Every summer, our family sets off on a camping adventure somewhere in the UK, and this year was no different. For the first week of the summer holidays, we found ourselves at Watermouth Valley Camping Park, nestled in a beautiful corner of Devon known as Berrynarbor, near Ilfracombe. It was our first time at this site and we had a wonderful week!

A Scenic Start to Our Holiday at Watermouth Valley Camping Park

To break up the long journey from Cheshire to Watermouth-Valley-Camping in Devon, we decided to stay overnight in Tiverton. This turned out to be a brilliant move – arriving at the campsite first thing in the morning meant we were refreshed and ready to set up without the stress of a long drive beforehand.

Thanks to years of camping experience (we’ve been doing this as a family since 2016!), we’ve developed a bit of a system. While my husband sets up the tent and empties the car, I take the kids off to the park, beach or a nearby café. It works like a charm!

Top tip: always pack your tent and setup essentials where they’re easy to reach. Ours go straight into the roof box for immediate access on arrival.

First Impressions of Watermouth Valley Camping Park

The site itself is fairly quiet and family-friendly, and it immediately felt safe enough for the kids to ride their bikes around until sunset. What really stood out was the spectacular sea view from our pitch – a definite highlight that made our mornings and evenings extra special.

We were fortunate to have a good mix of facilities on-site:

• A woodland play area and games room with a pool table and table football – with table tennis outside
• A daily themed food truck, perfect for easy and affordable evening meals
• A launderette and a small shop selling local essentials
• Family shower rooms

The main toilet and shower block was generally very clean, though it did get busy at peak times. We appreciated the design – individual shower rooms that included a toilet and sink, which made getting the kids clean much easier than the usual rows of separate cubicles. There was another, quieter block with more dated facilities, but I actually really liked the vanity cubicles for brushing your teeth. It’s small touches like this that make a difference!

As someone who always reads reviews before booking, I can confidently say that clean toilet facilities are at the top of my must-have list for any campsite and Watermouth Valley delivered.

From the campsite, it is a short walk to the local beach which we visited a couple of times during our stay. It’s great to have this option without the need of taking the car out!

Watermouth-Valley-Camping: Local Adventures & Day Trips

We spent our days exploring the surrounding area and packing in plenty of activities – come rain or shine.

Ilfracombe Harbour

This charming area quickly became a favourite and we visited several times during our stay. From local shops and ice cream parlours to pizza places and arcades, there was always something to do. On one rainy day, we checked out the Ilfracombe Aquarium, which was small but interesting. We also climbed up to the historic chapel overlooking the harbour for some stunning views.

The boys went on a fishing trip from the harbour and had a great time. We even managed to catch a few big crabs during one of our rock-pooling adventures! Crabbing off the harbour is popular here too – you can purchase all of your crabbing essentials from the local shops.

There are plenty of options for ice cream and fish and chips here. We also visited ‘Slice of Devon’ which serves delicious pizza! Note – watch out for the seagulls here!

Woolacombe Beach

We made two trips here during the week – it’s a stunning, family-friendly beach. The sand was perfect for digging and the sea was (just about) warm enough for a paddle. We discovered a Sri Lankan takeaway right by the beach, which we brought down with us for a sunset dinner—delicious and something a bit different. As always, we rounded it off with ice cream from one of the many local parlours.

Watermouth Castle Theme Park

Located just a short drive from the campsite, Watermouth Castle was a hit. It reminded us a lot of Gulliver’s theme parks, with traditional fairground games, quirky attractions, and a bit of local history thrown in. It’s definitely geared more towards younger children, but it was a nostalgic and fun day out for all of us. There was lots to see and do, keeping the whole family entertained. Whilst visiting, we visited the outdoor cafe for lunch, prices were reasonable, as expected in a theme park.

We booked advance tickets for £19 per person – afternoon access is available for £13 per person and children under 92cm are only £5. Dogs are also welcome for free (but remember to add them onto your booking)!

There were some things inside that incurred additional costs – some of the traditional arcade games required coins and Toboggans were £1.50 per person.

Ilfrecombe Town and Outdoor Activities

My daughter tried quad biking for the first time this trip and absolutely loved it. Devon has no shortage of outdoor activities – archery, paddle boarding, boat trips, you name it. In Ilfrecombe town, we even visited a lovely independent cinema on a rainy day. It was charming but compact – booking ahead is recommended, especially if you need extra legroom!

We ate out a handful of times during our camping trip and visited Giovanni and Luca’s twice – a delicious Italian restaurant. Note – they get super busy in here, so booking ahead is recommended.

Nearby there are several souvenir ships which my children seem to love – you can also find more near the harbour.

Food, Fires, and Camp Life at Watermouth Valley Camping Park

One of the things we love most about camping is unplugging from screens and spending time together as a family – whether it’s sunny, windy, or even pouring down. This trip gave us a bit of everything weather-wise: a couple of rainy days, some breezy afternoons, and plenty of warm, sunny moments.

Evenings were all about campfires, marshmallows, and s’mores. Luckily, Watermouth Valley allows small off-the-ground fires, which is essential for us – some sites don’t, so it’s always worth checking before you book. We also enjoyed a few BBQs and breakfasts of bacon butties cooked outdoors.

This year, we added a stove-top toasty maker to our kit, and it was a game-changer – cheese and ham toasties became an easy daily favourite. Another family hack: we always bring a home-cooked frozen meal for the first night, usually a Bolognese. By the time we arrive, it’s half-defrosted and ready to reheat while the pasta boils.

There are plenty of supermarkets nearby, so restocking supplies is easy, and the small on-site shop came in handy for milk and other daily essentials – like, icecream!

Watermouth Valley Camping: Travel Mum Rating

Despite one of our children being ill one night (not ideal in a tent!), we had a fantastic week! The site was clean, not overcrowded, and had a friendly, relaxed vibe. The lack of a swimming pool was the only thing we missed—it would’ve been a great free option to keep the kids entertained, but overall, the location more than made up for it and bigger facilities usually brings bigger crowds and a less-relaxed atmosphere.

Would we return? Absolutely.
From the beautiful views and great facilities to the local adventures and easygoing camp life, Watermouth Valley ticked all the right boxes for a memorable family holiday. If you’re looking for a peaceful base to explore North Devon with kids in tow, it’s definitely worth adding to your list!

Travel Mum Score: 4.5/5

Alternatives to Camping

If camping isn’t your style, but you like the idea of some elements of outdoor living – why not try a caravan holiday? They can be equally rewarding, but still maintaining your home comforts!