Campsites near caves in South West Coast Path

England's longest national trail puts campers in some scenic camping spots.

100% (5 reviews)

United Kingdom
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England
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South West Coast Path

100% (5 reviews)

Popular camping styles for South West Coast Path

Dog-friendly getaways

100%

(7)

5 top cave campsites in South West Coast Path

95%

(54)

The View Camping

53 units · Tents14 acres · Poole, Dorset, South West England

Welcoming family camping with campfires and far-reaching views over Poole Harbour and the Purbeck Hills

Farview campsite

25 units · Tents5 acres · Helston, England

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(6)

West Holme Glamping, Dorset

6 units · Glamping20 acres · Wareham, Dorset, South West England

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.

American School Bus @ Woolacombe

1 unit · Glamping27 acres · Woolacombe, England

Texas School Bus – an authentic, beautifully converted American School Bus for a memory-filled and Insta-worthy stay on a truly stunning Sea View location near the beach in Woolacoombe, Devon! 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. Flanked by windows, you’ll wake up to stunning sea views. 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.

Bulstone Springs Devon Eco-Glamping

1 unit · Glamping40 acres · Devon, South West England

A unique combination of off-grid glamping and spa days in Devon

Campsites near caves in South West Coast Path guide

Overview

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.

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.