The best campsites in Fernworthy Forest with horseback riding

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Set on the banks of the Fernworthy Reservoir at the heart of the Dartmoor National Park, Fernworthy Forest has some of the NP’s most rewarding short walks. Follow the lakeside trail, enjoy bird-watching or fish for brown trout around the lake, then stop for a picnic by the lakeside. Hikers can choose from a variety of forest trails. Explore Bronze Age stone circles, follow scenic woodland walks, and spot herds of native Dartmoor ponies grazing the moors. There are no campsites at Fernworthy Forest, but wild camping is permitted—pitch your tent beneath the trees for a real back-to-nature experience.

96% (415) 486 campsites

Top-rated campgrounds in Fernworthy Forest

The Enchanted Wilderness

1. The Enchanted Wilderness

91%
(47)
Yelverton, England · 6 units · Tents, Motorhomes, Glamping
Simple riverside camping pitches in the Tamar Valley on the edge of Dartmoor
Pets
Campfires
Showers
Goren Farm

2. Goren Farm

100%
(86)
Seaton, England · 7 units · Tents, Motorhomes
Nearly wild camping in Devonshire wildflower meadows
Campfires
Showers
Potable water
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..!
Pets
Showers
Campfires
Swell Camping at The Orchard

4. Swell Camping at The Orchard

100%
(2)
Croyde, England · 1 unit
Bell tent glamping with views of Saunton Sands in Devon
Pets
Showers
Potable water
Secret Spot Camping Saunton

5. Secret Spot Camping Saunton

99%
(140)
Braunton, England · 12 units · Tents, Motorhomes
Finding this exclusive Devon spot is like making it on to the best VIP guest list in town
Pets
Campfires
Showers
Surf Pods and Camping at Atlantic Farm

6. Surf Pods and Camping at Atlantic Farm

88%
(66)
Bude, England · 40 units · Tents, Motorhomes, Glamping
Glamping near Bude, with eye-catching eco-pods, a staggering treehouse for couples and traditional tent camping
Pets
Electrical hookup
Showers
Livit, Glamping by the coast

7. Livit, Glamping by the coast

98%
(48)
Bideford, England · 9 units
Adventure-filled glamping with sea views to savour
Pets
Showers
Campfires
Wylde Valley Camping

8. Wylde Valley Camping

97%
(16)
Bude, England · 130 units · Tents, Motorhomes, Glamping
A popular festival space that's now a bona fide campsite, with modern, pop-up facilities and a top North Cornwall location
Electrical hookup
Campfires
Showers
Passaford Meadow Campsite

9. Passaford Meadow Campsite

100%
(1)
Okehampton, England · 15 units
Camping for walkers and cyclists in the Devon countryside
Campfires
Showers
Potable water
Bowhayes Farm - Glamping & Camping

10. Bowhayes Farm - Glamping & Camping

98%
(20)
Sidmouth, England · 12 units · Tents, Glamping
Nearly-wild camping in a Devon cider orchard, 5 miles from the Jurassic Coast
Pets
Campfires
Showers
Pleasant Streams Farm Camping

11. Pleasant Streams Farm Camping

91%
(70)
St Austell, England · 67 units · Tents, Glamping
Lakeside camping with streams, rope swings and farmyard animals in rural Cornwall
Campfires
Showers
Potable water
Deer Barn Retreats

12. Deer Barn Retreats

94%
(33)
Taunton, England · 3 units
Dog-friendly glamping on the Somerset-Devon border
Pets
Showers
Campfires
Buckland Farm Camping

13. Buckland Farm Camping

95%
(21)
Wellington, England · 12 units · Tents, Motorhomes, Glamping
Dog-friendly camping on the edge of the Blackdown Hills
Pets
Campfires
Showers
Strawfields Cabins and Camping

14. 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
Camp De Lank Cornwall

15. Camp De Lank Cornwall

100%
(6)
St Breward, England · 17 units · Tents, Motorhomes, Glamping
Bell tents and pitches close to Bodmin Moor and the Camel Trail
Pets
Campfires
Showers
Lower Marlpits Farm Campsite

16. Lower Marlpits Farm Campsite

95%
(10)
Honiton, England · 2 units
A well-connected family farm, near Honiton and the Jurassic Coast.
Showers
Campfires
Potable water
Atlantic Horizons

17. Atlantic Horizons

100%
(1)
Bude, England · 9 units · Tents, Glamping
We are a friendly glamping and camping site set in the beautiful natural surroundings of the North Cornwall coast and countryside allowing for a quiet getaway or family break. Atlantic Horizons aims to offer the camping experience but without the hassle. Supplying you with everything you need for a relaxing yet comfortable glamping experience. We understand how the issues of packing and unpacking can be for you, especially after a long drive, therefore we feel that it is important to remove any challenges by providing you with a variety of glamping packages to suit your needs.
Pets
Campfires
Showers
Lickham Bottom Camp

18. Lickham Bottom Camp

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

19. Tremanor Farm

89%
(19)
Castledore, England · 50 units · Tents, Motorhomes
Cornish camping with sea views, 5 minutes from the beach and 10 minutes from the Eden Project
Campfires
Showers
Potable water
Fox Camping

20. Fox Camping

100%
(8)
Launceston, England · 7 units · Tents, Motorhomes
Off-grid pitches for tents and campervans in North Cornwall
Pets
Campfires
Showers

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Fernworthy Forest camping guide

When to go

July and August are the peak season in Dartmoor National Park, and popular spots such as Fernworthy Forest can get crowded—parking is limited, so get there early. Forest walks can be enjoyed year-round, but it’s most magical in autumn, with its canopy of fall foliage. Dartmoor weather is notoriously changeable, so pack a sweater and raincoat even in summer.

Know before you go

  • Fernworthy Forest is located north of Dartmoor National Park, about a 15-minute drive southwest of Chagford. There is a pay and display car park by the entrance to the forest.
  • Restrooms are located at the forest car park, but there are no other facilities, so bring everything you need with you. The closest village is Chagford, which has a few pubs and small shops. 
  • Trout fishing is possible on the lake between March and October, and fishing permits can be purchased on-site. 
  • Parts of the lakeside trail are accessible for wheelchairs and pushchairs.
  • Dartmoor National Park is one of the few places in the UK where wild camping is permitted. Tents must be pitched away from roads and attractions, and large group camping is not allowed. 
  • Dartmoor has free-roaming ponies, sheep, and cattle, and these animals have the right of way on moorland roads. There is a strict speed limit of 40 mph throughout. It is a fineable offense to feed any of the animals in the park, and visitors are also advised to keep a distance for their own safety—these are feral animals and may kick or bite.
Happy farmer sitting in a truck in a grassy field
Happy farmer sitting in a truck in a grassy field

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