Carlyon Bay

View prices & book 9.7 41 reviews
Aerial view of the site
New
Outdoor heated swimming pools
Pitches
Play area

  • Large level pitches at a 30-acre park on the south Cornwall coast
  • Between Fowey and Charlestown, a five-minute walk from the beach
  • Heated outdoor pools on site, plus crazy golf and two play areas
The south coast of Cornwall is a splendid place for a break, with some gorgeous beaches to visit, ancient heritage to explore and all sorts of outdoor activities among fabulous scenery. The prospect of a break here gets even better when you book in at Carlyon Bay, a family-friendly park with 30 acres of meadows and landscaped gardens. Pitches here are surrounded by well-tended greenery, including mature hydrangeas and rhododendron bushes that fill the place with fabulous colour when they’re in bloom. This place has been nicely set up for a peaceful Cornwall break, with large, level pitches that have plenty of space for your awning, gazebo and other bits and bobs, and some top-notch facilities for guests. The heated outdoor pool area is bound to be a hit in the summer months, and there's also free use of a crazy golf course and two main play areas. The essentials are all in place too – the site has a launderette, a wifi service, a food shop and three smart modern bathroom blocks with family rooms and an accessible bathroom. To preserve the peaceful atmosphere, there’s no bar on site, but it's an easy 10-minute walk to the local pub for drinks and meals if you want. Walking will also get you down to the lovely Carlyon Bay beach in about five minutes – once there, you can settle on the sands, take a swim or join the South West Coast Path for the 40-minute walk to the historic harbour at Charlestown. Fowey and St Austell are both about 10 minutes’ drive away, with bus services available too.

Site type

Tent pitches 90
Touring caravan pitches 50
Motorhome pitches 40
Open now
Opens 1 May
Please note
  • Under 18s must be accompanied by their parents or legal guardians.
  • The site does not accept breeds/crossbreeds listed in the Dangerous Dogs Act (i.e. XL Bully, Pit Bull Terrier, Japanese Tosa, Dogo Argentino, and Fila Brasileiro) and/or any of the following: Staffordshire bull terrier, American Staffordshire terrier, Rottweiler, any Mastiff or Tosa.
  • The grocery shop is open between 23/05 and 12/09.
  • Discount cards and gift vouchers cannot be applied to bookings made via Pitchup.com.
  • The site caters for families (immediate members) and couples only - bookings from all other forms of groups are not accepted.
  • No hen/stag parties permitted via Pitchup.com.
  • A cable measuring at least 5 metres is needed for the electric hook-ups.
  • The outdoor swimming pool is open between 23/05 and 12/09 (subject to weather conditions).
  • Reception is unmanned after 6 p.m.. Please inform the site while on your way there should you expect to arrive after this time, so that the team can provide information about your unit/pitch.
  • Commercial vehicles (vehicles used for work-related purposes, carrying goods or fare-paying passengers) and sign-written vehicles are not permitted on site.

Languages spoken

English

Open from Fri 1 May to

AA 5 pennants

No availability here for your search criteria

Pitch types & availability

Reviews

  • 73%
    10
  • 19%
    9
  • 7%
    8
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    7
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    6
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    5
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    1
Location
9
Value for money
9
Accommodation
No rating
Facilities / Activities
9
Customer service
10
Child friendliness
10
Cleanliness
10
Wifi
8

100% would recommend this site to a friend

100% would stay here again

What customers say

This is a well-maintained, friendly, and clean campsite with spacious pitches and good facilities, including clean bathrooms and pools. It's a short walk to the beach, and many visitors would happily return. Some minor issues were raised regarding Wi-Fi coverage and the distance to chemical disposal points, with manager replies clarifying the availability of facilities and explaining barbecue policies. Shower temperature issues were noted but addressed by management as a temporary fault.

Summary AI-generated from Pitchup.com customer reviews. Last updated 14/07/2026

Filter by topic

Reviews page 1 of 5
Arrival date (latest first)

Wide pitches with bushes between each…

Overall

10 out of 10
Location
10
Value for money
10
Facilities / Activities
10
Customer service
10
Child friendliness
No rating
Cleanliness
10
Wifi
No rating
Anonymous

Electric grass pitch

Liked Wide pitches with bushes between each side to act as a noise buffer. Lovely welcome by staff, good cheap shop, clean pools, clean bathrooms and a 10 min walk to the beach. Would happily stay again.

Recommend to friends Visit again

great facilities, very clean and nice…

Overall

10 out of 10
Location
10
Value for money
10
Facilities / Activities
10
Customer service
10
Child friendliness
No rating
Cleanliness
10
Wifi
8

Electric grass pitch

Liked great facilities, very clean and nice park. secluded areas so not too crowded. would recommend.

Disliked wifi didn't reach our area but thats ok. there was data.

Recommend to friends Visit again

This was a premium long established site that is well maintained.

Overall

10 out of 10
Location
9
Value for money
8
Facilities / Activities
10
Customer service
10
Child friendliness
No rating
Cleanliness
10
Wifi
10

Electric grass pitch

Liked What a lovely site! Well kept, spacious lovely pitches and a warm and friendly welcome. My grandson loved it here and can’t wait to return. Peaceful, nice people, lovely pool and I have already recommended the site to others. We will definitely be back!

Disliked Price was a little more than we would normally pay and adding our two little Pomeranians bumped the price up further, which is always a bit of a shame as other than the field they don’t get to use the lovely facilities. Shame no bbq’s allowed as long as people are sensible with them and they are off the ground, big part of a camping experience. That said great layout, really good open and play area for the kids, close enough to keep an eye on them but far enough away so doesn’t disturb others.

Recommend to friends Visit again

From the manager: Hi,
We are glad you enjoyed your stay on the park.

In answer to your comment about not being able to barbecue here, I have copied and pasted below extracts from our T's and C's and from our FAQ's so as you can see in fact we entirely agree with you, barbecuing is fine here if done safely.

"Charcoal or gas fuelled barbecues are permitted, if they are a safe height off the ground.
We just ask that common sense safety precautions are taken and that if you are using the foil tray disposable barbecues that you raise them off the ground to prevent scorching the grass.
There are some bricks behind the reception building, you are welcome to borrow some from there to use"

We don't allow woodburning stoves and firepits due to the continuous smoke, hot ash and sparks generated by wood burning which poses a serious fire risk, especially in the dry conditions we are experiencing currently.

Fran & Jeff Taylor

Lovely friendly peaceful site with good…

Overall

10 out of 10
Location
10
Value for money
10
Facilities / Activities
10
Customer service
10
Child friendliness
No rating
Cleanliness
10
Wifi
7
Adey B. 3 reviews

Central electric hardstanding and grass touring pitch

Liked Lovely friendly peaceful site with good sized hard standing/ grass pitches with electric hookup. Clean facilities and very friendly welcome when we arrived. Site well maintained

Recommend to friends Visit again

Great facilities. Staff so helpful.…

Overall

10 out of 10
Location
10
Value for money
10
Facilities / Activities
10
Customer service
10
Child friendliness
No rating
Cleanliness
10
Wifi
10

Electric grass pitch

Liked Great facilities. Staff so helpful. Very clean facilities. Lovely heated outdoor pool. Definitely recommend

Disliked Nothing disappointing. Great place.

Recommend to friends Visit again

Would definitely stay again

Overall

10 out of 10
Location
8
Value for money
8
Facilities / Activities
10
Customer service
10
Child friendliness
No rating
Cleanliness
10
Wifi
5

Central electric hardstanding and grass touring pitch

Liked Everything from arrival to departure. The lady who checked us in was efficient, friendly and informative.

The site itself was very clean, always hot water and everything as described on the booking site.

Disliked The Wi-Fi was very weak and could rarely stay connected.

Recommend to friends Visit again

Spotlessly clean and tidy, lovely pool,…

Overall

10 out of 10
Location
9
Value for money
9
Facilities / Activities
9
Customer service
9
Child friendliness
No rating
Cleanliness
9
Wifi
10

Central electric hardstanding and grass touring pitch

Liked Spotlessly clean and tidy, lovely pool, rewilded meadow for walks to the beach 10 minutes away.

Recommend to friends Visit again

Absolutely fantastic place. So peaceful very…

Overall

10 out of 10
Location
10
Value for money
10
Facilities / Activities
10
Customer service
10
Child friendliness
No rating
Cleanliness
10
Wifi
10
Mark e. 3 reviews

Central electric hardstanding and grass touring pitch

Liked Absolutely fantastic place. So peaceful very well kept grounds, beautiful flowers everywhere.
Shower and toilet facilities outstanding very clean and well kept.
Staff could not do enough for you were very friendly and it's a well equipped site. Would recommend to anyone.

Recommend to friends Visit again

Dog walk area and shop which…

Overall

10 out of 10
Location
8
Value for money
8
Facilities / Activities
8
Customer service
10
Child friendliness
No rating
Cleanliness
10
Wifi
7

Central electric hardstanding and grass touring pitch

Liked Dog walk area and shop which had everything I dropped in for. Very friendly team on reception. Spacious pitches and clean facilities.

Disliked Not really a dislike but if you aren’t able to walk well then the beach is realistically a good 10 min walk and the nearest pub a bit more than that, but it wouldn’t put us off staying again.

Recommend to friends Visit again

Large pitches, friendly staff, warm pool,…

Overall

9 out of 10
Location
8
Value for money
8
Facilities / Activities
8
Customer service
10
Child friendliness
No rating
Cleanliness
9
Wifi
7

Electric grass pitch

Liked Large pitches, friendly staff, warm pool, beautiful plants and abundance of wild life

Disliked Nothing

Recommend to friends Visit again


Features

Leisure on site

Bar or club house Cycle hire Evening entertainment Fishing Fitness centre Games room Indoor swimming pool Kids' club On-site restaurant/cafe Outdoor swimming pool Play area TV room Take away Tennis Watersports

Amenities on site

Baby-changing facilities Bath available Composting toilet Dog park Drying room Food shop Free wifi Ice pack freezing Internet access Launderette Parent & baby washroom Pick-up from public transport Portable toilet Pub toilets Public telephone Shower available Toilet block Washing-up area Wifi

Groups welcome

Family friendly Motorcycle friendly Single-sex groups welcome Student groups welcome

Rules

Barbecue provided Barbecues allowed Campfires allowed Commercial vehicles allowed Dogs allowed Dogs allowed all year

Themes

Peaceful Walkers' paradise

Utilities

Charging facilities Chemical disposal Electric car charging point(s) Gas cylinders available Recycling available Renewable energy

Nearby amenities

Bar nearby Dog walk nearby Public transport nearby

Type

Large (51-200 pitches)

Accessibility

Bathrooms: Large spacious shower Pitch close to accessible bathrooms Step-free or level access

Nearby leisure

Canoeing/kayaking nearby Fishing nearby Golf nearby Horse riding nearby Restaurant nearby Sailing nearby Watersports nearby

Touring and motorhomes

Drainage hook-up points for tourers Motorhome service point Water hook-up points for tourers

Location

Carlyon Bay

Cypress Avenue

Carlyon Bay

St Austell

Cornwall

England

PL25 3RE

Directions

Timezone

Europe/London BST (GMT+01:00)

GPS

50.34126°N
4.73976°W

Route directions

If driving a large unit, please follow these directions for the easiest journey. On the A30 past Bodmin, at Cornwall services, exit and follow the signs for the A391 St Austell road. Where the A391 joins the A390 turn LEFT ( NOT RIGHT for Carlyon Bay as is signposted). Approximately 400 yards further on you will see the brown tourism sign which you can follow to the site. From the A38 Plymouth direction, at the end of the Liskeard bypass section of dual carriageway join the A390 until you reach the second signed junction to the A3082 which is off the roundabout just past the Britannia Inn. If your satnav suggests turning into Penny's Lane as a shortcut, please ignore, as the lane is not suitable for large vehicles. Turn left at the roundabout, then half a mile further on turn right as signposted and the site is 400 yards along on the right-hand side, before the stone archway.

Nearest transport

Coach
0.8 mi Holmbush Inn
0.8 mi Holmbush Inn
0.9 mi Four Lords
Rail
1.8 mi Par Rail Station
2.2 mi St Austell Rail Station
3.4 mi Luxulyan Rail Station
Ferry
4.6 mi Fowey Ferry Landing
4.7 mi Fowey Town Quay Ferry Landing
4.7 mi Fowey Custom House Quay Ferry Landing
Airport
13.8 mi Newquay St Mawgan Airport

Please note: All distances on this page are calculated "as the crow flies" - please check actual distance depending on your mode of travel using the Get directions button above.

Local attractions

You'll want to get down to the beach, of course – perhaps taking the five-minute walk to the sheltered sands of Carlyon Bay beach for a dip or visiting other nearby spots like Porthpean and Menabilly beaches (both 10 minutes’ drive). There are also lots of lovely walks along the coast path nearby, not least the section that takes you to Charlestown, where the well-preserved historic harbour featured in the Poldark TV series. Garden fans are well served around here with the likes of Pinetum Gardens and Tregrehan Garden (both five minutes’ drive) and The Lost Gardens of Heligan (25 minutes), not to mention the famed domes of the Eden Project (five minutes). Golf, watersports and football golf are all close by for those who like a little more activity. For other days out, you could take the kids to Screech Owl Sanctuary & Animal Park (20 minutes) or Porfell Wildlife Park & Sanctuary (half an hour), or learn a bit about the area's industrial history at Wheal Martyn Clay Works (10 minutes).

Water quality at nearby bathing waters

Name Distance Type 2020201920182017
Crinnis Beach 0.4 mi Sea N/AExcellentExcellentExcellent
Shorthorn Beach 0.8 mi Sea N/AExcellentExcellentExcellent
Charlestown 1 mi Sea N/AExcellentExcellentExcellent
Duporth 1.4 mi Sea N/AExcellentExcellentExcellent
Porthpean 1.7 mi Sea N/AExcellentExcellentExcellent

Data source: European Environment Agency

Must see

Eden Project 2.3 mi

Lost Gardens of Heligan 5 mi

Cornwall's Crealy Great Adventure Park 13.2 mi

Lappa Valley Steam Railway 13.6 mi

Truro Cathedral 14.7 mi

National Trust

Trerice 13.6 mi

Trelissick Garden 15.6 mi

Carnewas and Bedruthan Steps 15.9 mi

St Anthony Head 17.4 mi

Tintagel Old Post Office 22.2 mi

Cycle routes

Find local routes on the National Cycle Network - over 12,000 miles of cycling routes.

Other

TREGREHAN 0.5 mi

Porthpean, Charlestown and Carlyon Bay 1.8 mi

Polkerris to Readymoney Cove 2.6 mi

Polkerris to Gribbin Head and Polridmouth 2.6 mi

Menabilly Barton - Gribbin Head - Polkerris - Fowey 3 mi

Local events

  • Boardmasters (Wednesday, 5 August 2026 – Wednesday, 5 August 2026)

    Newquay, Cornwall 14.6 mi

Please note: All distances on this page are calculated "as the crow flies" - please check actual distance depending on your mode of travel using the Get directions button above.

Want to know more about camping in Cornwall?

Frequently asked questions

  • Does Carlyon Bay have a swimming pool? Yes View all features
  • Is Carlyon Bay dog friendly? Yes View all features
  • What attractions are near Carlyon Bay? You'll want to get down to the beach, of course – perhaps taking the five-minute walk to the sheltered sands of Carlyon Bay beach for a dip or visiting other nearby spots … Read more
  • When can I check in and check out of Carlyon Bay?
    Camping and touring
    Arrive:  12 p.m. –  6 p.m.
    Depart by:  11 a.m.

    Between 24 July and 30 August, the latest arrival time is 7pm.

    Read more
  • How much does it cost to stay at Carlyon Bay? From £80 (for 2 nights, 2 adults) - prices may change depending on your dates and party.