Motorhoming, Caravanning and Camping in South Devon

Motorhoming, Caravanning and Camping in South Devon

Are you always looking for inspiration about where to visit next with your tourer or tent? In this blog we will share some places you may want to visit to enjoy a short weekend or a family holiday. We will include dog friendly beaches for if you have a four legged friend.

Where is South Devon?

South Devon is located in the south west of England. It borders the counties of Dorset, Cornwall and Somerset.
South Devon generally enjoys a mild climate with plenty of sunshine, but be prepared as it does get its fair share of rain. Devon is a popular tourist destination for many. The area around Torquay is known as the English Riviera. If you’re looking for beautiful beaches, palm trees and cream teas then Devon should be on your list.

Where should I stay?

South Devon is blessed with excellent caravan and camping sites. From quiet CS locations to large commercial family sites, with entertainment and swimming pools. You will find a site that is perfect for you.

If you are looking to stay around the popular and quaint town of Sidmouth then there a few great choices.
You could opt for a larger park such as Oakdown Holiday Park. This well kept site offers self catering accommodation too, if you are travelling with family who don’t have their own tourer.
If you want a no frills value site then Wellbeck Farm Certified Site may be for you. Based on a small farm it offers grass pitches for £8 per night, there is a toilet and waste disposal available too.

If you want something more lively, head towards the seaside town of Dawlish. Here you will find several large family orientated sites. Lady’s Mile Site offers everything a family needs to keep them entertained for a week or more.

You can find a relaxed family friendly site if you travel further south towards Paignton. Here you can stay at Higher Well Farm Holiday Park, they offer huge grass pitches, with electric, for all tourers and tents. The site is dog friendly and has a fish and chip van visit on a Saturday night. At £18 a night it is well priced compared to other sites nearby. You will receive a warm and friendly welcome from the owners too.

There are plenty of sites around the area to stay at, you can use a search tool such as pitch up to discover a fantastic place to stay.

Where should I visit?

Sidmouth

Sidmouth is a quaint town situated on the sea, it is known to be popular for its seafront and beach. The town itself has a nice bustle to it, with several shops and small pubs to enjoy a meal.
Sidmouth is suited to couples more than families as it lacks commercial attractions and entertainment. There is ample parking around the town and you can enjoy the Jurassic Coast here.
One family attraction worth a visit is the Donkey Sanctuary. The Donkey Sanctuary works to rescue and protect donkeys who have not had the best start in life. As well as visiting the donkeys you can adopt one too, there are also webcams so you can watch from home.

Dawlish

If you prefer a little more activity, then head further south to Dawlish. Dawlish does have it all and will keep family members of all ages occupied. We recommend parking at Barton Hill Car Park, it is accessible by car and motorhome. Once parked up you can walk down to the town via the brook. The brook is freshwater and is inhabited by black swans and plenty of ducks. There is a lovely grassed area where you can walk you dog or sit and watch the water run past. The brook is bordered by plenty of great shops, including coffee shops, small bars and fish and chips.

An absolute must is a visit to Gays Creamery, situated on Brunswick Place and overlooking the brook. They have an abundance of fresh cakes and pies available all day, everyday, and a small seating area to enjoy your treats outside.

At the bottom of the town is the sandy beach, it does go on for miles so finding your own quiet spot won’t be an issue. Dogs are welcome on the left hand side of the beach and there are seasonal restrictions on the right hand side. The town is very dog friendly generally.

Whilst walking on the beach, or the seafront promenade, you will be passed by various trains on the railway. The Riviera line makes Dawlish accessible from all over the south west.

Paignton and Goodrington

Do you like a larger seaside town, well in that case Paignton is worth a visit. It has a long sandy beach and promenade, ideal for a nice walk. If sitting on the beach isn’t for you then you can keep yourself amused on the pier. Paignton town centre offers a variety of shops, amusements and eateries too.
There is parking along the seafront and small motorhomes can park at the far end.

Once you’ve seen enough of the beach you could visit Paignton Zoo. The Zoo is home to an array of animals including rhino, cheetah, monkey and zebra. There are smaller animals too, birds and reptiles, it really does offer a great wildlife experience.

Goodrington is next door and we found it was ideal to park at Clennon Valley Car Park in the motorhome. We walked down to Goodrington Sands, which is dog friendly, and then over to Paignton. Goodrington has a nice feel to it. There are plenty of places to eat as you look out to sea, or across the harbour.
Goodrington benefits from Splashdown, a popular waterpark with eight flume rides!

Stoke Gabriel

This small village is situated on a creek on the River Dart, with a man-made dam creating a great visitor attraction. Stoke Gabriel is very quaint and very small, access with a motorhome is not recommended. Parking can be found at the bottom of Mill lane, right at the waters edge. The charge is £5 and from there you can take a walk back up the hill to the village. At the waters edge people enjoy crabbing off the damn. Crab lines can be bought at the small shop along with hot drinks and snacks. The size of crab you can catch from the damn is actually quite impressive and this spot is popular with young families. After a morning of crabbing you might fancy a pub lunch at The Castle Inn.

When should I visit?

South Devon is an all year round destination, winters are milder than further north. Over winter several attractions may be closed, along with some of the caravan and camping sites. Each season offers something different but spring and autumn will find most attractions open but fewer visitors. August, as you would expect, is the busiest month. Holidaymakers head to Devon during the school holidays to enjoy the attractions and have some quality time together.
Whenever you choose to visit, Devon offers a fun filled holiday for everyone, including pets!