Riverside glamping in Blackdown Hills AONB

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Marking the meeting point of Devon and Somerset, this modestly sized Area of Natural Beauty encapsulates quintessential English countryside—the perfect setting for a camping holiday. The tranquil region’s working farmland, winding waterways, and ancient woodlands are ideal for rambling, cycling, or horse riding, and can be explored year-round. A range of camping options include back-to-basics sites, traditional farm camps, and modern glamping sites, often relatively isolated and near a mosaic of ridges, high plateaus, wild valleys, and freshwater springs.

95% (293) 158 campsites

Top-rated campgrounds in Blackdown Hills AONB

Stowford Manor Farm Campsite

1. Stowford Manor Farm Campsite

87%
(42)
Trowbridge, England · 51 units · Tents, Motorhomes, Glamping
We are a family run farm situated in the beautiful Frome valley. The farm has a range of interests from the traditional Jersey milking cows to a community of workshops used by local craftsmen. The cafe serves cream teas from Easter to the end of September and pizzas are sold in evenings during the summer months. Ours is a small family run camp site with the River Frome on one side, next to the medieval buildings of Stowford Farm. The river is suitable for fishing, boating, swimming and paddling. Historic Bradford-on-Avon is only a 5 minute drive and the City of Bath 15 minutes. For those who enjoy more rural pleasures, 200 metres from the campsite Farleigh Hungerford boasts the only river swimming club in the country, and you can become an instant member for a very small fee.
Pets
Electrical hookup
Campfires
Gurt Yurts

2. Gurt Yurts

100%
(24)
Churchill, England · 9 units · Tents, Glamping
Off the beaten track on top of the Mendips in an area of outstanding natural beauty. A mixture of four acres of wild woodland, orchard and field set on a hillside. Our Yurt is set up in the trees giving you peaceful seclusion and a clear view across the sea to Wales and the mountains of the Brecon Beacons. The Yurt is big and sleeps up to four very comfortably. It has its own stove and outside is a washroom just for you with hot shower , toilet and sinks. Your own meadow allows you to just relax and be. Up on the campfield you can bring your own tent or hire a Belle tent from us with all the fittings to camp contentedly. Our new Wash House has hot showers, flushing toilets and basins. You can light a fire and cook up a BBQ or maybe just watch the world go by. A huge range of activities are possible or you can lie in the hammock with a good book. We have very friendly dogs and rescue chickens who may come and visit. Wild deer wander past in the early morning mist and the odd buzzard picks an argument with a bunch of crows but nothing much else should disturb you. We moved here after an 18 month search 11 years ago. It was close to everything we wanted and we've spent some time getting a bit closer.
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Campfires
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Pure & Rustic

3. Pure & Rustic

86%
(7)
Croyde, England · 6 units
Acres of beautiful woodlands & pastures for those that like to sleep under canvas with or without electric. Hot showers, Pure Greenfields spring water on tap, designated fire pits to bring out your rawness of nature!! Pure & Rustic is close by to some fantastic local pubs, and the beaches of Croyde, Saunton, Putsborough & Woolacombe. A magical woodland retreat to watch the moon & stars float by..!
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Campfires
Wortha Farm

4. Wortha Farm

England · 4 units
Wortha Farm, the main house being late Regency in style constructed around the 1830’s, has picturesque views to the west overlooking Brentor Church. The farm is set in 42 acres and sits on the edge of West Blackdown, where wild moor meets the north-eastern edge of the Tavistock/Tamar Valley pastures. The fields from the house slope gently down to the River Burn. Beyond which the fields rise up to the world-renowned St Michael De Rupe church which has sat atop Brentor since the original structure of 1130AD. This landmark dominates the landscape. At Wortha Farm, the sun rises over the wild moorland to the east and sets behind the silhouetted church to the west.
Pets
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Campfires
WILDSWIM2SAUNA

5. WILDSWIM2SAUNA

100%
(3)
England · 32 units · Tents, Motorhomes, Glamping
Set within 146 acres, the wildswim2sauna campsite at the Yeo farm estate lends itself to adventurous and active families looking for a unique off grid camping experience. If alfresco living, wild swimming, hot tubbing, saunas, wild fire cooking, rivers, woods, fishing and being surrounded by nature and wildlife then you’re in the right place. fantastic beaches and cool places to visit such as Salcombe, Totnes, Bantham Beach, Hope Cove are just 20mins drive away.. Facilities include private riverside pitches, outside gym, trampoline adventure playground, fire pits, picnic tables, cinders gas bbq and outside dining area. The riverside sauna needs to be booked. Please visit; WWW.WILDSWIM2SAUNA.COM for a detailed description of our boutique riverside camp Ps Don’t forget your swimmers
Pets
Campfires
Potable water
Farrs Meadow

6. Farrs Meadow

96%
(141)
Wimborne, England · 31 units · Tents, Glamping
A charming Dorset campsite overlooking the Stour Valley and a short walk from both the river and the market town of Wimborne Minster
Pets
Campfires
Showers
Westland Farm

7. Westland Farm

100%
(141)
Barnstaple, England · 21 units · Tents, Motorhomes, Glamping
Camping and glamping on a working farm, with yurts, huts with hot tubs, and simple, spacious, sociable camping pitches
Pets
Campfires
Showers
Strawfields Cabins and Camping

8. Strawfields Cabins and Camping

100%
(26)
Titching Park Lane, England · 13 units · Tents, Glamping
Camping and rustic glamping with campfires on an idyllic smallholding close to North Devon’s best-loved beaches
Campfires
Showers
Potable water
Lickham Bottom Camp

9. Lickham Bottom Camp

100%
(9)
Taunton, England · 3 units
Ready-made camping in Devon’s Blackdown Hills
Pets
Showers
Campfires
Ruby Country Camping

10. Ruby Country Camping

100%
(30)
Highampton, England · 6 units · Tents, Motorhomes, Glamping
A natural, spacious meadow campsite perfect for exploring North Devon and Cornwall
Pets
Campfires
Showers
Feltham’s Farm Cheese Barn

11. Feltham’s Farm Cheese Barn

100%
(8)
Shepton Mallet, England · 1 unit
Farm stays on a Somerset smallholding with a cheese dairy
Pets
Showers
Campfires
Oakhill Ponds

12. Oakhill Ponds

96%
(13)
Somerset, England · 6 units
A uniquely peaceful Somerset glamping site set around two ponds in its own beautiful wildlife garden.
Pets
Showers
Campfires
Romantic Country Glamping

13. Romantic Country Glamping

92%
(12)
Bradford On Avon, England · 2 units
A pair of self-contained glamping getaways in Wiltshire
Pets
Showers
Campfires
Wild About Campers

14. Wild About Campers

100%
(2)
Honiton, England · 5 units
Wild About Campers is a peaceful retreat amid spectacular hiking country in the Blackdown Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, and 25 minutes’ drive from cliff-top treks along the South West Coast Path. The Jurassic Coast at Lyme Regis is within 25 minutes’ drive, and if you feel a major shopping expedition coming on, the historic cathedral city of Exeter (35 minutes) will see you right. Both Exmoor and Dartmoor national parks are less than an hour’s drive away, while the pretty neighbouring town of Honiton (10 minutes) offers pubs and tearooms as well as antique shops to browse. But if it’s a rural retreat you’re after, well, this is the place. The camping paddock is surrounded by peaceful farmland and borders the River Otter (look out for the resident beavers, otters and kingfishers, which occasionally appear), so you can fall asleep lulled by the burble of the river along with the distant hoot of barn owls – and wake up fresh in the morning to the sound of birdsong. A popular family-run pub is five minutes’ stroll from the campsite, and you can pick up emergency supplies from a well-stocked village shop run by volunteers (five minutes’ drive).
Pets
Showers
Campfires
Wydale Farm Tipis

15. Wydale Farm Tipis

100%
(8)
Weston Super Mare, England · 3 units
Grown-up glamping in riverside tipis with views of the Mendip Hills
Pets
Showers
Campfires
Rocombe Valley Retreat

16. Rocombe Valley Retreat

97%
(17)
Lower Rocombe, England · 5 units
Glamping near the English Riviera, with wood-fired hot tubs and coarse fishing lakes
Showers
Campfires
Hot Tub
Rushford Shepherd's Hut

17. Rushford Shepherd's Hut

83%
(6)
Narrowbridge, England · 1 unit
A dog-friendly shepherd's hut in the Teign Valley at the heart of Dartmoor National Park
Pets
Showers
Campfires
Solitary Bee Retreat

18. Solitary Bee Retreat

Paignton, England · 1 unit
Replenish and Rewild… …in this tranquil river valley. Spend time in retreat from the hustle and bustle of life in this beautiful and unique location where you will have the valley to yourselves. Perfect for a romantic night or two, a family wilderness adventure or a solitary retreat in the heart of South Devon’s beautiful rolling hills. Lie in the Tall Grass… ….counting butterflies and watching the buzzards fly overhead, serenaded by the buzzing of insects, birdsong and the chattering stream. Cool off by jumping in the waist deep plunge pool or relax in the hammock in the shade while your children splash about.
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Showers
Campfires
American School Bus with Hot Tub!

19. American School Bus with Hot Tub!

Woolacombe, England · 1 unit
Texas School Bus – an authentic, beautifully converted American School Bus for a memory-filled and Insta-worthy stay on a truly stunning location near the beach in Woolacoombe, Devon - complete with a Hot Tub with Sea Views! Freshly retired from the highways of Houston, Texas School Bus is the iconic split-screen American Yellow School Bus – or ‘Skoolie’ for aficionados – lovingly converted into a truly unique Glamping retreat. Gloriously spacious, there’s plenty to delight couples, families, and groups of friends alike. For starters, you’ll have a proper kitchen to whip up your own school dinners complete with a gas oven, hob, grill, sink, and cooking equipment galore (There’s even a seriously cool fridge freezer, to help you chill those essential holiday tipples!) Enjoy gastronomic delights at the dining table while enjoying the views through the panoramic windows, or outside enjoying a sizzling sunset supper on the barbecue. With toasty underfloor heating and a clean-burning wood stove you’ll be gorgeously snug. There’s a thoughtfully-chosen selection of books and games on board, and if music’s more your thing, remember to bring your Bluetooth speaker and choose your own groove. You could even plonk yourself down in the driver’s seat if you like…with the original cab fully intact, you can travel anywhere your imagination cares to take you! When it’s finally time to turn in, you’ll discover a king-sized John Lewis bed to the rear dressed in Egyptian cotton sheets and a gorgeous duvet. If you miss out on claiming this for yourself, you’ll also find two comfy, John Lewis full-sized singles, and a really good sofa bed too. Freshen up with a shower and fluffy towels (there’s even an illuminated mirror and a plug socket for your hairdryer!) then it’s on with the important business of planning your day. Parked at the truly beautiful Lee Meadows Campsite on the Devon coast this cosy bus couldn’t be in a better spot for all kinds of fun and adventure - near gorgeous beaches and some of the most stunning walks around. Enjoy the on-site Zip Wire and FreeRide Cycle Track!
Showers
Campfires
Hot Tub
Korkhouse

20. Korkhouse

England · 1 unit
KorkHouse is an off-grid cozy, sustainable tiny house for two, made with eco-friendly cork cladding and a plywood interior. The cabin features it's own outdoor hot tub/bath, private mini island, solar power, a kitchenette, memory foam bed, wood burner, TV, shower, and it is surrounded by restaurants, art galleries and fun things to do even on a rainy day. Located at the crossroads of Dorset, Somerset, and Wiltshire, it's perfect for creatives seeking inspiration. Near Bruton, Glastonbury, and Frome, with easy access from London. 4 min Taxi & 10 min Bike from Gillingham station. 4min drive & 30 min walk to nearest pub.
Showers
Campfires
Hot Tub

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Blackdown Hills AONB camping guide

Where to go

Chard

On the eastern border of the Blackdown Hills, this countryside parish is a convenient launch point for exploration of South Somerset and Devon, with the seaside town of Lyme Regis just 30 minutes’ drive away. The surrounding area is home to touring parks, working farms, and exclusive glampsites, offering plenty of overnight accommodation under the stars.

Cullompton and the Culm Valley

West of the Blackdown Hills AONB, this rural region offers something for every Hipcamper. Campsites are easy to find, many offering caravan spots, secluded glampsites, and tent pitches. Walking and riding trails along the Culm Valley toward Hemyock reveal historic landmarks, riverside villages, and an array of native wildlife.

Honiton

Just 30 minutes’ train ride from Exeter St Davids and connected directly to London Waterloo, Honiton is an ideal destination for car-free adventurers. Wild-style pitches, working farms, and glamping lodges are popular, with many campers drawn to the picturesque banks of the River Otter.

East Devon AONB

Adjoining the Blackdown Hills to the south, this diverse landscape is also worth exploring, especially for anglers, birdwatchers, and watersports fans. A vast network of footpaths, riding routes, and nature trails guide adventurers through heathland, forests, and along World Heritage-listed coastline, while an array of holiday parks, farm pitches, and glamping accommodations provide plenty of camping options.

Happy farmer sitting in a truck in a grassy field
Happy farmer sitting in a truck in a grassy field

Popular Blackdown Hills AONB holidays

Popular Blackdown Hills AONB glamping styles