Proper Camping

2 reviews
Cornwall camping

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  • Back to basics Cornwall family campsite just off the A39
  • A quarter of an hour's drive from Port Isaac and Tintagel
  • Friendly dogs welcome; open campfires allowed
Anyone after a bit of outdoor relaxing should give Proper Camping's photos a proper inspection – this secluded rural site looks out over the kind of hilly Cornish countryside that inspires hours of drowsy daydreaming as you kick back in your camping chair… Even by Cornish standards, the location of Proper Camping is impressive – set just off the A39 road and half a mile from the village of Helstone, it's a quarter of an hour's drive from stunning coastal spots like Port Isaac and Tintagel. Trundling along the Camel Trail by bike from Wadebridge (15 minutes), wandering over the wilds of Bodmin Moor (from 10 minutes) and catching waves in the surfers’ paradise that is Newquay (35 minutes) are all equally easily arranged. On the facilities front, this family-friendly site keeps it simple with four eco toilets, a water point and two hot showers. Friendly dogs are allowed at Proper Camping, but please keep them on leads and under control at all times – the site's free-range chickens and ducks will thank you for it. Open campfires are allowed, but please follow instructions from site staff if you're planning on this option.

Campground type

RV & Motorhome sites 1
Tent sites 8
Rent a tent 2
Opens

Languages spoken

English

Nearby campgrounds that are bookable on Pitchup.com

Unfortunately, we have no nearby bookable campgrounds.

Want to know more about camping in Cornwall?

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

Bath available Car parking by site/unit Composting toilet Dog park Drying room Food shop Free wifi Ice pack freezing Internet access Laundry 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

Budget/backpacker Spectacular scenery Wild camping

Utilities

Charging facilities Communal freezer Dump point Electric car charging point(s) Gas cylinders available Recycling available Renewable energy

Nearby amenities

Bar nearby Convenience store nearby Dog walk nearby

Type

Pop-up campground Small (11-25 sites)

Accessibility

Disabled facilities

Nearby leisure

Cycle hire nearby Cycling nearby Fishing nearby Golf nearby Horse riding nearby Indoor pool nearby Restaurant nearby Surf school nearby Watersports nearby

Location

Proper Camping

Pool Cottage

Helstone

Camelford

Cornwall

England

PL32 9RW

Directions

Timezone

Europe/London GMT (GMT+00:00)

GPS

50.59785°N
-4.70985°W

Nearest transport

Coach
12.7 km Lidl Superstore
12.8 km Lidl Superstore
14 km Car Park
Rail
17.2 km Bodmin Parkway Rail Station
21.4 km Lostwithiel Rail Station
21.7 km Roche Rail Station
Ferry
16.4 km Rock Padstow Ferry Landing
17.2 km Padstow Ferry Landing
29.1 km Fowey Custom House Quay Ferry Landing
Airport
26.8 km 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

Assemble your bikes, helmets and assorted cycling gear before setting off to Proper Camping – the site's within 10 minutes' drive of the cracking coastal and inland scenery that lines the Camel Trail, a car-free bike path that runs from Wadebridge in the north (15 minutes' drive) down to Bodmin in the middle of the moor (20 minutes). Surf's up at several locations along the north Cornwall coast, with Trebarwith Strand (10 minutes), Polzeath (20 minutes) and Newquay (35 minutes) high up on the bucket list of most board sport fans travelling through these parts. Other seaside locations like Port Isaac (15 minutes) and Tintagel (15 minutes) are renowned for their heritage and history – the former is a traditional fishing village with the architecture and harbour to prove it, while the latter is home to towering Tintagel Castle where the legendary King Arthur is said to have held his court. For something to keep the small sorts smiling, get locked up at Bodmin Jail (20 minutes), take a trip to see the animals at Newquay Zoo (35 minutes) or get them involved in go-karting, zipwires and other high-speed attractions at Adrenalin Quarry (50 minutes).

Water quality at nearby bathing waters

Name Distance Type 2020201920182017
Trebarwith Strand 6.4 km Sea N/AExcellentGoodGood
Polzeath 14.8 km Estuary N/AExcellentGoodExcellent
Daymer Bay 15.8 km Estuary N/AExcellentExcellentExcellent
Crackington Haven 16.9 km Sea N/AExcellentExcellentExcellent
Trevone Bay 19.8 km Sea N/AExcellentExcellentExcellent

Data source: European Environment Agency

Must see

Tintagel Castle 8.7 km

Rock Beach 16.3 km

Cornwall's Crealy Great Adventure Park 19.6 km

Eden Project 25.6 km

Newquay Zoo 32.8 km

National Trust

Tintagel Old Post Office 7.8 km

Lawrence House 24.9 km

Carnewas and Bedruthan Steps 26 km

Trerice 33.2 km

Cotehele Mill 36.1 km

Cycle routes

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

Other

Camelford Town and River 3.5 km

Camelford and Countryside 3.6 km

Camelford Country 3.6 km

LAMELLEN 4.8 km

Trebarwith Strand 6.2 km

Local events

  • Eden Sessions (Thursday 12 June 2025 – Thursday 12 June 2025)

    Par, England 26.7 km

  • Boardmasters (Wednesday 6 August 2025 – Wednesday 6 August 2025)

    Newquay, England 29.4 km

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.

Offers

Conditions apply - see site type section for details

Reviews

100%

would recommend this campground to a friend

100%

would stay here again

Only showing reviews for the last 30 months.

Lovely people, peaceful place ,despite being close to the main road would visit…

Overall 10/10
Location 10
Value for money 8
Accommodation 10
Facilities / Activities 8
Customer service 10
Child friendliness No rating
Cleanliness 10
Wifi No rating
Leonidas v. The reviewer booked through Pitchup.com

Bell tent

Liked: Lovely people, peaceful place ,despite being close to the main road
would visit again .

Recommend to friends Visit again

Basic but lovely, would definitely go back

Overall 10/10
Location 6
Value for money 10
Accommodation 10
Facilities / Activities 10
Customer service 10
Child friendliness 10
Cleanliness 10
Wifi 10
Jennie R. The reviewer booked through Pitchup.com

Unpowered grass and sand campervan site

Liked: Lovely site and the chickens were great to watch!!

Recommend to friends Visit again


Frequently asked questions

  • Does Proper Camping have a swimming pool? No View all features
  • Is Proper Camping dog friendly? Yes View all features
  • What attractions are near Proper Camping? Assemble your bikes, helmets and assorted cycling gear before setting off to Proper Camping – the site's within 10 minutes' drive of the cracking coastal and inland scenery that lines the Camel … Read more
  • When can I check in and check out of Proper Camping?
    Camping and caravan
    Arrive:  noon –  10 p.m.
    Depart by:  11 a.m.
    On-site accommodation
    Arrive:  1 p.m. –  10 p.m.
    Depart by:  11 a.m.
    Read more