Camping in South West England

The South West of England

South West England is rich in a lot of things: history, sprawling landscapes, coastline, legends, space, natural wonders, famous landmarks… It’s a place that will fill your days and your dreams, from the foamy surf and quiet seaside villages of Devon and Cornwall to the mist-covered hills of Somerset, which claim to be the mythical ‘Avalon’ and resting-place of ancient kings. The South West is the land of Stonehenge, timeless landscapes, and the Victorian eccentricity and splendour of cities like Bristol and Exeter.

Smugglers, queens, Romans and bishops alike have been enchanted by England’s South West, and it’s dotted with the remnants of their devotion. The landscape here is deeply marked with the past, from the monoliths of Stonehenge to the medieval Forest of Dean, once the hunting ground of a king, now open to the public for wandering. However, if you want to escape history and encounter natural wonders, camping in South West England has unspoiled beauty in spades. The Isles of Scilly carry a frozen-in-time feel, while the vast national parks of Dartmoor and Exmoor stretch for miles, inviting explorers to walk their heather-lined paths and turn back the centuries.

Reasons to visit South West England

Dreamy coastline

Do you take your scones with jam or cream first? You’ll have to pick a side when you’re travelling through Devon and Cornwall, the two seaside counties with duelling cream tea traditions and some of England’s finest coastline. Cornwall has a climate unknown elsewhere in the United Kingdom, where balmy breezes create a rare shelter for exotic plants and gardens of delicate flowers. The domes and spheres of the Eden Project are filled with them, and a day can be lost in its winding paths — with ice cream made on the premises and flavoured with canela, a Mexican spice, as a reward.

However your tastes run when it comes to beach holidays, the South West has shores to suit. Bucket-and-spade holiday-makers can enjoy the family friendly resorts of Torquay, Bude or St Ives, or find quiet coves along coasts to make sandcastles and explore the rock pools. More dramatic coastal scenery also awaits, with storm-lashed cliffs, Jurassic fossils and dolphins leaping in the ocean — and there are water sports for visitors who don’t simply want to splash, with everything from windsurfing off the Isles of Scilly to surf schools in Cornwall.

Myth and legend

The legends that cluster around Glastonbury and its high Tor are justifiably famous, but whether or not you believe this is truly the resting-place of King Arthur, the town’s gentle hippie vibe and maze-like streets will make you feel like you’re lost in a dream. Glastonbury Abbey is an epic setting for a picnic, while climbing the Tor itself stretches out leg muscles you might not know you had.

Myths can take many forms, and you’ll find every aspect in South West England, from the spooky moorlands of Devon to the Jane Austen-era England that still survives in Bath’s sandstone streets and squares. Stand in the ring of stones at Stonehenge and feel ancient history at your fingertips, or venture into Neolithic burial chambers on the Channel Islands. In the South West, history and its imaginings are always vital and present.

Animal encounters

The South West is a fantastic region for an encounter with nature. The famous Longleat Safari Park is one of the best places in England to get up close and personal with animals, from giraffes and zebras to bats, and kids will love the feeding opportunities and gigantic hedge maze. Exmoor Zoo is also a favourite, and their Zookeeper For A Day experience will delight animal-lovers of all sizes.

More into marine life? The South West has plenty, particularly in the National Marine Aquarium in Plymouth – the nation’s biggest – which is packed with underwater creatures to fascinate and enthral. Living Coasts, off the coast of Devon, also has ocean wildlife to spare, and their daily feeding schedule involves everything from penguins and otters to rescued baby chicks. Fans of airborne creatures can have their fill too, as the International Centre for Birds of Prey has astonishing bird shows and child-friendly handling experiences for aspiring falconers and owl-lovers.

Why choose Experience Freedom?

South West England has many different attractions in store, and Experience Freedom’s campsites are the best place to savour them. Camping and glamping in South West England opens up a world of historical wonders, amazing stories and foodie delights. Ready to savour it? Select a region to see campsites, or use the Search and Book function to check a site’s availability.