lessons for groups and individuals of all abilities

Charside Camping

• Simple stays on a grassy field in a rural valley with a firepit
• A 10-minute drive from Bridport and 20 from West Bay
• On a National Cycle Route and 20 minutes’ walk to the local pub

Hill View Farm

• Family-run wildlife haven in the Dorset countryside
• A 35-minute drive from Durdle Door and 40 minutes from Bournemouth
• Quiet after 10pm; communal campfire area; pubs and shops nearby

Hillside Campsite

Beardown Farm

• Cosy, insulated camping pod on an exclusive-use farm near Princetown
• Central Dartmoor location close to walks, horse riding and fishing
• Picnic table and firepit provided, with wood to buy on site

Cherry Mason's Fruit Farm

• Farm stays in a green three-acre field next to a village pub
• A five-minute drive from the beaches of Porthleven and Praa Sands
• Flambards Theme Park within 10 minutes; Poldark Mine within 15

Dartmoor View Campsite

• Wild-style camping on a south-facing site a mile from Holsworthy
• Bude's beaches 20 minutes' drive; 35 minutes to Dartmoor National Park
• Next to National Cycle Network Route 3; dogs welcome on site

Cheston Caravan Park

• Westcountry base with easy access to the A38
• On the southern side of Dartmoor National Park
• Family run for over 20 years

Plaistow Mills

• Four-acre camping field for over-12s 10 minutes' drive from Barnstaple
• A 15-minute drive to Ilfracombe; Woolacombe 20 minutes
• Farm shop on site; short walk to a gastropub and smart restaurant

Wild Camping at Dark Lane

• Wild camping in a rural field in the North Wessex Downs
• A 10-minute walk to the Kennet and Avon Canal; Wolfhall 15 minutes
• No parking available on site or locally, but close to public transport

Bay View Meadows

• No-frills wild camping on a Devon smallholding a mile from the sea
• Walking distance from two beaches and the South West Coast Path
• Eco-friendly composting loos with a view; estuary walk close by