Best camping, glamping, and outdoor stays in Dartmouth

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With its colorful harbor, cobblestone lanes, and medieval castle, Dartmouth paints a pretty picture. Perched on the banks of the River Dart and surrounded by forested hills, campers have easy access to nature, whether hiking through the hills or getting on the water. Admire the views from Dartmouth Castle, ride the ferry to Kingswear, or explore the riverside on foot or by bike. Birds, seals, and other wildlife can be spotted along the River Dart—take a paddle steamer cruise, paddle around the estuary on a kayak or stand-up paddleboard, then grab some fish and chips from one of the harborside restaurants. 

95% (1.2K)

Top-rated campgrounds

The Look Out

4. The Look Out

75km from Dartmouth · 1 unit · Glamping · England
Welcome to the ‘Look Out’, our beautiful handmade pod, set in 12 acres of woodland and pasture nature reserve above our offgrid eco lodge - The Sanctuary Cornwall. First things first - this is for those guests who are used to camping and all that it entails, but with the opportunity to explore an offgrid stay with quite a bit more comfort than camping normally provides! It needs to be emphasised that booking this space is really for the relatively fit and active. There is one car parking space available half way up our driveway, but after that it is not only a walk uphill to the main building, but a further steep walk uphill to the Look Out. You will need to carry everything that you need. It is definitely worth it - the views are amazing! You are away and up above, but within easy reach of the Sanctuary. There will also be some filling and emptying of water containers involved, and you may like to charge the solar battery from the panel on sunny days! So, what do we offer? A king bed. Fair trade, organic bed linen, and cotton & bamboo towels. A fold up table and two wicker chairs. Charnwood wood burning stove, with firelighters, kindling, brush and poker set. Wood, selected and dried is available free of charge for the first basket, £5 after that. A tiny kitchen pod with a single gas burner and even tinier sink with pop up tap. Underneath, there is a 10 litre water container for fresh water and another for waste. These can be filled or emptied at the Sanctuary. There is a kettle, teapot, coffee pot, enamel mugs, crockery & cutlery, knives, breadboard and washing up things. A solar battery to provide power for the tap pump along with charging facilities for charging your phone or laptop (we hope you won’t be bringing work with you!) Led battery lanterns - we ask that you do not burn candles - we have a good range of battery candles for you. There is also a separate wooden shelter kitchen, with kitchen worktop, washing up bow and two burner gas stove. It has a cool box, saucepans, crockery etc and a lidded storage box for food. There is a 10 litre water container with a tap, and bins for kitchen waste, recycling and general rubbish. This is next to the Look Out, and there is a separate charcoal fire pit and seating under the trees. We ask that you burn nothing other than the fuel you are provided with. A composting toilet in its own, handmade building next to the Crow’s Nest, with a water container and small bowl for washing hands. An exclusive use shower room is back at the Sanctuary (a short walk downhill) and there is a separate flushing toilet (not exclusive, but only used by occasional staff members) Another outdoor kitchen for all guests with a gas barbecue, and wood fired pizza oven, picnic tables and an outdoor sink. You can wash up and fill your containers there from our own filtered spring water. This is at the side of the Sanctuary building. Storage benches on the covered deck area, with outdoor cushions, and a welly rack. In good weather, a pair of hammocks under the trees to relax in! Hopefully, during the season, there will be produce available from our new vegetable garden and polytunnel - as long as the voles, rabbits, pigeons, blackbirds & deer haven’t beaten us to it! You have a parking space in the carpark for one car - this is halfway down the steep entrance track. If you are nervous of driving small lanes and steep hills, we may not be right for you. We do not accept dogs at The Lookout, as we feel it is a bit small, and we do not allow dogs on any furniture so it’s not fair to them. Also, it is a wild landscape with deer etc and so there is no secure place for them to be other than on a lead. We are also adults only, and there are quiet hours between 10pm and 9am, and we are strictly no smoking. Although you are private at The Look Out, you are also part of our Eco Lodge surroundings, and nature reserve, and we also welcome bed and breakfast guests, so there will be others around. You are also welcome to join us for breakfast at the Sanctuary building for an extra charge. We have a good village pub, 5 mins walk away, (www.fishermansarmsgolant.co.uk) and a kayak/paddleboard company in the village (www.encountercornwall.com)
Potable water
Showers
Trash
from 
£100
 / night
Entrance to your secluded pitch

14. The Secret Garden

100%
(5)
105km from Dartmouth · 3 units · Tents, Motorhomes, Glamping · Newquay, Cornwall
2 sites to stay ruby rose for chalet or jasmine pitch for van This secret garden's is surrounded by the fields and tall hedges, a magical place, it’s in a world of its own and will certainly make those memories. * Private spacious camping in a very peaceful and beautiful space just for you and your favorites ! either with chalet on its own, van, tents or both :) chalet with double bed, single bed, bathroom, shower, tv mini kitchen, plates, kettle, cutlery, pots & pans, outside washing up area Chill in your massive jacuzzi with a your favourite drink and best tunes 🎶 (add on for Jasmine) * Picnic bench, garden, hot shower, flushing toilet, firepit (add on for Jasmine) * A very special gated garden to spend time out with your favourite people. Family friendly You may spot wild pheasants, chickens, indian runner ducks, our super friendly Bengal Cats! if you like them!😻 Your own furry friends are welcome as it is a gated secure garden. Enjoy the fire pit (wood and firelighters can be brought in advance) or bring your own :) Your car/van can park right outside the gate to your secret garden. (jasmine is another pitch) Lovely walk down the bottom of our lane to river gannel, bring your own paddle boards, kayaks, yourself for a swim :) From the river gannel if you walk from your garden it will take you to crantock beach and quant village, including the 2 local pubs worth a visit if your into our local history. Trenance 15 minute walk 0r 3 minute drive (walk the country back lane here to Trenance via river gannel for a beautiful nature walk) *Horse riding along the river gannel at Trenance riding stables *Trenance Boating lake, Tea rooms, rose gardens and Boat hire *Trenance Play park for the kids 5 mins walk to esso/budgens for essentials 24 hour 5 Mins car ride to the quant Crantock Village beach, or long walk to the beach. Tearooms, the outstanding C-bay day spa for an extra special day out. 1.2 miles into town, 10 min car ride to Newquay town centre to visit our beautiful Cornish beaches, harbour (fishing trips) golf course, chip shops, deliveroo do deliver here :) Lifts i can do for £10 back from town before 12am if your stuck :) Bus direct into Newquay town Center or any other part of Cornwall 4 minute walk down the lane :)
Pets
Potable water
Campfires
from 
£29
 / night
Kayaking on the River Brue from the campsite

20. Little Eden Riverside Campsite

99%
(59)
107km from Dartmouth · 16 units · Tents, Motorhomes · England
A very warm welcome to our guests at Little Eden, a restful and relaxing, riverside campsite for tents and campervans with grass pitches. We’re in a great spot if you love fishing, kayaking, gorge walking, cycling, seasides, fossil hunting, wild swimming, fell running, bird watching, archaeology or even Viking history! We are 9 miles from the mystical Glastonbury Abbey and Tor and directly on a Sustrans 33 cycle path route. The River Brue runs alongside the campsite with damsel flies fluttering by and kingfishers darting back and forth. We are on the Somerset levels so the sunsets are amazing as well as night time stargazing. We have a private, wooden jetty where you can launch your own paddle board. It’s a perfect get away for campers and nature lovers. Bring your own raised BBQs and logs or buy firewood on site. A family run campsite around 30 miles south of Bristol on the banks of the River Brue, it has a relaxed vibe and we try to keep things simple and straight forward. It’s ideal for doing some day trips nearby, then lighting the BBQ and playing Frisbee (games box you are most welcome to use). Shower and toilet, drinking water, washing-up sink in garden kitchenette. Our big sister site is just 4 miles away, and the café bar at 'Wall Eden Farm' serves fantastic coffee, cake, and family-made Somerset cider. If looking for classic countryside pub meal The Duck at Burtle and The Bird at Westhay are local favourites, be sure to book! Burnham on Sea close by has great fish and chips, a sandy beach, a pier and promenade if you like salty fingers and sandy toes. *DIRECTIONS* Little Eden Adventures is on Goole Maps Postcode takes you within 200 meters of campsite, look for white house with flagpole on stone bridge over river. What3words master.musical.titles. Our grandmother and her 5 sisters grew up milking cattle on the land. It’s steeped in history and archaeology. Bring your fishing rod as there are bream and roach in the River Brue. The site is a dream for cyclists. Electric vehicle charging at Wall Eden Farm with a Farmshop stocked with essential supplies, Moonshine and sweet treats. Sorry no pets as livestock in neighbouring fields. Big Adventures and Little Moments Warmest Wishes, Team Little Eden
Potable water
Campfires
Showers
from 
£15
 / night

With its colorful harbor, cobblestone lanes, and medieval castle, Dartmouth paints a pretty picture. Perched on the banks of the River Dart and surrounded by forested hills, campers have easy access to nature, whether hiking through the hills or getting on the water. Admire the views from Dartmouth Castle, ride the ferry to Kingswear, or explore the riverside on foot or by bike. Birds, seals, and other wildlife can be spotted along the River Dart—take a paddle steamer cruise, paddle around the estuary on a kayak or stand-up paddleboard, then grab some fish and chips from one of the harborside restaurants. 

95% (1.2K)

Top-rated campgrounds

The Look Out

4. The Look Out

75km from Dartmouth · 1 unit · Glamping · England
Welcome to the ‘Look Out’, our beautiful handmade pod, set in 12 acres of woodland and pasture nature reserve above our offgrid eco lodge - The Sanctuary Cornwall. First things first - this is for those guests who are used to camping and all that it entails, but with the opportunity to explore an offgrid stay with quite a bit more comfort than camping normally provides! It needs to be emphasised that booking this space is really for the relatively fit and active. There is one car parking space available half way up our driveway, but after that it is not only a walk uphill to the main building, but a further steep walk uphill to the Look Out. You will need to carry everything that you need. It is definitely worth it - the views are amazing! You are away and up above, but within easy reach of the Sanctuary. There will also be some filling and emptying of water containers involved, and you may like to charge the solar battery from the panel on sunny days! So, what do we offer? A king bed. Fair trade, organic bed linen, and cotton & bamboo towels. A fold up table and two wicker chairs. Charnwood wood burning stove, with firelighters, kindling, brush and poker set. Wood, selected and dried is available free of charge for the first basket, £5 after that. A tiny kitchen pod with a single gas burner and even tinier sink with pop up tap. Underneath, there is a 10 litre water container for fresh water and another for waste. These can be filled or emptied at the Sanctuary. There is a kettle, teapot, coffee pot, enamel mugs, crockery & cutlery, knives, breadboard and washing up things. A solar battery to provide power for the tap pump along with charging facilities for charging your phone or laptop (we hope you won’t be bringing work with you!) Led battery lanterns - we ask that you do not burn candles - we have a good range of battery candles for you. There is also a separate wooden shelter kitchen, with kitchen worktop, washing up bow and two burner gas stove. It has a cool box, saucepans, crockery etc and a lidded storage box for food. There is a 10 litre water container with a tap, and bins for kitchen waste, recycling and general rubbish. This is next to the Look Out, and there is a separate charcoal fire pit and seating under the trees. We ask that you burn nothing other than the fuel you are provided with. A composting toilet in its own, handmade building next to the Crow’s Nest, with a water container and small bowl for washing hands. An exclusive use shower room is back at the Sanctuary (a short walk downhill) and there is a separate flushing toilet (not exclusive, but only used by occasional staff members) Another outdoor kitchen for all guests with a gas barbecue, and wood fired pizza oven, picnic tables and an outdoor sink. You can wash up and fill your containers there from our own filtered spring water. This is at the side of the Sanctuary building. Storage benches on the covered deck area, with outdoor cushions, and a welly rack. In good weather, a pair of hammocks under the trees to relax in! Hopefully, during the season, there will be produce available from our new vegetable garden and polytunnel - as long as the voles, rabbits, pigeons, blackbirds & deer haven’t beaten us to it! You have a parking space in the carpark for one car - this is halfway down the steep entrance track. If you are nervous of driving small lanes and steep hills, we may not be right for you. We do not accept dogs at The Lookout, as we feel it is a bit small, and we do not allow dogs on any furniture so it’s not fair to them. Also, it is a wild landscape with deer etc and so there is no secure place for them to be other than on a lead. We are also adults only, and there are quiet hours between 10pm and 9am, and we are strictly no smoking. Although you are private at The Look Out, you are also part of our Eco Lodge surroundings, and nature reserve, and we also welcome bed and breakfast guests, so there will be others around. You are also welcome to join us for breakfast at the Sanctuary building for an extra charge. We have a good village pub, 5 mins walk away, (www.fishermansarmsgolant.co.uk) and a kayak/paddleboard company in the village (www.encountercornwall.com)
Potable water
Showers
Trash
from 
£100
 / night
Entrance to your secluded pitch

14. The Secret Garden

100%
(5)
105km from Dartmouth · 3 units · Tents, Motorhomes, Glamping · Newquay, Cornwall
2 sites to stay ruby rose for chalet or jasmine pitch for van This secret garden's is surrounded by the fields and tall hedges, a magical place, it’s in a world of its own and will certainly make those memories. * Private spacious camping in a very peaceful and beautiful space just for you and your favorites ! either with chalet on its own, van, tents or both :) chalet with double bed, single bed, bathroom, shower, tv mini kitchen, plates, kettle, cutlery, pots & pans, outside washing up area Chill in your massive jacuzzi with a your favourite drink and best tunes 🎶 (add on for Jasmine) * Picnic bench, garden, hot shower, flushing toilet, firepit (add on for Jasmine) * A very special gated garden to spend time out with your favourite people. Family friendly You may spot wild pheasants, chickens, indian runner ducks, our super friendly Bengal Cats! if you like them!😻 Your own furry friends are welcome as it is a gated secure garden. Enjoy the fire pit (wood and firelighters can be brought in advance) or bring your own :) Your car/van can park right outside the gate to your secret garden. (jasmine is another pitch) Lovely walk down the bottom of our lane to river gannel, bring your own paddle boards, kayaks, yourself for a swim :) From the river gannel if you walk from your garden it will take you to crantock beach and quant village, including the 2 local pubs worth a visit if your into our local history. Trenance 15 minute walk 0r 3 minute drive (walk the country back lane here to Trenance via river gannel for a beautiful nature walk) *Horse riding along the river gannel at Trenance riding stables *Trenance Boating lake, Tea rooms, rose gardens and Boat hire *Trenance Play park for the kids 5 mins walk to esso/budgens for essentials 24 hour 5 Mins car ride to the quant Crantock Village beach, or long walk to the beach. Tearooms, the outstanding C-bay day spa for an extra special day out. 1.2 miles into town, 10 min car ride to Newquay town centre to visit our beautiful Cornish beaches, harbour (fishing trips) golf course, chip shops, deliveroo do deliver here :) Lifts i can do for £10 back from town before 12am if your stuck :) Bus direct into Newquay town Center or any other part of Cornwall 4 minute walk down the lane :)
Pets
Potable water
Campfires
from 
£29
 / night
Kayaking on the River Brue from the campsite

20. Little Eden Riverside Campsite

99%
(59)
107km from Dartmouth · 16 units · Tents, Motorhomes · England
A very warm welcome to our guests at Little Eden, a restful and relaxing, riverside campsite for tents and campervans with grass pitches. We’re in a great spot if you love fishing, kayaking, gorge walking, cycling, seasides, fossil hunting, wild swimming, fell running, bird watching, archaeology or even Viking history! We are 9 miles from the mystical Glastonbury Abbey and Tor and directly on a Sustrans 33 cycle path route. The River Brue runs alongside the campsite with damsel flies fluttering by and kingfishers darting back and forth. We are on the Somerset levels so the sunsets are amazing as well as night time stargazing. We have a private, wooden jetty where you can launch your own paddle board. It’s a perfect get away for campers and nature lovers. Bring your own raised BBQs and logs or buy firewood on site. A family run campsite around 30 miles south of Bristol on the banks of the River Brue, it has a relaxed vibe and we try to keep things simple and straight forward. It’s ideal for doing some day trips nearby, then lighting the BBQ and playing Frisbee (games box you are most welcome to use). Shower and toilet, drinking water, washing-up sink in garden kitchenette. Our big sister site is just 4 miles away, and the café bar at 'Wall Eden Farm' serves fantastic coffee, cake, and family-made Somerset cider. If looking for classic countryside pub meal The Duck at Burtle and The Bird at Westhay are local favourites, be sure to book! Burnham on Sea close by has great fish and chips, a sandy beach, a pier and promenade if you like salty fingers and sandy toes. *DIRECTIONS* Little Eden Adventures is on Goole Maps Postcode takes you within 200 meters of campsite, look for white house with flagpole on stone bridge over river. What3words master.musical.titles. Our grandmother and her 5 sisters grew up milking cattle on the land. It’s steeped in history and archaeology. Bring your fishing rod as there are bream and roach in the River Brue. The site is a dream for cyclists. Electric vehicle charging at Wall Eden Farm with a Farmshop stocked with essential supplies, Moonshine and sweet treats. Sorry no pets as livestock in neighbouring fields. Big Adventures and Little Moments Warmest Wishes, Team Little Eden
Potable water
Campfires
Showers
from 
£15
 / night

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Best camping, glamping, and outdoor stays in Dartmouth guide

Where to go

English Riviera

North of Dartmouth, the English Riviera is home to some of the UK’s most idyllic beaches. Head to Torquay, Babbacombe, or Paignton to stroll along palm-lined promenades, lounge on sandy beaches, and tuck into delicious seafood at ocean-view restaurants. Camping here is equally upmarket, whether you choose a 5-star holiday park with a swimming pool or a tranquil tent pitch with a view out to sea.  

South Devon

Rocky coves, sandy beaches, and verdant estuaries stretch for more than 60 miles along the coast of the South Devon AONB. For the most impressive views, hike along the South West Coast Path, camp out by the beachside, or go bird-watching at Prawle Point. Just 10 minutes south of Dartmouth, Blackpool Sands is Devon’s flagship beach, or head west to Bantham beach or Bigbury on Sea to try kitesurfing and windsurfing. 

Dartmoor

The River Dart runs north into the Dartmoor National Park, where you can hike across misty moorlands and rugged river gorges. Outdoor adventurers have more than 400 miles of hiking, biking, and horseback riding trails to choose from, and intrepid campers can even pitch their tent in the wilderness. Look out for free-roaming herds of Dartmoor ponies along the way.

When to go

Peak season in Dartmouth is summer, so book campsites well in advance if visiting in July and August. Sunny weather is the time for wild swimming along the river or trips to Blackpool Sands beach, but wildlife watching is better in spring and autumn when the water levels are higher. Hikers heading to Dartmoor should prepare for all seasons even in summer, but most trails remain accessible year-round. 

Know before you go

  • Dartmouth has several camping and outdoors stores where you can pick up supplies for your camping trip. 
  • Dartmouth has public transport links to many of the surrounding towns and attractions, but it is handy to have your own transport, especially if staying at rural campsites.
  • Most campsites require advance booking, and many ask for the full payment upfront. Be sure to check opening dates, as some campsites close in the winter months.
  • Wild camping is illegal throughout Devon.