Motorhome travel: 15 delightful Devon campsites

From full-facility motorhome parks to rural retreats perfect for campervans, Devon has a campsite for everyone.

Here, we've listed 15 of the most delightful campsites in Devon...

Andrewshayes Holiday Park

Dalwood, Axminster, Devon EX13 7DY

01404 808523

23 March – 4 November

Andrewshayes’ location means you can enjoy the best of both the Devon countryside and the Jurassic Coast in your motorhome. The site is situated in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty on the edge of the Blackdown Hills. It’s just six miles to the fossil-rich coast at Seaton and eight miles to Lyme Regis. As well as plenty of open space the site has a heated indoor pool with retractable roof that can be opened in the warmer weather to create an outdoor pool. Use of the pool is included in the pitch fee. The site also has a bar and takeaway that is open Friday and Saturday nights and daily in the school holidays.

Andrewshayes is family friendly and on site is a games room with air hockey, pool table and video machines, plus a toddler soft play room, outdoor play areas and nature trail. Pitches on the site are terraced to allow for countryside views, with a choice of standard grass pitch with electric, up to super pitches on hardstanding with water and waste water drain. Facilities include family shower rooms, a full wetroom for disabled guests and a laundry.

River Dart Country Park

Ashburton, Devon TQ13 7NP

01364 652511

30 March – 29 September

Located on the edge of the River Dart you can fish the river here and take advantage of a host of activities. The country park is all about family fun and the activities on offer include pony rides, a climbing wall, zip wire, laser clay pigeon shooting and tennis courts – to name just a few! There’s also a beach for toddlers and an on-site café and restaurant.

The site is set in 90 acres of manicured parkland on the southern slopes of Dartmoor. The extensive adventure playgrounds are included in the pitch price and for those looking for a more relaxing holiday there are woodland trails and riverside walks. Facilities include amenity blocks with family bathrooms. There are hardstanding pitches available with electric hook-ups and there is also an on-site shop.

Zeacombe House Caravan Park

East Anstey, Tiverton, Devon EX16 9JU

01398 341279

All year

Set on the Somerset/Devon border near Tiverton, Zeacombe House has just 50 pitches and is open all year round – great for exploring a popular area out of season in your motorhome. Exmoor National Park is just a few miles north with the small hamlet of Molland nearby. A pretty viewpoint of the area is Round Hill on Molland Common giving views across the countryside. Another scenic place to visit is the pretty town of Dulverton, just five miles away. Known as the southern gateway to Exmoor, the town contains many shops, gift shops and a guildhall heritage and arts centre.

The campsite is spread over 4½ acres, with extra-large pitches giving space and privacy. The site consists of beech hedging, lawns, trees, shrub and rockeries with views towards Exmoor. The usual on-site facilities are present – hook-ups, toilets, showers, a laundry, dog walk and shop.

Bolberry House Farm Caravan & Camping Park

Bolberry, Malborough, Kingsbridge, Devon TQ7 3DY

01548 561251

28 March – 30 September

Bolberry House Farm comprises of three areas close to the coastal town of Salcombe. This is a quiet and unspoilt environment, set among hedgerows, with views down through the valley towards the sea at Hope Cove. There are two areas to pitch up, plus a small static park, all linked by a mown path. The main site is an area of six acres with rural and sea views. There are some hardstanding pitches but most are on grass. The Paddock is a more secluded three-acre area. Both sections have hook-ups, toilets and showers and a laundry, with the main site also having a play area and high-season shop. Both areas have access to a dog exercise meadow.

A 10-minute drive away is Salcombe, which lies on its own estuary with beaches and secluded coves, and a selection of shops, cafés and bars. Within walking distance of the site is Bolberry Downs with 100 acres of clifftop land and three miles away are the National Trust’s Overbeck’s subtropical gardens.

Harford Bridge Holiday Park

Peter Tavy, Tavistock, Devon PL19 9LS

01822 810349

15 March – 5 November

This award-winning site is set within the Dartmoor National Park alongside the River Tavy, with some pitches available along the river. There are 100 pitches in total (30 by the river), on a choice of grass or hardstanding, with electric if needed. 17 pitches are hardstanding and most of these are fully serviced. Site facilities include toilets and showers, three wetrooms, a shop, laundry, dog exercise area and dog wash. For recreation there is a play area, tennis court, WiFi, indoor table tennis and table football. There’s also a cycle hub area with bike storage, cycle route information and a cycle hire pick-up point. The site is on the Dartmoor Way cycle route, so is an excellent choice for cyclists.

The historic market town of Tavistock is 2½ miles away offering a choice of shops and places to eat, along with a unique indoor Pannier Market, offering a variety of stalls selling crafts items and collectables. A unique feature of the area is Brent Tor – a rocky outcrop with St Michael’s Church atop it, making a distinctive silhouette on the skyline.

Noteworthy Caravan & Campsite

Bude Road, Holsworthy, Devon EX22 7JB

01409 253731 

All year

Noteworthy Camping and Touring Campsite is set near the ancient market town of Holsworthy, just seven miles away from the popular seaside resort town of Bude. There is a bus stop with services into Bude just half-a-mile from the site. Bude sits on the Devon/Cornwall border and is famous for its Summerleaze beach with pastel-painted beach huts, and tidal swimming pool that is left full of seawater when the tide goes out. Noteworthy is based on a family run farm of 12 acres, with a herd of prize-winning Angora goats.

Five acres is set aside for touring and camping with mostly grass pitches and limited hardstandings. There are electric hook-ups that need to be requested when booking. On site there is a toilet and shower block, information point and even dog grooming is available.

A unique feature of the site is that guests can learn how to spin mohair and other natural fibres, along with taking part in monthly knitting workshops.

Lady’s Mile Holiday Park

Dawlish, Devon EX7 0LX

01626 863411

All year

This location will appeal both to families looking for a beach holiday and people seeking nature interest. It’s less than a mile from the beaches of Dawlish Warren and close to the 500-acre Dawlish Warren National Nature Reserve. The beach is a mile and a half long, backed by sand dunes. Near to the beach you can find shops, amusements, go-karts and adventure golf.

At Lady’s Mile, swimming is a great attraction. There are indoor and outdoor pools with flumes and a separate plunge pool. There’s a bowling alley, indoor play facilities and an adventure play area with an eight-metre tower and slides. Lady’s Mile also benefits from a gym and sauna, a restaurant and a takeaway food service.

Grassed and hardstanding pitches are located in four areas; you can choose your own pitch to suit your needs. Some pitches have water and drainage points, too. Electricity is charged via top-up cards, that can be purchased from reception on arrival.

Dartmoor View Holiday Park

Whiddon Down, Okehampton, Devon EX20 2QL

01647 588026

1 March – 31 October

With the Dartmoor National Park on the doorstep, this site is ideal for walkers and cyclists and anyone who enjoys outdoor activities such as horse riding, hiking and climbing. The cathedral city of Exeter is close by, along with the pretty town of Okehampton and the National Trust’s Castle Drogo. Notable places within 30 minutes’ drive include Cox Tor, Hound Tor with its deserted medieval village and Postbridge – famous for the thirteenth century clapped bridge with 18th century granite bridge next door.

Dartmoor View is set in 20 acres of landscaped grounds with 27 hardstanding pitches with electric. There are also 12 pitches with individual water pipes. Site facilities comprise of an outdoor pool, toilets and showers and wheelchair accessible facilities. A pub serving food is located just over half-a-mile away from the site or, if you don’t mind a short journey, the site’s website says there are 10 great food pubs within 10 minutes’ drive.

Newberry Valley Park

Martin Woodlands, Combe Martin, Devon EX34 0AT

01271 882334

16 March – 28 October

Nestled in a picturesque valley within walking distance of Combe Martin, this site is all about the countryside. Surrounded by green hills, woodland and with a relaxing on-site fishing lake, you can wander to your heart’s content here. Must-see attractions include the Lynton and Lynmouth Cliff Railway – a water-powered funicular railway – Exmoor Zoo and Brendon Common. There’s also the National Trust’s Watersmeet, where a Victorian fishing lodge is now a teashop and dramatic waterfalls provide visual interest.

Pitches on site are terraced to make the most of the countryside views and facilities include a luxury toilet/shower block (with shower rooms and bathroom), a play area and WiFi. It’s just a five-minute walk to Combe Martin with two beaches (one dog-friendly), pubs, shop and cafés.

Lobb Fields Caravan & Camping Park

Saunton Road, Braunton, Devon EX33 1HG

01271 812090

23 March – 28 October

Situated in north Devon, Lobb Fields Caravan & Camping Park is the nearest dog-friendly campsite to Saunton Sands beach, where dogs are welcome all year round. The beach is also popular with surfers and families and there’s a range of food outlets nearby. The sands are backed by Braunton Burrows, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. The Burrows are a sand dune system that is home to a large number of rare plants and animals.

Lobb Fields has 180 pitches, many with electric and 12 hardstandings. Facilities on site include toilets and showers, a laundry, play area, WiFi and dedicated dog walk. There’s also a café, which serves food all day in high season (with reduced hours during quieter times). For those who fancy taking to the water there is surf hire on site with a variety of boards and wetsuits to hire. Nearby attractions include Exmoor Zoo, Watermouth Castle and the Victorian Tunnels Beaches at Ilfracombe.

Forest Glade Holiday Park

Near Kentisbeare, Cullompton, Devon EX15 2DT

01404 841381

23 March – 2 November

As the name might suggest, Forest Glade Holiday Park is set in a woodland clearing on the Blackdown Hills between Cullompton and Honiton, surrounded by 300 acres of pine forest. The site has a large number of hardstandings and electric is available on most pitches. There are also two fully serviced pitches for motorhomes with electric, water supply and grey water drain, and these pitches can also accommodate larger units and RVs.

Forest Glade has a covered, heated swimming pool with adults-only swimming sessions at certain times. There is also going to be the addition of a sauna for 2018. Other facilities include a games room, play areas, an all-weather tennis court, licenced shop and takeaway. The amenities building houses toilets, showers, a laundry, family room and disabled shower room. This is an ideal site to leave the ’van on pitch and wander the many trails through the forest and surrounding countryside, in this Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Smytham Holiday Park

Little Torrington, Devon EX38 8PU

01805 622110

16 March – 31 October

Tucked away in 23 acres of parkland, in the grounds of an old manor house that is still used as a family home, Smytham has spacious pitches with electric hook-up. In 2017, a new area was opened called The Orchard, which has a range of pitches called standard, super and posh. There are also some en suite pitches that come with a private shower, toilet and sink on pitch all in a cedar-clad cabin.

Facilities on site include the usual toilets, showers and a laundry, along with a shop, family bar, games room, dog exercise paddock and a lovely outdoor pool with poolside terrace that is sheltered by a low wall making it a great suntrap. The Tarka Trail can be accessed directly from the site, which will appeal to walkers and cyclists. The trail is north Devon’s dedicated traffic-free path through wooded valleys, moorland, coastal cliffs and sandy bays. Local attractions include the RHS Garden Rosemoor and Dartington Crystal.

Mill Park Touring Caravan & Camping Park

Mill Lane, Berrynarbor, Nr Ilfracombe, Devon EX34 9SH

01271 882647

1 March – 31 October

Mill Park is a sheltered site set within a wooded valley on the north Devon coast. A great site for fishing enthusiasts, the on-site fishing lake covers 1½ acres, fed by the stream that flows through the site. The lake is well stocked with common carp, bream, roach and perch. Woodland stretches up along either side of the valley, making Mill Park a haven for wildlife – kingfisher, deer, pheasant and other wildfowl are often spotted on site. There are various trails through the woodland and a dog walking route. Those wanting a tranquil spot to relax and enjoy the environment will appreciate the scenic walk around the lake, with pretty waterfall and various trees.

Pitches on site have electric, some are hardstanding and a selection of the touring pitches are close to the water, with lake views. There are toilets and showers, a laundry, shop, games room and on-site pub. The nearest village, Berrynarbor, is a five-minute walk and a pub serving food is a short walk away.

Plymouth Sound Caravan and Motorhome Club Site

Bovisand Lane, Down Thomas, Plymouth, Devon PL9 0AE

01752 862325

16 March – 1 October

This Club site is ideal for those wanting to explore all the attractions of the bustling coastal city of Plymouth – the centre is only six miles away and there’s a bus stop outside the Mussel Inn in Down Thomas, just five minutes’ walk away. The site is close to the South West Coastal Path, too. Your own sanitation is needed on site but there is a motorhome service point, hook-ups, a play area and dog walk.

Apart from the obvious selection of shops and restaurants you’d expect from a city, Plymouth also has a historic dockyard, an aquarium and, of course, the famous Hoe, with the iconic Smeaton’s Tower lighthouse standing tall atop it. The site is a top option for dog owners with plenty of local walking, a beach where dogs are accepted and dog-friendly pubs nearby.

Teign Valley, Barley Meadow Camping & Caravanning Club Site

Crockernwell, Exeter, Devon EX6 6NR

01647 281629

8 March – 5 November

This Club site is set in Dartmoor National Park, on its northern edge. Depending on the type of holiday you’re after you can either sit back and admire the views from your pitch or get out walking on the Two Moors Way. This is a long-distance trail that passes a few hundred yards from the site and leads down through Dartmoor towards Ivybridge. If you prefer a more relaxed pace then the pretty village of Drewsteignton is a short walk away and there are local pubs serving food there.

Teign Valley Club site is a small site with just 63 pitches, including grass and hardstandings with electric. There are toilets and showers, a parent and baby room, a play area, games room and shop. There’s also a laundry on site and dogs are welcome. Some of the attractions in the area include Castle Drogo (England’s newest castle), the highest waterfall in England – Canonteign Falls – and the National Trust’s Finch Foundry, the last remaining water-powered forge in England. The city of Exeter is 12 miles from site, offering a mix of culture, history and shops.

This feature was originally published in the June 2018 issue of MMM magazine.