South Allington House

Just minutes from the beautiful beaches of the South Hams lies South Allington House, offering the most refined pitch your tent is ever likely to find. You'll almost feel privileged to camp in the grounds of the striking white Georgian manor house that nestles in a long, narrow valley complete with duck pond. This is a family-friendly site that kids will love racing up and down, with the layout ensuring they're easy to spot if they start harassing the ducks a little too much. The facilities are simple but kept clean, with hot showers, washing-up sinks and a freezer; just note there's no WiFi on site, though most campers here decide that's rather the point.

Before dashing off to explore the coast, make sure you pop into the house for cream teas. Once sated, there are plenty of destinations to explore, including trendy Totnes, Salcombe for sailing, historic Dartmouth and the secluded Lannacombe Beach, a five-minute drive away. For drinks, head to the Pigs Nose Inn, a beguiling mixture of traditional pub and Italian trattoria. On a Saturday night it looked as if the whole village was there, with locals of all ages chatting and even dancing as the lines between those drinking and serving increasingly blurred.