Wild camping in
Devon

A peaceful campsite in the South Hams countryside near the village of Loddiswell. The site has basic facilities with showers and is set in pretty meadows. The River Avon runs nearby with swimming opportunities. Salcombe and the south Devon coast are a short drive away. The area is gentle, rolling countryside with traditional Devon lanes. Kingsbridge provides shops and markets. The South Devon Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty is easily accessible. The campsite has a quiet, rural atmosphere and is popular with families seeking a peaceful retreat. Totnes, a characterful market town, is within reach. Open Easter to October.

A small, family-friendly campsite near Salcombe in the South Hams, Devon's most exclusive coastal area. The site has basic facilities and a relaxed, natural atmosphere. Salcombe and its estuary are beautiful, with sandy beaches, sailing, and excellent seafood restaurants. The South Devon coast path provides dramatic clifftop walking. Prawle Point, the most southerly headland in Devon, is nearby. The area has a mild microclimate supporting Mediterranean-like gardens. South Sands and North Sands beaches are popular. The campsite is small and books up quickly in peak season. Kingsbridge provides additional shops and facilities.

A small, peaceful campsite near Dartmouth on the south Devon coast. The site has basic facilities with showers in a rural setting. Dartmouth is one of Devon's most attractive coastal towns with a medieval castle, Royal Naval College, and excellent restaurants. The River Dart is beautiful for kayaking and the steam railway runs to Kingswear. Start Bay, a series of beaches running south to Start Point, provides swimming and walking. The South West Coast Path here is dramatic. Totnes is inland with its alternative culture and excellent food market. The campsite suits couples and families exploring the south Devon coast.

A unique camping experience on this 3-mile granite island in the Bristol Channel, managed by the Landmark Trust. The island has no cars, no mobile signal, and very limited electricity. The campsite has basic facilities with a toilet block and the Marisco Tavern provides food, drink, and company. The island is rich in wildlife with puffins (the island's name means puffin in Norse), grey seals, deer, and rare plants. The marine environment is a Marine Conservation Zone. Access is by boat from Bideford or Ilfracombe (2 hours). Bookings are essential and limited. The stars are extraordinary with zero light pollution. A genuine escape from the modern world.

A remote cove on the Devon-Cornwall border where the Marsland Water reaches the sea. The border runs down the stream, so you can camp in two counties simultaneously. Wild camping above the cove in the steep-sided valley is tolerated. The area is managed as a nature reserve with ancient oak woodland. The coast path in both directions is dramatic and challenging, with steep combes requiring constant climbing. Morwenstow, with its eccentric vicar's hut on the cliff, is to the south. Welcombe village is the nearest habitation. The isolation of this stretch of coast is remarkable. No facilities of any kind. A genuinely wild coastal camping experience.

A clifftop farm campsite above Woolacombe Bay, one of England's best surfing beaches. The site is basic with toilets and showers, letting the spectacular location do the talking. Woolacombe's 3-mile beach faces the Atlantic, producing consistent surf year-round. Putsborough, at the southern end, is quieter and sheltered. Croyde, the next beach north, is a renowned surf village. The Tarka Trail provides cycling. The campsite has a laid-back, surfer-friendly atmosphere. Ilfracombe is 5 miles away with its Victorian harbour and Damien Hirst's controversial Verity statue. The coast path between Mortehoe and Croyde is dramatic. Open Easter to September.

A large clifftop campsite in North Devon overlooking Rockham Bay and Morte Point. The site has excellent facilities with modern showers, a shop, and a cafe. The coast here is dramatic with rocky coves and strong tides. Woolacombe, consistently rated one of the UK's best surf beaches, is a short walk along the coast. Mortehoe village has a pub and small shops. The coast path provides excellent walking in both directions. Lundy Island is visible on the horizon. The campsite can be exposed to wind but the views are outstanding. Surfing, bodyboarding, and rock pooling are all on the doorstep. Open Easter to October.

The most southerly headland in Devon, Prawle Point is a wild, exposed stretch of the South Devon coast. The coast path between Start Point and Prawle Point passes through some of the most dramatic scenery in south Devon. Wild camping on the remote clifftop fields between the headlands is discreetly tolerated. The area is excellent for birdwatching, particularly in autumn when rare migrants appear. The coast is dramatic with rocky coves, sea caves, and powerful tides. East Prawle village has a pub (the Pig's Nose) but no shop. Kingsbridge and Salcombe are the nearest towns for supplies. The area feels genuinely remote despite being in Devon.

A small, adults-only campsite in the Devon countryside near Totnes, emphasising peace, nature, and minimal impact. The site has just 10 pitches in a wildflower meadow with composting toilets, solar showers, and fire pits at every pitch. The emphasis is on reconnecting with nature and switching off technology. Totnes, a vibrant alternative town with excellent food, is nearby. The South Hams coast is a short drive. Dartmoor is accessible for moorland walking. The campsite has a thoughtful, curated atmosphere. Pre-booking essential as spaces are very limited. Dark skies and nightjars are highlights in summer. Open May to September.

A remote beach on the Devon-Cornwall border with dramatically contorted rock strata and a waterfall cascading onto the sand. Wild camping above the cliff is tolerated as the area sees very few visitors. The coast path here traverses steep-sided valleys requiring significant climbing. The coastline is remarkably unspoilt with no development visible in either direction. The rock formations are some of the most impressive in Devon. Morwenstow, the most northerly parish in Cornwall, has the eccentric Rev. Hawker's hut on the cliff and the Bush Inn. Hartland and Bude are the nearest towns for supplies. This is a truly wild stretch of coast.