Camping in North Devon

So, as you’ll have guessed from the title, this blog is something of a departure from normal Preseli Venture articles, in geographic terms at the very least. The truth is that I really liked Claire’s blog on the best spots to go camping in Pembrokeshire and, as I’m something of a camping enthusiast, I thought that I’d jot down a few notes about why I like camping in North Devon, a region that has a good deal in common with southwest Wales.

North Devon is really only just across the Bristol Channel from Pembrokeshire and there are notable similarities between the two regions. These include spectacular coastal scenery, vast expanses of sweeping sandy beaches (like Broad Haven and Saunton Sands), and rugged moorland in the form of the Preseli Mountains and Exmoor. Add to this great mix of natural beauty the potential to pursue any number of adventurous (and not so adventurous) activities – from coasteering to kayaking, horse riding to hiking, and surfing to sunbathing – and it’s no wonder that holidays in North Devon and Pembrokeshire are so popular.

Of course, the two areas aren’t the same in every respect. I think it’s fair to say that if you’re after quiet seclusion, Pembrokeshire has the edge. However, if you’re going on a family camping trip and are more in need of a greater range of entertainment and family-friendly facilities then North Devon is definitely worth a look.

One of my favourite spots is Woolacombe, which is perfectly suited to family holidays, due in a very large part to its fantastic beach - widely regarded as one of the best in Britain. As it sits pretty much halfway along the North Devon stretch of the famous South West Coastal Path, the resort is also a good base from which to explore the rest of the region. While it’s a great place for family holidays, the range of campsites in Woolacombe means that you’ll easily find one to suit you.

The Golden Coast Holiday Village is very much a family-focused park, with a massive range of activities on offer, including indoor and outdoor pools, tennis courts, 10-pin bowling, coarse fishing, and a cinema. By contrast, Easewell Farm, just up the hill in nearby Mortehoe, offers a more tranquil and relaxed atmosphere with open camping fields and stunning views across the sea to Wales. I’ve stayed at both (at Golden Coast with family, Easwell with friends) and the both fitted the bill perfectly.

So, much as it’s difficult to drag yourself away from holidaying in the ever-glorious Pembrokeshire, if you are looking for a bit of a change, then I couldn’t recommend camping in North Devon more heartily.

Read more about Woolacome Bay Holiday Parks in our aboutus page