Campgrounds for backpackers in South West England

Peaceful Meadow Camping

• Back-to-basics camping in a flower meadow near Totnes in Devon
• Dartmoor 20 minutes' drive, and 25 minutes to south-coast beaches
• Simple site with compost loos and drinking water

Gypsy Wagon Devon

• Dog-friendly, off-grid site in rural Devon surrounded by native woods
• A 20-minute drive from Bude’s beaches and half an hour to Dartmoor
• Communal space for cooking on a gas stove; walk into Holsworthy

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

Wild Camping at Emmetts on Exmoor

• Off-grid wild camping at the highest farm on Exmoor
• A 20-minute drive to Exmoor Zoo; 25 minutes to the North Devon coast
• Free-range eggs and home-reared meat available to buy on site

Wallen Down Farm

• Rural wild camping site for motorhomes with views over Dartmoor
• A 10-minute drive to Castle Drogo; short walk to the Two Moors Way
• Farm cider, fresh eggs, beef and wood for firepits sold on site

Wimborne Fishing Lake

• Peaceful site with fishing lake a short walk from Wimborne town centre
• Kingston Lacy and Knoll Gardens within a 10-minute drive
• Day fishing tickets and rod hire on site; barbecues welcome

Woodland Camping

• Small hideaway adults-only site close to Dartmoor National Park
• Views over Teignbridge and the South Hams
• On a 15-acre smallholding half a mile from the local pub

Yealm Cabin

• Luxury fully-equipped log cabin overlooking the South Hams
• Close to several beaches and 15 minutes from Dartmoor
• Observatory, one-acre lawn and barbecue

YHA Eden Project

• Scenic site in the grounds of Cornwall’s famed Eden Project
• A 10-minute drive from St Austell and 15 from Polkerris beach
• Café, fully licensed bar, self-catering kitchen and small shop

Parkwithian Camping

• Wild camping on a farm 15 minutes' drive from North Cornwall’s beaches
• St Michael's Mount 20 minutes’ drive; St Ives 25 minutes
• Easy access from the A30; Camborne town five minutes’ drive

Willow Stream Camping

• Peaceful pitches by a stream in the Exmoor National Park
• A 10-minute drive from Minehead and Dunkery Beacon
• Wild-style camping with a village pub five minutes' walk away

Chitcombe Barns

Sparkhayes Camping Site

• Well maintained and peaceful family-friendly park with lovely views.

Glamping at Swanage by PitchingIt

• Family-friendly glamping site a five-minute walk from Swanage Beach
• Corfe Castle 10 minutes’ drive; Blue Pool 20 minutes
• Dogs welcome; barbecues allowed; on-site golf and frisbee-golf course

Meldon Lake and Woods

• Wild camping site on a Devon farm with direct access to Dartmoor
• A five-minute drive to Okehampton; 50 minutes to Teignmouth beach
• Rural site with wild swimming, close to the Granite Way cycle route

Eco Woodland Camping

• Peaceful woodland in a sheltered north Devon location
• Close to the A3072; a quarter of an hour's drive from Bude
• Low-impact forest floor campsite with no light pollution

Badgers Field

• Spacious nine-acre site on a working Cornish dairy farm
• Two miles from Saint Just; Cape Cornwall 10 minutes' drive
• Wildlife haven in a field bordered by woodland

Merry Meadows Farm

• Eco-friendly meadow site set on scenic working farmland
• A 10-minute drive to the Eden Project; 15 to Cornwall's south coast
• On-site farm shop selling local produce