Campsites with swimming in South West Coast Path
England's longest national trail puts campers in some scenic camping spots.
96% (443 reviews)
- South West Coast Path
96% (443 reviews)
Popular camping styles for South West Coast Path
Dog-friendly getaways
Under £50
12 top campsites in South West Coast Path with swimming
90%
(62)
Surf Pods and Camping at Atlantic Farm
50 units · Glamping, Motorhomes, Tents1 acre · Bude, Cornwall, South West England
Glamping near Bude, with eye-catching eco-pods, a staggering treehouse for couples and traditional tent camping
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£26
/ night
97%
(120)
Cornish Tipi Holidays & Camping
127 units · Glamping, Motorhomes, Tents20 acres · Cornwall, South West England
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.
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£25
/ night
93%
(7)
Cerenety Eco Campsite
5 units · Motorhomes, Tents5 acres · Bude, Cornwall, South West England
Back-to-basics camping on the edge of Bude
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£30
/ night
100%
(1)
Camp Bedrock
1 unit · Motorhome, Tent4 acres · Plymouth, England
Camp Bedrock is just outside Cremyll on the Rame Peninsula, with the entrance to the 865-acre Mount Edgcumbe House and Country Park five minutes’ walk away along the coast path.
This is a pretty waterside woodland spot on the banks of the Tamar river (and at the start/finish point of the Tamar Way), and you can also follow the coast path down to lovely seaside spots like the twin villages of Kingsand and Cawsand – or all the way along to the sandy beach and surf school at Whitsand Bay. As the location faces west you’ll often be treated to a colourful sunset as the backdrop to your evening barbecue or campfire too.
So that’s countryside, river and coast sorted – anything else? Well, yes actually – the city of Plymouth is just across the river, and easily accessed via the foot ferry a few minutes’ walk away. That means you can be at the restaurants of Royal William Yard in about 20 minutes, or exploring the city centre’s attractions (like the Barbican, the Mayflower Steps and National Marine Aquarium) in about 45 minutes.
Closer to base, there’s also a lovely waterside pub about five minutes’ walk away, and plenty of facilities within the country park (including some nice cafés as well as activities like alpaca walks and disc golf).
On site, it’s a dog- and family-friendly setup where you can pick your own pitch. As a pop-up wild camping location there are no frills, but you will have access to compost toilets.
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£12
/ night
100%
(42)
Hole Station 18+ Woodland Camping
8 units · Glamping, Tents23 acres · Devon, South West England
A firm favourite among the camping fraternity (hardly surprising given its secluded woodland pitches, campfire encouragement, and natural beauty)
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£13
/ night
97%
(169)
South Dean Camping
70 units · Motorhomes, Tents12 acres · Barnstaple, Devon, South West England
Clifftop camping with epic sea views, right next to Exmoor National Park.
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£35
/ night
Booked 2 times
Three Hares Campsite
15 units · Motorhomes, Tents1 acre · Exeter, England
A simple site with campfires, tree swings and hammocks in Dartmoor
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£8
/ night
100%
(120)
Secret Spot Camping Saunton
12 units · Tents2 acres · Devon, South West England
Finding this exclusive Devon spot is like making it on to the best VIP guest list in town
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£20
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93%
(209)
Sweet Hill Farm
10 units · Motorhomes, Tents1 acre · Dorset, South West England
Simple, almost-wild, seaside camping on the Isle of Portland
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£12
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Willow Valley Holiday Park
33 units · Glamping, Motorhomes, Tents4 acres · Bude , England
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.
Chris and Jen both love Cornwall and were married just down the coast in Rock in 2017. After that, they looked for an opportunity to move to Cornwall and Willow Valley has provided the perfect opportunity.
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!
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£22
/ night
Booked 12 times
Tregella Place Camping
40 units · Motorhomes, Tents12 acres · Padstow, England
Tregella Place Camping offers a peaceful retreat in the quiet Cornish countryside. With lovely farmland views, this rural park provides a satisfying stay while still being close to necessary amenities. You can easily pick up fresh eggs from a nearby chicken farm, and a supermarket and a pub serving food are just a short drive away.
Food enthusiasts will appreciate the gastronomic hotspot of Padstow, which is only a 10-minute drive from the park and offers a variety of highly rated restaurants, coffee shops, and bars, including those helmed by chef Rick Stein. If you enjoy walking, you can take a scenic route through the cornfields to reach Padstow. On-site, you'll find a bar housed in a converted bus, serving Cornish beers and ciders, as well as live music on weekends. During high summer, there is a pop-up street kitchen and a communal picnic area for family dining. The facilities at Tregella Place Camping are, including a shower block with family-size showers, changing areas, electric points for charging devices, hairdryers, and a washing-up area. The park also offers direct access to the South West Coast Path and is located near the Camel Trail cycle path for those who enjoy cycling adventures.
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£20
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Bramble Meadow Camping
4 units · Glamping, Motorhomes, Tents2 acres · Paignton, Devon, South West England
An off grid shepherd’s hut and nearly wild camping in South Devon
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£20
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Star Hosts in South West Coast Path
Available this weekend
Campsites with swimming 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.
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