Devon and Cornwall camping holiday planner
Famous for stunning coastal walks, long stretches of sandy beaches, quaint harbour villages, and bountiful cream teas, Devon and Cornwall can offer campers a dream destination with only a short drive between breath-taking stops.
How long you take and how many stops you make is completely up to you, but with so many sites to visit on route, it can easily become a route you’ll want to revisit. We recommend a week at least for this route but you can easily absorb two in this beautiful part of the world.
Both Devon and Cornwall are notorious for little country lanes, but we’ve seen large motorhomes navigating these so you should have no trouble in our campervans. Most campsites will have recommended routes for the easiest access, so make sure you check out the information they provide ahead of arrival.
We promise this route will do wonders for the mind and soul, we can’t promise the same for your waistline though!
1st Stop - Salcombe
Alston Farm Campsite
If you’re new to the South West, Salcombe is a great place to enjoy your first taste of a Devonshire seaside town. You’ll find ample parking in and around Salcombe, and an easy walk into the main town. As you amble along the waterfront, keep an eye out for the local seal that lives in the harbour! If seafood is your thing, you’ll be spoilt for choice with numerous restaurants and cafes serving the fresh catch of the day. You also can’t beat relaxing at one of the local bars with a cocktail, while overlooking the harbour and picturesque surroundings. If you make base here for longer, you’ll find some fantastic coastal walks and beaches nearby. Discover the local information and things to do here.
Recommended camp site
Description
Just 5-minutes drive from Salcombe, Alston Farm is nestled in a sheltered valley in the South Hams. Surrounded by fields you’ll enjoy peace and quiet amongst the sounds of the wildlife.
Children will love the large play area on site, and for your four-legged companions there’s a lovely wooded dog walk for you all to explore.
If you’re ready to explore some of the wonderful beaches that the South West has to offer, then Salcombe is a great place to start. With North and South Sands beaches on the doorstep you can enjoy a day at the beach, or try your hand at some of the many watersport activities on offer - surfing, paddle boarding, and sailing, just to name a few things to do!
If you’re a bit of a foodie then you’re spoilt for choice here, with restaurants, pubs, cafes, and delis serving Devon’s finest local produce! Enjoy the fresh catch of the day or a delicious Devonshire Cream Tea. There’s even a Food & Drink Trail available for serious food lovers!
To take in a bit of history and even more beauty, the National Trust Overbeck’s Garden is worthy of a visit. You’ll discover plants from all over the world that flourish here thanks to Devon’s mild microclimate. With its secret garden and hidden pathways, you’ll be sure to find plenty of wonderful treasures as you explore.
Amenities
Dog Friendly
Electric hook up available
Toilet and shower blocks (20p charge per 2-minute shower time)
Laundrette
2nd Stop - Polperro
Distance: 47.7 miles
Time: 1 hour 21 minutes
Great Kellow Farm Caravan & Camping
Once you’ve finished exploring South Devon you can make your way into Cornwall across the impressive Tamar Bridge. There are other routes, but the bridge really makes you feel you are heading into the next adventure!
Once you reach Polperro you’ll be exploring, what is undoubtedly one of the prettiest villages in Cornwall, by foot. Park up the campervan at the campsite and walk down to the village. You’ll discover quaint fisherman cottages and winding streets that are hiding tea rooms, country pubs, and boutiques, perfect for some souvenir shopping!
Recommended camp site
Great Kellow Farm Caravan & Camping Site
Polperro
Cornwall
PL13 2QL
enquiries@greatkellowfarm.co.uk
01503 272387
Description
With spectacular views over the horizon you’ll feel like you can breath again!
With a friendly welcome from the farm owner you are left in peace to enjoy the rolling green fields and sea in the distance. Just a 20-minute walk from the campsite and you’re in Polperro. It’s a steep hill down to the village, but there is a reliable taxi service if you don’t fancy the walk back up!
While on route we highly recommend you stop at the neighbouring town of Looe. A small coastal town and fishing port with a picturesque beach and promenade that lends itself to being the perfect spot for your first Cornish Pasty of the trip!
For a bit of village and Cornish history visit Polperro Model Village and Land of Legend display. It won’t take you long to wander round this small attraction, but it’s worth it for the impressive detail in the model village (plus a great way to find your bearings!). Well-behaved dogs are welcome...you can pretend there’s a giant dog roaming the streets!
Not to make it all about food, but you are in Cornwall so it would be rude not to enjoy a proper Cornish Cream Tea while you’re there. Polperro Museum Tea Room is a great spot (and a bit of a sun trap!) to sit and enjoy your cream tea overlooking the harbour as you watch the fisherman come and go.
If you feel the need to walk off some of these tasty treats, you’ll find miles of coastline to explore as part of the 80 mile South Cornwall Heritage Coast. With beautiful views and secluded coves that were once part of the area's smuggling history.
Amenities
Dog Friendly
Toilet and Shower Block
Family Bathrooms available
Food, shops, bars and pubs in surrounding area but none on site
3rd stop - The Lizard
Distance: 67.9 miles
Time: 1 hour 45 minutes
Henry's Campsite
Home to the most Southerly point of the British mainland, The Lizard peninsula boasts amazing views and rocky coves. Discover villages tucked away down winding roads filled with cafes and galleries to enjoy and explore. This stretch of coastline also offers some spectacular Scuba Diving for those who explore the underwater world!
Recommended camp site
Henry's Campsite
The Lizard
Helston
Cornwall
TR12 7NX
info@henryscampsite.co.uk
01326 290596
Description
If you’re a slight hippy at heart, or simply love something a bit quirky, then you’ll love Henry’s campsite!
Just on the edge of The Lizard Village it’s the perfect location to base yourself and explore the area. Each pitch feels like it’s got it’s own garden area, many tucked away for complete seclusion...although you may need to share your pitch with the odd free-roaming chicken or duck!
On route to The Lizard be sure to stop at the harbourside village of Mevagissey. With a large car park with allocated campervan parking on the outskirts of the village, you can park up and enjoy an amble round it’s narrow streets. You’ll discover numerous gift and trinket shops, along with galleries and workshops. Take a wander around the working harbour and enjoy a delicious Cornish ice cream as you do!
There’s plenty of attractions to be found in and around The Lizard. Visit the playful seals at the Cornish Seal Sanctuary in Gweek or find out more about Cornish mining history as your head underground at Poldark Mine in Helston.
If you’re an underwater lover or fancy dipping into your first experience of Scuba Diving, there are some fantastic dive sites around the southerly point of England. Kennack Diving will be your guides to explore the underwater world...you’ll be pleasantly surprised at what UK diving has to offer!
You can’t come to the most southerly point in England and not walk around it’s dramatic cliff line to Lizard Point. With spectacular views of the Atlantic coast, you’ll be able to walk it’s path directly from the campsite, discover it’s wildlife and let your four-legged friend stretch their legs at Polpeor beach.
Amenities
Dog Friendly
Electric hook up and WiFi lounge
Toilet and Shower Block
Shop on site
Laundrette, kitchen area
4th stop - Lands End
Distance: 33.7 miles
Time: 1 hour
Lands End Camping And Glamping
It would be a shame to come to Cornwall and not visit the iconic landmark of Land’s End, especially if you have or if you’re planning to do the North Coast 500 in Scotland and tick off John O’Groats too! As well at it’s famous landmark, Land’s End is home to the picturesque beach of Sennen Cove and some breathtaking walks.
Recommended camp site
Lands End Camping and Glamping
Trevescan Farm Equestrian Center
Penzance
TR19 7AQ
info@landsendcamp.co.uk
07376 535 822
Description
This campsite offers a great open space to enjoy views out into the ocean, it’s also a great base to enjoy a walk to Land’s End and along the cliffside path to Sennen Cove. After all that fresh air you can enjoy a walk back to the campsite with a well earned stop at the First & Last Inn!
Of course you’ll need to visit the Land’s End Landmark Attraction, even if it’s just to get your photo taken with the famous Land’s End signpost that marks the point with directions to New York and John O’Groats. It’s free to visit with some ticketed attractions within the site should you wish to add some more fun to your visit.
Whether you choose to walk the coastal path from Land’s End or head straight there, Sennen Cove is a gorgeous sandy beach famous for its surf. Home to the RNLI Sennen Cove Lifeboat with it’s visitor centre and shop, you’ll also find it’s a great spot to grab an ice cream or delicious Cornish pasty!
You’ll find plenty of historical sites to stumble across as you walk the coastal paths, such as Maen Cliff and Giant’s Rock, with spectacular views of turquoise seas that surround the hidden coves.
While in the area or on route to your next stop, pop into the popular coastal town of St Ives. You’ll find a large car park at the top of the town where you can park up and wander down the steep path towards the main town and harbour, there is a bus service if you don’t fancy the walk there or back! The town is home to all kinds of shops, boutiques and gift shops and of course the Tate St Ives. With its harbourside offering a selection of bars, restaurants, and take outs, it's easy to grab some fish and chips and relax on a bench with a view - just watch out for the seagulls!
Amenities
Dog Friendly
Electric hook up & Fast WiFi (coming soon)
Tokens for showers, one free 5 minute token given to each person on arrival.
Dedicated disabled facilities
Dish wash room
5th stop - Trevose Head
Distance: 58.3 miles
Time: 1 hour 25 Minutes
Mother Ivey’s Bay Holiday Park
The stunning headland of Trevose Head is a great base for exploring more of the beautiful coastline, picturesque beaches, and spotting the local wildlife. You can find a peaceful bit of paradise here, with it not being far from the well-known harbour town of Padstow.
Recommended camp site
Mother Ivey's Bay Holiday Park
Trevose Head, Nr. Padstow
Cornwall PL28 8SL
info@motheriveysbay.com
01841 520 990
Description
This holiday park offers some great facilities as well as it’s very own beach! It also leads you straight out onto fantastic coastal walks and trails. Just a short walk from the site and you can view the impressive RNLI Padstow Lifeboat station that sits on the cliff edge. The campsite’s beach is the perfect spot to watch the sunset melt into the horizon, or, if you’re feeling enthusiastic, you can watch the sun rise!
The drive to Trevose Head will take you past the lively surfing town of Newquay, popular with young holiday-makers, it boasts a large selection of bars and nightclubs, and is also a popular holiday destination for families with its many seaside attractions and things to do. It’s also home to Fistral Beach, famous for its surfing.
The walks around Trevose Head are worth the visit alone. From the campsite you can wander the coastal paths for hours. The National Trust’s Booby’s Bay Walk will take you past the gorgeous Constantine Bay and up to the lighthouse at Trevose Head.
Nearby you’ll discover Padstow. This bustling fishing port is well-known for being a foodies dream and is the home town of celebrity chef, Rick Stein. Filled with cafes, restaurants, and takeaways, you can enjoy all those Cornwall favourites right on the harbourside.
It also offers plenty to see and do, with shops a plenty, speedboat rides, sealife safaris, or simply crabbing along the harbour wall. If you’re feeling energetic or simply want to burn off some of the food, Padstow is a great place to hire a bike and peddle the picturesque Camel Trail cycle route to Wadebridge.
Amenities
Dog Friendly
Electric hook up and WiFi available
Toilet and Shower Block & disabled access
On site shop
Laundry
6th stop - Hartland
Distance: 52.1 miles
Time: 1 hour 28Minutes
Stoke Barton Farm Campsite
Wave goodbye to Cornwall as you cross into Devon for this final stop of your trip. Hartland will offer you access to the beautiful sites of North Coast Devon. The Atlantic ocean has made its mark on this rocky coastline, carving impressive rock formations into its cliff edges and beaches. A great place for exploring rocky coves and rock pools!
Recommended camp site
Stoke Barton Farm Campsite
Stoke Barton
Hartland
Bideford
North Devon EX39 6DU
stokebartoncampsite@gmail.com
01237 441238
Description
This large site offers plenty of space and even more of those headland views you’ve come to love. Once settled you’ll be able to do ample exploring by foot from the campsite as you follow its pathways to wonderful walks and discover the Hartland Peninsula. The site is a working farm, so expect to see the farmer doing his rounds and find your way as the footpaths take you through the sheeps field (dogs on leads for that bit!).
Head out on the footpaths directly from the campsite and enjoy the wonderful walk to Hartland Quay. Here you can enjoy a spot of lunch and a drink at the 16th century built Hartland Quay Hotel. Continue your walk to the nearby waterfalls that carve through the cliffside down to the rocky coves below, you can get down to the beach here, just remember once you’ve navigated down the steep path, you will have to come back up it!
To soak up a bit of the local history visit the historic house and gardens at Hartland Abbey built in 1157. Explore the house, grounds, exhibitions, and museum, and once you’ve worked up an appetite you can visit the Old Kitchens Tea Room.
Just 20 minutes drive from your campsite you’ll find the truly wonderful cliffside village of Clovelly. One of Devon’s biggest treasures, this unique historic village is a must-see destination. Once owned by William the Conqueror, the estate was inherited in 1884 by Christine Hamlyn who transformed it into the picturesque fishing village we see today.
No vehicle traffic is allowed on it’s steep cobblestone streets, with residents using sleds to carry their shopping. You’ll need to pay to visit this unique setting, but it’s well worth the £7.95 entrance fee. You’ll find history, culture, arts, and crafts amongst this gorgeous backdrop, and the Clovelly Donkeys who also enjoy the peaceful village life. Enjoy a Cream Tea with spectacular views and watch the local fishermen bringing in their daily catch.
Amenities
Dog Friendly
Electric hook up
Toilet & Shower Block
Small on site shop with local produce
Dish wash
Stopover suggestion
Why not break your journey?
This beautiful family friendly campsite is set just outside of Bewdley in Worcestershire.
It's about an hour and a half's drive from our base in Cheshire and is set in the heart of the Severn Valley.
It's perfect to break your journey in either direction. Rushing is just not the campervan way! It's only about 2 hours and a much more relaxing drive avoiding the motorways through the beautiful Worcestershire and Shropshire Countryside.
Timing your journey and not trying to do much in one day makes for a much more enjoyable and relaxing break.
Mill House Caravan Site & Boatyard
Hawford, Worcestershire,
WR3 7SE
info@millhousecaravanandcamping.co.uk
01905 451283
Description
You don't need to go far here to find something of interest.....'boatyard' is the giveaway with small boats being worked on and a craft workshop selling crafts.
Amenities
Dog Friendly
Electric hook up and WiFi available
Toilet and Shower Block & disabled access
On site shop
On site fishing