Willingcott Caravan and Motorhome Club Campsite
For dinner, skip the microwave meals and head to The Hoops Inn, a 13th-century thatched pub a 20-minute walk away. The sign outside reads, “Free house, free Wi-Fi, free advice—take it or leave it.” Their steak and ale pie is a warm blanket for your stomach, and the cider is so local it might just have been pressed by a farmer named Mike.
Fun fact: The area around Willingcott is part of the Caen Valley, named after the French city of Caen. It’s a leftover from the Norman invasion, so technically, you’re camping on a slice of medieval history. Try dropping that fact at the pub—instant cultural cred.
Back at the campsite, the evenings are a slow fade. Kids ride bikes in the fading light, adults huddle around fire pits (if permitted—check the rules), and someone always has a guitar. The sound of a slightly off-key rendition of “Wonderwall” mixes with the crackle of wood smoke. It’s good for the soul.
Caravan and Motorhome Club Sites | The Caravan Club
Practical Packing Notes
Don’t forget your windscreen—not just for the car, but for the one at the beach. A pop-up windbreak is the unsung hero of a British beach trip. Also, bring a spare pair of socks. You’ll step in a puddle. It’s a rule.
The site offers hardstanding and grass pitches, so check your van’s weight rating. Nobody wants to be that person stuck in mud while a family in a tiny campervan watches, sipping tea with an air of superiority.
If you’re feeling adventurous, drive 15 minutes to Ilfracombe. It’s a town that refuses to be pretty, but has a gritty charm—think Damien Hirst’s “Verity” statue (a giant pregnant woman holding a sword) overlooking the harbor. It’s weird, wonderful, and unmistakably British.