With three Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty there’s no shortage of gorgeous countryside to stay in if you want to try camping in Somerset. Exmoor National Park is a particular beauty spot, with lush green hills and valleys where you can enjoy a secluded break away from the rat race.
You could even pitch your tent beside the River Exe, where adults, children and dogs alike can relax and unwind, bathe and fish, or explore the walking trails that track across the extensive farmland nearby. Exmoor is also a designated Dark Sky Reserve, which makes it the ideal place to do a bit of stargazing once night falls.
There’s plenty to explore when you go camping in Somerset, from the county’s 50 miles of coastline and one of the longest stretches of sandy beaches in Europe, to attractions such as the Cheddar Gorge and Wookey Hole Caves, the historic West Somerset Railway or the shops and restaurants of the ancient Roman city of Bath.
And when you’ve worked up an appetite, indulge on the best of Somerset’s local food – a slice of world famous Cheddar cheese, a bottle of Butcombe Beer or a local version of the traditional South West cream tea, made with Whortleberry jam unique to the Exmoor area.
Westermill Farm, a 500 acre working hill farm in the heart of Exmoor National Park, offers a perfect spot for camping in Somerset. You can buy supplies from the small, seasonal shop on site – open for an hour each morning – including locally sourced bread, milk, eggs and bacon for breakfast, fruit and veg, a selection of home grown free-range meat (including award-winning Aberdeen Angus) for the barbecue, and of course, marshmallows for toasting over the last embers as evening falls. And the provisions don’t end there. Although peace and quiet are in plentiful supply at Westermill’s secluded countryside setting, you won’t be without your creature comforts. Facilities include natural spring drinking water, modern toilets and hot showers, plus a payphone, dishwashing area, laundry and Calor gas exchange.
Camping in Somerset is the ideal break for families and couples looking for a combination of outdoor fun and rural relaxation.