Bell tents in South West Coast Path

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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% (265) 169 campsites

Top-rated campgrounds in South West Coast Path

Forest Edge

1. Forest Edge

100%
(25)
Sidbury, England · 16 units · Tents, Motorhomes, Glamping
A welcoming and wild-ish camping and glamping site on the edge of a forest in East Devon
Pets
Electrical hookup
Campfires
Pittaford Farm

2. 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
Bowhayes Farm - Glamping & Camping

3. 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
Heydaze Camp

4. Heydaze Camp

England · 5 units
Hobby Farm with converted barn and outbuildings. Alpacas, hens, geese, ducks, quail. Dogs. Small natural spring fed lake.
Pets
Showers
Campfires
Flowerdew Farm

5. Flowerdew Farm

100%
(18)
Bridport, England · 18 units · Tents, Motorhomes, Glamping
Bell tents and camping with alpacas near Dorset’s Jurassic Coast
Pets
Campfires
Showers
Livit, Glamping by the coast

6. Livit, Glamping by the coast

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

7. 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
Belle Camping Cornwall

8. Belle Camping Cornwall

100%
(26)
Helston, England · 4 units
Bell tents with sea views on the Lizard Peninsula
Pets
Showers
Campfires
Gatcombe Park Farm Glamping

9. Gatcombe Park Farm Glamping

85%
(17)
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
Surf Pods and Camping at Atlantic Farm

10. 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
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
Ruby Country Camping

12. 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
Wylde Valley Camping

13. 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
Knowle Meadow Camping

14. Knowle Meadow Camping

100%
(2)
England · 4 units · Tents, Motorhomes, Glamping
Knowle Meadow Camping is a multi-award winning lavish camping and glamping site in a tree-enclosed meadow located in the heart of south Somerset, eight minutes from Ilminster. The site offers a small, intimate number of camping pitches as well as fantastic glamping options, including a Shepherd's Hut and Lotus Stargazer Belle tents. The site has a Scandinavian wood-fired barrel sauna available for all guests on Saturdays, Sundays, Tuesdays and Thursdays typically from 5pm until 6pm. It has a half-moon window showcasing the beautiful views of the surrounding countryside and an accompanying cold water bucket shower. There are hotel-style washrooms, with powerful rainfall showers. With ten generously sized pitches available for tents or small campervans, the site offers a memorable and intimate camping experience. The camping pitches are all individual, surrounded by wildflowers and long grass, creating a picturesque setting for all campers. There is also an all-weather barn with seating, and campers have access to a fridge freezer. The Yarrow Shepherd's Hut is a two person hut made locally in Merriott. It boasts a superbly comfortable double bed, warming log burner, mini kitchen, and private Scandinavian woodfired hot tub. Yarrow's private hedge-enclosed garden has a firepit with a grill and outside seating, offering stunning views of the surrounding area. The site also offers two Lotus Stargazer Belle Tents (each sleeps up to two adults and two children), Bluebell and Foxglove, each with its own unique style. Both tents are six metres in diameter with skylight windows, providing uninterrupted views of the night sky. Each tent has a king-size bed and two single "camp" beds suitable for children. There are log burners, fire pits and outdoor kitchens. Electricity is available too. There are a wealth of walks direct from the campsite to a number of local pubs and other attractions. Further down our lane is a cycle path which links to Ilminster, Chard and beyond. The Jurassic Coast (and Lyme Regis) can be reached within 25 minutes. Knowle Meadow Camping won gold for the New Tourism Business of the Year and silver for Campsite of the Year at the Bristol, Bath & Somerset Tourism Awards 2024/25 and silver for Campsite of the Year in 2025/26.
Pets
Campfires
Showers
Buckland Farm Camping

15. 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
Dorset Farm Camping @ Dewflock Farm

16. Dorset Farm Camping @ Dewflock Farm

100%
(21)
Dorchester, England · 8 units
Shepherd's huts and bell tents on the farm with a prime location between historic Dorchester and seaside Weymouth
Showers
Campfires
Wifi
Strive Glamping

17. Strive Glamping

100%
(1)
Dorchester, England · 5 units
Strive Glamping offers a unique holiday experience in a beautiful meadow surrounded by woods and wildlife. Keeping life simple and looking after the environment are central to the ethos of the woods. The woodlands extend to over 60 acres, nestled in Dorset countryside. Only 20 minutes from the Jurassic Coast, and connected by numerous bridleways and footpaths to both local and national walks, it is perfectly positioned for a wonderful break. Our pretty paddock surrounded by fields contain 5 beautiful classic 5 meter Bell tents. Glamping is 20 minutes’ drive from Dorchester in Dorset Half an hour’s drive to the Jurassic Coast and Weymouth harbour Woodland walks accessed from the pitches, trout fishing next door Whether you’re looking for a couples’ getaway or a weekend meet-up with a large bunch of pals, you’ll find what you’re looking for at Strive Glamping at Southover Woods, With more than 60 acres of private woodland and meadow, and the perfect view of a stunning sunset. No matter whether there are two of you or 6 of you, you’ll have plenty of space and privacy. Each comes with two camping beds with mattresses, two bedside tables and lamps, carpeting and rugs, outdoor seating and a travel cot if requested on booking. If you’re quiet at night, the chances are you’ll get to hear owls a-hooting and may even see elusive deer flitting through the trees. Direct from the pitches, you can walk for miles on an extensive network of footpaths in Southover Woods, connecting up with the long-distance Hardy Way and Dorset Jubilee Trail. Keen angers can head right next door to the well-stocked trout pools at Wessex Fly Fishing. The Southover Woods owners also organise bushcraft sessions, yoga, forest bathing and woodland games please see activities listed. Just so you’re aware, the Bell Tent pitches are down a long and bumpy track that can get muddy, and there will be some fetching and carrying of gear required from your vehicles. Situated in the heart of Southover Woods is the amazing Chloe at Birchbark Events. Chloe offers a full range of activities including bushcraft and survival, Foraging, Wellness, Yoga, Team Building, events catering for children, families, large groups and survival specialists. Birchbark Events tailor events around you. Bushcraft is the practice of outdoor skills, studying and developing the understanding, in order to not only survive but thrive in nature. Fire lighting and management, Tools of the trade, Shelter building and camp craft, Axe and knife skills, Water purification, Natural navigation, Tree identification, Whittling, knots and ropes and Access to Wooodland play area.
Showers
Campfires
Potable water
Lickham Bottom Camp

18. Lickham Bottom Camp

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

19. 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
Ekopod Glamping Site Cornwall

20. Ekopod Glamping Site Cornwall

100%
(3)
England · 1 unit
Come “glamping” in Cornwall at award winning Ekopod, where you can relax in our luxurious pods, nestled in a beautiful rural landscape. Our tranquil glamping site is the perfect escape. Situated in beautiful countryside on the edge of Bodmin Moor we are still close enough the A30 and Atlantic Highway to make us a perfect base for exploring Cornwall. For extra relaxation, a wild spa is available to book on site (extra cost). During the day explore the North Cornwall beaches, or head to Bude, Boscastle, Tintagel, Port Isaac or The Eden Project. At night head back to your beautiful tent for alfresco dining by your stream and enjoy views of the milky way in this dark skies area.
Pets
Showers
Campfires

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

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