You don’t have to book your Devon escape for summer – loads of the county’s best campsites stay open all year around. Read on to decide whether off-season breaks in Devon could work for you.
Year-round accommodation in Devon
There are plenty of cosy campsites to suit your off-season needs – if you’re after a bit of couples’ downtime, book up an adults-only site that allows campfires to keep you toasty warm, or ramp up the romance factor in a heated camping pod.
Fancy an out-of-season staycation with younger kids? Choose a well-equipped, family-friendly site with bathrooms and a laundry room to keep everybody clothed and clean, and make it near a big all-weather attraction like The Milky Way Adventure Park – or think about staying at a holiday park with indoor facilities like a pool and a play area, so you can keep your little treasures amused on the odd rainy day.
So what are the advantages of travelling off season? For starters, local landmarks – especially the beaches – will start to empty, and fewer people means more space for you. Same goes for theme parks, restaurants and shops. And as the crowds thin out at the end of the long school summer holidays, nightly camping rates often start to fall, so keep your eyes open for bargain breaks.
Where to go in Devon off-season?
Take an (almost) townie break
Popular Devon resorts like Torquay, Salcombe and Ilfracombe can be just as enjoyable outside school holidays, with fewer people but the same great foodie pubs, restaurants and cafés, and evenings spent in theatres and cinemas. Looking for Devon campsites within 20 minutes’ drive of a town puts you just close enough for easy access to all the action, but in a spot quiet enough for a peaceful rural stay.
See what’s on when in Devon
A bit of insider knowledge goes a long way – when are the best festivals in Devon and what would you like to see? For example, April turns up the Exeter Festival of South West Food and Drink, and in May the crowds gather for the Dart Music Festival, a jamboree celebrating jazz, folk and classical music. Coming back to a quiet Devon campsite afterwards makes an excellent antidote to a day of fun-filled bustle.
Get out under dark skies
Did you know that Devon has some of the country’s darkest skies? Dartmoor and Exmoor national parks come into their own on clear autumn nights, with stars twinkling up above and barn owls flitting around too. Towards the end of the year, look for a campsite with direct access to the moors for your best chance to see the MIlky Way.
Have the beach to yourself
Longing for deserted beaches? A winter camping break could be your best bet. Beaches like Putsborough and Barricane are much quieter out of season, and as long as you wrap up warmly, little beats a bracing winter stroll along the sands. Just don’t forget to pack a flask of tea… Keen for your dogs to come along too? There are plenty of dog-friendly camping options in Devon.
