Camping in Watergate Bay

Surf, sand, and sea cliffs draw beach lovers to this Cornish beach.

96% (901 reviews)

United Kingdom
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England
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Watergate Bay

96% (901 reviews)

Popular camping styles for Watergate Bay

Community favorites in and near Watergate Bay

Stories from the community

Weekend Trip to Berry's Ground Lane Campsite

Loved the vast amount of space, great views, it was peaceful, great comms, loos clean :)

Weekend Trip to Berry's Ground Lane Campsite

Wonderful site with stunning views. Perfect for peaceful camping.

Weekend Trip to Berry's Ground Lane Campsite

I loved the overnight stopover at Katie's campsite. The views are spectacular & the weather was kind .... lovely to wake up in the sunshine. Lots of space!

Weekend Trip to Berry's Ground Lane Campsite

Beautiful views and facilities for a wild camping site. Communication was great

Weekend Trip to LEE MEADOW FARM CAMPING

Lovely site! Very friendly, terrific views, nicely tucked away. We had a brilliant time and will return.

Weekend Trip to Glan Y Mor Camping

We had a lovely stay here last weekend. Lots of little touches elevate this tucked away campsite above others. Highly recommend.

Weekend Trip to Glan Y Mor Camping

The campsite is small but very beautiful. We felt very comfortable. It has a beautiful walk through the forest and the facilities are good.

Weekend Trip to LEE MEADOW FARM CAMPING

Awesome stay. Great location with beautiful sunsets and a wood fired hot tub!! Close to beautiful beaches including a woodland walk to Lee Bay. Super friendly hosts with a great vibe. Immaculate facilities. We’ll be back. Thank you for a wonderful stay!

Weekend Trip to LEE MEADOW FARM CAMPING

Lovely friendly campsite loads of space. Great to see they are developing the site in a sympathetic way to include some amazing glamping utilities.

1 night at Meldon Lake and Woods Wild Camping

This place is truly magical. I’m reluctant to give a glowing review as it’s so wonderful and would hate not to be able to book in again, but I have to absolutely praise this place. As a solo female camper I was feeling nervous and didn’t know what to expect, felt completely safe and happy. Fab location, private spot next to the lake, dogs allowed to roam freely which is rare. There is a lovely ranch at the top of the farm as you enter, which I had no clue about and was a pleasant surprise would love to come back again, so much to see and do and the peace and tranquillity is lovely. 1 bit of negativity would be walkers coming through, but that’s no big deal. Would highly recommend, thank you for a wonderful stay!

1 night at Meldon Lake and Woods Wild Camping

This is a beautiful and secluded spot with views out over Dartmoor. A footpath/bridleway runs through the site and can be followed up to Meldon Reservoir and way-marked walking routes. The access instructions from Phil were excellent. We were in a 6m long motorhome (long wheel base van) and navigated well along the narrow lane. Would love to return for a few nights; we were only there for one night and were the only people there. Beautiful!

3 nights at Glan Y Mor Camping

Camped with 3 friends and it was ideal! The pitch was a really good size and the facilities were great. A good location with lots of lovely towns and beaches nearby - thank you so much!

Weekend Trip to Cadgwith Wild Camping

It was absolutely perfect. Couldn’t haven’t asked for anything more - well apart from staying for longer. The most gorgeous location. An absolute must for exploring the area! The hosts were so lovely too - my kids already want to go back as loved spending time with their friendly dog. 11/10!

3 nights at Glan Y Mor Camping

Beautiful, peaceful campsite with lovely hosts and great location-walking distance to Pembroke through a pretty woodland. Facilities were immaculate and the shower was hot and powerful. A lovely communal area with a fridge, plug sockets, seating and firepit. We absolutely loved it here!

2 nights at Meldon Lake and Woods Wild Camping

Planned to spend a week traveling from North Norfolk to Cornwall and decided to book this site as a stop over for one night to break up the journey. We never made it to Cornwall 😆 We were so blown away with this site and area we just kept booking extra nights and ended up staying here for five days, and then another night on our way home. It's access to one of the prettiest valleys in England is amazing, you are right in it. So much to discover between the viaduct and the Dam. Stunning fairy water pools tumbling down the moor. We had our cold water therapy, luckily in beautiful weather with spectator views everywhere, not many people to have to share it with. Peaceful stunning nature. Vibrant yellow April gorse. Wild Dartmoor ponies greeting us at the camp site whilst we were cooking over a wood firepit in the evenings. The sound of the streams to send you to sleep at night. We were so very fortunate to have this site to ourselves which gave us the very wild experience. We completely connected with nature. It felt like we had been to a rerteat for a week. It is a 2.5 mile walk/bike ride along the granite way to Oakhampton if you do need more provisions, we can recommend the butchers near the supermarkets. Lovely steaks to cook on your fire pit. There is also a swimming pool if you really feel you need a shower. Amongst other eateries and shops. We can not recomend this campsite enough. Enchanting. Track to it is very narrow would not recommend wide vehicles.

5 nights at Cadgwith Wild Camping

I had a great stay here (April 2025): friendly hosts, lots of space, quiet location and of course great views. The gas-powered shower was all I needed after a long day on the sea.

3 nights at The Enchanted Wilderness

Lovely campsite!! Just how we like it! At one with nature and spectacular views!! The host was lovely and was easy to contact.

1 night at Meldon Lake and Woods Wild Camping

I loved the place, narrow going down the lane, but there's two large pitches near the top,we were very lucky to be there on our own & had fantastic weather, would go again & again.

1 night at Meldon Lake and Woods Wild Camping

Shhhhhh, dont tell everyone, but this wild campsite is absolutely amazing. This is one of the best spots for feeling like you are wild camping. You can relax without worrying about being moved on. Worth every penny of £20 a night. It's one we would definitely come back too again. Walk from the small private campsite, past the lake, step over a little bridge to the left and you are in the most beautiful valley, an old quarry, babbling fairypools, Wild ponies, lambs everywhere. Stunning yellow gorse, fantastic views, a Dam, a viaduct. Firepit every evening whilst watching the stars over looking lake, and woods. Just go prepared. We Loved it.

Weekend Trip to Meldon Lake and Woods Wild Camping

Would highly recommend, beautiful scenery, easy to find and book online, great host Had an amazing time, was nice having the vehicle next to our tent so could take more things with us rather than carrying on your back. will definitely be booking again very soon

Star Hosts in Watergate Bay

97%

(16)

The High Nature Centre

14 units · Glamping, Motorhomes, Tents5 acres · Salcombe, Devon, South West England

A stay at The High Nature Centre is sure to reinvigorate the soul as only a sojourn by the sea can

100%

(20)

Strawfields Cabins and Camping

14 units · Glamping, Tents4 acres · Titching Park Lane, England

Camping and rustic glamping with campfires on an idyllic smallholding close to North Devon’s best-loved beaches

97%

(16)

Bowhayes Farm - Glamping & Camping

12 units · Glamping, Tents30 acres · Sidmouth, Devon, South West England

Nearly-wild camping in a Devon cider orchard, 5 miles from the Jurassic Coast

100%

(24)

Forest Edge

57 units · Glamping, Motorhomes, Tents30 acres · Devon, South West England

A welcoming and wild-ish camping and glamping site on the edge of a forest in East Devon

100%

(12)

Milkmaid Meadow Campsite

30 units · Motorhomes, Tents3 acres · Barnstaple, Devon, South West England

An open, green, back-to-basics space with homely local produce for sale

Under £50

88%

(64)

Surf Pods and Camping at Atlantic Farm

50 units · Glamping, Motorhomes, Tents1 acre · Bude, Cornwall, South West England

Glamping near Bude, with eye-catching eco-pods, a staggering treehouse for couples and traditional tent camping

100%

(131)

Westland Farm

21 units · Glamping, Motorhomes, Tents27 acres · Barnstaple, Devon, South West England

Camping and glamping on a working farm, with yurts, huts with hot tubs, and simple, spacious, sociable camping pitches

100%

(1)

The Secret Garden

3 units · Glamping, Motorhomes1 acre · 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 :)

100%

(33)

Springfield Farm & Wild Camping

5 units · Motorhomes, Tents8 acres · Little Haven, Wales

Springfield Farm is an 87 acre family farm, situated in the picturesque hamlet of Walton West. We are the fourth generation of our family to farm here, in a traditional mixed farming system. Alongside this, we also run a small market garden and sell produce direct from our farm gate stall, with honesty box. We are located just 10 minutes walk from the beaches and coastal path at Broad Haven and Little Haven, in the heart of the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park. Our aim is to offer a traditional farm camping stay, for those who love the outdoors and long to simply 'Pitch up' in a field away from crowded campsites. This is back to basics camping, but we feel all the better for it.

98%

(59)

Dragonfly Woodland Camping

11 units · Motorhomes, Tents1 acre · Pembrokeshire, South Wales

A handful of pitches in a nine-acre wood, all within easy reach of the beautiful Daugleddau Estuary in Pembrokeshire

12 top campsites in Watergate Bay

97%

(93)

Parke Farm Camping

67 units · Motorhomes, Tents8 acres · Barafundle Bay, Pembrokeshire, South Wales

Idyllic farm campsite with campfires in south Pembrokeshire, 10 minutes' drive from several top beaches

98%

(59)

Glan Y Mor Camping

15 units · Glamping, Motorhomes, Tents7 acres · St Petrox, Pembrokeshire, South Wales

A super-friendly, family-run campsite on the edge of Pembroke

99%

(133)

Meldon Lake and Woods Wild Camping

5 units · Motorhomes, Tents8 acres · Okehampton, Devon, South West England

Seriously simple but beautiful wild camping beside a lake on Dartmoor

98%

(263)

South Dean Camping

70 units · Motorhomes, Tents12 acres · Barnstaple, Devon, South West England

Clifftop camping with epic sea views, right next to Exmoor National Park.

100%

(48)

Goren Farm

7 units · Motorhomes, Tents70 acres · Seaton, Devon, South West England

Nearly wild camping in Devonshire wildflower meadows

100%

(24)

Girt Down Camping

11 units · Motorhomes, Tents20 acres · Combe Martin, Devon, South West England

Set the edge of Exmoor, we have unrivalled coastal views, direct access to the South West Coast Path and Combe Martin bay is just a little walk away (perfect for paddle-boarding and dolphin spotting!). Choose your pitch, settle down by a fire pit and watch the sun set across Combe Martin bay. With pizza’s available on some weekends, breakfast baguettes for breakfast and a selection of farm produce available - we have everything you could need, we are campervan friendly too. With footpaths from the farm in all directions you can join the South West Coast Path or just ramble down to the village where there are shops, cafes and pubs a plenty. With full flushing toilets and hot showers, as well as a washing up area, there is even an old railway carriage with electric plugs to charge your phone or dry your hair, with a fridge and freezer to look after your supper too. We are a small site focusing on that quiet get-away. There is no road noise, just the farmer going about his day job, who’s more than happy to chat about the wildlife, birds and weather!

99%

(188)

Cadgwith Wild Camping

21 units · Motorhomes, Tents7 acres · Porthleven, Cornwall, South West England

A dog-friendly campsite on a farm in Cornwall where every pitch offers a sea view

Berry's Ground Lane Campsite

40 units · Motorhomes, Tents40 acres · Martinhoe, England

Lovely wild camping pitches on the North Devon coastline. You will be one of a maximum of 6 pitches in a large field on the beautiful North Devon coast with incredible sea views. We can provide a firepit to borrow and you can purchase logs onsite so you can stargaze and chatter around the fire - back to nature! We are based just outside the pretty hamlet of Martinhoe in North Devon, a stone's throw from the SW Coast Path. There is a historic Roman Beacon closeby and plenty of wildlife around, we'd be surprised if you didn't see deer in the neighbouring fields! There is a compost loo and a water point, but no electricity / wifi - delightfully off-grid. Situated on an organic working farm this is the perfect place to escape!

97%

(91)

Sunny Corner Campsite

10 units · Tents10 acres · Saint Agnes, England

Back-to-basics camping with views of the sea in walking distance of St Agnes

98%

(61)

Farm camping in the Blackdown Hills

15 units · Motorhomes, Tents30 acres · Devon, South West England

Farm camping in the Blackdown Hills, with campfires, big views and homegrown produce for sale

Booked 1 time

The Hen's Dens at Orchard Farm

10 units · Motorhomes, Tents2 acres · Torquay, England

The Hen's Dens at Orchard Organic Farm is our small and unique site offering three timber tents / glamping pods - The Hen's Dens and six individual camping pitches all set within our organic farm orchards. The three Dens are spaced out in their own quiet and private area of the orchard accessed via a short path from named parking spaces. Inside the three pods is toasty heating, lighting and electric - with a picnic bench outside and space to make up a campfire. You can choose how you`d like to stay, either renting unfurnished and bringing your own beds, or booking a set of camping beds for your trip for an extra fee, so that things are nice and easy. Each den comes with the luxury of your own private lockable bathroom and kitchen area where you can safely keep bits and bobs. It has your shower, toilet and wash basin inside, along with an indoor sofa area. There`s space for washing up and a small kitchen area with a fridge-freezer, microwave and kettle. Bringing a good sleeping bag is recommended to make sure you`re comfy at any time of year. Extras such as beds and stoves can also be booked at an additional cost, and you can even book a farm tour! The six camping pitches are grass pitches carefully set within a quiet part of an orchard. Sleeping up to five and dog friendly, they`re ideal for couples and families. Stay on an attractive, small farm site, set in Devon countryside and close to a lovely beach. Open year round and only 15 minutes from Torquay and its beach vibes. There are just six individually named grass pitches for tents and campervans only, each nestled away in its own private slot of the orchard on a slight slope. The maximum number of people per pitch is five and each pitch measures 3.6m x 7m and comes with 6 amp electric hook up. One well behaved dog is welcome to join you on your glamping adventure. The Hen`s Dens at Orchard Organic Farm is open all year round.

90%

(30)

The Enchanted Wilderness

6 units · Glamping, Motorhomes, Tents22 acres · Yelverton, England

Simple riverside camping pitches in the Tamar Valley on the edge of Dartmoor

Available this weekend

100%

(7)

Mattiscombe Farm Camping

29 units · Motorhomes, Tents3 acres · Kingsbridge, England

Low-key, dog-friendly camping with sea and countryside views in South Devon

88%

(13)

Wild camping at Emmetts on Exmoor

4 units · Tents950 acres · Minehead, England

Emmetts on Exmoor is part of the highest farm on the moor, up at an altitude of 1250 feet with gorgeous views out over the surrounding scenery of the national park. You won't find a better place for spotting wildlife right from your tent! Red deer herds regularly frequent the moor which is opposite your pitch. Other wildlife in the area include cuckoos, woodpeckers, golden plovers, foxes and much more! This is a place that’s big on space but small on guest numbers, so there’s always plenty of space around to soak up the rural atmosphere, spot wildlife and play games. It’s worth noting that Exmoor National Park was designated Europe’s first Dark Sky Reserve back in 2011, so you should hopefully be in for spectacular displays of stars by night too. Unsurprisingly, this is a great area for walks and mountain bike rides; other activities in the area include things like fishing, sailing and pony trekking. If you’ve still got any energy left after that little lot, the farm’s all-weather tennis court is available to hire for a game or two. There is a proper shower and loo available next to the car parking area and all pitches are approximately a 500 metre walk away from this area through woodland and across pasture. Remember the site is off-grid so it’s a good idea to remember to bring along a torch. Guests are welcome to bring along a barbecue or hire a firepit and purchase wood onsite. You can also buy fresh free-range eggs from the farm’s hens so a good breakfast should be on the cards too. Exford and Withypool (both within 15 minutes) have good village shops for picking up any other supplies you might need plus tea rooms and pubs. The Poltimore Arms and The Exmoor Forest Inn are two very local pubs that are well worth a visit.

95%

(22)

The Camping Field

35 units · Motorhomes, Tents6 acres · Bodmin, Cornwall, South West England

Back-to-basics camping in beautiful Cornish countryside

92%

(13)

Cerenety Eco Campsite

5 units · Motorhomes, Tents5 acres · Bude, Cornwall, South West England

Back-to-basics camping on the edge of Bude

86%

(7)

Pure & Rustic

6 units · Glamping35 acres · Croyde, Devon, South West England

Acres of beautiful woodlands & pastures for those that like to sleep under canvas with or without electric. Hot showers, Pure Greenfields spring water on tap, designated fire pits to bring out your rawness of nature!! Pure & Rustic is close by to some fantastic local pubs, and the beaches of Croyde, Saunton, Putsborough & Woolacombe. A magical woodland retreat to watch the moon & stars float by..!

Happy farmer sitting in a truck in a grassy field

Camping in Watergate Bay guide

Overview

For those looking to escape the crowds of Newquay, the golden sands of Watergate Bay lie just to the north. Life in Watergate Bay is all about the beach. Stroll along the sea cliffs, take to the water to swim or stand-up paddleboard, or enjoy kite-surfing along the 2-mile long sands, then grab dinner at a restaurant with views of the ocean. Summertime is peak season for swimmers and campers, with lifeguard patrols from May through September, and several campsites to choose from. For surfers, the biggest swells hit the shore in winter—just don’t forget your wetsuit!

Where to go

Northwest Coast

West of Watergate, Cornwall’s north coast is wild and windswept. The surf Mecca of Newquay is one of the region’s busiest hubs, while further south, St Ives is surrounded by sandy beaches and seaside holiday parks. Coastal hikes don’t come more spectacular than the South West Coast Path, which runs the entire length of the Cornish coast.

Northeast Coast

Sweeping headlands and rocky coves line the coast east of Watergate Bay. Enjoy sea-cliff walks along the Trevose Head Heritage Coast, spot sea-birds swooping along the shore, or take in the views from Pentire Point. Further north, discover the legacy of King Arthur at Tintagel Castle or hike up the High Cliff, Cornwall’s highest point.

South Coast

St Austell, Falmouth, and Fowey are the headline acts of the ‘Cornish Riviera’, a 30-minute drive south of Watergate Bay. Camping options range from family-friendly holiday parks to glamping in a luxury yurt, but whichever you choose, the beach is never far away. Don’t miss a visit to the Eden Project, famed for its giant rainforest biomes.

Bodmin Moors

Misty moorlands and ancient standing stones tempt intrepid hikers away from the coast to the Bodmin Moors. Visit in the summertime to hike amid fields of purple heather, picnic by Golitha Falls, then pitch your tent at a hillside camping ground. Look out for native ponies grazing the hillsides along the way.