10 of the Best Campsites in the South West!
When you live in the beautiful South West and own a touring caravan, the world is your oyster, so it can sometimes be a bit overwhelming choosing where to actually travel to!
With this in mind, we’ve put together a list of some of our favourite campsites in the South West, so that you can explore the places that are on your doorstep – without the legwork.
Whether you’re still looking for somewhere to take your caravan this summer with (or without) the kids! or you’re thinking ahead for future breaks, you’re sure to find somewhere that suits you.
Be inspired, and start your adventure!
- Gwithian Farm – Gwithian, Cornwall
This family-run campsite is in the picturesque village of Gwithian, near St Ives. Just a 10-minute walk from the sea, this quiet, family-friendly campsite has beautiful views of the Cornish countryside.
Gwithian Farm offers a whole host of great facilities such as free Wi-Fi, luxury showers, a campsite shop, free icepack freezers and regular food vans offering pizza, fish and chips and baked goods! If you want to eat off-site, there’s a pub opposite the campsite and numerous restaurants in St Ives, a 6-mile drive away. Plus, the site has wetsuit and bodyboard hire, a children’s play area, a picnic area and even has guinea pigs to pet and care for, so there’s something for the whole family to enjoy!
Gwithian Beach is the closest beach to the campsite and is dog-friendly, great for surfing and swimming and is lifeguard patrolled during high season. If you’d prefer something a little more secluded, there are dozens of beautiful beaches in the area to choose from. The campsite is within easy reach of the A30, so you can easily explore Cornwall’s beautiful coasts and quaint villages. There are plenty of nearby places to visit for a family day out, such as Paradise Park and the Tate St Ives.
Best For: Families, beach lovers, dog owners
Open: April-October
Dog Friendly?: ✓
Price per Night: From £16.00-£34.00 per night
- Old Oaks – Wick, Somerset
Old Oaks is an adults-only campsite in the Somerset countryside. As members of Tranquil Touring Parks, the campsite is quiet and peaceful, perfect for anyone who wants a relaxing break.
The campsite boasts a huge range of amenities, including a shop stocking local produce, an off-license, a fishing lake, free Wi-Fi and a rotating takeaway delivery service. Plus, the campsite has private shower rooms, dishwasher and laundry facilities, free to use fridges and freezers and comprehensive disabled facilities.
A short drive from Glastonbury, the campsite would make a great base for festival-goers looking for a more luxurious experience. For those who want to explore the area and see more of what Somerset has to offer, there are dozens of attractions to choose from; such as Longleat, Glastonbury Tor, the Somerset Levels and Wilkins Cider Farm.
Best For: Adult groups, festival-goers, dog owners
Open: March-November
Dog Friendly?: ✓
Price per Night: £26.75+ per night
- South Lytchett Manor – Lytchett Minster, Dorset
An award-winning, family-friendly campsite with a focus on green and sustainable holidaying, South Lytchett Manor is located in the historic Dorset village of Lytchett Minster.
The campsite features newly renovated bathroom facilities, a shop, a laundry, plenty of pubs within walking distance and cycle hire. There’s plenty to keep your little ones entertained too, with an adventure playground, seasonal treasure hunts, areas for football and outdoor play, a games room and free Wi-Fi across the park. Not forgetting the four-legged family members, South Lytchett Manor is an AA accredited pet-friendly campsite and has a designated 2.5-acre dog walking field and a newly installed dog wash.
South Lytchett Manor is a great base for exploring Dorset and is close to the Jurassic Coast, the Arne nature reserve, Poole and Bournemouth. If you’re planning to use public transport to explore the area, there’s a regular bus service to Poole, Swanage and Weymouth that handily stops right outside the campsite!
Best For: Families, adult groups, dog owners
Open: March-January
Dog Friendly?: ✓
Price per Night: From £23.50-£40.75 per night
- Riverside Caravan & Camping Park – South Molton, Devon
Set in 70 acres of lush countryside in the foothills of Exmouth, Riverside Caravan & Camping Park is a great choice for families, dog owners and anglers alike.
The campsite features award-winning heated shower blocks, evening entertainment, a well-stocked shop, a restaurant/bar, free Wi-Fi and a rally field. With woodland trails, children’s play area, dog walking area, specimen lakes and coarse fishing, there’s something to keep every member of the family entertained!
With Exmoor National Park right on the doorstep, there are thousands of acres of wild countryside to explore. If you want to hit the beach, then you’re in luck, as the campsite is a short journey from Woolacombe, Croyde and Saunton Sands, renowned for their excellent surfing! Barnstaple and Bideford are within a 40-minute drive and the ancient market town of South Molton is within walking distance of the campsite.
Best For: Families, adult groups, dog owners, anglers, rallies
Open: All Year Round
Dog Friendly?: ✓
Price per Night: From £25-£40 per night
- Oakdown – Sidmouth, Devon
If you’re thinking of packing up your caravan and escaping to the English Channel for a peaceful getaway, Oakdown in Sidmouth could be just what you’re looking for!
Boasting central heated bathrooms, dishwashing facilities, a laundry, a shop, communal freezers and microwaves; Oakdown has all the essential amenities included. Situated opposite a pitch and putt course the holiday park also features outdoor play areas, a games room, a café and a dog spa. What’s more, Oakland is set in secluded meadowland giving you privacy and stunning views.
Oakdown is a perfect base for anyone going to the Sidmouth Folk Festival or the Sidmouth Regatta. There are plenty of nearby attractions for family friendly days out, such as Crealy Adventure Park, Seaton Jurassic, The Bear Trail and Bicton Park. Exeter, picturesque Ottery St Mary and the beaches at Seaton are all within easy reach of the holiday park, so you can explore to your heart’s content!
Best For: Families, adult groups, dog owners, rallies
Open: March-November
Dog Friendly?: ✓
Price per Night: From £14.25-£25.40 per night
- Trelispen – Gorran Haven, Cornwall
Set on the beautiful Cornish coast, Trelispen offers stunning views and the chance to pitch up and be close to nature.
The site is perfect for nature lovers, giving lots of opportunities to bird-watch, star-gaze (You can even see the Milky Way!) and admire the view. There are even fruit trees and insect friendly plants to encourage local species in their recently upgraded site. Offering newly refurbished toilets and shower blocks, the site also features basic, but practical amenities, such as a fridge freezer, laundry facilities and electric pitches. Several pubs and shops lie within walking distance of the campsite
Trelispen is a great choice for adventurous types, as it provides an ideal base from which to explore South Cornwall. Close to famous attractions such as the Eden Project and the Lost Gardens of Heligan, the campsite is also a short drive from the historic village of Mevagissey, where you can catch a ferry to the nearby port of Fowey.
Best For: Families, adult groups, dog owners, nature lovers
Open: April-October
Dog Friendly?: ✓
Price per Night: Please check with campsite
- Bay View Farmers Campsite – Woolacombe, Devon
Bay View Farmers Campsite offer a ‘real’ camping experience at their family-run site, near Woolacombe in North Devon.
Featuring modern shower blocks (With free facilities), free mobile phone charging, Wi-Fi and a spacious children’s play park, the essential amenities are all in place. Bay View are completely dog friendly and are equipped with a large, designated dog walking area and dog shower facilities to keep your four-legged friend content. Nearby Woolacombe village has a host of shops, pubs, restaurants and takeaways to choose from.
Close to the Tarka Trail and nearby beaches, Bay View is perfect for walkers, cyclists and water sports enthusiasts seeking an active break. There are plenty of family friendly attractions nearby, such as Exmoor Zoo, The Milky Way Adventure Park and The Big Sheep. If you want to visit a larger town to explore or shop in, Barnstaple and Ilfracombe are a just short drive away.
Best For: Families, adult groups, nature lovers, active breaks
Open: April-October
Dog Friendly?: ✓
Price per Night: From £17.00-£35.00 per night
- Karrageen Caravan & Camping Park – Malborough, Devon
Surrounded by National Trust protected coastline, Karrageen Caravan & Camping Park is a stone’s throw from Salcombe, the South West’s sailing mecca.
An ideal choice for anyone looking for a tranquil and relaxing break, Karrageen is set in acres of lush Devon countryside. Great for families, the campsite features all the essential amenities, such as laundry facilities, communal fridge, freezer and microwave, USB charging points and a shop selling farm produce, freshly baked bread and toiletries. There’s also a range of pop-up food vendors during high season, offering everything from wood fired pizza to gourmet fish fingers!
Karrageen is located in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and is surrounded by scenic villages and beautiful coastline and countryside. If you’re keen to hit the beach, the campsite is just a mile from Hope Cove, a quaint fishing village with a stunning beach and around 8 miles from Bantham, one of the UK’s best surfing beaches.
Best For: Families, adult groups, nature lovers
Open: April-September
Dog Friendly?: X
Price per Night: From £18-£29 per night
- Galmpton Touring Park – Galmpton, Devon
Galmpton Touring Park is an award-winning, family and dog-friendly holiday park overlooking the beautiful River Dart in South Devon.
Offering disabled facilities, baby change and bathing facilities, heated private shower and toilet blocks, a laundry area and indoor pot wash, Galmpton has basic home comforts in hand. With children’s play areas, outdoor table tennis and badminton nets, dog walking enclosure and a grassy recreation area, there’s enough to keep the whole family entertained!
Family-friendly attractions such as Paignton Zoo, Dinosaur World, Splashdown Water Park and Goodrington Sands are all within easy reach of the campsite, as are a wide selection of restaurants, bars and shops. Galmpton is popular with cyclists, walkers and boating enthusiasts, as it’s surrounded by rolling hills, and is close to the River Dart and the English Riviera.
Best For: Families, adult groups, nature lovers
Open: March-September
Dog Friendly?: ✓
Price per Night: From £17.00-£37.00 per night
- Trevaylor Caravan & Camping Park – Botallack, Cornwall
Popular with backpackers, nature lovers and intrepid Lands End to John O’ Groats trekkers, Trevaylor is a popular, family-run campsite in South Cornwall.
The campsite has a wide range of facilities, including a shower and toilet block, a bar, restaurant, shop, launderette and shop. There’s also a children’s play area, games room and site-wide Wi-Fi. Whether you want to remain on-site and relax or head out into the local area, Trevaylor is the ideal base for any Cornish adventure.
Trevaylor is just 5 miles from the world-famous Land’s End and 3 miles from Sennen Cove beach, perfect for surfers and sunbathers alike! Plus, the campsite is a mere 500m from the coastal path, making it a great choice for walkers, ramblers and cyclists. If you’re in the market for something more cultural, the annual Lafrowda Festival is held in nearby St Just and the iconic Minack Theatre is half an hour down the coast.
Best For: Families, adult groups, dog owners, active breaks, nature lovers
Open: All Year Round
Dog Friendly?: ✓
Price per Night: From £18.50-£26.00 per night
And don’t forget to pop in to see us at Tamar Caravan Centre, just off the A38 at Marsh Mills, near Plymouth. We stock everything you need to get your caravan holiday-ready, such as:
- Caravan awnings from Kampa Dometic & Isabella
- Bike racks, roof racks & roof boxes from Thule
- Powrtouch Caravan motor movers
- Towbars (& towbar fitting!)
- And many more caravan & car accessories
And if you haven’t yet got your caravan, and you’re thinking about purchasing a new or second-hand caravan, come down to our indoor caravan showroom in Plymouth – the largest indoor showroom in the South West!
Thanks for reading