10 Best Campsites in Cornwall
Whether you’re a budding surfer or a family looking for a sandy beach, there’s a wide choice of campsites in Cornwall to suit. With our help, you can choose from holiday parks featuring pristine facilities, working farms where the kids can feed donkeys, and peaceful escapes within easy reach of white-sand beaches.
Track down campsites near destinations associated with the legends of King Arthur – from Tintagel Castle to Bodmin Moor – or trek 300 miles along the South West Coast Path to visit hidden coves and abandoned tin mines while pitching in a different place each night. This county delivers whatever your reason for visiting – and Pitchup will help to make sure that your camping experience in Cornwall is one to remember.
Top 10 Campsites in Cornwall
The Copper Pot Campsite
Lower Metherell, Callington
Cornwall
PL17 8BP
Why here? This quiet, eco-friendly spot borders the National Trust’s Tudor-era Cotehele estate and sits in the lush green Tamar Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. While the owners have focused on lowering the site’s impact on the local environment, home comforts aren’t forgotten – all the glamping tents contain LED lights and the bathrooms have hot water showers to wash the mud off after treks at the nearby Tamar Trails Centre. A shared kitchen and barbecue areas make everything simple if you’re in charge of cooking.
Key facilities: Bike hire, bedding included, bathrooms and washing-up amenities.
One last thing… The owners are happy to pick you up from Gunnislake station, 10 minutes’ drive away, and you can stay even more sustainable by renting one of the park's bikes to get around.
Wheal Vreagh Farm
Wheal Vor, Carleen
Helston
TR13 9NW
Why here? This is a peaceful, family-friendly camping site in a dream location. Wheal Vreagh is just 10 minutes’ drive from the mile-long sandy crescent at Praa Sands and not much farther from the rollercoasters and flume rides at Flambards Theme Park. Once you’re home from days out, there’s plenty of space for the kids to play on the grassy fields while the adults cook up barbecue dinners. Forget the inevitable mud stains: you can keep everyone looking freshly groomed thanks to a handy on-site launderette.
Key facilities: Well-maintained showers and toilets, free wifi and a washing-up area.
One last thing… The Lizard Peninsula’s ever-changing coastline is 15 minutes’ drive from this campsite. In Penzance, 25 minutes away, you can visit the town’s art galleries or swim in a sparkling art deco seawater pool.
Bodmin Moor Camping
Dove-Cote, Warleggan,
Mount, Bodmin
PL30 4HE
Why here? Walks, stargazing and wildlife watching are on the cards at this peaceful back-to-basics campsite on scenic Bodmin Moor. There are bell tents and camping pods if you're looking for a little extra comfort, and a communal fire pit (with wood provided) invites you to make friends with your neighbours in the evenings. Love cycling? The Camel Trail and other local routes are close by, while south coast beaches and the huge tropical biomes of the Eden Project are within a leisurely 30-minute drive.
Key facilities: Composting toilet, charging facilities and recycling available. Barbecues and dogs allowed.
One last thing… The lack of light pollution in this area means the starry skies are stunning after dark during cloudless nights.
Porthtowan Tourist Park
Mile Hill, Porthtowan
Truro, Cornwall
TR4 8TY
Why here? The award-winning Porthtowan Tourist Park has plenty to keep the kids busy, with an adventure play area and a games room on site. Young campers will be keen on excursions to Porthtowan, the nearest beach at just over a mile away, too. The sandy cove sits between grassy cliffs, with large dunes where children can play, and when conditions are right the swell provides ample entertainment for surfers. Keep your smartphone charged at a pitch with an electric hookup so you can easily check the wave forecast.
Key facilities: Launderette, shop, washing-up area and a disabled-friendly toilet and shower block.
One last thing… This campsite has easy access from the central A30 road for exploring all of Cornwall. Pick up suggestions for day trips in the tourist information room.
Tremarne Campsite
Long Lane, High Street Village
St Austell
PL26 7SU
Why here? You can unwind with a cocktail while taking in the vibrant rural views from the open-air bar at Tremarne Campsite. For more places to drink, the bright lights of St Austell and Charlestown’s harbour are within 10 minutes’ drive. Alternatively, open a bottle in front of your tent or motorhome and soak up the gorgeous green surroundings. Pitches with electric hookup are available, with ample space to spread out.
Key facilities: Shower and toilet block, recycling facilities, chemical disposal and a covered washing-up area.
One last thing… The clear aquamarine waters of Porthpean cove are just a 15-minute drive from this site.
Hillcrest Views Campsite
Hillcrest Farm, Voguebeloth
Illogan, Redruth
TR16 4EX
Why here? Seeking a quiet spot when camping in Cornwall? Hillcrest is just the ticket. This laidback campsite is on a working farm run by the same family for 80 years. Feel free to bring the dog as well as the kids – the owners welcome canines, and you can walk them on the surrounding country trails or down to the turquoise waters of Portreath beach in less than an hour. Once you’re back, grill up a barbecue dinner at your spacious pitch or buy food from the pub, chip shop or pasty store in Illogan village, 10 minutes on foot.
Key facilities: Shower, toilet block, washing-up area and motorhome service facilities.
One last thing… If you’re looking for action, there’s a golf course, trampoline park and watersports lake within 20 minutes’ drive.
Cosawes Park
Perranarworthal
Truro
TR3 7QS
Why here? This family-owned and run campsite sits in a scenic rural valley between Truro and Falmouth. Thoughtful extras here include underfloor heating in the shower block, an adults-only camping section and fast wifi for those who can’t quite leave the wider world behind. You can pick up fresh local produce at a farm stall five minutes’ walk away, and if you don’t feel like cooking, there are several excellent foodie pubs nearby.
Key facilities: Separate disabled and family bathrooms, washing-up area, launderette and motorhome service amenities.
One last thing… With otters, owls, badgers, woodpeckers and deer all making their homes in the surrounding countryside, wildlife lovers will be in their element at this campsite.
Gwel-an-Nans Farm
Cardinham
Bodmin
PL30 4EF
Why here? In a serene spot on the edge of Bodmin Moor, this campsite is a haven for walkers. It has a two-mile nature trail leading to a secret wooded valley – ask friendly owners Gerald and Sheila to point you in the right direction. Animal enthusiasts are also covered with two friendly donkeys to feed, and the whole site is set in the middle of a larger livestock-filled farm. There’s also a separate enclosed field for ball games and bike riding. Supermarkets, restaurants and pubs in the town of Bodmin, 10 minutes’ drive away, take care of the essentials.
Key facilities: Shower, toilet block and washing-up area available. Barbecues, campfires and dogs are allowed.
One last thing… With the off-road red-grade trails of Cardinham Woods less than a 10-minute drive away, this site is well located for mountain bikers.
Trewan Hall Camping Site
St Columb Major
Cornwall
TR9 6DB
Why here? This campsite is on an estate between Padstow and Newquay with an elegant 17th-century mansion surrounded by 36 acres of woodland and gardens. The Hill family sets out to spoil its guests, with free live entertainment in the Long Barn during the summer and a 25-metre heated pool that’s open in July and August. They also make sure the park’s never oversubscribed, so it always has a relaxed feel. There are separate barns with table tennis and pool tables for restless teenagers, and smaller campers are sorted with a woodland playground. Forgotten any essential supplies? Pick them up in the campsite shop.
Key facilities: Outdoor swimming pool, evening entertainment, play area, games room, free wifi and food shop
One last thing… You can choose between family pitches near all the facilities or more secluded spots in a separate area.
Mena Farm
Lanivet
Bodmin
PL30 5HW
Why here? Feel like having fish and chips delivered straight to your pitch? It’s worth ordering a portion at Mena Farm to save time: the central location, five miles from major Cornish attractions like the Eden Project, means you’ll want to squeeze as much as possible out of your days. While the site has fantastic facilities – from a games barn to a TV room – it also has a peaceful atmosphere, abundant wildlife and farm animals. When you’re not on the lookout for wild badgers and deer, say hello to the pigs and chickens or help collect eggs.
Key facilities: Mini market, bike hire, games room, play area and TV room.
One last thing… You can hire a bike from the park and join the 18-mile Camel Trail at nearby Bodmin or take on some of the other local cycling routes.
Interested in browsing all our Cornwall campsites? We have hundreds more to book online. Pitchup is designed to make it easy for you to organise your holiday – simply head to our filters to narrow down your options before settling on the ideal spot for you.
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