Somerset Camping – Exmoor, Mendips & the Levels
Somerset is one of England’s most varied camping counties. Exmoor National Park covers its northern edge, sweeping moorland, dramatic sea cliffs, and some of the darkest skies in southern England. The Mendip Hills rise in the north, home to the extraordinary cave systems and limestone cliffs of Cheddar Gorge. In between, the Somerset Levels stretch flat and wide towards Glastonbury, and the Quantock Hills offer quieter walking country away from the national park crowds.
Best Areas to Camp in Somerset
Exmoor National Park – Shared with Devon, but much of the park’s best camping country sits on the Somerset side around Dulverton, Dunster, and the Holnicote Estate. Exmoor has some of the most spectacular night skies in the south of England and holds International Dark Sky Reserve status. The twin towns of Lynton and Lynmouth, connected by the famous Victorian water-powered cliff railway, sit on the coast at the northern edge of the park.
Mendip Hills – The limestone plateau of the Mendips rises between Weston-super-Mare and Frome, and is home to Cheddar Gorge, one of England’s most dramatic natural landscapes. Campsites here put you within easy reach of the gorge, the Cheddar Caves, and Wells, England’s smallest city and home to one of the finest medieval cathedrals in the country.
Glastonbury and the Levels – The flat Somerset Levels are unique in England, a landscape of ancient waterways, peat moors, and vast skies, dominated by the iconic silhouette of Glastonbury Tor. Campsites around Glastonbury suit those wanting a quieter, more spiritual or festival-flavoured break.
Quantock Hills – England’s first AONB, the Quantocks sit between Bridgwater and Taunton and offer quiet, uncrowded walking on a ridge of heathery hilltops with views across the Bristol Channel to Wales. Much less visited than Exmoor, with a good selection of farm campsites.
Things to Do
Cheddar Gorge is Somerset’s most spectacular attraction, 3 miles of towering limestone cliffs with cave systems beneath them, including Gough’s Cave where a complete 9,000-year-old human skeleton was discovered. Glastonbury Abbey, Glastonbury Tor, and the town’s celebrated mix of history and mysticism make for a full afternoon. Wells Cathedral and the Bishop’s Palace are worth the short drive from Glastonbury.
On Exmoor, the Tarr Steps, an ancient clapper bridge over the River Barle, is one of the national park’s most photographed spots. The Valley of the Rocks near Lynton has a colony of feral goats and extraordinary coastal scenery. Wimbleball Lake offers watersports, and the park’s riding and cycling routes suit those wanting to cover ground efficiently.
Find Your Somerset Campsite
Browse independent campsites across Somerset below, from Exmoor moorland sites to Mendips countryside pitches. Every listing connects you directly with the site owner.
