Camping and Caravanning UK
UK & European Camp and Caravan Site Directory
Home
|
|
Camping in DevonDevon is the UK’s premier camping spot. If you’ve never been, here’s all the persuasion you need…The summer influx of people that Devon welcomes every year to its miles of golden sand and dramatic Atlantic surf spots would seriously overwhelm most destinations, rendering them at best characterless and at worst, tense, overcrowded and, well, touristy. But it’s to Devon’s enduring credit that the eternal conundrum for any holiday destination – between retaining its character on one hand, and coping with the crowds on the other – is coped with so effortlessly while you’re actually visiting, that you’ll barely register it at all during your stay. And that’s because you’ll be too busy. Devon’s visitor infrastructure handles the paradox of remaining true to its traditions of cultured, picturesque, beachcombing village life while providing everything that tourists of all kinds could need with ease. Local businesses are also regularly nominated for Green Tourism awards, too. Campsites in Devon range from remote cliff-side camping sites on barren Lundy Island, 11 miles out from the coast, to fully kitted-out family-orientated holiday parks with modern facilities, bars and restaurants and entertainment activities galore. There’s everything in between, too – surfers wanting to crash out in unfussy campsites before waking up with the dawn to catch the swell have a range of great options, all close to the action and yet relaxed enough to tolerate the late-night camaraderie. Families are also spoilt for choice with large pitches for tents in family-only areas and chalet and caravan park options that are ideal for out-of-season getaways. Devon’s beaches (15 of which currently enjoy Blue Flag status) offer great opportunities for extreme air- and water-based sporting antics, of course, but there’s still plenty to do for those fancying a less hectic time. Walkers can lace up and take their pick from a multitude of countryside rambles, all refreshingly close to some of the UK’s most characterful thatched-roofed pubs and restaurants. A few miles inland, though not too far away from the bustle of the coast, there are popular theme parks – The Big Sheep, or The Gnome Reserve, anyone? – hidden arts attractions and truly peaceful spots to be found – Exmoor offers horseriding and varied biking terrain as well as the comfortably familiar, familiar comforts of cream tea shops and woodland walks dotted around the landscape. The South West is renowned for its mild climate, so camping outside of the peak season is a possibility in all but the bleakest times of the year. However, the English weather is legendarily capricious, so make sure you pack the whole range of waterproofs and extra layers if you’re visiting any time outside of the height of summer. Devon’s also a popular haunt for nature lovers: it’s an ornithologist’s paradise, and there’s the opportunity to visit seal colonies, and pick out basking sharks and pods of dolphin out to sea if you’re really lucky. Oh – and pasties. Did we mention those? Yep, forget everything else we just said: head down there for the pasties alone. Search the Camping and Caravanning UK’s directory of campsites in Devon. |