Growing up in Cornwall, going camping in the summer was a rite of passage. Depending on the weather it was either pure bliss or a week of getting soaked to the core. But drizzle and showers are just part of camping in the UK’s charm, right? Plus, there’s nothing more relaxing than falling asleep to the patter of rain on a tent.
So, if you don’t mind the possibility of a bit of wet weather, camping is a beautiful way to get up close and personal with Cornwall’s rugged coastlines, incredible surfing beaches and wonderful cliff walks. And who knows, it might be blazing sunshine, in which case Cornwall may as well be California. They don’t call it Kernowfornia for nothing. So if you’re planning an outdoors trip to the south west this summer, we’ve got you covered. These are the best campsites in Cornwall.
RECOMMENDED:
🥧 The best things to do in Cornwall
📍 The best places to visit in Cornwall
🏘️ The best Airbnbs in Cornwall
🏖️ The best beaches in Cornwall
India Lawrence is a Time Out writer from Cornwall. At Time Out, all of our travel guides are written by local writers who know their cities inside out. For more about how we curate, see our editorial guidelines.
Best for: families with the dog in tow
Price: average
This family favourite spot on the windswept cliff above Gwynver beach is great for surfers and big clans. Large camping plots look over the golden curve of the beach, which is known for having empty stretches of sand and big, clean surf. Trevedra is also only a mile from the Land’s End landmark, a stunning spot that really feels like the end of the earth.
Best for: last minute holidays
Price: average
You can’t book in advance to secure a pitch on this off the beaten track campsite – just show up in the morning and see if there’s a space, we recommend getting down there early. But it’s certainly worth taking the risk to stay at Treen Farm – the remote location is only a 10 minute walk from the gorgeous Pedn Vounder and Porthcurno beaches (plus the Minack Theatre). There’s no surf, but the sea is a bright turquoise and the sand a beautiful white. And make sure to enjoy the communal fire pit in the evenings.
Best for: free spirits
Price: average
This charming eco park is just above Porthtowan, a beach village with one of the north coast’s most popular surfing spots. Pitch up your own tent or stay in one of the park’s handcrafted Shepherd’s Huts or Eco Pods. Mount Pleasant is also home to Canteen, a kitchen serving up superb fresh and seasonal meals at excellent prices. Plus, it hosts a yearly festival, Tropical Pressure, an annual gathering of hippy folk and ravers, celebrating Latin, African and Caribbean music.
Best for: budding sailors
Price: average
Coastland is a bit less remote than some of the cliffside spots on this list. In Mylor Harbour, a village on the south coast, this small campsite has waterside views where you can spot the boats coming in and out. Coastland is an ideal location for people looking to spend time on the water as wannabe sailors can take sailing lessons organised directly through the campsite. It’s just a short walk to Flushing, another charming fishing village where you can catch a ferry to Falmouth. Plus, it’s got some very nice shower facilities with private WCs.
Best for: couples and families looking for peace and quiet
Price: average
A simple, small campsite on Cornwall’s north coast, Sunny Corner is a calm and secluded site is within walking distance to St Agnes – a cute village with pubs, bakeries and indie shops – and Trevaunance cove, which is great for surfing and swimming. Around the corner is Trevellas Cove, a spot that’s popular with the locals for being a lovely place to catch the sunset, or go cliff jumping if you dare. Sunny Corner is within sight of an old coal mine, which is ideal for living out those Poldark fantasies.
Best for: a home away from home
Price: pricey
If the idea of spending the night in a sleeping bag on a roll mat fills you with horror, Tremeer Farm has some excellent options for glamping, which means double beds with feather duvets. The site has four 18ft Mongolian-style yurts that sleep up to four people, each fitted with a wood burning stove inside and fire pit outside. One yurt also has access to a private bathroom and hot tub. Located slightly inland, Tremeer is just a short drive from the south coast where you can kayak, swim and sail. It’s also not far from Fowey, a sweet fishing town. The best part? In the mornings, kids (and adults) can feed the barn animals and collect fresh eggs for breakfast. What could be better?
Best for: keen walkers
Price: low
On the rugged cliffs of north Cornwall, Pennycrocker is an ideal pitching spot for hikers looking to explore the area’s stunning cliff paths. It’s got simple facilities, but with adults only costing £10 a night, and children £5, this campsite is excellent value. For people looking to discover some of Cornwall’s folklore and legends, Pennycrocker is just a 15 minute drive from Tintagel and King Arthur's Castle, and even closer is Boscastle, a harbour village with a beguiling Museum of Witchcraft and Magic.
Best for: families and group holidays
Price: average to pricey
Gwithian Farm near Hayle has the whole shebang. This campsite has free luxury showers (which means unlimited hot water time), independent food vans, wetsuit and bodyboard hire, surf lessons, a children’s play area, and is just a 10-minute walk from miles of dog-friendly sandy beaches. It’s close to the eternally popular St Ives and right on top of fabulous coastal walks. Gwithian itself is a quaint village with proper Cornish pubs.
Best for: foodies
Price: average
A real gem, Treloan Coastal Holidays is located in the unspoiled Roseland Peninsula. Campers at Treloan are within close access to the kayaking, sailing, windsurfing and swimming spots along the south coast, and the site is popular with young families and groups of friends. For foodies, one of Cornwall’s best eating destinations, the Hidden Hut, is just a 20 minute walk along the coast path away.
Best for: a gateway to Padstow, AKA the Rick Stein capital of the UK
Price: pricey
Near the tourist-favourite town Padstow, which is filled with bougie fish and chip shops and chi-chi art galleries, Dennis Cove also has direct access to the Camel Trail, an 18-mile scenic cycle route that’s great for both kids and adults. This well-equipped site has everything you might need, with plots for tents up to seven-metre-long motorhomes and caravans.
Discover Time Out original video
