Woodland camping in Devon

From wind-lashed Exmoor and Dartmoor to the fossil-studded Jurassic Coast, Devon delivers the wild natural beauty of England’s southwest.

96% (216 reviews)
96% (216 reviews)

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12 top forest campsites in Devon

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(3)

Little Harford Lower Woodland

5 units · Tents3 acres · Exeter, England
Little Harford Lower Woodland is set in a property of just over 6 acres, an old thatched cottage with an artistic and creative atmosphere. The woodland here at Little Harford is a tranquil place for people wanting to find peace and quiet in a back to nature experience. A small river meanders through the bottom of the lower woodland which can occasionally come up to the top of the bank with lots of rain. A winding path leads down to where the land levels out at the water meadow area of the woodland. A family of buzzards live in the valley and you can often hear owls, pheasants and wild birds. A certain degree of fitness is needed as there is no vehicle access and wheelbarrows are available to help move your gear. There is parking at the entrance to the lower woodland on hard standing. A compost toilet is available for all No.2’s and mindful wild peeing is encouraged. Tap water is available from an outside tap at the property for washing up (eco products provided) and drinking water but currently no shower. Campfires are allowed and seasoned wood can be purchased at a small extra cost. Nearest village of Tedburn St Mary with a local pub with good pub food and the village shop is 1 ½ miles away. The nearest town of Crediton is 3 miles away with plenty of supermarkets, cafes, pubs and restaurants. Dartmoor is close by with Fingle Bridge just a 20 minute drive. We only offer a very limited number of camping spots at any time to preserve the tranquility for everyone. BBQs and firepits allowed, dog friendly
Pets
Potable water
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from 
£30
 / night
100%
(11)

Homemade Holidays

2 units · Glamping14 acres · Devon, South West England
A hidden paradise of 4 acres of organic smallholding, next to 10 acres of re-wilding field and 90 acres of Holyford Woods Nature Reserve. 2 unique and comfortable off grid yurts (each sleep 5) with extra sleeping spaces available on request. Dog friendly. Kid heaven! Buzzard Yurt on the hillside at the top of the paddock, with its large terrace and stunning views across the Axe valley. Kingfisher Yurt, nestled down by the wild swimming and kayaking pond, amongst the oak trees. Each has exclusive use of their own homemade, separate, fully equipped kitchen, a cosy chill-out area with books and games, and private indoor shower. Each yurt pitch has its own compost loo and campfire area. Optional commode to avoid going out to compost loo in the night. Shared games and music room with pool table, piano etc. Extra wood at low cost, freezer space and additional tent space all available. Homegrown vege and eggs are often available from the organic smallholding. You're welcome to join in with growing, harvesting, juicing, preserving, cooking, egg collection etc. Detox and unwind from the digital world - though you'll find wi-fi in your chill-out space and kitchen 😉 Wild swimming in our natural swimming pond, which has a selection of kayaks and boards. Great for building open water confidence and paddle practice. Woodfired hot tub and small cold tub available at an extra charge. Fresh spring water (no chemicals). Relax and enjoy the views. Dog friendly with a choice of great footpaths, straight from the yurts into the nature reserve, onto the East Devon way, up to views from Pratt's Hill and to the re-wilding wood 2 miles away. Next to Holyford Woods Nature Reserve, famous locally for its magical bluebell display. Walk to Lyme bay and link in to the South West coast path. Hike the wild undercliffs to Lyme Regis and get the bus back. Or head West to Beer beach, Branscombe and Sidmouth. Lifts can be arranged if you come by public transport. Hike over to our 26 acre rewilding woodland for a campfire, den building or badger watching. So much to do in the local area...Seaton Wetlands, Seaton Tramway and the new Jurassic Centre...Musbury Camp and Blackbury Camp...fossil hunting at Charmouth...Lyme Regis fossil museum and aquarium...Beer Quarry Caves, Pecorama model train gardens...crazy golf...Sidmouth Folk Festival...Beavers on the River Otter...wolves, bears, lynx and more at Escot Park.
Pets
Potable water
Campfires
Showers
Trash
from 
£108
 / night

Under £50

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

Woodland camping in Devon guide

Overview

With two of England’s most superbly remote national parks and a smattering of other protected natural spaces (all framed between surf-washed coastlines), Devon is known for its outdoor adventure scene. Beachside barbecues, swims in the English Channel, hikes along jagged cliffs, fossil-hunting on the Jurassic Coast, and all kinds of other activities—from coasteering to kayaking—are among the county’s seaside joys. Inland, sprawling moors and woodlands mean wild camping, open skies, and isolated hikes, plus cycling and horse rides. While the county plays host to big caravan parks and holiday centres, local farms also run independent campsites that rule the roost. And each season unveils a different side to Devon, whether you visit during springtime blooms or autumn colours.

Where to go

Dartmoor National Park & South Devon

While the north coast is home to vast sandy beaches that seem to go on for miles, the southernmost stretch of Devon’s coastline takes in vibrant Plymouth, surfy Torquay, and riverside Dartmouth, along with the protected South Devon Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB). Just inland, much-loved Dartmoor sprawls over 368 square miles of heath-covered national-park wilderness, criss-crossed by walking paths, off-road cycling routes, and wandering cattle and wild ponies, as well as plenty of caravan parks and campsites that offer simple patches to pitch a tent or park your campervan away from the crowds. Whether you're hunting for a school holiday stay at a pop-up campsite, a snug glamping getaway, or a winter campervan break, there’s plenty of choice in South Devon among white-water kayaking, rock-climbing, and horse riding.

Exmoor National Park & North Devon

Windswept moors, quiet woodlands, forested valleys, sweeping coastal views and roaming horses make Exmoor one of the southwest’s most magical corners. This 267-square-mile space has been a protected national park since the 1950s, with hundreds of miles of walking, cycling, and horse-riding trails, and you can try everything from coasteering to kayaking to pony trekking. Also in north Devon are the county’s best surf beaches (especially around Croyde and Woolacombe), some delightful villages, and spectacular camping spots, whether you’re keen to stay on the sandy blonde coast or go wild camping on Exmoor.

Devon's Jurassic Coast

Stretching east from Exmouth all the way to Old Harry Rocks in neighbouring Dorset, the 95-mile Jurassic Coast is a UNESCO-protected highlight of southern England, covering 185 million years of history. Devon’s section (the most ancient) is known for its plunging rust-coloured Triassic cliffs and is protected by the 103-square-mile East Devon AONB. Spend days swimming at blissful sandy beaches, unearthing ancient fossils, walking some of the long-distance South West Coast Path, heading out sea-kayaking, paddle-boarding or surfing, and exploring charming coastal towns and villages like Sidmouth, Seaton, and Beer (known for its white-chalk cliffs).

Exeter & East Devon

Head inland from Devon’s Jurassic Coast and you’ll reach lively Exeter, with its astonishing 12th- to 13th-century cathedral, intriguing Roman history and busy bar-and-restaurant scene. Much of the rippling countryside to the city's east is protected by the East Devon AONB and, on the Somerset border, the small-yet-biodiverse Blackdown Hills AONB. Both offer rewarding cycling, horse riding, water sports, stargazing and, of course, camping, as well as lovely walks among river valleys, wide-open ridges, and remote farms and villages (including the 40-mile East Devon Way).

Family Camping in Devon

While surfers crowd the most popular beaches in Devon, it’s families that really make the place their home each summer, cementing the county as one of the most popular family holiday locations in the UK. The good weather, vast amount of space, family-friendly restaurants and, of course, the camping all contribute to this status. Heaps of excellent family campsites can be found in Devon—both in the north and the south—with many campsites catering to families with family shower rooms, baby-changing facilities, paddling pools, and more. And during school summer holidays, North Devon is a hive of activity, where kids are quick to make friends and rabble around in playful groups throwing frizbees and regaling new buddies with stories from their days at the beach. Whether you’re a fan of coastal camping or fancy retreating inland to a hidden spot on a rural farm, there’s sure to be a family campsite to suit your needs.

Top 8 Things to Do in Devon

  1. Learn to surf in Croyde Bay.
  2. Hike to Bronze Age stone circles in the heart of Dartmoor National Park.
  3. Walk a section of the South West Coast Path.
  4. Catch a ferry out to Lundy Island.
  5. Eat ice cream on the waterfront in Salcombe.
  6. Bring bikes to cycle the renowned Tarka Trail.
  7. Get hopelessly lost among the dunes at Braunton Burrows.
  8. Lap up the dark skies of rural Devon with some late-night stargazing.

Top counties near Devon

Top towns in and near Devon

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