Camping in Blue Anchor

Camping around Blue Anchor puts you on one of Somerset's most distinctive stretches of coast, with the Bristol Channel on one side and the rise of Exmoor National Park close behind. Wild camping is illegal in England without the landowner's permission, so anyone hoping to pitch up here should stick to licensed sites — thankfully there are good options nearby, from established holiday parks with sea views to smaller, quieter fields further inland towards Exmoor. The terrain is a mix of flat coastal ground around the beach and caravan parks, giving way quickly to the steeper, more sheltered combes and moorland as you head towards Dunster and beyond, so there's a good range of settings within a short drive whether you want to fall asleep to the sound of the tide or tucked away among Exmoor's hedgerows and woodland.

The best camping season here runs from late spring through to early autumn, when the West Somerset Railway is running its fullest timetable, the beach is at its best for low-tide walks and fossil hunting, and Exmoor's moorland paths are driest underfoot. Coastal sites can be exposed to wind blowing in off the Bristol Channel, so a sturdy tent or a pitch with some natural shelter is worth seeking out, particularly outside the height of summer. Evenings tend to cool quickly once the sun drops behind the hills, even in July and August, so it's worth packing for a proper Somerset coastal night rather than assuming southern English summer warmth will hold.

For those who'd rather have four solid walls and a real bed without giving up the outdoor feel, glamping options in the wider area range from bell tents and shepherd's huts to safari-style lodges, many of them on farms just inland from the coast with views towards Exmoor or over the Bristol Channel. These tend to book up fastest in the school summer holidays, so earlier booking is worthwhile if a fixed date matters, while spring and autumn availability is generally more relaxed and often better value.