Quick answer: A successful first-time camping holiday in Devon depends on choosing the right campsite, testing your equipment before travelling, packing for changeable weather and keeping your first trip simple. Parkers Farm Holiday Park near Ashburton provides a practical base for exploring Dartmoor and South Devon while giving first-time campers access to useful on-site facilities.
Planning your first camping holiday in Devon should feel exciting rather than overwhelming. Devon offers countryside, coast, historic towns and family attractions, but a good first trip is not about trying to see everything. It is about creating a comfortable camp, learning a straightforward routine and leaving enough flexibility to enjoy the area at your own pace.
This beginner’s guide explains how to choose equipment, organise your pitch, prepare for Devon weather and avoid the mistakes that often make a first camping trip unnecessarily difficult.
Contents
- Why Devon suits first-time campers
- Choosing the right campsite and pitch
- Essential camping equipment
- What to pack for Devon weather
- Setting up your tent correctly
- Food, sleep and family routines
- Exploring Ashburton and Dartmoor
- Common beginner mistakes
- Frequently asked questions
Why Devon is ideal for a first camping holiday
Devon gives new campers several different holiday experiences within one county. You can spend a morning walking on Dartmoor, explore a market town in the afternoon and plan a coastal day when the forecast is favourable. Staying near Ashburton places you between Dartmoor and South Devon, reducing the need to move camp whenever you want a different day out.
A settled base matters on a first trip. Repacking tents, bedding and cooking equipment every day quickly becomes tiring. At Parkers Farm, campers can establish their pitch and use it as a dependable base. Before booking, review the dedicated camping in Devon information for current pitch options and practical details.
Choose a campsite that makes camping easier
The cheapest pitch is not always the best choice for a beginner. A well-located holiday park with useful facilities can remove many of the difficulties associated with sleeping outdoors for the first time. Think about the whole stay rather than the pitch alone.
Questions to ask before booking
- Is the campsite suitable for the size of your tent?
- Are the current pitch and electrical options clearly explained?
- How close are toilets, washing facilities and drinking water?
- Are there activities or play areas for children?
- Can you obtain food or essential supplies on or near the park?
- What are the arrival, departure and quiet-time arrangements?
- Is there useful access to local attractions when the weather changes?
Parkers Farm is a family-run holiday park near Ashburton. Guests can review the park’s holiday park facilities, including the bar and restaurant, takeaway, shop, play areas and other on-site features, before deciding what they need to bring.
Essential equipment for first-time camping
New campers often buy too much equipment. Start with the items that protect you from weather, keep you warm and help you sleep. Additional accessories can be added later once you understand how you prefer to camp.
Your essential first-trip checklist
- A correctly sized tent with all poles, pegs and guylines
- A footprint or groundsheet suitable for the tent
- Sleeping bags with an appropriate comfort rating
- Sleeping mats or airbeds and a reliable pump
- A mallet and spare pegs for firm or stony ground
- Torches or head torches with spare batteries
- Waterproof jackets and footwear for every traveller
- Warm layers for cooler evenings
- A simple stove used according to its safety instructions
- Basic cookware, reusable plates, mugs and cutlery
- A first-aid kit, prescribed medication and sun protection
- Refuse bags and containers for keeping food secure
Practise pitching the tent at home. Check that every component is present and learn how the poles connect before arriving. A ten-minute garden test can prevent a frustrating hour on site, particularly if you arrive in wind or rain.
Pack for changeable Devon weather
Devon weather can change during the day, especially around Dartmoor. A bright morning does not guarantee a dry afternoon. That is part of the countryside experience, but it makes sensible preparation important.
Use layers rather than relying on one heavy item. Pack a waterproof outer layer, warm mid-layer and comfortable clothes that can dry reasonably quickly. Keep one complete dry outfit and your sleeping clothes in a sealed bag. Do the same with matches, chargers and other moisture-sensitive items.
In warm weather, ventilate the tent, use sun protection and keep drinking water readily available. Never place a barbecue or camping stove inside a tent, awning or other enclosed sleeping space. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions and keep cooking equipment well away from fabric, children and pets.
How to set up your tent properly
Arrive with enough daylight to examine your allocated pitch and establish camp without rushing. Remove stones and sharp debris, but avoid damaging the ground. Consider the direction of the wind, the position of entrances and the route family members will take after dark.
- Lay out the footprint or groundsheet in the intended position.
- Identify the tent entrance and orient it sensibly for the pitch.
- Assemble poles carefully rather than forcing joints together.
- Raise the tent according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
- Insert pegs at an angle that provides a secure hold.
- Tension guylines evenly without distorting the tent.
- Keep bedding away from the tent walls to reduce dampness.
- Store shoes and wet clothing away from the sleeping area.
Recheck the guylines after the material has settled or after a significant change in weather. A tent that was correctly tensioned during a warm afternoon may need a small adjustment later.
Make sleeping outdoors more comfortable
A good sleeping mat is as important as a good sleeping bag because it reduces heat loss into the ground. Test airbeds before travelling and bring a repair kit where appropriate. Use a familiar pillow if space allows; small comforts often make the biggest difference on a first trip.
Change into completely dry clothes before bed. Avoid storing damp towels or waterproofs beside your sleeping bag. Families may find that a familiar bedtime routine, a quiet game or a short story helps children settle in an unfamiliar environment.
Earplugs can help light sleepers adjust to countryside sounds, but parents and responsible adults should remain able to hear children and important activity around the tent.
Keep campsite meals straightforward
Your first camping holiday is not the time to attempt a complicated outdoor menu. Plan meals that require few utensils and limited preparation. Prepare ingredients at home where practical and keep raw and cooked foods separate.
Easy camping food ideas
- Porridge, fruit and yoghurt for breakfast
- Sandwiches or wraps for a day out
- One-pan pasta or rice dishes
- Soup with bread on a cooler evening
- Pre-prepared salads and picnic foods
- Hot drinks and simple snacks for changing weather
Parkers Farm also has on-site food options, so you do not have to cook every meal. Check current opening times and availability during your stay, particularly outside peak periods.
Plan flexible days around Ashburton and Dartmoor
Ashburton is a useful starting point for exploring the local area. Dartmoor offers walking, scenery and wildlife, while South Devon provides towns, beaches and family attractions within reach. Browse the park’s local attractions in Devon before travelling and prepare both outdoor and wet-weather options.
Do not overload the itinerary. On a short camping break, one main activity each day is usually enough. Allow time for breakfast, packing a day bag, returning to the park and enjoying the evening. Children often value time around the holiday park just as much as a tightly scheduled attraction.
Camping with children or dogs
Give children small responsibilities such as carrying their torch, organising shoes or helping to count tent pegs. Clear routines reduce misplaced equipment and help them feel involved. Establish boundaries around vehicles, cooking equipment and neighbouring pitches as soon as you arrive.
Dog owners should check the latest booking rules, keep dogs appropriately controlled and bring familiar bedding, food, bowls, waste bags and a towel. Plan walks around temperature and ground conditions rather than assuming every day will follow the same pattern.
Common first-time camping mistakes
- Arriving too late: pitching for the first time is easier in daylight.
- Skipping the test pitch: missing poles or instructions can stop a holiday before it begins.
- Taking too much: an overcrowded tent becomes difficult to organise.
- Ignoring the forecast: conditions influence clothing, travel and day-out decisions.
- Cooking inside: combustion appliances must not be used in enclosed sleeping areas.
- Leaving food unsecured: use suitable sealed containers and maintain a clean pitch.
- Planning every hour: flexible days work better when weather or energy levels change.
- Forgetting the final night: keep departure clothes and packing materials dry and accessible.
Frequently asked questions
Is Devon suitable for a first camping holiday?
Yes. Devon offers varied countryside, coast, attractions and towns, allowing beginners to adjust plans according to weather and interests. Choosing a well-equipped base near Ashburton makes day trips easier without repeatedly moving camp.
How long should a first camping trip last?
A short break of two or three nights is a sensible introduction for many beginners. It provides time to learn a routine without committing to a long stay before knowing how everyone responds to camping.
What size tent should a family choose?
Choose a tent with enough sleeping and storage space for your group, while remaining manageable to transport and pitch. Manufacturer berth numbers can be tight, so review the floor plan and test the layout at home.
Do I need an electric camping pitch?
Not every camper needs electricity. Your decision depends on refrigeration, medical needs, charging and the equipment you intend to use. Check the current pitch information and ensure all electrical equipment is designed for campsite use.
What should I do if it rains?
Keep bedding and dry clothes protected, maintain ventilation, avoid touching wet tent walls and use a prepared list of indoor or sheltered attractions. A realistic wet-weather plan can turn rain into a manageable part of the holiday.
Plan your first camping holiday at Parkers Farm
Good preparation makes camping simpler, but the aim is still to relax and enjoy Devon. Begin with dependable equipment, a comfortable pitch and a flexible itinerary. Parkers Farm Holiday Park offers a countryside base near Ashburton for exploring Dartmoor and South Devon.
Review the camping options at Parkers Farm and contact the holiday park to check current availability, pitch suitability and any details that matter to your group before booking.
