Camping in South West Coast Path

·

Winding its way along the coast of Somerset, Devon, Cornwall, and Dorset, the South West Coast Path is England’s most epic hike. Measuring in at 630 miles, it’s the longest National Trail in the country, and takes a whopping 52 days to complete. Instead, most hikers opt for day- or multi-day hikes, perhaps along the sea cliffs of West Cornwall, through the windswept moorlands of the Exmoor National Park, or on Dorset’s World Heritage Jurassic Coast. Spectacular views are a given, but you can also swim and surf at the many beaches, enjoy bird-watching around the estuaries, and camp at ocean view campsites.

96% (1.8K) • 3,543 campsites

Top-rated campgrounds in South West Coast Path

Meldon Lake and Woods Wild Camping

1. Meldon Lake and Woods Wild Camping

99%
(267)
Okehampton, England · 5 units · Tents, Motorhomes
Seriously simple but beautiful wild camping beside a lake on Dartmoor
Pets
Campfires
Forest Edge Camping & Glamping

2. Forest Edge Camping & Glamping

100%
(32)
Sidbury, England · 18 units · Tents, Motorhomes, Glamping
A welcoming and wild-ish camping and glamping site on the edge of a forest in East Devon
Pets
Campfires
Showers
The Enchanted Wilderness

3. The Enchanted Wilderness

93%
(68)
Yelverton, England · 7 units · Tents, Motorhomes, Glamping
Simple riverside camping pitches in the Tamar Valley on the edge of Dartmoor
Pets
Campfires
Showers
Sweet Hill Farm

4. Sweet Hill Farm

94%
(330)
Isle Of Portland, England · 10 units · Tents, Motorhomes
Simple, almost-wild, seaside camping on the Isle of Portland
Pets
Campfires
Showers
Coverack Camping & Glamping

5. Coverack Camping & Glamping

98%
(162)
Coverack, England · 67 units · Tents, Motorhomes, Glamping
Traditional family camping near Coverack, with the promise of coast, countryside and Cornish ice cream
Pets
Electrical hookup
Campfires
Caffyns Farm Camping

6. Caffyns Farm Camping

100%
(11)
England · 1 unit · Tent, Motorhome
𝗜𝗱𝘆𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗰 𝘆𝗲𝗮𝗿-𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱 𝗰𝗮𝗺𝗽𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗲 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗲𝘁𝗲 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗽𝗮𝗻𝗼𝗿𝗮𝗺𝗶𝗰 𝘀𝗲𝗮 𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄𝘀, 𝗰𝗮𝗳𝗲, 𝗯𝗮𝗿, 𝗳𝗮𝗿𝗺 𝘀𝗵𝗼𝗽, 𝗵𝗼𝗿𝘀𝗲 𝗿𝗶𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗰𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗿 𝗼𝗿𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗱. 𝗢𝗵 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗽𝗹𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘆 𝗼𝗳 𝗴𝗼𝗮𝘁𝘀... Situated on 160 acres within Exmoor National Park, campers are encouraged to take advantage of our relaxed, rule-free approach allowing you to pitch wherever you fancy. Sheltered corners and wide open spaces are aplenty suiting everyone from couples to large groups. Panoramic sea views greet every patch of our working farm while CAMPFIRES and DOGS are actively encouraged. If the views bring you, it's the inclusive facilities that'll keep you. Two blocks contain 10 toilets, 7 unlimited hot showers (try these!), laundry, washing sinks, fridge/freezer & a microwave. There are also freshwater standpipes in each field and a chemical disposal point. However, sometimes a shower doesn't hack it. That's where our converted stone Barn Café comes in-complete with Wi-Fi & charging points. Open all day every day, 'The Barn' provides an oasis away from the elements, where you can enjoy everything from breakfast in the garden to dinner by the woodburner. If DIY campfire cooking is more your style, we also have a fully-stocked farm shop onsite providing all the essentials & much more too! Drinks? There's only one choice... a pint o' Caffyns cider. Homegrown on our 3000-tree strong orchard, located next to the campfields, our apples go from picking to pinting without leaving the farm. From sweet to scrumpy varieties there is no better way to try this land's fabled beverage than in our cider bar. For the adrenaline junkies, onsite horse riding allows you to sample Exmoor's scenery from the saddle. Catering to all experience levels, from beginner to advanced, our range of rides (1hr-3hrs) gives everyone the chance to explore with a discount given to those staying with us! Wandering through Caffyns acreage will introduce you to some of the other friendly farmyard 'locals'. Goats (Hint: Goat Cafe?!), alpacas, chickens, turkeys & sheep are all dotted throughout the farm on the way down to the South West Coast Path on our farm's perimeter. The nearest beach is a 20min walk away (Lee Bay) while Lynton & Lynmouth are 45mins.
Pets
Campfires
Showers
The Camping Field

7. The Camping Field

94%
(33)
Bodmin, England · 35 units · Tents, Motorhomes
Back-to-basics camping in beautiful Cornish countryside
Pets
Electrical hookup
Campfires
Willow Valley Holiday Park

8. Willow Valley Holiday Park

100%
(18)
Bude , England · 25 units · Tents, Motorhomes, Glamping
This peaceful, sheltered site has a special character. The site is the ideal place to unwind with plenty of safe space, a meandering river and friendly atmosphere. It offers 4 acres with facilities, 7 acres of wilderness, shower block, level pitches, picturesque river, children’s playground and has been rated AA 4 star gold pennant. Becky and John both love Cornwall and fell in love with the site as soon as they saw it and it provided the perfect opportunity for a new challenge. Having only recently taken over at Willow Valley in the Summer of 2024, there are always ongoing improvements being made so make sure you keep in touch. Any returning campers will be glad to know we aren’t changing the campsite itself though. Why would we when it is already so perfect!
Pets
Electrical hookup
Campfires
Meadowsweet Farm

9. Meadowsweet Farm

100%
(1)
England · 25 units · Tents, Motorhomes
Meadowsweet farm is a rustic and peaceful sustainable family farm on the north Devon coast. A five-minute drive to Saunton Sands; 15 minutes to Barnstaple. Communal campfire and portable fire troughs are permitted Close access to the Tarka Trail. This site is a fast-track route back to nature five minutes’ drive from Saunton Sands and 15 minutes from Barnstaple. It's a place where the peace, sea breeze and sustainability mingle together to create a rural camping experience on a small eco-friendly farm. If surfing ranks high on the list for your trip, you’ll be well set with the local swell on several sandy beaches within 20 minutes’ drive. And if walking or cycling is your favourite pursuit, you can head out over the sand dunes (a great setting for watching the sunset) or walk right onto the lengthy Tarka Trail for a self-guided cycling and walking tour over Devon’s cliffs and coves. Friendly guests should find some good chat on site, as social and sensible souls can make use of the communal firepits (with wood available from the farm). And for when you feel like quality family time or gathering in a close-knit group, there are also portable fire troughs. With no electricity, this off-grid site will take you nicely back to basics, with just simple facilities such as toilets, sinks and hot showers on site. When you want to head into town, Braunton (five minutes’ drive) has several restaurants and a supermarket for food and a selection of pubs for a tipple. Surf shops, bike hire and guided nature walks with a local botanist are available too.
Campfires
Showers
Potable water
Cadgwith Wild Camping

10. Cadgwith Wild Camping

99%
(257)
Ruan Minor, England · 21 units · Tents, Motorhomes
A dog-friendly campsite on a farm in Cornwall where every pitch offers a sea view
Pets
Campfires
Showers
Pittaford Farm

11. Pittaford Farm

99%
(71)
Kingsbridge, England · 15 units · Tents, Motorhomes, Glamping
A campfire-friendly site in South Devon, with a beach, a nature reserve and a pub all less than 45 minutes' walk away
Pets
Campfires
Showers
Gatcombe Park Farm Glamping

12. Gatcombe Park Farm Glamping

89%
(19)
Littlehempston, England · 16 units · Tents, Motorhomes, Glamping
Adult-only camping and glamping within striking distance of Totnes and the South Devon coast.
Campfires
Showers
Potable water
Jordans Estate Glamping

13. Jordans Estate Glamping

100%
(44)
Ilminster, England · 3 units
Two shepherds huts and a pair of pods set on a West Somerset estate close to the Somerset Levels and in sight of the Blackdown Hills
Showers
Campfires
Hot Tub
Cornish Tipi Holidays & Camping

14. Cornish Tipi Holidays & Camping

97%
(137)
St Kew, England · 83 units · Tents, Motorhomes, Glamping
Wake up to the sound of birdsong, go swimming before breakfast in the clear water of a secluded lake. Cook your bacon and eggs over an open fire while you plan your day, or just laze it away in the peace and quiet of your own personal tipi. You can always go fishing tomorrow, and walk along the cliffs the day after that… The site is a unique woodland valley folded around a clear, spring-fed lake created from the old Tregildrans Quarry. Our tipis and tent pitches are dotted about this secret 20 acres full of ferns, bluebells, oak and meadowsweet. Left in peace for many years there's been no modern chemicals or poisons on the land, meaning we've got bluebells, dormice, Red Admirals and shy woodland Jays for you to spot. It’s a place set apart from the rush and clutter of the modern holiday experience, with an atmosphere that makes you forget the world outside, and just lounge, ramble, or potter about in a boat. We're committed to giving you a genuinely individual service from first contact to your time staying with us. We established CTH in 1996. This was the first and we believe still is the best tipi holiday site in the UK. We know our area inside out and can always help with local knowledge or contacts if you need them. We want to offer our guests a sustainable holiday. A return to real camping means the lowest possible impact on the land and environment - our tipi poles don’t even break the surface of the earth. Your footprint while here could only be bettered by a survival expert. You don't have to fly! a major bonus, and we source all our wood, fish and canvas locally and work with local people wherever possible.
Campfires
Showers
Potable water
Tregella Place Camping

15. Tregella Place Camping

94%
(36)
Padstow, England · 40 units · Tents, Motorhomes
Laid-back dog-friendly, family camping near Padstow
Pets
Showers
Potable water
South Dean Camping

16. South Dean Camping

98%
(340)
Barnstaple, England · 70 units · Tents, Motorhomes
Clifftop camping with epic sea views, right next to Exmoor National Park.
Pets
Campfires
Showers
Rocombe Valley Retreat

17. 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
Old Park Cottage Camping

18. Old Park Cottage Camping

England · 6 units · Tents, Motorhomes
Please note: Adults only - all guests must be age 18 or over. Well-kept, spacious pitches at a rural Devon site near Holsworthy Bude and Westward Ho! beaches within a half-hour drive Dog-friendly pitches; barbecues permitted on site Park yourselves on the pitches at Old Park Cottage Camping and you'll be not only in a peaceful rural Devon spot but also prime position for getting out and about to a whole host of attractions around the coast and countryside of north Devon and Cornwall. About 10 minutes' drive from the town of Holsworthy (a useful place to find shops and places to eat), this is a quiet site with simple and spacious pitches where you'll be able to light barbecues and relax in the fresh air. Facilities include well-maintained toilets, showers and a washing-up area, with solar panels providing eco-friendly energy. Dogs and kids are welcome to join you at this site, and you should be able to find plenty of ways to entertain both. There are lots of great walks nearby, either on country trails (including in the northern part of Dartmoor National Park) or along the South West Coast Path. Beaches are in good supply too, as are family attractions (the BIG Sheep and Milky Way Adventure Park are both about half an hour’s drive away).
Pets
Electrical hookup
Showers
WILDSWIM2SAUNA

19. WILDSWIM2SAUNA

92%
(13)
England · 31 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
Roskilly Camping

20. Roskilly Camping

98%
(43)
Helston, England · 20 units · Tents, Motorhomes
A small family run campsite located on the famous ice cream farm, Roskilly’s. On the Lizard in South West Cornwall, the farm is remote and tucked away with a Cornish feel, yet there is plenty to do. The farm has a vast array of animals that you can feed, a large woodland and ponds walk where the cows may be grazing. There are also many stunning beaches and Cornish fishing villages a small walk or drive away. We have a restaurant offering lovely food all day from breakfast to dinner. During the summer season there is also live music performed by local bands on selected evenings. Our campsite offers large grass pitches for tents and camper vans as well as a pristine toilet and shower block and communal area.
Pets
Campfires
Showers

Recent reviews from the Hipcamp community

South West Coast Path camping guide

When to go

The most popular time to hike the South West Coast Path is from April through September, but the trail is accessible year-round. Come in spring to spot lambs and colourful wildflowers or in summer to swim at the beaches and admire the headlands blanketed in purple heather. Warm clothes and wet weather gear are essential for autumn and winter hikes, but this is also one of the best times for bird-watching. Book at least three months in advance if visiting in July-Aug.

Know before you go

  • The South West Coast Path runs for 630 miles from Minehead in Somerset to Poole Harbour in Dorset. Most towns along the trail are easily reached by public transport, and baggage transfer services are available for hikers on multi-day walks. 
  • Although the trail has some remote sections, longer hikes typically pass through towns where you will be able to buy groceries and stock up on water supplies.
  • Most campsites require advance booking, and many ask for the full payment in advance. Be sure to check opening dates, as many campsites close in the winter months.
  • Wild camping is illegal throughout Cornwall.

Frequently Asked Questions

The South West Coast Path runs for 630 miles from Minehead in Somerset to Poole Harbour in Dorset.

The most popular time to hike the South West Coast Path is from April through September, but the trail is accessible year-round.

Most towns along the trail are easily reached by public transport, and baggage transfer services are available for hikers on multi-day walks.

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

Popular South West Coast Path holidays

Top counties in and near South West Coast Path