One of the best things about owning a campervan is being able to stay close to the coast. There’s something special about stepping out of your van in the morning and knowing that a beach is only a short walk away.
Over the last few years we’ve stayed at several campsites and holiday parks that are either right next to the beach or close enough to enjoy easy access to the coastline.
A few of our favourites include:
- Haven Presthaven Beach Resort in Prestatyn
- Hafan y Môr Holiday Park near Pwllheli
- Golden Coast Holiday Park in Woolacombe
- Min y Don Caravan Park in Harlech
Each offers something slightly different, but they all have one thing in common: easy access to some fantastic beaches.
Why We Love Campsites Near Beaches
For our family, staying near the coast makes a camping trip feel like a proper holiday.
There’s no need to drive and search for parking every day. Instead, you can walk straight to the beach, enjoy the sea air, and spend more time relaxing.
Beachside camping is particularly popular with:
- Families looking for easy days out during school holidays
- Dog owners who enjoy coastal walks
- Campervan and motorhome owners wanting scenic locations
- Couples looking for a peaceful seaside escape
- Watersports enthusiasts such as surfers, paddleboarders and kayakers
Whether it’s building sandcastles, swimming in the sea, walking coastal paths or simply watching the sunset, being close to the beach adds something special to any camping trip.
Some Coastal Sites We’ve Enjoyed
Haven Presthaven Beach Resort, Prestatyn
Presthaven sits right next to miles of sandy coastline in North Wales. One of the biggest advantages is being able to walk directly to the beach without needing the car.
The beach itself stretches for miles and is perfect for long walks, especially during quieter periods outside peak season.
Hafan y Môr Holiday Park, Pwllheli
Hafan y Môr is one of the largest holiday parks we’ve visited. While the park itself has plenty to do, one of its biggest attractions is its coastal location on the Llŷn Peninsula.
The surrounding area offers beautiful beaches and some stunning coastal scenery.
Golden Coast Holiday Park, Woolacombe
Woolacombe Beach regularly appears on lists of the UK’s best beaches and it’s easy to see why.
Golden Coast Holiday Park is located nearby, making it an excellent base for beach lovers. The long sandy beach is popular with families, surfers and walkers alike.
Min y Don Caravan Park, Harlech
Harlech combines an incredible beach with spectacular views of Snowdonia.
Min y Don offers easy access to both the coastline and the surrounding countryside, making it a great choice for people who enjoy both beach days and mountain walks. Also we took the campervan to Barmouth for a day with the kids which they loved!
Why Finding Beachside Campsites Can Be Difficult
One of the reasons I started Campsites & Lodges was because finding exactly the right campsite wasn’t always easy.
Many camping directories allow you to search by location, but often don’t make it easy to find specific features that matter to travellers.
For example, you might know you want:
- A campsite near the beach
- A holiday park close to the coast
- A touring pitch within walking distance of the sea
- A dog-friendly coastal campsite
However, finding those specific combinations can take a lot of searching.
That’s why we’ve added location and feature filters to help narrow down the options more quickly.
How to Find Campsites Near Beaches
If you’re looking for campsites close to the coast, you can use the search filters on Campsites & Lodges.
Simply:
Step 1: Choose a Location
Select the area you’re interested in visiting.
For example:
- Cornwall
- Devon
- North Wales
- Dorset
- Cumbria
Step 2: Choose an Accommodation Type
Select the type of stay you’re looking for, such as:
- Campsites
- Campervan sites
- Motorhome sites
- Holiday lodges
- Caravan parks
Step 3: Select the “Near Beach” Feature
Under Features, choose:
Near Beach
The results will then show campsites and holiday parks that have been tagged with beach access or proximity to the coast.
Help Us Find More Coastal Campsites
This website is very much an ongoing project. We’re continually adding new campsites, holiday parks, touring sites and holiday lodges across the UK.
If you’ve stayed somewhere that deserves to be included, we’d love to hear about it.
In particular, we’re always looking for recommendations for:
- Campsites within walking distance of the beach
- Holiday parks with direct beach access
- Hidden coastal gems
- Dog-friendly beachside campsites
- Campervan and motorhome sites near the sea
If you know a great site that should be listed, please get in touch or recommend it through the website.
The more recommendations we receive, the easier it becomes for fellow campers to discover fantastic places to stay around the UK coastline.
And if you’re anything like us, there’s nothing quite like waking up with the beach just a short walk away.