We already knew Devon had it good. The coastline, the lanes, the kind of evening light that makes even a service station pasty look like fine dining. But now there’s data to back it up: Devon has just been named the UK’s top county for coastal camping in 2026, with two of its campsites placing in the national top five.

The findings come from price comparison platform idealo, which ranked coastal campsites across the country against a combination of affordability, guest reviews, beach proximity, and on-site facilities. Devon didn’t just scrape into the rankings — it dominated them.

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Two Devon Campsites. One Very Good Summer.

Beryl’s Campsite in Beeson took second place overall, scoring 8.21 out of 10. That’s no mean feat in a national study, and it’s easy to see why the judges — or rather, the algorithm — fell for it. Pitches start from £27 a night (£32 with hookup), it holds a 4.7-star Google rating, and it sits just 1.2km from Beesands Beach, with the South West Coast Path practically on the doorstep. It’s the kind of place that sells itself: paddleboarding in the morning, a proper pub in the evening, and a field to sleep in between. Pet-friendly too, which in Devon is basically a legal requirement.

Meanwhile, Watermouth Valley Camping Park in Ilfracombe landed fifth — and earned something arguably more impressive than a higher rank. It achieved a perfect facility score of 100 out of 100, the highest in the entire study. Positioned just 0.75km from the beach (the second-closest site in the whole top ten), it’s within easy reach of Tunnels Beaches, Ilfracombe’s harbour, and that enormous North Devon sky. Pitches run from £32 a night without hookup, £40 with, and it carries a 4.8-star rating. Also pet-friendly. Devon, as mentioned.

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The Full UK Top Ten

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What This Actually Means for a Devon Summer

The broader picture is worth noting too. According to idealo’s research, summer 2026 campsite bookings are running 12% ahead of last year, with some coastal sites already at 90% capacity. If you’re planning a break and haven’t booked yet, the window is narrowing.

Devon being the only county to place two sites in the national top five isn’t entirely surprising — the county has the coastline for it, the infrastructure around it, and increasingly the reputation to match. What’s striking is the spread: south Devon’s quieter coves represented by Beryl’s in Beeson, and the big Atlantic drama of the North Devon coast through Watermouth Valley in Ilfracombe. Two very different Devons, both world class.

The full idealo research — including methodology and wider rankings — is available at idealo.co.uk/magazine/lifestyle-leisure/uks-best-coastal-campsites.

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Pricing shown is per night for a 2-person pitch. Data correct at time of publication, June 2026.