Best campsites by the beach
What could be better than a day out at the beach on holiday? Well, perhaps staying right there by the beach? Hotels with sea views can be hugely expensive, but coastal campsites are generally very affordable, and arguably a much better option for making the most of those views, too. Want to wake up to fresh sea air and coastal views? Watch the sun set over the waves while you cook dinner on a barbecue? It’s all possible when you’re staying at a campsite by the beach.
The nation’s beaches and coastline are hugely varied, of course – and so are the campsites that go with them. We’ve got everything from quiet wild camping pitches to fully fledged family holiday parks with all manner of amenities – and we’ve also got the filters to help you find the right one for you. Perhaps a play area for the kids, a dog-friendly site or somewhere in a remote location: you can choose as many as you like to help you narrow down the choices.
Ready for some inspiration? Here are some of Pitchup's favourite campsites by the beach…
10 of the best campsites by the beach
There are lots of seaside campsites that could have made it onto this list, but we’ve chosen to focus on three key destinations for coastal camping holidays: Wales, Cornwall and Dorset. All of these campsites have sea views and coastal access, and have been tried, tested and given the thumbs up by Pitchup customers.
WALES
St Davids Farm Camping
Carn-Nwchwn Farm, St Davids
Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire
SA62 6QN
Why here? Pembrokeshire is a beach lover’s dream, with everything from long sweeping sandy stretches to sweet little hidden coves. Stay at St Davids Farm Camping and you can keep those
coastal sights in your eyeline from dawn to dusk – this simple but well-kept site has glorious views out over St Bride’s Bay from every pitch and is an easy 10-minute walk from Caerfai beach when you fancy a dip. It’s all at its very finest in the early evening, as the west-facing aspect often brings some spectacular sunsets.
Key facilities: Showers, toilets, dogs allowed
One last thing… It’s an easy walk from here to St Davids – it may be Britain’s smallest city, but it’s a great hive of places to eat and drink, plus activities like coasteering and sea safaris.
Celtic Camping
Pwll Caerog Farm, St Davids
St Davids, Pembrokeshire
SA62 6DG
Why here? If you come at the right time of year, you may be able to spot seals and their pups in the bay next to Celtic Camping. There’s no wrong time to come here though: the views over
Abereiddy Bay are stunning in all seasons, and there’s plenty of space to soak them up from the roomy pitches. The coast path is a short stroll away, and several of Pembrokeshire’s top spots are within easy walking/driving distance too, including the gorgeous Blue Lagoon and the surf beach at Whitesands Bay.
Key facilities: Showers, toilets, dogs allowed
One last thing… Outdoor meals are a must here, of course – but it’s handy to note that the owners have set up an indoor dining area too, so you won’t be shivering in the open if the weather takes a turn.
Pencarnan Farm Caravan and Camping
Pencarnan Farm, St Davids
Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire
SA62 6PY
Why here? Beach campfires, surfing days and pizza evenings with a sea view are all on the menu here at the very western tip of Pembrokeshire. The pitches at Pencarnan Farm face west, with
gorgeous sea views over neighbouring Porthsele beach and places for walks, swims, surfing and kayaking close by. Lots of the essentials are sorted, too: you can acquire food, logs and wetsuits on site, along with morning coffees and evening pizzas in high season.
Key facilities: Showers, toilets, dogs allowed, hot food in high season
One last thing… This site has been run by the same family since the 1950s, and it’s built up a loyal group of guests that return year after year – so clearly they must be doing something right…
Book Pencarnan Farm Caravan and Camping
Morfa Bychan Holiday Park
Llanfarian, Aberystwyth
Ceredigion
SY23 4QQ
Why here? Although Pembrokeshire often steals the limelight, neighbouring Ceredigion is also crammed with gorgeous coastal scenery – and you can start soaking it up right here at Morfa
Bychan Holiday Park. This spacious site is up on a cliff looking out over Cardigan Bay, and it’s got direct access to a pebbly beach down below. It’s also in a great spot for exploring, with the Wales Coast Path running through the site and the lovely seaside town of Aberystwyth six miles away.
Key facilities: Swimming pool, play area, games room, launderette, toilets, showers, dogs allowed
One last thing… Don’t worry if the sea seems a little too cold for a dip – Morfa Bychan has its own heated pool, along with a social room that’s got plenty of games to keep you occupied on chilly evenings.
Book Morfa Bychan Holiday Park
CORNWALL
Namparra Campsite
Kuggar, Helston
Cornwall
TR12 7LY
Why here? A day spent exploring the Lizard Peninsula is always likely to be a fabulous one, but Namparra Campsite has something that’s likely to make it just that extra bit better: an on-site bar.
And not just any old bar: one with a menu of cocktails and local ciders, plus a backdrop of Cornish sea views. Settle in there for the evening or pick out a cosy corner to strike up a campfire while the sun sets – either way, you’ll still wake to those sea views, and can pick up a tasty bacon bap for breakfast while you take them all in.
Key facilities: Bar, play area, breakfast café, toilets, showers, dogs allowed
One last thing… You’ll share this six-acre site with a friendly gang of sheep, pigs and alpacas, and you can get the day off to a very tasty start with fresh free-range eggs from the resident hens and ducks.
Chy Carne Holiday Park
Kuggar, Ruan Minor
Helston, Cornwall
TR12 7LX
Why here? As a base for a Cornwall family camping trip, you’d be hard pushed to find a better spot than Chy Carne Holiday Park. Two of Cornwall’s very best beaches (Kennack Sands and
Kynance Cove) are within easy reach, as are child-friendly attractions like the Cornish Seal Sanctuary and Flambards theme park. The space on site is well set up for families, too: there’s a play area and plenty of open space for kids to run around, a summer marquee bar for adult socials and a high-season pizza takeaway for family feasts.
Key facilities: Bar, play area, summer takeaway, toilets, showers, launderette, dogs allowed
One last thing… Amenities have been spread around three blocks throughout the park, so wherever you’re pitched, you shouldn’t have too much of a hike for a late-night bathroom trip.
Porthtowan Tourist Park
Mile Hill, Porthtowan
Truro, Cornwall
TR4 8TY
Why here? This is quite simply a glorious coastal spot at a peaceful family-run farm. As the name suggests, Porthtowan Tourist Park is just on the edge of the village of the same name, with quiet
countryside all around and the gorgeous sandy beach about a mile away. That beach is a stunner too, with a huge stretch of sand, rockpools to play in and some great surfing waves. Showers, a laundry and a food shop on site will keep you clean and fed, and there’s a play area and games room to keep active kids busy.
Key facilities: Games room, play area, food shop, toilets, showers, launderette, dogs allowed
One last thing… This site has easy access to the South West Coast Path for seaside strolls, and it’s also close to the A30 for visits to places like St Ives or Land’s End.
Lower Pennycrocker Farm
St Juliot, Boscastle
Cornwall
PL35 0BY
Why here? Lower Pennycrocker Farm is a perennial favourite with Pitchup customers, winning praise for both its lovely seaside scenery and its friendly owners, who really go out of their way to
make their guests feel at home. You’ll be looking right out over the Cornish coastline from the peaceful pitches at this family-run farm – and there are plenty of chances to hit the waves at nearby Crackington Haven beach or the surf hotspot of Bude, 20 minutes’ drive away.
Key facilities: Toilets, showers, dogs allowed
One last thing… If you’re planning to visit Tintagel Castle, this is a great spot to do that from – what better way to get there than to walk directly there along the coast path?
DORSET
Golden Cap Holiday Park
Seatown, Chideock
Bridport, Dorset
DT6 6JX
Why here? You may well recognise the name Golden Cap – this is the highest point in southern England, and a truly stunning spot from which to look out into the Channel. True to its name,
Golden Cap Holiday Park sits right at the foot of the hill, making it a great place to relax once you’ve done the climb. Of course, you could just choose to admire it from afar instead – maybe from the site’s fishing lake, or from the shingle beach a couple of minutes’ walk away? Keep your eyes peeled for fossils while you’re there – they don’t call this the Jurassic Coast for nothing.
Key facilities: Swimming pool, fishing, play area, food shop, toilets, showers, launderette, dogs allowed
One last thing… Guests are able to pay a small extra charge to use the heated pool, sauna and steam room at a nearby sister park: a handy option for cooler days.
Seaview Farm
Fleet Lane, Chickerell
Weymouth, Dorset
DT3 4DF
Why here? Seaview by name, sea view by nature… and what a sea view it is, too, looking out over Chesil Beach and the Fleet Lagoon on the stunning Jurassic Coast. It’s all about the simple
pleasures of life here: this is wild-style camping, so there should be very little to distract you from that gorgeous scenery (other than the need to tend your dinner on the barbecue, or stoke your campfire, perhaps…) All the essentials are covered, though, with portaloos and shower tents on site and shops, pubs and takeaways a short walk away.
Key facilities: Portaloos, showers, dogs allowed
One last thing… This is a particularly good location for car-free travels – you can get straight out onto footpaths (including the coast path) and there’s a bus stop a short walk away.
More places to stay by the beach
Not found the ideal spot for your beach camping holiday yet? We’ve got plenty more options to choose from, at coastal locations all around the UK. Click on the links below to find campsites within 15 miles of the beach in your chosen destination.
Book campsites by the beach in England
Book campsites by the beach in Wales