Shepherd's huts near Plymouth

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Devon’s largest city boasts a prime location at the meeting point of three rivers and the English Channel—so there are plenty of ways to get on the water. During your next Plymouth camping trip, float along the River Plym on a stand-up paddleboard, kayak around Plymouth Sound, ride the Cremyll Ferry across to Cornwall, or try your luck fishing for mackerel along the coast. Further out are the harbourside Cornish villages, the beaches in the South Devon Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, the riversides of the Tamar Valley, and the wild expanses of Dartmoor, all perfect for campers looking for outdoor exploring. For the ultimate outdoor challenge, Plymouth lies along the epic 630-mile-long South West Coast Path.

Plymouth is set around Europe’s largest natural harbour, meaning seaside attractions are major here. Urban campers will find something to suit all tastes, whether visiting Plymouth Hoe to climb Smeaton’s Tower, going for a swim at the Art Deco Tinside Lido, stopping in at the National Marine Aquarium, or dining alfresco along the Barbican Harbour.

Even outside the city, there’s still plenty to see and do during a camping holiday in Plymouth or South Devon. Head over the county border to visit the Cornish seaside resort of Looe, or go east along the coast to Wembury for beaches and rockpooling within the South Devon Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The peaceful Tamar Valley starts on the outskirts of the city, offering miles of riverside walking, cycling, and countryside exploration with Dartmoor National Park’s wilder beauty just beyond.

97% (122)

Top-rated campgrounds

South Town Farm

15. South Town Farm

100%
(7)
82km from Plymouth · 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

Devon’s largest city boasts a prime location at the meeting point of three rivers and the English Channel—so there are plenty of ways to get on the water. During your next Plymouth camping trip, float along the River Plym on a stand-up paddleboard, kayak around Plymouth Sound, ride the Cremyll Ferry across to Cornwall, or try your luck fishing for mackerel along the coast. Further out are the harbourside Cornish villages, the beaches in the South Devon Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, the riversides of the Tamar Valley, and the wild expanses of Dartmoor, all perfect for campers looking for outdoor exploring. For the ultimate outdoor challenge, Plymouth lies along the epic 630-mile-long South West Coast Path.

Plymouth is set around Europe’s largest natural harbour, meaning seaside attractions are major here. Urban campers will find something to suit all tastes, whether visiting Plymouth Hoe to climb Smeaton’s Tower, going for a swim at the Art Deco Tinside Lido, stopping in at the National Marine Aquarium, or dining alfresco along the Barbican Harbour.

Even outside the city, there’s still plenty to see and do during a camping holiday in Plymouth or South Devon. Head over the county border to visit the Cornish seaside resort of Looe, or go east along the coast to Wembury for beaches and rockpooling within the South Devon Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The peaceful Tamar Valley starts on the outskirts of the city, offering miles of riverside walking, cycling, and countryside exploration with Dartmoor National Park’s wilder beauty just beyond.

97% (122)

Top-rated campgrounds

South Town Farm

15. South Town Farm

100%
(7)
82km from Plymouth · 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

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Shepherd's huts near Plymouth guide

Where to go

South Devon

Plymouth’s closest beaches are Bovisands and Wembury, where you can swim, surf, or explore the rock pools. Both lie within the South Devon AONB, which stretches more than 60 miles along the coast. Hike along sea cliffs, swim or surf at blue flag beaches, or go coasteering along the Kingsbridge Estuary, then take your pick of country camping grounds.

Cornish Coast

Cross the border into Cornwall, where rugged headlands, estuaries, and historic mining towns lie at the mouth of the Plymouth Sound and the Lynher River. Camp by the seafront along the Rame Peninsula, tour an 18th-century mine, or enjoy wakeboarding and windsurfing at the Hamoaze estuary. Further west, the Cornish Riviera is home to picturesque fishing towns, golden beaches, and the Eden Project.

Dartmoor and the Tamar Valley

The River Tamar snakes its way north from Plymouth into the Tamar Valley AONB, where you can enjoy wildlife cruises and riverside camping. To the east, the misty moorlands and wild heathlands of the Dartmoor National Park are a natural playground for hikers and campers. Explore ancient ruins and waterfalls, ride the South Devon steam railway, then stop at a local pub for a traditional Devonshire cream tea.

When to go

Spring through autumn is the best time for camping, hiking, and boat trips near Plymouth. The city is busiest in July and August, when it’s a good idea to reserve campsites at least a few months in advance. Don’t be put off by a winter visit, though—it can be wet and windy along the coast, but there are plenty of indoor attractions to escape the rain, and many caravan parks stay open year-round.

Know before you go

  • Plymouth has several camping and outdoors stores where you can pick up everything you need for your camping trip. 
  • Plymouth has public transport links to many nearby towns and AONBs, but it is handy to have your own transport, especially if staying at rural campsites.
  • Most campsites require advance booking. Also be sure to check opening dates, as some campsites close in the winter months.
  • Dartmoor National Park is one of the few places in the UK where wild camping is permitted. Tents must be pitched away from roads and attractions, and large group camping is not allowed. Overnight parking is not permitted anywhere within the park.