Campsites near Salcombe

A southern English beach resort town with coastal camping and national parks nearby.

95% (656 reviews)
95% (656 reviews)

Popular camping styles for Salcombe

Available this weekend

Under £50

12 top campsites near Salcombe

97%
(133)

Cornish Tipi Holidays & Camping

127 units · Glamping, Motorhomes, Tents20 acres · Cornwall, South West England
Wake up to the sound of birdsong, go swimming before breakfast in the clear water of a secluded lake. Cook your bacon and eggs over an open fire while you plan your day, or just laze it away in the peace and quiet of your own personal tipi. You can always go fishing tomorrow, and walk along the cliffs the day after that… The site is a unique woodland valley folded around a clear, spring-fed lake created from the old Tregildrans Quarry. Our tipis and tent pitches are dotted about this secret 20 acres full of ferns, bluebells, oak and meadowsweet. Left in peace for many years there's been no modern chemicals or poisons on the land, meaning we've got bluebells, dormice, Red Admirals and shy woodland Jays for you to spot. It’s a place set apart from the rush and clutter of the modern holiday experience, with an atmosphere that makes you forget the world outside, and just lounge, ramble, or potter about in a boat. We're committed to giving you a genuinely individual service from first contact to your time staying with us. We established CTH in 1996. This was the first and we believe still is the best tipi holiday site in the UK. We know our area inside out and can always help with local knowledge or contacts if you need them. We want to offer our guests a sustainable holiday. A return to real camping means the lowest possible impact on the land and environment - our tipi poles don’t even break the surface of the earth. Your footprint while here could only be bettered by a survival expert. You don't have to fly! a major bonus, and we source all our wood, fish and canvas locally and work with local people wherever possible.
Potable water
Campfires
Showers
Trash
Cooking equipment
from 
£25
 / night

Dog-friendly getaways

Star Hosts in Salcombe

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Happy farmer sitting in a truck in a grassy field
Happy farmer sitting in a truck in a grassy field

Campsites near Salcombe guide

Overview

Salcombe, on Devon’s southern coast, has been a popular beachside resort for over 200 years. The pretty harbour and estuary are a scenic backdrop for days spent on the beach, swimming, kayaking, boating, and surfing. Situated within the South Devon Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) and near other beautiful natural spots in Devon, Salcombe offers many good reasons to take a break from the beach and head inland, too. Campers get a taste of everything South Devon is famous for, with a range of options from well-equipped caravan parks to quiet tent spots and farm stays.

Things to do in Salcombe

  • In Salcombe, campers can spend hours on the quayside in town, watching the boats come and go while enjoying an ice cream or trying crabbing.
  • Salcombe’s high street mixes independent shops with bigger-name boutiques, art galleries, and eateries where you can try the latest catch.
  • Visit in April for the town’s annual Crab Fest or in August for its regatta.
  • Don’t miss your chance to take to the water, whether kayaking, paddleboarding, sailing, or taking a cruise of the estuary.
  • If you want a day on the beach, head to North or South Sands, a couple of miles out of town.
  • Overbeck, the former home of scientist and inventor Otto Overbeck, is on the outskirts of Salcombe with a tea room, museum, subtropical gardens, and unbeatable views of the surrounding area.
  • The South West Coast Path offers excellent coastal walking if you need to stretch the legs near Salcombe. Nearby Prawle Point is a great place to head for, as it’s Devon’s southernmost point.
  • Dartmoor National Park is 30 minutes’ drive from Salcombe with almost endless ways to explore.
  • For a fun-packed family day out, Woodlands Farm Theme Park mixes a chance to meet farmyard animals with rides and activities for young kids.

Where to go

South Devon AONB

Salcombe is within the South Devon AONB, which stretches along the coast between Plymouth and the River Dart. The attractive, protected area is renowned for its sandy beaches, rugged coastline, estuaries, patchwork farmland, and historic villages. Coastal walking trails and ferries link some towns, essential for walkers wanting to cross some of the estuaries. Salcombe is an ideal base for campers wanting to explore the AONB.

Dartmoor National Park

This large area of wild, open moorland, rare wildlife, and deep river valleys is a must-visit place for outdoor enthusiasts wanting a rugged adventure. Backpack camping is allowed in some areas of open moorland for one or two nights as part of long-distance walking expeditions, but this must be done out of sight or settlements or roads, and campers must follow Leave No Trace principles. Parking your campervan or caravan overnight isn’t allowed within Dartmoor National Park. There are designated sites for motorhomes.

Bodmin Moor AONB

Northwest of Salcombe and over the border in Cornwall, the large granite moorland of Bodmin Moor contains some of Cornwall’s highest peaks. Once densely populated in the Bronze Age, the bleak, heather-covered moorland contains archaeological sites today. It’s also still used as a grazing site for livestock. A highway runs through the moor, so it’s easy to visit on a day trip from Salcombe. Hiking and cycling trails through the area make camping closer to Bodmin Moor worthwhile.

When to go

As a beachside resort town, Salcombe is best visited in summer. The weather will usually be warm, relatively dry, and the days long—ideal for tent or caravan camping. Outside of summer, opt for cabin or cottage accommodation around Salcombe instead. Because of Salcombe’s southern location, some of the outdoor attractions nearby can be enjoyed beyond the summer, too.

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