Shepherd's huts near Polzeath

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Some of the warmest weather in England makes camping near the seaside village of Polzeath in Cornwall a popular summer activity. From waterfront tent pitches, campers can head into nature and explore Dartmoor National Park and Exmoor National Park on wild hikes across the moors. Keep a logout for wildlife like otters, bats, and Exmoor ponies. A trip to Penwith Heritage Coast brings campers to Land’s End at the southwestern tip of the country. Explore wild camping in the moors or book a stay in a cosy glamping pod to discover more of the valleys, rocky rivers, and sandy beaches near Polzeath.

97% (51)

Top-rated campgrounds

South Town Farm

11. South Town Farm

100%
(7)
90km from Polzeath · 11 units · Tents, Glamping · Barnstaple, Devon, South West England
South Town Camping opened for a month in 2018 to see how guests would take to its private 10-pitch site. Tucked away in North Devon's Arlington estate, amid twenty-plus miles of footpaths and bridleways, this is a campsite designed by committed campers and it shows.The grass pitches are spacious, with paths leading to them mown into the wildflower meadows, all set within six acres kept peaceful (and safe for the kids!) by the absence of cars — simply roll your belongings to your tent with the help of a super-sized wheelbarrow. At the centre of the camping fields hay meadows are left to grow throughout the summer, providing an almost-wild aesthetic befitting of the sprawling surrounding woodland of which you'll enjoy uninterrupted views. Watch the sunset to the west right from your tent and, on clear nights, you'll have an enviable spot to take in the starry skies. If you don't fancy pitching a tent a shepherd's hut is also available, a cosy option for couples with outdoor seating for those nights cooking by the fire.Given that this is a campsite belonging to the environmentally-conscious South Town Farm, your time staying at the site will be as eco-friendly as possible. Your hosts take care of 200 acres of this estate, having National Trust tenancy of South Town and managing its grasslands, which remain unimproved to maintain the unique biodiversity of the region. In keeping with this ethos, your available amenities also won't impact the land — there are composting loos, a gas-powered warm shower and cold drinking water pumped directly from the mains to the sheltered washing-up hut.Despite South Town Camping's position out in the sticks, it's within excellent reach of its neighbouring beaches, all a short drive away. Woolacombe beach will likely be the first port of call for sun-chasers, given its reputation as not only one of the best beaches in the West Country, but one of the best in the world — two miles of sloping sand facing the Atlantic Ocean, and a favourite for families and surfers with thousands descending upon it each year. Or, if you don't fancy feeling the sand between your toes, multiple marked walks await you directly from your tent — embark on a ramble through the ample woodland and emerge at the Pyne Arms, the nearest pub, where award-winning food awaits.
Potable water
Campfires
Showers
from 
£20
 / night
Wild About Campers

18. Wild About Campers

100%
(2)
130km from Polzeath · 5 units · Glamping · Stockland, Devon, South West England
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
Potable water
Campfires
from 
£89
 / night

Some of the warmest weather in England makes camping near the seaside village of Polzeath in Cornwall a popular summer activity. From waterfront tent pitches, campers can head into nature and explore Dartmoor National Park and Exmoor National Park on wild hikes across the moors. Keep a logout for wildlife like otters, bats, and Exmoor ponies. A trip to Penwith Heritage Coast brings campers to Land’s End at the southwestern tip of the country. Explore wild camping in the moors or book a stay in a cosy glamping pod to discover more of the valleys, rocky rivers, and sandy beaches near Polzeath.

97% (51)

Top-rated campgrounds

South Town Farm

11. South Town Farm

100%
(7)
90km from Polzeath · 11 units · Tents, Glamping · Barnstaple, Devon, South West England
South Town Camping opened for a month in 2018 to see how guests would take to its private 10-pitch site. Tucked away in North Devon's Arlington estate, amid twenty-plus miles of footpaths and bridleways, this is a campsite designed by committed campers and it shows.The grass pitches are spacious, with paths leading to them mown into the wildflower meadows, all set within six acres kept peaceful (and safe for the kids!) by the absence of cars — simply roll your belongings to your tent with the help of a super-sized wheelbarrow. At the centre of the camping fields hay meadows are left to grow throughout the summer, providing an almost-wild aesthetic befitting of the sprawling surrounding woodland of which you'll enjoy uninterrupted views. Watch the sunset to the west right from your tent and, on clear nights, you'll have an enviable spot to take in the starry skies. If you don't fancy pitching a tent a shepherd's hut is also available, a cosy option for couples with outdoor seating for those nights cooking by the fire.Given that this is a campsite belonging to the environmentally-conscious South Town Farm, your time staying at the site will be as eco-friendly as possible. Your hosts take care of 200 acres of this estate, having National Trust tenancy of South Town and managing its grasslands, which remain unimproved to maintain the unique biodiversity of the region. In keeping with this ethos, your available amenities also won't impact the land — there are composting loos, a gas-powered warm shower and cold drinking water pumped directly from the mains to the sheltered washing-up hut.Despite South Town Camping's position out in the sticks, it's within excellent reach of its neighbouring beaches, all a short drive away. Woolacombe beach will likely be the first port of call for sun-chasers, given its reputation as not only one of the best beaches in the West Country, but one of the best in the world — two miles of sloping sand facing the Atlantic Ocean, and a favourite for families and surfers with thousands descending upon it each year. Or, if you don't fancy feeling the sand between your toes, multiple marked walks await you directly from your tent — embark on a ramble through the ample woodland and emerge at the Pyne Arms, the nearest pub, where award-winning food awaits.
Potable water
Campfires
Showers
from 
£20
 / night
Wild About Campers

18. Wild About Campers

100%
(2)
130km from Polzeath · 5 units · Glamping · Stockland, Devon, South West England
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
Potable water
Campfires
from 
£89
 / night

Camper favorites near Polzeath

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Shepherd's huts near Polzeath guide

Where to go

Dartmoor National Park

An hour east of Polzeath is Dartmoor National Park, where deep river valleys cut through granite landscape. Join the otters for a splash in one of the many rivers that run through Dartmoor, or hike through the woodland valleys where dormice and bats make their homes. Rustic camping is popular in the park, with plenty of tranquil tent pitches that offer a view of the starry night skies. Campervans are welcome, although small roads may restrict larger vehicles.

Exmoor National Park

From England’s highest cliffs to winding trails through wide moors, Exmoor National Park offers one of the best walking parks in the UK. Trails range from rugged to easy, with some specially marked for accessible adventures—free from steps and stiles. Landowner permission is required for wild camping in the park, and accommodations ranging from tent camping to glamping and lodging offer a way for everyone to have a comfortable stay.

Penwith Heritage Coast

Discover the southwesternmost tip of England with a visit to Penwith Heritage Coast, where towering cliffs give a view over the Celtic Sea. Stroll through Chysauster Ancient Village and discover local history inside its 2,000-year-old walls, or wander the First and Last Trail for a spectacular finish at Land’s End. Local tent pitches and caravan parks offer easy access to the trails, with amenities like electric hookups and water standpipes.

When to go

Polzeath’s beachside appeal makes it especially popular as a summer camping destination, when crowds flock to the waterfront for sunny days in June and July. Spring and fall still offer pleasantly warm weather, with slightly fewer crowds at tent pitches. Some campsites remain open in winter and are ideal for a tranquil escape, though campers should be aware that sea storms and inclement weather may close some destinations on short notice.