Bell tents 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.

97% (252) 161 campsites

Top-rated campgrounds in South West Coast Path

Pittaford Farm

1. Pittaford Farm

99%
(67)
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
from 
£26
 / night
Pleasant Streams Farm Camping

2. 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
from 
£15
 / night
Coppet Hill

3. Coppet Hill

100%
(88)
Bridport, England · 18 units · Tents, Glamping
Wildlife-friendly camping and glamping with private loos at each pitch, 15 minutes' drive from the coast
Campfires
Showers
Potable water
from 
£65
 / night
Halgarrack Farm Hideaway

4. Halgarrack Farm Hideaway

Redruth, England · 2 units
We are an informal and friendly site in a gorgeous part of Cornwall. These bell tents are located in a peaceful five-acre field, so there's ample space to spread out, explore and play. The field faces the west, so it catches lots of sunlight and is a great spot for watching the sky light up in pinks and oranges as the sun sets in the evening Sustainability and nature is at the heart of what we do here, so we wanted to find a way that we could make your stay unique and eco friendly without compromising on comfort. We have turned a horsebox into a shower block complete with a composting loo! Everything you see on the site has been made from upcycled and repurposed materials. All of the tents are decorated slightly differently with vintage and antique pieces, making them truly unique and one-off! This farm is centrally located, making all of Cornwall very easy to explore. Both the north and south coasts of the county can be reached in about a quarter of an hour, so you can nip up to Gwithian to catch the surf before heading south to the much-loved foodie town of Porthleven.
Showers
Campfires
Potable water
from 
£102
 / night
Flowerdew Farm

5. Flowerdew Farm

100%
(18)
Bridport, England · 23 units · Tents, Motorhomes, Glamping
Bell tents and camping with alpacas near Dorset’s Jurassic Coast
Pets
Campfires
Showers
from 
£27
 / night
Forest Edge

6. Forest Edge

100%
(24)
Sidbury, England · 44 units · Tents, Glamping
A welcoming and wild-ish camping and glamping site on the edge of a forest in East Devon
Pets
Campfires
Showers
from 
£20
 / night
Surf Pods and Camping at Atlantic Farm

7. Surf Pods and Camping at Atlantic Farm

88%
(66)
Bude, England · 50 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
from 
£26
 / night
Wild About Campers

8. 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
from 
£90
 / night
Deer Barn Retreats

9. Deer Barn Retreats

94%
(33)
Taunton, England · 3 units
Dog-friendly glamping on the Somerset-Devon border
Pets
Showers
Campfires
from 
£81
 / night
Wylde Valley Camping

10. Wylde Valley Camping

97%
(16)
Bude, England · 132 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
from 
£15
 / night
Ruby Country Camping

11. 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
from 
£15
 / night
Liberty Farm Camping

12. Liberty Farm Camping

100%
(3)
England · 22 units · Tents, Glamping
This is a small family farm, which has been organic for over 15 years. Set in an area of outstanding natural beauty, it's a lovely tranquil spot with wonderful views, only half an hour from the Jurassic Coast, yet away from the bustle of the coastal traffic and caravan parks. Campers can get organic milk from the dairy and sausages and bacon from the farm. Halstock, Corscombe and Evershot villages and pubs are close by.
Pets
Campfires
Showers
from 
£13
 / night
Livit, Glamping by the coast

13. Livit, Glamping by the coast

98%
(48)
Bideford, England · 9 units
Adventure-filled glamping with sea views to savour
Pets
Showers
Campfires
from 
£55
 / night
West Holme Glamping, Wareham,Dorset

14. West Holme Glamping, Wareham,Dorset

100%
(6)
Wareham, England · 6 units
West Holme Glamping is a micro-site with pre-erected bell tents in the Dorset Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Just the job for romantic mini-breaks or holidays for small families, it's set in 20 acres, so there’s plenty of privacy and lots of space to roam around. The bell tents here come equipped with a double bed, rugs, picnic tables, lanterns, a gazebo and a gas barbecue. The three showers and three toilets are shared between six tents.. You'll just need to bring your own bed linen and towels or add them to your booking. You can explore the area by car – medieval castles, beaches, National Trust sites and the Jurassic Coast are all less than half an hour’s drive away. Durdle Door and Lulworth Cove are 20 minutes' drive away. Pretty market towns like Dorchester (also 30 minutes) or seaside resorts like Swanage (20 minutes) are all worth a mosey, while historic Wareham has Saxon town walls and riverside churches to explore. The sandy beaches of Studland and Swanage are also within half an hour's drive of the site. If you’re feeling energetic, the Isle of Purbeck has plenty of walks and bike rides on the rocky peninsula overlooking the English Channel, as well as parts of the South West Coast Path. The local farm shop is a five-minute walk and sells the very best of local Dorset produce if you fancy cooking on the barbecue. And if you don’t, there’s a cosy tea shop attached, and there are plenty of gastropubs serving real ales and great grub in less than a 15-minute drive too.
Showers
Potable water
Cooking equipment
from 
£100
 / night
Cheglinch Camping (Wild Camping)

15. Cheglinch Camping (Wild Camping)

100%
(20)
Ilfracombe, England · 27 units · Tents, Motorhomes, Glamping
Unspoiled countryside camping on the outskirts of a working Devon farm, offering far-reaching views and a relaxed atmosphere
Pets
Campfires
Potable water
from 
£16
 / night
The High Nature Centre

16. The High Nature Centre

92%
(19)
Salcombe, England · 14 units · Tents, Motorhomes, Glamping
A stay at The High Nature Centre is sure to reinvigorate the soul as only a sojourn by the sea can
Pets
Campfires
Showers
from 
£10
 / night
Belle Camping Cornwall

17. Belle Camping Cornwall

100%
(26)
Helston, England · 5 units
Bell tents with sea views on the Lizard Peninsula
Pets
Showers
Campfires
from 
£65
 / night
Bowhayes Farm - Glamping & Camping

18. 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
from 
£22
 / night
Exclusive use Cornish Eco-Glamping

19. Exclusive use Cornish Eco-Glamping

100%
(6)
Liskeard, England · 4 units
An exclusive-hire site for riverside wild glamping in an ancient Cornish woodland
Pets
Showers
Campfires
from 
£95
 / night
Pattacott Farm

20. Pattacott Farm

100%
(14)
Launceston, England · 31 units · Tents, Motorhomes, Glamping
Simple Cornish camping on a working farm, within reach of Bude's beautiful beaches
Pets
Electrical hookup
Campfires
from 
£20
 / night

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.

97% (252) 161 campsites

Top-rated campgrounds in South West Coast Path

Pittaford Farm

1. Pittaford Farm

99%
(67)
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
from 
£26
 / night
Pleasant Streams Farm Camping

2. 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
from 
£15
 / night
Coppet Hill

3. Coppet Hill

100%
(88)
Bridport, England · 18 units · Tents, Glamping
Wildlife-friendly camping and glamping with private loos at each pitch, 15 minutes' drive from the coast
Campfires
Showers
Potable water
from 
£65
 / night
Halgarrack Farm Hideaway

4. Halgarrack Farm Hideaway

Redruth, England · 2 units
We are an informal and friendly site in a gorgeous part of Cornwall. These bell tents are located in a peaceful five-acre field, so there's ample space to spread out, explore and play. The field faces the west, so it catches lots of sunlight and is a great spot for watching the sky light up in pinks and oranges as the sun sets in the evening Sustainability and nature is at the heart of what we do here, so we wanted to find a way that we could make your stay unique and eco friendly without compromising on comfort. We have turned a horsebox into a shower block complete with a composting loo! Everything you see on the site has been made from upcycled and repurposed materials. All of the tents are decorated slightly differently with vintage and antique pieces, making them truly unique and one-off! This farm is centrally located, making all of Cornwall very easy to explore. Both the north and south coasts of the county can be reached in about a quarter of an hour, so you can nip up to Gwithian to catch the surf before heading south to the much-loved foodie town of Porthleven.
Showers
Campfires
Potable water
from 
£102
 / night
Flowerdew Farm

5. Flowerdew Farm

100%
(18)
Bridport, England · 23 units · Tents, Motorhomes, Glamping
Bell tents and camping with alpacas near Dorset’s Jurassic Coast
Pets
Campfires
Showers
from 
£27
 / night
Forest Edge

6. Forest Edge

100%
(24)
Sidbury, England · 44 units · Tents, Glamping
A welcoming and wild-ish camping and glamping site on the edge of a forest in East Devon
Pets
Campfires
Showers
from 
£20
 / night
Surf Pods and Camping at Atlantic Farm

7. Surf Pods and Camping at Atlantic Farm

88%
(66)
Bude, England · 50 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
from 
£26
 / night
Wild About Campers

8. 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
from 
£90
 / night
Deer Barn Retreats

9. Deer Barn Retreats

94%
(33)
Taunton, England · 3 units
Dog-friendly glamping on the Somerset-Devon border
Pets
Showers
Campfires
from 
£81
 / night
Wylde Valley Camping

10. Wylde Valley Camping

97%
(16)
Bude, England · 132 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
from 
£15
 / night
Ruby Country Camping

11. 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
from 
£15
 / night
Liberty Farm Camping

12. Liberty Farm Camping

100%
(3)
England · 22 units · Tents, Glamping
This is a small family farm, which has been organic for over 15 years. Set in an area of outstanding natural beauty, it's a lovely tranquil spot with wonderful views, only half an hour from the Jurassic Coast, yet away from the bustle of the coastal traffic and caravan parks. Campers can get organic milk from the dairy and sausages and bacon from the farm. Halstock, Corscombe and Evershot villages and pubs are close by.
Pets
Campfires
Showers
from 
£13
 / night
Livit, Glamping by the coast

13. Livit, Glamping by the coast

98%
(48)
Bideford, England · 9 units
Adventure-filled glamping with sea views to savour
Pets
Showers
Campfires
from 
£55
 / night
West Holme Glamping, Wareham,Dorset

14. West Holme Glamping, Wareham,Dorset

100%
(6)
Wareham, England · 6 units
West Holme Glamping is a micro-site with pre-erected bell tents in the Dorset Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Just the job for romantic mini-breaks or holidays for small families, it's set in 20 acres, so there’s plenty of privacy and lots of space to roam around. The bell tents here come equipped with a double bed, rugs, picnic tables, lanterns, a gazebo and a gas barbecue. The three showers and three toilets are shared between six tents.. You'll just need to bring your own bed linen and towels or add them to your booking. You can explore the area by car – medieval castles, beaches, National Trust sites and the Jurassic Coast are all less than half an hour’s drive away. Durdle Door and Lulworth Cove are 20 minutes' drive away. Pretty market towns like Dorchester (also 30 minutes) or seaside resorts like Swanage (20 minutes) are all worth a mosey, while historic Wareham has Saxon town walls and riverside churches to explore. The sandy beaches of Studland and Swanage are also within half an hour's drive of the site. If you’re feeling energetic, the Isle of Purbeck has plenty of walks and bike rides on the rocky peninsula overlooking the English Channel, as well as parts of the South West Coast Path. The local farm shop is a five-minute walk and sells the very best of local Dorset produce if you fancy cooking on the barbecue. And if you don’t, there’s a cosy tea shop attached, and there are plenty of gastropubs serving real ales and great grub in less than a 15-minute drive too.
Showers
Potable water
Cooking equipment
from 
£100
 / night
Cheglinch Camping (Wild Camping)

15. Cheglinch Camping (Wild Camping)

100%
(20)
Ilfracombe, England · 27 units · Tents, Motorhomes, Glamping
Unspoiled countryside camping on the outskirts of a working Devon farm, offering far-reaching views and a relaxed atmosphere
Pets
Campfires
Potable water
from 
£16
 / night
The High Nature Centre

16. The High Nature Centre

92%
(19)
Salcombe, England · 14 units · Tents, Motorhomes, Glamping
A stay at The High Nature Centre is sure to reinvigorate the soul as only a sojourn by the sea can
Pets
Campfires
Showers
from 
£10
 / night
Belle Camping Cornwall

17. Belle Camping Cornwall

100%
(26)
Helston, England · 5 units
Bell tents with sea views on the Lizard Peninsula
Pets
Showers
Campfires
from 
£65
 / night
Bowhayes Farm - Glamping & Camping

18. 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
from 
£22
 / night
Exclusive use Cornish Eco-Glamping

19. Exclusive use Cornish Eco-Glamping

100%
(6)
Liskeard, England · 4 units
An exclusive-hire site for riverside wild glamping in an ancient Cornish woodland
Pets
Showers
Campfires
from 
£95
 / night
Pattacott Farm

20. Pattacott Farm

100%
(14)
Launceston, England · 31 units · Tents, Motorhomes, Glamping
Simple Cornish camping on a working farm, within reach of Bude's beautiful beaches
Pets
Electrical hookup
Campfires
from 
£20
 / night

Recent reviews from the Hipcamp community

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

Bell tents in South West Coast Path 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.

Top counties in and near South West Coast Path