Waterside camping near Woolacombe, Devon

United Kingdom
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England
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South West England
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Devon
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Woolacombe

95% (674 reviews)

Popular camping styles for Woolacombe

9 top waterside campsites near Woolacombe

91%

(65)

Under £50

100%

(3)

Denmark Farm

7 units · Tents1 acre · Lampeter, Wales

Spy real, live dragonﬂies dancing over lily-rich ponds as you head out in search of sleepy dragons in the wooded wonderland at this quiet eco site

Rhydfach Valley Camping

1 unit · Motorhome, Tent7 acres · Pembrokeshire, Wales

An exclusive-hire campsite with its own wild swimming pond in Pembrokeshire

Pleasant Streams Farm Camping

67 units · Glamping, Tents9 acres · St Austell, England

Lakeside camping with streams, rope swings and farmyard animals in rural Cornwall

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.

Cilrath Wood Camping

15 units · Tents10 acres · Narberth, Wales

Off-grid eco camping with campfires in a patch of Pembrokeshire that time forgot

Waterside campsites near Woolacombe guide

Overview

Nestled along the North Devon Coast near Mortehoe, Woolacombe is surrounded by a wealth of natural beauty and activities for camping enthusiasts. Woolacombe Beach is a major draw for swimming, surfing, and sandcastle-building—the beach also provides on-duty lifeguards. Nearby tent pitches and caravan sites offer easy beach access. Or take the caravan out to campsites in and around Exmoor and Dartmoor national parks to explore the rolling hills and moors of the English countryside. Private farmland and expansive valleys characterise the region, where campers can explore on cycling paths, dog-friendly hikes, or coastal cliffside walks. Head back for the evening to a family-friendly campsite with modern amenities, or escape off the beaten path with just a backpack at a dispersed tent pitch.

Where to go

Woolacombe Beach

On the shores of Bristol Channel, over three kilometres of gently sloping sandy beach attracts sunbathers, kayakers, and surfers alike at Woolacombe Beach. Breathe in the fresh sea air and bask in expansive sea views while enjoying a variety of water sports. On-site caravan parking spaces are also plentiful, and convenient amenities make for a terrific beach day. Woolacombe Bay offers everything from basic tent pitches to holiday parks with electric hookups, modern showers, and TV aerial points.

Exmoor National Park

Exmoor National Park covers a diverse landscape made up of valley farmland, vast moors, and a rocky coastline. Exmoor invites hikers to traverse its many footpaths in search of nature’s bounty. The national park is also home to both historic hamlets and off-the-grid camping experiences along the banks of Badgworthy Water. Caravan campsites dot the area as well, with both family-friendly and adult-only options. Then navigate the Tarka Trail, named for novelist Henry Williamson’s “Tarka the Otter.” Or stargaze year-round in this International Dark Sky Reserve.

Dartmoor National Park

With nearly 1,000 square kilometres of open moorland, ancient woodlands, and rocky outcrops, Dartmoor National Park is open for wild camping in designated locations. Campers need to bring everything they need in a backpack, leaving no trace and trying not to disturb the local wildlife. This is especially true during the ground-nesting bird season from March to July. While overnight stays in motorhomes are not allowed on open moorland, they are welcome at family-run farm campsites and other private land nearby. After setting up camp, try exciting bouldering opportunities on granite tors, whitewater canoeing down River Dart, or cycling on dismantled railway lines, like the 11-kilometre Wray Valley Trail that passes through Lustleigh and the National Trust Parke Estate.

When to go

Summer months from June to September offer warm daytime temperatures in the low 20s, making surfing and sunbathing at Woolacombe Beach a popular treat. The warmer water is more inviting for swimming and beach sports as well. More adventurous campers may enjoy canoeing down the rapids of River Dart from late fall to early spring, but be prepared for colder temperatures this time of year.