Places to camp in southern England/Wales?

Question

Does anyone know a good location in southern England or wales where I can camp out for a weekend?
I don't want a campsite, just somewhere I can put up a tent, light a fire, put on some music and relax away from people and without going on some farmers land, somewhere pretty easily accessible (not at the top of a mountain etc). We live in Bath but are prepared to travel a bit.

I need something a bit more specific than say just dartmoor or lake district, Like where I can actually go and pitch my tent.

Answer 1

A gem of a place called Shell Island on the West coast of Wales(nearest town is called Barmouth).

I have been going there for years and as it is the best place I have found to camp where human contact is minimum and wide open spaces are plentifully (providing you do not camp during a major holiday season or school holidays - even then, you can get a field to yourself if your lucky!)

Shell Island is accessible via a causeway that you can drive along, making it instantly feel secluded. When you reach the end of the causeway, there is a camp shop, pub & restraunt, Toilets and brand new shower blocks, and camp office (£6 per person). Once you have paid, then the whole island is yours to go find a spot to pitch - island is made up of field after field(goes on forever!)

It has a estuary on one side with amazing rock pools.It has a long stretches of sandy beaches at the other end, and the tallest and best sand dunes I have jumped around in! You can have fires as long as it is elevated off the ground, but allowed to have fires with no such restrictions on the beach or sand dunes. Music turned down low after midnight, but otherwise no problems.

We went mid July and was fantastic - had a field to ourselfves and watched the sun go down over the sea while huddled close to our fire. You will love it - enjoy !

Answer 2

You should go to Aberdaron in Wales on the Lleyn Peninsula.. It's lovely. Where we go is basically a big field with a very dodgy but perfectly adequate toilet/shower. It's on the headland overlooking the beach. We have contained fires when we're there. The only thing is, if it rains, it gets really muddy. But it does drain quickly due to it's position. You can pitch your tent right on the edge of the field and the views of the sea are fantastic, not to mention the sounds. There is fairly direct access to the beach, and in the village itself there are a couple of nice pubs. Lovely.

Answer 3

There must be a few spots in Pilton or nr Glastonbury.
There will probably be some other tents, buses, etc on some common land.
That way you get to meet some new friends along the way.

Answer 4

Crackington, near Bude

Answer 5

Dartmoor?

Answer 6

i stayed at a farm house that did b+b in suffolk, it was great, and it turns out that its a national thing, try www.farmhousebedandbreakfast.co.uk maybe these can help? At least with permission you wont get a snotty farmer wanting to shoot you with his 12 bore at 2am!

Answer 7

ruda - north devon
john fowlers holiday park - ilfracombe, north devon
croyde bay holiday park - north devon
butlins - minehead, somerset

exmoor is your best bet if you dont want to go on a proper site, exmoor is really beautiful, and you can make as much noise as you like. x

Answer 8

the lake district is very pretty and peaceful - I camp there every summer!

Answer 9

go to ireland and the west coast , dingle penninsula

Answer 10

wales kiln park tenby its fantastic