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Camping

Our UK Camping forum has all the information you need on finding the right equipment for your tent or caravan.

Original poster

Beach camping UK

30 replies

BlackInk · 04/07/2022 16:06

Does anyone know of anywhere in the UK (preferably Wales/Devon/Dorset but open to other suggestions) that you can camp literally on the beach/in the dunes – or very, very close? We've got a medium-sized family tent and would need toilets/showers but not much else. Doesn't need to be fancy. I've been googling, but not coming up with much!
Or, possibly, a cabin/cottage on the beach that doesn't cost the earth!
Thank you :)

OP posts:
SausageAndCash · 04/07/2022 16:11

Shell Island
Waxham Sands (Norfolk)
Pentewan Sands (Cornwall)

grannycake · 04/07/2022 16:14

Hill End on Gower. At the Llangennith end of Rhossili beach. Cut through the dunes for amazing beach. Site has a small shop and a restaurant and it's about 1 mile to pub. Surf lessons availabile on site from the Welsh Surfing Federation

Pembrey Country park also has a campsite and is right on beach. Also woods and dry ski slope

Jijithecat · 04/07/2022 16:20

Have you looked at Newgale in Haverfordwest?

Original poster
BlackInk · 04/07/2022 16:48

Thanks folks. I've just had a look at all those, but we're looking for a smaller site not a holiday park, and probably a pie-in-the-sky notion but where we are camping right on the beach/in the dunes rather than a short walk away..... maybe it doesn't exist!

OP posts:
sanitygirl · 04/07/2022 16:56

Eype House campsite - 2 minutes walk from the beach in Dorset, gorgeous small campsite on a hill with nice clean facilities

Holymole · 04/07/2022 17:04

Black rock sands campsite at Porthmadog.

Holymole · 04/07/2022 17:05

BlackInk · 04/07/2022 16:48

Thanks folks. I've just had a look at all those, but we're looking for a smaller site not a holiday park, and probably a pie-in-the-sky notion but where we are camping right on the beach/in the dunes rather than a short walk away..... maybe it doesn't exist!

You can't really pitch a tent on sand or in dunes though can you? So just behind the beach is probably as good as you'll get.

motogirl · 04/07/2022 17:11

St David's right by the beach but it's a field - by the main surfing beach. Also in Pembrokeshire on the road to the south that leads to st David's there's one at newgale. I haven't used either I've stayed 400m or so inland at lleithyr farm

motogirl · 04/07/2022 17:12

The farm one isn't big, the others are smaller

AllThingsServeTheBeam · 04/07/2022 17:14

You can pitch where you like at Shell Island. It's not a site.

There is Cae Due as well. Right on the beach.

AppleHa · 04/07/2022 17:14

When we camped at Waxham Sands, which a PP suggested, we literally had the sand dunes right behind the tent. I don't think you could get any closer. Not all the pitches do that obviously. It is not a holiday park in the sense of a Haven or Park Resorts, there is no central entertainment venue or pool, just a rather tatty (and cheap!) mini golf, a small shop and occasionally a chip van.

Clymene · 04/07/2022 17:15

Beaches tend to be public land. Privately owned beaches don't typically want campers on them.

Go to Scotland.

Mumdiva99 · 04/07/2022 17:15

If you try to pitch on sand won't a puff of wind blow the tent away?
Also.....sand in the tent.. eeewww.

Hope you find what you want.

AppleHa · 04/07/2022 17:17

AppleHa · 04/07/2022 17:14

When we camped at Waxham Sands, which a PP suggested, we literally had the sand dunes right behind the tent. I don't think you could get any closer. Not all the pitches do that obviously. It is not a holiday park in the sense of a Haven or Park Resorts, there is no central entertainment venue or pool, just a rather tatty (and cheap!) mini golf, a small shop and occasionally a chip van.

I just had a look at their web site and see they are calling themselves a holiday park - unless they have had massive renovations over Covid, which I guess the might have done, they really are not. They ar quite a big campsite though.

stargirl1701 · 04/07/2022 17:17

Yes but it is a long drive from where we are in Perthshire...

https://www.clachtollbeachcampsite.com

StamppotAndGravy · 04/07/2022 17:22

Not uk, but this is exactly what you're looking for via a ferry in the Netherlands. The pitches are stretched out along the dunes so you can't see the blocks and it feels pretty wild.

www.krim.nl/camping-kogerstrand

MrsOwainGlyndŵr · 04/07/2022 17:22

Have you ever tried pitching a tent on the sand? Smile

longtompot · 04/07/2022 17:23

sanitygirl · 04/07/2022 16:56

Eype House campsite - 2 minutes walk from the beach in Dorset, gorgeous small campsite on a hill with nice clean facilities

And a 15 min walk back up the hill to your tent😆I had such sore calves after our weekend there a few years ago. It is a lovely site, especially for the view, but it's not camping on the beach which is what the op is after

Jijithecat · 04/07/2022 19:34

Sand dunes are an at risk habitat and have had lots of money invested in protecting them. I'd be surprised if you found somewhere that permitted camping actually in the dunes in England or Wales.

AllThingsServeTheBeam · 04/07/2022 19:49

Jijithecat · 04/07/2022 19:34

Sand dunes are an at risk habitat and have had lots of money invested in protecting them. I'd be surprised if you found somewhere that permitted camping actually in the dunes in England or Wales.

Shell Island

ClosedAuraOpenMind · 04/07/2022 22:06

Kintra Farm on Islay. my absolute favourite campsite that we've been to, love falling asleep listening to the waves. Unfortunately it's not opened up since Covid ☹️

Beach camping UK
Beach camping UK
Original poster
BlackInk · 05/07/2022 13:47

Thanks all, I'm going to have a good look at all those mentioned.
I do appreciate I may be asking for the moon on a stick.... I just had an urge to step out of my tent in the mornings and drink a cup of tea with my toes in the sand!
I believe you can pitch a tent on sand using stones and sand to weigh the tent down (as well as pegs) but a beach in my tent's 'back garden' would be a good compromise!

OP posts:
Fuckingfuckssake · 05/07/2022 14:04

Can I be very rude and jump on this thread please? Also looking for a campsite in North Wales, our first family camping holiday, ideally near a beach also, quieter site preferably, I'd be so grateful for any recommendations.

longtompot · 05/07/2022 15:16

I've not been but these are on my want to stay at list. Both pretty close to beaches

www.nicholastonfarm.co.uk

threecliffsbay.com

bluesky45 · 05/07/2022 15:57

Fuckingfuckssake · 05/07/2022 14:04

Can I be very rude and jump on this thread please? Also looking for a campsite in North Wales, our first family camping holiday, ideally near a beach also, quieter site preferably, I'd be so grateful for any recommendations.

Shell island. Not been for a few years but probably going to go back this year or next (depending on DH time off work). You can pitch quite far away from others if you are clever about your pitch so that makes it quiet. And obviously being an island, there's a lot of beach all around the site