Exploring North Devon in a Micro Camper Part One: Places to Visit
Planning a micro camper adventure in North Devon? You’re in the right place. This is the first in a four-part series designed to help you explore one of the UK’s most beautiful regions with freedom and flexibility.
With summer just around the corner, now is the perfect time to start planning your trip. Compact, versatile, and easy to drive, a micro camper opens up parts of the coastline and countryside that larger camper vans and motorhomes simply can’t reach.
Best beaches to visit with a micro camper
North Devon’s coastline is one of its biggest draws, and getting around is refreshingly simple when you’re travelling light in your micro camper.
Woolacombe
Woolacombe’s award-winning beach stretches for three miles, offering plenty of space for walking, surfing, or simply relaxing. The village itself has a great selection of places to eat and drink, and the beach is dog-friendly year-round in certain areas.
Marine Drive (National Trust) is a standout parking spot, running along the dunes with panoramic views. It’s the perfect place to pull up, throw open the tailgate, and enjoy a cuppa overlooking the sea.
Woolacombe beach at sunset
Instow
Further south, Instow has a completely different feel. Sitting within the Torridge estuary, it’s calmer and more sheltered, making it ideal for a slower-paced visit.
There’s parking for your micro camper along the seafront and a larger car park at the northern end of the village. From Instow, you can look across to Appledore or towards Saunton Sands and Braunton Burrows.
Instow beach with views to Appledore
Welcombe Mouth
If you’re after something more remote, Welcombe Mouth delivers a true sense of adventure. Accessed via narrow country lanes, but it’s fairly easy to reach in a small camper van.
Expect rugged cliffs, hidden coves, and even waterfalls if you’re willing to explore. It’s wild, quiet, and incredibly beautiful - especially outside of peak times.
Remote beach at Welcombe Mouth
Interesting places to visit in your micro camper
Ilfracombe Harbour & Verity
Ilfracombe’s harbour is full of character, with fishing boats, wildlife tours, and plenty of activity throughout the day. It’s a great place for a wander or to sit and take in the atmosphere.
At the entrance stands Verity, the striking sculpture by Damien Hirst. From here, you can also catch a boat to Lundy Island, where dolphins are often spotted along the way.
Colourful Ilfracombe Harbour
The Tarka Trail
For a change of pace, the Tarka Trail offers miles of traffic-free walking and cycling through beautiful Devon countryside. It passes through several towns, making it easy to join at different points.
Cycling the Tarka Trail between Barnstaple and Bideford
Museum of British Surfing
Located in Braunton, this small museum is well worth a visit. It tells the story of surfing in the UK and features a collection of vintage boards, many with local connections.
Surfing memorabilia in North Devon
Great micro camper-friendly villages
Lynmouth
Set deep within a wooded valley on the edge of Exmoor, Lynmouth is one of the most atmospheric places in the UK. Its dramatic setting and welcoming feel make it a must-visit.
There is plenty of parking options for your micro camper, though it can get busy during peak season.
Amazing views across Lynmouth Bay
Appledore
Appledore offers a completely different vibe, with colourful houses, narrow streets, and expansive views across the estuary. It’s a lovely place to explore on foot, with plenty of hidden corners to discover. We can highly recommend a stroll along Irsha Street for a drink at The Beaver Inn!
Picturesque narrow streets of Appledore
Mortehoe
Just above Woolacombe, Mortehoe is a small village with plenty of character. You’ll find pubs, cafés, a museum, and even a vinyl record store/coffee shop! Parking a micro camper is easy and you will have access to some fantastic coastal walks.
This area is rich in history and mythology with tales of pirates, smugglers and ghosts aplenty!
The village of Mortehoe
Scenic spots to park up with your micro camper
Valley of Rocks
Just outside Lynton, the Valley of Rocks is known for its dramatic rock formations and sweeping coastal views. It’s an easy place to stop, park, and head straight out for a walk. There is a lovely tea garden for a well-earned post-hike treat. You don’t have to be ultra fit to enjoy this valley as there is plenty of scope for an easy and flat stroll straight from the camper van.
Looking West along the coast from Valley of Rocks
Saunton Sands
For one of the best views in North Devon, take the coast road towards Croyde and stop at one of the lay-bys overlooking Saunton Sands. On a clear evening, it’s a perfect sunset spot. If you fancy a walk on Saunton beach, we recommend heading to Sandy Lane car park to avoid the crowds at the main parking area.
Spectacular views across Saunton Sands
Hartland Quay
A little further afield, Hartland Quay is well worth the detour. The scenery here is rugged and dramatic, with easy access to the coast path and plenty of space to take it all in. A great stop-off if you’re heading down into Cornwall on your micro camper road trip.
The rugged beauty of Hartland Quay
Coming Next…
In the next article, we’ll cover the best things to do in North Devon, including walking routes, wild swimming locations, and some unforgettable scenic drives.
Stay tuned for more inspiration for your next micro camper adventure.