Skip to main content

Devon Motorhome Road Trip: Moorland, Harbours and Beaches

Devon Motorhome Road Trip: Moorland, Harbours and Beaches: Devon offers two very different coastlines with Dartmoor and Exmoor between them. A well-paced motorhome route can link Torquay and South Devon with the high moor, the north coast and historic Exeter while avoiding unnecessary daily moves.

Suggested route: Exeter → Dartmoor → Torquay → Salcombe area → Exmoor → Woolacombe → Clovelly. Allow seven to ten nights and select roads suitable for the vehicle.
Important motorhome note: Dartmoor National Park does not permit motorhome camping in its car parks, lay-bys or roadsides. Use an authorised campsite and consult its motorhome guidance rather than relying on sat-nav shortcuts. Check the official current guidance.

Exeter Cathedral

Exeter Cathedral on a UK motorhome road trip
Exeter Cathedral – a suggested stop on this motorhome route.

Exeter makes a useful gateway stop, with the cathedral, historic quayside and city centre close enough to explore without moving the motorhome. Use an appropriate edge-of-centre car park or campsite and check vehicle restrictions before driving into older streets.

Visit Exeter · Search for motorhome campsites near Exeter Cathedral

Haytor and Dartmoor

Haytor and Dartmoor on a UK motorhome road trip
Haytor and Dartmoor – a suggested stop on this motorhome route.

Haytor gives an accessible first look at Dartmoor's granite tors and open views. Livestock, rapidly changing weather and narrow moorland roads demand care. Do not use a car park, roadside or lay-by as an overnight stop; the National Park publishes a motorhome route guide and campsite information.

Dartmoor motorhome guidance · Search for motorhome campsites near Haytor and Dartmoor

Torquay Harbour and the English Riviera

Torquay Harbour and the English Riviera on a UK motorhome road trip
Torquay Harbour and the English Riviera – a suggested stop on this motorhome route.

Torquay's harbour, seafront and nearby beaches make a practical South Devon base. Parking arrangements and height restrictions vary, so check Torbay Council information before taking a large vehicle into town. A campsite outside the centre can remove much of the parking pressure.

English Riviera official guide · Search for motorhome campsites near Torquay Harbour and the English Riviera

Salcombe and the South Hams

Salcombe and the South Hams on a UK motorhome road trip
Salcombe and the South Hams – a suggested stop on this motorhome route.

Salcombe is surrounded by estuary scenery and beaches, but its steep, narrow approaches and limited central parking require planning. Use a campsite and local bus or park-and-ride where available rather than attempting to tour the smallest lanes in the motorhome.

Visit South Devon: Salcombe · Search for motorhome campsites near Salcombe and the South Hams

Valley of Rocks and Exmoor

Valley of Rocks and Exmoor on a UK motorhome road trip
Valley of Rocks and Exmoor – a suggested stop on this motorhome route.

The Valley of Rocks near Lynton is a dramatic coastal landscape of cliffs and rock formations. Exmoor roads include steep gradients and single-track sections, so follow the National Park's travel advice and choose a legal campsite before arrival.

Exmoor motorhome guidance · Search for motorhome campsites near Valley of Rocks and Exmoor

Woolacombe Beach

Woolacombe Beach on a UK motorhome road trip
Woolacombe Beach – a suggested stop on this motorhome route.

Woolacombe's long sandy beach is one of North Devon's best-known family stops. Summer traffic and parking demand can be intense. Book a nearby touring site, arrive early for daytime parking and check the beach's dog zones and safety information.

Visit Devon: Woolacombe · Search for motorhome campsites near Woolacombe Beach

Clovelly

Clovelly on a UK motorhome road trip
Clovelly – a suggested stop on this motorhome route.

Clovelly's steep cobbled village descends towards a small harbour and is explored on foot from the visitor-centre parking. The gradients are demanding and accessibility is limited. Confirm opening, parking and event information before making the journey along North Devon's smaller roads.

Clovelly visitor information · Search for motorhome campsites near Clovelly

Book campsites and legal overnight stops

Parking for a daytime visit does not automatically include permission to sleep in the vehicle. Book an established campsite or a clearly authorised motorhome stop, check the motorhome length limit and arrival time, and read the signs every time. Our campsite booking apps guide and legal overnight-stop guide explain the checks to make.

Choose your motorhome

Yorkshire Motorhome Rentals offers pet-friendly 2–6 berth motorhomes from Doncaster, with breakdown cover included. View the motorhomes, read how to book or contact us for help choosing a vehicle.

More UK motorhome travel guides

Yorkshire · Northumberland · Scotland · North Wales · South Wales · Cornwall · Dorset and Bournemouth · Lake District · Peak District · East Anglia · Cotswolds · Kent and Sussex

Photograph credits and licences
  • Exeter Cathedral – N Chadwick – CC BY-SA 2.0 – source
  • Haytor, Dartmoor – Chris huh – CC BY-SA 3.0 – source
  • Torquay Harbour – Richard Dorrell – CC BY-SA 2.0 – source
  • Salcombe Harbour – Andrew Davis – CC BY-SA 2.0 – source
  • Valley of Rocks, Exmoor – Nilfanion – CC BY-SA 3.0 – source
  • Woolacombe Beach – Herbythyme – CC BY-SA 4.0 – source
  • Clovelly – Smtunli, Svein-Magne Tunli – My photo gallery – CC BY-SA 3.0 – source