# Hedgerows, cliffs and moorland ponies: by motorhome from Exmoor along the Cornish coast to Dartmoor

> From the heather hills of Exmoor via Bude, Tintagel, Newquay and St Ives to Land’s End and the Lizard, then by way of Falmouth and Fowey up to Dartmoor…

Source: https://camping-spirit.com/guides/rf-265-cornwall-devon-coast/

**At a glance:** 8-day road trip of about 452 km (281 mi) with 12 stops, from Porlock to Postbridge. About 6 h 14 min of driving in total. From the heather hills of Exmoor via Bude, Tintagel, Newquay and St Ives to Land’s End and the Lizard, then by way of Falmouth and Fowey up to Dartmoor: around 600 kilometres of left-hand driving between stone walls, hedgerows and Atlantic surf.

| | |
|---|---|
| Distance | 452 km (281 mi) |
| Driving | 6 h 14 min |
| Suggested days | 8 |
| Stops | 12 |
| Route | Porlock → Postbridge |
| Countries | United Kingdom |
| Updated | September 1, 2026 |

*From the heather hills of Exmoor via Bude, Tintagel, Newquay and St Ives to Land’s End and the Lizard, then by way of Falmouth and Fowey up to Dartmoor: around 600 kilometres of left-hand driving between stone walls, hedgerows and Atlantic surf.*

## The spirit of the route

Cornwall and Devon are driven at walking pace, and they are made for exactly that. Between tall hedgerows topped with foxgloves and gorse in early summer, the motorhome feels its way along lanes barely wider than the vehicle, and at every passing place you wave to the other driver. Then the coast suddenly opens up: black slate cliffs at Tintagel, turquoise bays at Porthcurno, granite crags where the Atlantic breaks in white plumes. From the sliding door you see gulls riding the updraught, ruined tin mines on the cliff edge and fishing boats in the harbour. In the evening the air smells of salt, seaweed and pasties from the village shop. Finally the road climbs onto Dartmoor, where ponies and sheep claim the carriageway for themselves and the mist swallows the granite tors. Anyone who arrives here has brought time with them.

## Stage-by-stage plan

### Stage 1: Minehead to Bude (approx. 140 km)

- **The drive:** From Minehead, take the A39 along the edge of Exmoor National Park to Porlock. Porlock Hill is very steep (gradients up to about 25%, with hairpin bends); motorhomes and towed caravans often use the less steep Porlock Toll Road instead (check with the operator in advance whether your vehicle is allowed and what size limits apply). Continue over Countisbury Hill to Lynmouth and Lynton, then Barnstaple, Bideford and along the A39 to Bude. Speeds on the A39 are slow because of tractors and lorries; allow a good 3 hours of pure driving time, or a whole day with stops.
- **Highlights & must-sees:**
  - Selworthy and Dunster on the edge of Exmoor: a thatched village beneath the Beacon, and a castle and wool market respectively, good for a morning stop.
  - Valley of the Rocks near Lynton: a rocky bowl with free-roaming wild goats, right on the coast road; Lynmouth has the water-balance cliff railway up to its sister town Lynton.
  - Clovelly (a short detour from the A39): a car-free village on a steep cobbled hillside; access is through the visitor centre, where an entrance fee is charged.
- **Official campsite or RV park:** Exmoor has small sites such as Burrowhayes Farm Caravan & Camping Park near West Luccombe or Porlock Caravan Park on the edge of Porlock; both cater more for touring guests. In Bude, Widemouth Fields or Bude Holiday Park are suitable, each with pitches for motorhomes; electricity, toilets and showers and waste disposal are usual, but ask about season dates and vehicle lengths beforehand. Book early in summer and at weekends.
- **Free camping or nature tip (where legal):** There is no general right to wild camp in Exmoor National Park or on the coast; overnighting in car parks is banned by signs in many places, and sleeping in a vehicle by the roadside in coastal places such as Porlock Weir or Bude is not tolerated by local councils and landowners. Legal options are campsites, Certificated Locations (small sites run by the clubs) or farm pitches.
- **Insider tip for campers:** Fill up with fuel in Minehead or Barnstaple, not in the small Exmoor villages. On Porlock Hill, never coast downhill in neutral; use a low gear. If you want to be sure, take the Toll Road; check the charge, payment method and length limit with the operator beforehand.

### Stage 2: Bude to Tintagel (approx. 45 km)

- **The drive:** A route close to the coast along the A39 and the B3263 through Boscastle to Tintagel. Short, but with many narrow spots: hedgerows and walls right at the edge of the carriageway, and in Boscastle a steep, narrow valley road. About 1 hour of driving, half of it in second gear.
- **Highlights & must-sees:**
  - Compass Point and Sea Pool in Bude: the hill with a view over the coast, and the seawater pool at Summerleaze Beach (depends on the tide).
  - Tintagel Castle: ruins on the headland with a footbridge across the gorge (English Heritage; book your ticket in advance, timed entry).
  - Boscastle: a harbour in a narrow gorge and a walking trail to the Valency Valley.
- **Official campsite or RV park:** Around Tintagel there are small sites such as Wideacres Camping, Trebyla Farm Campsite and, a little to the south towards Trebarwith Strand, Little Clifden Campsite. They are mostly geared to tents and smaller vehicles; check access and length in advance. Electricity and waste disposal are not available everywhere.
- **Free camping or nature tip (where legal):** In England and Wales, wild camping without the landowner’s permission is prohibited (trespass); this applies to motorhomes too. In Tintagel and Boscastle, overnighting in the village car parks is banned and checked. Ask at farms about a farm pitch: many farmers take motorhomes for a night, often through Britstops or the clubs.
- **Insider tip for campers:** The village of Tintagel has narrow streets and heavy parking pressure. With a large vehicle, leave the motorhome at the campsite and walk or cycle to the castle. The car park at the Tintagel visitor centre is limited and fills up quickly in summer.

### Stage 3: Tintagel to Newquay (approx. 60 km)

- **The drive:** Via Port Isaac and Wadebridge to Padstow on the Camel Estuary, then along the B3276 (coast road) to the Bedruthan Steps and on to Newquay. Narrow lanes with high hedgerows in the coastal villages, wider roads from Padstow, and slow traffic in high season. About 1.5 hours without stops.
- **Highlights & must-sees:**
  - Port Isaac: a fishing village in a gorge; beyond the village the access is narrow with little room to turn.
  - Padstow and the Camel Trail: a former railway line turned cycle path as far as Wadebridge, with a ferry link to Rock.
  - Bedruthan Steps: rock stacks on the beach below the coast road, National Trust car park (mind the tides and the condition of the steps).
- **Official campsite or RV park:** Near Newquay and Watergate Bay there are several touring sites, including Watergate Bay Touring Park at Tregurrian and Treloy at Newquay; both have electricity, toilets and showers and waste disposal. Book months ahead for main holidays and long weekends. Padstow itself has sites in the surrounding area, but hardly any directly in the town.
- **Free camping or nature tip (where legal):** Around Newquay and Padstow, too, free camping is not allowed. The coastal car parks (for example at the surf beaches) often have height barriers (frequently around 2 m) and overnight bans; motorhomes are partly excluded there. Read the signs.
- **Insider tip for campers:** In Padstow, use the park and ride, if it is running (often seasonal only), or the car parks on the outskirts, and take a shuttle or walk into town; the harbour streets are narrow and overcrowded in summer. For Trevose Head and the lighthouse, start early.

### Stage 4: Newquay to St Ives (approx. 55 km)

- **The drive:** From Newquay take the A3075 and the A30 westwards (a wide, busy main road, with queues at weekends), then at Hayle on to St Ives Bay. The last few kilometres into St Ives are slow and narrow. A good 1.25 hours of driving, considerably longer in high season.
- **Highlights & must-sees:**
  - Holywell Bay and Crantock: broad sandy bays south-west of Newquay, with dunes and beach walks.
  - St Ives: Tate St Ives, the Barbara Hepworth Museum and Sculpture Garden, and the harbour beach.
  - Train from St Erth to St Ives: a branch line along the bay, ideal for getting into town without a car.
- **Official campsite or RV park:** On the edge of St Ives are Polmanter Touring Park in Halsetown, with electricity, toilets and showers and waste disposal and a short walk to the bus, and Ayr Holiday Park above the town with a footpath to the harbour. Book both early in the season. The western end of the peninsula has further, smaller sites.
- **Free camping or nature tip (where legal):** In St Ives there are parking bans for motorhomes in parts of the old town, and overnighting in the municipal car parks is not allowed at night. Stick to campsites or small farm pitches inland.
- **Insider tip for campers:** If possible, use park and ride: Lelant Saltings with the train to St Ives, or the Trenwith car park with a footpath or bus (check operation, times and vehicle heights in advance). The old town’s lanes are not suitable for motorhomes. At high water and during storm surges, the beach road can be closed at short notice.

### Stage 5: St Ives to Land’s End (Sennen and Porthcurno) (approx. 40 km)

- **The drive:** The B3306 as a coast road via Zennor, Pendeen and St Just to Sennen: spectacular, but extremely narrow. Dry-stone walls and hedgerows right at the edge, only a few passing places, and many blind crests. Only conditionally recommended for vehicles wider than 2.2 m; the A30 via Penzance and the A3306 are the wider alternative. Around 1.25 hours along the coast.
- **Highlights & must-sees:**
  - Zennor and Gurnard’s Head: moorland hills with granite boulders, the Mermaid church, and a coast path to the headland.
  - Geevor Tin Mine and Levant: preserved tin mines, an engine house on the cliff, and Botallack with its engine houses.
  - Porthcurno with the Minack Theatre: an open-air theatre in the rocks, with the beach directly below.
- **Official campsite or RV park:** Treen Farm Campsite near Porthcurno and Treverven Touring Park at St Levan are within short reach of the Minack Theatre and the beach; in Sennen there is the Sennen Cove Camping and Caravanning Club Site. Treen Farm is mostly geared to tents. Electricity and toilets and showers are not available everywhere; the access roads are narrow, so follow the operators’ instructions.
- **Free camping or nature tip (where legal):** Much of the land around Land’s End is nature reserve and National Trust property. Free camping is not provided for, the car parks at the headland and in Sennen Cove charge fees, and overnighting is banned. The coast is patrolled.
- **Insider tip for campers:** For Land’s End, use the visitor centre car park (fee payable) or walk from Sennen Cove along the coast path. Arrive early at the Minack Theatre: the approach is narrow and the car park small. On performance days it is easier to walk there from the campsite beforehand.

### Stage 6: Land’s End to The Lizard (approx. 65 km)

- **The drive:** Via Penzance, Marazion with its view of St Michael’s Mount, and Helston, onto the A3083 into the Lizard peninsula. The last section runs across flat heathland and narrow lanes to the coastal car parks. Around 1.5 hours, with waits near Penzance in high summer.
- **Highlights & must-sees:**
  - St Michael’s Mount at Marazion: a tidal island with a castle, reached on foot over the causeway at low water or by ferry (National Trust).
  - Kynance Cove: serpentine rocks and turquoise water; a small National Trust car park at the top and a steep footpath down.
  - Lizard Point: the southernmost point of mainland Britain, with a lighthouse and a lifeboat station.
- **Official campsite or RV park:** On the Lizard peninsula there are small sites such as Henry’s Campsite near Lizard and Teneriffe Farm Campsite near Mullion; near Kennack Sands there are larger holiday parks. Ask in advance about pitches with electricity and waste disposal, and check lengths and access widths.
- **Free camping or nature tip (where legal):** The Lizard peninsula is a nature reserve and part of it belongs to the National Trust; free camping is not allowed. The car parks at Kynance Cove and Lizard Point charge fees, and overnight bans are enforced. Keep your vehicle off the heathland.
- **Insider tip for campers:** The road to Kynance Cove is narrow; in heavy traffic the car park may be closed. Check the tides: at high water the cove is hardly accessible on foot. Fill up in Helston; there are only a few filling stations on the Lizard.

### Stage 7: The Lizard to Fowey (via Falmouth) (approx. 100 km)

- **The drive:** Back to Helston, then via Penryn to Falmouth. From Falmouth take the King Harry Ferry (a chain ferry across the River Fal near Feock) and the A3078 to Tregony, then the A390 via Lostwithiel to Fowey. Many narrow lanes; the ferry has vehicle limits, which you should ask the operator about in advance. A good 2.5 hours.
- **Highlights & must-sees:**
  - Pendennis Castle in Falmouth: a coastal fortress with a view over the bay, and the National Maritime Museum Cornwall at the harbour.
  - King Harry Ferry: a short ferry crossing of the Fal between wooded banks.
  - Fowey and Polruan: a harbour town on the river, the Hall Walk and the small passenger ferry.
- **Official campsite or RV park:** Near Falmouth there are sites such as Pennance Mill Farm and Tregedna Farm; near Fowey, Penmarlam Caravan and Camping Park near Bodinnick and Penhale Caravan and Camping Park. Electricity, toilets and showers and in places waste disposal are available; give your vehicle’s length when booking.
- **Free camping or nature tip (where legal):** In Falmouth and Fowey, overnighting in public car parks is not allowed; the harbour car parks can in some cases only be used during the day. Rely on campsites or farm pitches.
- **Insider tip for campers:** In Fowey the large car parks are above the town; the road down to the harbour is very narrow. Check the weight and height limits of the King Harry Ferry (and of the Bodinnick Ferry, if you use it) with the operator beforehand; if it is out of service, the detour via Truro remains. When travelling to Fowey, avoid the small roads along the River Fowey at high tide.

### Stage 8: Fowey to Dartmoor (Princetown and Postbridge) (approx. 90 km)

- **The drive:** Via Lostwithiel and Liskeard onto the A38 eastwards; the Tamar is crossed on the Tamar Bridge at Saltash (toll only eastbound towards Plymouth; check the payment method and rate for motorhomes in advance with the operator, Tamar Crossings) or alternatively via the A390 at Callington and Gunnislake. Continue via Tavistock on the B3357 to Princetown and Postbridge. On Dartmoor expect open moorland roads with grazing animals, cattle grids and fog. About 2 hours.
- **Highlights & must-sees:**
  - Princetown with the Dartmoor Visitor Centre and a view of the tors, near Princetown prison.
  - Postbridge: a medieval clapper bridge over the East Dart.
  - Haytor and Hound Tor: granite crags; the walking trails are short and easy to reach.
- **Official campsite or RV park:** In Princetown the Plume of Feathers Inn takes motorhomes; near Postbridge is Runnage Farm Campsite, and near Tavistock Langstone Manor. Check electricity and toilets and showers in advance; some sites are only suitable for tents or small vehicles.
- **Free camping or nature tip (where legal):** Dartmoor is the exception in England, but only for backpackers: on 21 May 2025 the Supreme Court ruled that backpack camping remains permitted on certain Dartmoor commons. This applies only to small tents on designated areas (one to two nights, no open fires). According to the Dartmoor National Park Authority, overnighting in motorhomes and vehicles is allowed neither there nor by the roadside or in car parks. Use campsites that accept motorhomes, and plan your route with the authority’s Coach Driver and Motorhome Guide, as some roads are closed to large vehicles. Avoid military training areas (red flags).
- **Insider tip for campers:** On Dartmoor, ponies, sheep and cattle wander freely across the road: drive slowly and do not feed them. In fog, switch on your headlights and reduce your speed considerably; the moorland roads have no guardrails. Fill up in Tavistock or Okehampton, not on the moor.

## Camping practice & local rules

### Wild camping & overnight parking

- England and Wales have no freedom-to-roam right like Scotland: wild camping and overnighting in a vehicle are prohibited without the landowner’s permission. Parking is allowed wherever signs do not say otherwise, but sleeping in the vehicle is not allowed in many car parks in Cornwall and Devon.
- Dartmoor is the exception for backpackers: following the Supreme Court ruling of 21 May 2025, backpack camping with a small tent remains permitted on certain commons. Motorhomes and vehicles are expressly excluded, and sleeping in a vehicle is also banned by the roadside and in car parks; zones and conditions are shown on the Dartmoor National Park Authority’s map.
- Coastal car parks have height barriers (often around 2 m), overnight bans and motorhome restrictions. Violations mean fines or towing. Councils and landowners such as the National Trust step up checks in summer.
- You can legally overnight on campsites, on Certificated Locations (clubs: the Caravan and Motorhome Club and the Camping and Caravanning Club), on farm pitches via Britstops, and at pubs with motorhome pitches. Apps: park4night, Campercontact, Britstops.

### Waste disposal & supplies

- Waste disposal is called an Elsan point in Great Britain: toilet cassette and grey water go there, usually at campsites, service stations and some motorway service areas. Fresh water and grey water only at designated points.
- Tap water is good, and water points on campsites usually have standard hose adapters; bring a short hose with a tap connector.
- Gas: German exchange cylinders are not swapped. In Great Britain, Calor Gas (butane and propane) and Campingaz are usual; you exchange cylinders against a deposit at dealers, and foreign cylinders are not accepted. Refillable gas cylinders and gas tanks can be filled at autogas (LPG) filling stations with an adapter; availability is limited in Cornwall. Arrive with full cylinders.
- Electricity on British campsites is supplied via blue CEE plugs (16 A); an adapter for household sockets (type G) is only needed for small appliances. Check that your cable is long enough.

### Vehicle size & traffic rules

- Entry: Great Britain is not in the EU. German citizens need an electronic travel authorisation (ETA) before travelling, applied for online; according to gov.uk it costs £20 and entitles you to stays of up to 6 months. A passport is mandatory, and there is border control on arrival. Apply only through official sites.
- Vehicle documents: carry your vehicle registration document, driving licence and proof of insurance. Whether a Green Card is required for your vehicle, clarify in advance with your insurer, and to be safe carry proof of insurance. A Euro plate with the D identifier is usual; otherwise a D sticker is needed.
- Customs: meat and dairy products from the EU may not be brought in. Pets need an Animal Health Certificate; the EU pet passport is not valid. Declare gas cylinders to the ferry company.
- Left-hand traffic: the driver sits on the right. Go clockwise round roundabouts and give way to the right. Adjust your headlights (dipped-beam stickers) and the wing mirror on the passenger side. On single-track lanes with passing places, keep left and let the vehicle that is nearer to the passing place go by.
- Speed limits (mph; check on gov.uk before the trip): motorhomes up to 3,050 kg unladen weight 60 outside built-up areas, 70 on dual carriageways and motorways; over 3,050 kg 50, or 60 (dual carriageway) and 70 (motorway). Towed caravans 50 outside built-up areas, 60 on dual carriageways and motorways. Built-up areas mostly 30.
- Tolls: Dartford Crossing (if arriving via London; pay online by midnight of the following day, otherwise a Penalty Charge Notice is possible; toll usually 6 am to 10 pm), M6 Toll (only if arriving via the Midlands; pay within 6 days, otherwise surcharges from £70; with a foreign plate, ask customer service), Tamar Bridge at Saltash (toll only towards Plymouth) and Porlock Toll Road. Low emission zones: there is no Low Emission Zone in Cornwall and Devon, but there are zones in Bristol and London.
- Alcohol: the limit in England is 0.8 per mille (blood) or 35 µg per 100 ml of breath. Mobile phone at the wheel only hands-free; hand-held use is penalised severely. Winter tyres are not compulsory.

## CampingSpirit packing & preparation checklist

- Wide-angle auxiliary mirror for the passenger side: on lanes with hedgerows and walls it lets you see the left-hand edge of the carriageway.
- Headlight beam deflector stickers or film for left-hand traffic, only needed if your headlights do not switch over automatically.
- Blue CEE power cable at least 25 m long with an adapter plug, plus a short water hose with a tap connector, as British sites require.
- Levelling ramps and a small shovel, in case you park on soft grass or meadow ground at farm pitches.
- Rain jacket and waterproof shoes: the coastal wind drives moisture into every crevice, and the coast path is often slippery.
- Printed booking confirmations for Tintagel Castle, St Michael’s Mount and campsites, as mobile reception can be patchy on Dartmoor and on the coast.

_As of 2026-09. Closures, fees and booking rules change: check official sources before you go._

## Sources

- [GOV.UK – Pay the Dartford Crossing charge (Dart Charge)](https://www.gov.uk/pay-dartford-crossing-charge)
- [M6 Toll – Payment notices](https://www.m6toll.co.uk/payment-notice)
- [Tamar Crossings – Tamar Bridge and Torpoint Ferry toll charges](https://www.tamarcrossings.org.uk/tamar-bridge-and-torpoint-ferry-toll-charges/)
- [Dartmoor National Park Authority – Camping](https://www.dartmoor.gov.uk/enjoy-dartmoor/outdoor-activities/camping)
- [Dartmoor National Park Authority – Camping map](https://www.dartmoor.gov.uk/about-us/about-us-maps/camping-map)
- [Countryfile – Supreme Court ruling says wild camping can continue on Dartmoor](https://www.countryfile.com/news/supreme-court-ruling-says-wild-camping-can-continue-on-dartmoor)
- [GOV.UK – Get an electronic travel authorisation (ETA) to visit the UK](https://www.gov.uk/guidance/apply-for-an-electronic-travel-authorisation-eta)
- [The Local – UK to hike price of electronic travel authorisation](https://www.thelocal.de/20260207/uk-to-hike-price-of-electronic-travel-authorisation-for-foreign-travellers)
- [Wikipedia – King Harry Ferry](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/King_Harry_Ferry)

## Stop-by-stop itinerary

1. **Porlock** (United Kingdom)
2. **Lynmouth** (United Kingdom)
3. **Bude** (United Kingdom)
4. **Tintagel** (United Kingdom)
5. **Padstow** (United Kingdom)
6. **Newquay** (United Kingdom)
7. **St Ives** (United Kingdom)
8. **Land’s End** (Sennen, United Kingdom): Granite cliffs at the western tip of England, with lighthouses and seabirds offshore.
9. **The Lizard** (United Kingdom)
10. **Falmouth** (United Kingdom)
11. **Fowey** (United Kingdom)
12. **Postbridge** (United Kingdom)

## Best time to go

The most pleasant months are usually June–July. Still fine, with some compromises, in May and August–October. July and August are the busiest months: book campsites early. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)

## Practical notes for the road

- **United Kingdom: Tolls on some roads, bridges or tunnels.** Drive on the left. Some bridges and tunnels charge tolls.
- **Lynmouth → Bude.** Channel crossing: ferry or Eurotunnel
- **Tintagel → Padstow.** Channel crossing: ferry or Eurotunnel
- **Padstow → Newquay.** Channel crossing: ferry or Eurotunnel
- **Newquay → St Ives.** Channel crossing: ferry or Eurotunnel
- **Land’s End → The Lizard.** Channel crossing: ferry or Eurotunnel
- **The Lizard → Falmouth.** Channel crossing: ferry or Eurotunnel
- **Fowey → Postbridge.** Channel crossing: ferry or Eurotunnel

## FAQs

**How long is Hedgerows, cliffs and moorland ponies: by motorhome from Exmoor along the Cornish coast to Dartmoor?**
8-day road trip of about 452 km (281 mi) with 12 stops, from Porlock to Postbridge. About 6 h 14 min of driving in total.

**How many days do you need for Hedgerows, cliffs and moorland ponies: by motorhome from Exmoor along the Cornish coast to Dartmoor?**
We suggest 8 days: about 6 h 14 min of driving, which leaves time for the stops.

**Where does Hedgerows, cliffs and moorland ponies: by motorhome from Exmoor along the Cornish coast to Dartmoor start and end?**
It starts in Porlock and ends in Postbridge.

**Which countries does Hedgerows, cliffs and moorland ponies: by motorhome from Exmoor along the Cornish coast to Dartmoor pass through?**
United Kingdom.

**Where can you camp along Hedgerows, cliffs and moorland ponies: by motorhome from Exmoor along the Cornish coast to Dartmoor?**
OpenStreetMap lists 467 campsites and motorhome stopovers within 20 km of the stops on this route. For example: Warren Bay Holliday Village, Chelsfield Farm Holiday Park and South Penquite Farm.

**When is the best time for Hedgerows, cliffs and moorland ponies: by motorhome from Exmoor along the Cornish coast to Dartmoor?**
The most pleasant months are usually June–July. Still fine, with some compromises, in May and August–October. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)