Emerald Camping

No luck with the trout in the river? Boost your chances of landing a cracking catch by heading to Legge Farm (10 minutes' drive), a friendly coarse fishing park with five well-stocked lakes. Other travellers in your gang not so keen on your rod and tackle chat? Try Meldon Reservoir (20 minutes), a calm spot where you can cast your line in peace and let the others get on with nature-packed lakeside strolls. Okehampton (15 minutes), meanwhile, marks the gateway to Dartmoor National Park and is home to a range of shops, cafés, pretty parks and a Norman castle. Moseying around town can be followed up with a hike up nearby hills, which range from the relatively accessible Rowtor (30 minutes) to the high and blustery peak of Black Tor (40 minutes). Both sides of the Devon coast are also within range at Emerald Camping (just another reason why this site is such a gem). The sandy strands of Bude (35 minutes) have rockpools that are likely to prove popular with the nippers, while the bigger city of Plymouth (an hour) is home to a saltwater lido, the Royal Citadel fortress and National Marine Aquarium.