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Choosing the perfect campsite in Devon | South Devon sites

3rd June 2021

Categories: Visitor News

This summer as we come out of the latest round of Covid, staycations are all the rage, so why not enjoy the ultimate British pastime and book a camping holiday? In Devon, you have the choice of both coast and countryside, with a range of sites to suit a variety of holiday makers, with dog friendly sites, surrounded by lots of space for exploring together, family friendly sites, next to a host of popular attractions and loads more!

To help you pick the perfect campsite for you, we’ve broken the county down for you, so you know what options are available where, starting with the sites in South Devon.

South Devon is hugely popular with holiday makers because of its picturesque countryside, award winning beaches and its warmer climate – something to consider when camping in Britain!

In the Torbay area of the county, you’ll find Dawlish, where you have access to beaches, a nature reserve and of course the nearby towns of Torquay, Paignton and Brixham. One option in Dawlish is Lady’s Mile Holiday Park, where you have a range of options, in case you change your mind on the camping! They have touring and camping pitches, safari tents and glamping pods, caravans and luxury lodges. Whatever option you choose, you are welcome to use their many site facilities, including the indoor and outdoor pools, the splash zone and the gym. There’s even an on site hair and beauty salon.

Image: Cofton Holidays

Also in Dawlish is Cofton Holidays your tent if you want to explore the wider area as they are just 12 miles from Exeter and even less from the Blue Flag beaches of the Torbay and English Riviera, meaning you can make use of the mainline train stations and public transport to make your way around if you don’t want to use your car. The camping side of the site features a well stocked shop just in case you forget anything and they even having heating in their amenities block – no cold feet in the middle of the night for you! And of course, you can use all the site's facilities!

Nearby in Galmpton on the outskirts of Brixham is the picturesque Galmpton Touring Park, which has views stretching across the River Dart and the holiday home of Agatha Christie which is now managed by the National Trust. This is a great option for anyone who wants somewhere quiet to retreat to for a while. It’s dog friendly and ideal for exploring the coast, with easy access to the South West Coast Path and the many award winning beaches in the English Riviera.

Further south within the grounds of the historic Dartington Hall is Camp Dartington. This is one for the history fans, what could be better than staying on a medieval estate with uninterrupted views of Haytor, while still being fairly near the coast? The River Dart is also only a short stroll away and with the many attractions and activities taking place at the estate, you’ll find plenty to do during your stay. If you fancy exploring the wider area, Totnes is just a short journey away, as is Dartmouth and the South Devon Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Image: Camp Dartington

Speaking of Totnes, if you like the idea of staying in or near this historic market town, book a stay at Woodlands Grove Caravan and Camping Park. This site is connected to one of the region’s most popular family theme parks, perfect for family holidays! You even get a free ticket for the park during your stay! Aside from the theme park, at Woodlands, you can also enjoy BBQs in the warmer weather and there is a pizzeria right on site too and you’re perfectly placed for visiting Dartmoor and enjoying the many attractions that can be found in South Hams. The River Dart has long been a popular site for camping, with lots of sites surrounding it. The River Dart Country Park is a real hub for fun filled holidays, especially if you are on the hunt for the an outdoor adventure or two! Guests staying at the park have free access to the attractions and activities at the River Dart where you’ll find play forts, a pirate ship, assault course and more! The pitches are generously sized and you have a choice of electric, hard standing or standard, so you can truly immerse yourself into the outdoor adventures!

Of course, when it comes to camping, no one does it quite like the Camping and Caravanning Club, who have sites all over Devon. In the south of the county, you can enjoy stays in Dartmouth and at Slapton Sands near Kingsbridge.
With spacious pitches, opportunities for camping, caravanning and glamping and with beaches in the vicinity and with plenty of facilities, this is a good site whether you’re a seasoned camper or trying it out for the first time.

Kingsbridge is a truly beautiful area of South Devon and experiencing it the traditional way in a tent really allows you to appreciate how stunning the countryside around this town is. Imagine, waking up with the sun, having that first cup of tea of the day and looking out at blue skies and greenery for as far as the eye can see. If that sounds like your kind of camping holiday, Parkland Caravan and Camping site might be a good choice for you. Surrounded by natural hedgerows, abundant wildlife and views across Salcombe and Dartmouth, this site has the feeling of being wonderfully cut off and rural whilst also having top knotch facilities. The amenity buildings are fully heated, with constant hot water and fully tiled personal washroom. If you fancy socialising with the other guests – guidelines permitting of course! – you could always visit the communal social room where you can recline on a sofa and enjoy complimentary tea and coffee, as well as catch up with the TV.

Feeling inspired?
These are just a selection of the camping and caravanning sites on offer in south Devon, we’ll be bringing you another instalment featuring sites across the county soon, but in the meantime, check out what else is available here.