Southwest campsites

Our picks for exploring England’s southwest region

Tehidy Holiday Park, Cornwall

Harris Mill, Illogan, Redruth TR16 4JQ

☎ 01209 216489 tehidy.co.uk 26 March – 30 October Set among mature trees in the Tolskithy Valley, this is an awardwinning site with less than 30 pitches, making for a haven of peace and tranquillity midway between St Ives and St Agnes. There is a range of pitches, including hardstandings with electric hook-up, that are surrounded by wildlife areas, hedging and shrubs.

There are woodland walks direct from the site and also footpaths starting in the village, leading down through the woods to the local beach and cycle routes. The Camel Trail is only 35 minutes away and a bus service is available at the site entrance.

On site you’ll find a shop stocked with local produce, a play area, games room, showers, launderette, a disabled and family room and Wifi. Please note that no pets are permitted at this site.

Andrewshayes Holiday Park, Devon

Dalwood, Axminster EX13 7DY ☎ 01404 808523 andrewshayes.co.uk 26 March – 31 October

Andrewshayes’ location means you can enjoy the best of both the Devon countryside and Jurassic Coast. The site is situated in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty on the edge of the Blackdown Hills. It’s six miles to the coast at Seaton and eight miles to Lyme Regis.

As well as lots of open space, the site has a heated indoor pool with retractable roof that can be opened to create an outdoor pool. Use of the pool is included in the pitch fee. The site also has a bar and café with a takeaway (check the website for opening times).

Pitches on the site are a choice of standard grass with electric hook-up to hardstandings with water and waste water drain. Facilities include toilets and showers, a full wet room and a launderette. There is an on-site dog exercise area and woodland walk opposite the site.

Riverside Caravan Park, Devon

Leigham Manor Drive, Marsh Mills,

Plymouth PL6 8LL ☎ 01752 344122 riversidecaravanpark.com All year

A secluded countryside site bordered by the River Plym and ancient woodland, yet just a few hundred yards from the A38, providing easy access.

The Plym Valley is home to the Plym Peregrine Project with peregrine falcon watching commencing in March each year. The site is also close to Plymouth (a park and ride service is a 15-minute walk away) and Exmoor Zoo. For those interested in boating, Plymouth Sound offers a full range of activities and within the city there is plenty to do, from marvelling at the boats in the harbour to browsing the many shops.

The site offers pitches with electric hook-up and premier pitches with individual electric, water and grey waste facilities. Other amenities include toilets and showers, a launderette, shop, games room and play area. There is a seasonal bar, restaurant and takeaway, along with an outdoor heated pool (open end of May to mid September).

Carnon Wollas Touring Park, Cornwall

Bissoe Road, Carnon Downs, Truro TR3 6GR

☎ 07584 065841 / 07741 909650

carnonwollastouringpark.co.uk 1 March – 10 January

This is an adults-only and dog-friendly site located between the cathedral city of Truro and the maritime town of Falmouth. Carnon Wollas is set on the edge of the village and within walking distance of shops and a bus stop. There is access to cycle trails and walks can be enjoyed directly from site. A short 20-minute walk from Carnon Wollas leads to the quay at Devoran and here you can pick up the Coast to Coast cycle route. The National Trust’s Trelissick Garden is a short drive away.

There are 25 pitches, all of which are hardstanding, fully serviced with electric hook-up, fresh water tap, grey waste drain and have rural views. Toilet and shower facilities are available, along with a kitchen area. Depending on the provisions available in your own unit, at Carnon Wollas, you have the option of paying for a pitch only, or opting for a pitch plus use of the facilities.

Burrowhayes Farm Caravan & Camping Site, Somerset

West Luccombe, Porlock, Minehead TA24 8HT ☎ 01643 862463 burrowhayes.co.uk 15 March – 31 October

Burrowhayes Farm is situated next to Horner Water in the heart of the Exmoor National Park and with a view of Dunkery Beacon. Dogs are welcome and there are numerous country walks from the site into the Exmoor countryside, woodland and moorland.

An excellent addition to the site is the riding stable, offering escorted rides for all abilities. For those who prefer to stay on two feet, the pretty village of Porlock is within walking distance, which has shops, restaurants, pubs and a visitors centre. A short drive away is the seaside town of Minehead. Burrowhayes offers good facilities, including a heated shower and toilet block, launderette, disabled facilities, dishwashing area, shop and reception. The pitches come on a choice of grass or hardstanding, with 16A electric hook-up, and there are some fully serviced pitches. A motorhome waste point is available.

Harrow Wood Farm Caravan Park, Dorset

Poplar Lane, Bransgore, Christchurch BH23 8JE ☎ 01425 672487 caravan-sites.co.uk March – January Set in 80 acres of farmland on the edge of the New Forest National Park, Harrow Wood Farm is located in the village of Bransgore. Exploring the national park is easy with the open forest just two miles away. It’s also only five miles to Christchurch, where you’ll find picturesque rivers, a natural harbour and great beaches.

The site has 60 pitches with hardstanding, and electric hook-up if required. There is an on-site fishing lake that is great for fans of the sport, but also makes for a nice spot to relax. A one-mile circular walk leads around the farm, meaning guests can enjoy the animals and surroundings. The site facilities include toilets, showers, dishwashing and a launderette. Please note that dogs are not accepted.

Dornafield Caravan Park, Devon

Two Mile Oak, Newton Abbot TQ12 6DD

☎ 01803 812732 dornafield.com 12 March – 3 November Dornafield is a beautiful site, surrounded by woodland and countryside, and with pretty plantings and hedges in the touring areas. The site is within a fourteenth century farmstead that covers 30 acres in total, midway between Exeter and Plymouth. With Dartmoor National Park in one direction and the stunning beaches of the English Riviera in the other, this is truly a fantastic location.

Pitches on site are level and come fully serviced on either hardstanding or grass. The facilities include toilets, showers, vanity cubicles, launderette and dishwashing. For your convenience there is an on-site shop, games room, tennis court, adventure playgrounds and dog walking areas.

The focal point of the site is the farmhouse, once besieged by Roundheads in the Civil War. The farm buildings now house a reception, the shop and games room, while the farmyard is a stunning floral courtyard area.

Stonebridge Farm Caravan Park, Somerset

Wolvershill Road, Banwell BS29 6DR ☎ 07780 189042 stonebridgefarmcaravanpark.co.uk 1 April – 31 October Located near to the popular coastal resort of Weston-super-mare, this is a relaxing site but with all the facilities for a great holiday. Choose from a selection of pitches – standard with electric hook-up, six adults-only pitches and super pitches with full services and separated by hedging. The site’s facilities include a small farm shop and underfloor heated toilets and showers. Stonebridge Farm is dog friendly and there is a dedicated, fenced walking area and dog wash.

The site is easily accessible, being just a couple of miles from junction 21 of the M5, but surrounded by countryside, just outside the village of Banwell. The seafront of Weston-super-mare is under six miles away and here you’ll find the promenade for a pleasant walk and the Grand Pier. There are many places along the seafront to eat and drink, too. For walkers, the Mendip Hills are on the doorstep as well as beautiful Cheddar Gorge. A bus stop is half a mile away, while Weston has rail links to Bristol and Bath.

Piccadilly Caravan Park, Wiltshire

Folly Lane West, Lacock, Chippenham SN15 2LP ☎ 01249 730260 piccadillylacock.co.uk

1 April – 31 October

Piccadilly Caravan Park occupies a unique location – just half a mile from the beautiful National Trust village of Lacock. Here you’ll find Lacock Abbey, a country house once home to William Henry Fox Talbot, the inventor of the photo negative. There are woodland grounds, a museum and pretty streets full of traditional stone houses. There’s also a pub serving food.

Pitches on the site are part hardstanding, part grass over several hedged areas with electric hook-up available. There are toilets and showers, a launderette and dishwashing room, plus a play area, games room and a dog walk area. You can also enjoy walks in the miles of surrounding countryside.

Chippenham is a 10-minute drive away for a larger selection of pubs and shops. The city of Bath is only 40 minutes away, and Lansdown Park and Ride (BA1 9BJ) is a 30-minute drive and gives hassle-free access to this impressive historic city.

Sun Haven Holiday Park, Cornwall

Mawgan Porth, Newquay TR8 4BQ ☎ 03332 002780 lovatparks.com/sunhaven 2 April – 31 October

Located just eight miles from Padstow and five miles from Newquay, Sun Haven is a relaxed and secluded family retreat in a prime location. Tucked amongst the trees and bordered by a stream, a short 15-minute walk through woodland leads to the golden sands of Mawgan Porth Beach. The site is set amid rolling Cornish countryside and is perfect for those who love the great outdoors. The site is also dog-friendly and they will love the space to run on the beach.

The pitches at Sun Haven are a choice of grass or hardstanding with electric hook-up, and there are toilets, showers, family bathrooms, a launderette, play area and shop on site. Local activities include fishing, horse riding, surfing and golf. With both Newquay and Padstow close by, you have a choice of fish and chip restaurants, pubs and cafés locally. There is a bus stop located at the site entrance.

Norden Farm Campsite, Dorset

Corfe Castle BH20 5DS ☎ 01929 480098 nordenfarm.com 1 March – 31 October Set on a working farm just three-quarters of a mile outside Corfe Castle, Norden Farm is a top spot for those who would rather leave their vehicle on site, due to its location and public transport links. With bus stops at the site entrance and the steam train to Swanage just a short walk away, exploring the area is easy. There is a footpath leading directly to the village of Corfe Castle where you can visit the castle, and there are a few pubs, shops and a bakery.

This is an all-grass site, within a valley setting, with three camping and touring fields, all with electric hook-up. There are two large facilities blocks on site, with toilets and showers, a disabled toilet and wet room, a launderette and dog shower. There’s also a terrific farm shop on site offering a wide range of groceries, local fresh produce, plus all camping goods and accessories, along with a mini garden centre.