Porthcothan Clifftop Camping

View prices & book 9.7 299 reviews
Campervan on site
Campervan on site
Sunset on site
Sea views
Pitched up
Sea view sunset
Grass pitches
Sunset
Well-behaved dogs welcome
1/406
Sunset on site
Sea views
Pitched up

  • Clifftop eco camping in Cornwall with stunning sea views
  • A five-minute walk from Porthcothan Bay via the South West Coast Path
  • Back to basics site on a working farm by the coast path; dogs welcome
Based on a working beef and sheep farm just off the South West Coast Path, Porthcothan Clifftop Camping likes to keep things simple. After all, why would you want to complicate life when you have a spacious grassy field, spectacular views out to sea and a top Cornwall location? This friendly and laidback pop-up site crosses the cliffs and looks out over the golden sands of Porthcothan Bay (roughly five minutes' walk away via the coast path). This is a spot for those with an adventurous side – it's an off-grid, eco-friendly and wild location without flushing loos. Sea views are visible all around the site, not to mention that there's no light pollution, making for stunning stargazing on clear nights and gorgeous sunsets. Facilities include five powerful hot showers, eight composting toilets and multiple water points, as well as four indoor hot-water sinks for washing up and an outdoor cold-water handwashing station. You'll need to be fairly self-sufficient in bringing all your own food and equipment, but it's not far to a feed or a hot drink as there are cafés that can be reached within a mile's walk. The sizeable village of Saint Merryn (five minutes' drive) has more amenities, and the larger town of Padstow (a renowned foodie spot) is an easy 15 minute-drive down the road. Those of you who never leave your dogs behind for an adventure will also be happy to find that well-behaved dogs are also welcome at Porthcothan Clifftop Camping.

Campground type

Tent sites 50
RV & Motorhome sites 50
Open now
Opens 2 July
Please note

Dogs

  • The campground/park does not accept breeds/crossbreeds listed in the Dangerous Dog Act (i.e. Pit Bull Terrier, Japanese Tosa, Dogo Argentino, and Fila Brasileiro).

Admission

  • Under 18s must be accompanied by their parents or legal guardians.

Languages spoken

English

Open from Thu, 2 July to

No availability here for your search criteria

Reviews

9.7

Overall rating from 299 Pitchup.com customers

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Location
 10
Value for money
 9
Accommodation
 9
Facilities / Activities
 9
Customer service
 10
Child friendliness
 9
Cleanliness
 10
Wifi
 5
Spectacular sceneryPeaceful

99% would recommend this campground to a friend

98% would stay here again

What customers say

Spectacular cliff-top views, direct coast path access, and beaches nearby. Jeff's a legend! Basic, clean facilities with great hot showers. Access lane's a bit rough. Eco-toilets work well. Chill vibes, stunning nature.

Summary AI-generated from Pitchup.com customer reviews. Last updated 01/09/2026

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Reviews page 1 of 30
Arrival date (latest first)

Easy to find with additional directions…

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10 out of 10
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Amy T. 1 review

Unpowered grass campervan, tent or trailer tent site

Liked Easy to find with additional directions added and Jeff was very friendly and helpful!

Recommend to friends Visit again

The view the location is perfect…

Overall

10 out of 10
Location
 10
Value for money
 10
Facilities / Activities
 10
Customer service
 10
Child friendliness
 No rating
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 10
Wifi
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Neil G. 2 reviews

Unpowered grass campervan, tent or trailer tent site

Liked The view the location is perfect for us, Jeff the owner is very helpful, we will be returning when reopen next year.

Recommend to friends Visit again

Honestly everything, what a perfect spot…

Overall

10 out of 10
Location
 10
Value for money
 10
Facilities / Activities
 10
Customer service
 10
Child friendliness
 No rating
Cleanliness
 10
Wifi
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Helen J. 1 review

Unpowered grass campervan, tent or trailer tent site

Liked Honestly everything, what a perfect spot

Don’t be put off by the compost toilets there’s no weird smell or anything

We had the best stay - even with a bit of wind and rain - will be back

Disliked I didn’t book long enough!

Recommend to friends Visit again

Great!

Overall

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

Unpowered grass campervan, tent or trailer tent site

Liked Great campsite, gorgeous views, nice walks to neighboring villages and beaches. In some parts the site has quite a slope, but there are bricks laying around that can be used to straighten up the car.

There is a small shop selling camping essentials and food 10-15 minutes away at Porthcothan Beach.

Disliked From the spots with views the walk to the toilets can be quite long. Water pressure and warm water is only there when the generator is fired up in the morning until noon and evening. Not a big problem though.

Recommend to friends Visit again

Back to basics campsite

Overall

9 out of 10
Location
 10
Value for money
 10
Facilities / Activities
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Helen B. 4 reviews

Unpowered grass campervan, tent or trailer tent site

Liked Beautiful views and location. Very friendly and helpful owner. Beach in walking distance. Amenities are kept clean daily

Disliked The bottom field gets very windy just a heads up as our awning couldn’t handle it. Better setting up in the top field

Recommend to friends Visit again

Everything! Will never get tired of…

Overall

10 out of 10
Location
 10
Value for money
 10
Facilities / Activities
 10
Customer service
 10
Child friendliness
 10
Cleanliness
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Wifi
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Isabel W. 1 review

Unpowered grass campervan, tent or trailer tent site

Liked Everything! Will never get tired of the views. Really peaceful site to unwind, with an abundance of beaches to walk or drive to. Yes, you have to be pretty self sufficient, but that’s just what camping is all about. (There is a Tesco store about 3 miles away in Padstow for supplies). Best site ever if you really want a break and take in the scenery. Porthcothan beach is stunning and not overcrowded like many popular spots near by. Oh and must give Jeffer’s a shout… what a guy! So helpful and knowledgeable. Will definitely be back next year.

Recommend to friends Visit again

A fantastic campsite in an unbeatable Cornwall location

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
 James D. 1 review

Unpowered grass campervan, tent or trailer tent site

Liked Absolutely fantastic campsite and easily the best location we found in Cornwall. The views from Porthcothan Clifftop Camping are incredible – waking up looking out over the coast was a real highlight of our family trip. We have three young children and we all absolutely loved it!

The whole site is really well looked after by the owner, with excellent showers and toilets that were always clean and well maintained. You can tell a lot of care goes into keeping the campsite in great condition.

The location is hard to beat, with beautiful beaches and some amazing coastal walks right on your doorstep. We stayed at a few places during our trip around Cornwall, and this was definitely our favourite.

Would highly recommend and we’ll definitely be returning!

Recommend to friends Visit again

Very friendly site

Overall

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

Unpowered grass campervan, tent or trailer tent site

Liked The pitch size was amazing, could pick anywhere you wanted and as much space as you want. The Clifton view was also amazing. Jeff was also so nice and accommodating

Disliked This times the water are cut off, just restricted the time we had to be back on site so we could shower

Recommend to friends Visit again

The location is great for exploring…

Overall

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

Unpowered grass campervan, tent or trailer tent site

Liked The location is great for exploring North Cornwall, the views are amazing, beautiful sunsets, clean toilets and showers. Friendly helpful owner.

Disliked Nothing

Recommend to friends Visit again

Owner very helpful, very friendly…

Overall

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

Unpowered grass campervan, tent or trailer tent site

Liked Owner very helpful, very friendly
Lovely site

Recommend to friends Visit again

Features

Pop-up campground

Campfires allowed

Leisure on site

Bar or club house Beach access 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 Wild swimming

Amenities on site

Bath available 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

Peaceful Remote location Spectacular scenery Walkers' paradise Wild camping Wildlife haven

Utilities

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

Nearby amenities

Bar nearby Convenience store nearby Dog walk nearby Public transport nearby

Type

Farm Medium (26-50 sites) Pop-up campground

Nearby leisure

Cycle hire nearby Cycling nearby Fishing nearby Golf nearby Surf school nearby Watersports nearby

Location

Porthcothan Clifftop Camping

Carnevas Farm

Porthcothan Bay

Padstow

Cornwall

England

PL28 8PN

Directions

Timezone

Europe/London +0100 (GMT+01:00)

GPS

50.51236°N
5.01721°W

Route directions

Please do not follow Google Maps, as it will take you down a dead-end road. Use the following instructions (or what3words: postcard.pacifist.tortoises). The gateway for the site is 20 yards along on the left just past a grey cottage (on the right) called Carnavis Cottage. It is clearly marked with the logo and the name Porthcothan Clifftop Camping. Please do not continue up to Carnevas Holiday Park, which is a separate business.

Nearest transport

Coach
10.8 km Shop Corner
10.8 km Porth Four Turns
12.1 km Bus Station
Rail
11.6 km Newquay Rail Station
12.1 km Quintrell Downs Rail Station
13.8 km St Columb Road Rail Station
Ferry
6.6 km Padstow Ferry Landing
7.4 km Rock Padstow Ferry Landing
31.8 km Mevagissey Ferry Landing
Airport
7.3 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

With direct access to the South West Coast Path, reaching Cornwall’s coves on foot has never been easier. Once you’ve ticked off seeing beaches like Porthcohan Bay and Treyarnon Bay a short walk along the coast, further afield are the bigger towns. Padstow (15 minutes’ drive), in particular, has lots to like: access to the Camel Trail, a busy harbour, a ferry to Rock and Prideaux Palace. To the south of Padstow is Trevibban Mill Vineyard (15 minutes) and its Cornish cider and wine tasting activities. Wadebridge (25 minutes) also has bicycle hire for the Camel Trail if you want to end your route in Padstow. Port Isaac (40 minutes), further afield, is a historic place with rows of cottages, a historic harbour and kayaking, coasteering or speed boat trips. If you’re looking for more entertainment of the active sort, Newquay Activity Centre (30 minutes) runs surf lessons, paddleboarding and other watersports. Kids are also likely to enjoy Newquay Zoo (30 minutes) and near Wadebridge, the Camel Creek Adventure Park (15 minutes), which has rides, small animals and a 5D cinema.

Food and drink

  • Tredrea Inn Pub 0.4 km
  • Farmers Arms Inn Pub 2.3 km
  • Salt & Samphire Restaurant 2.4 km
  • The Olive Tree Restaurant 2.4 km
  • Rafferty's Restaurant 2.4 km
  • Fryer Tucks Fish and Chips Restaurant 2.4 km
  • The Cornish Arms Pub 3 km
  • Ivy House Restaurant 3.1 km
  • The Well Parc Pub 4.4 km
  • Trevisker's Kitchen Restaurant 4.7 km

Groceries

  • Tesco Supermarket 5.7 km
  • Cornish Spirit Off-licence 6.4 km
  • Tarquin's Gin School & Shop Off-licence 6.4 km
  • Spar Supermarket 9.9 km
  • Sharp's Brewery Shop Off-licence 9.9 km

Parks and play

  • Wheal Jubilee Parc (Millennium Green) park 5.5 km
  • Willow Croft park 5.9 km
  • St Mawgan Playing Field Play Area Playground 6.6 km

Family days out

  • Tidal pool 0.8 km
  • Old MacDonalds Farm 1.3 km
  • Porth Mear Cove 1.6 km
  • Tidal Pool 1.8 km
  • Park Head 2.6 km
  • Bedruthan Steps 3.1 km
  • Kernow Chocolate Cafe 4.7 km
  • Natural Shower 4.9 km
  • Prideaux Place 6.1 km
  • Japanese Garden 6.4 km

Public transport

  • Opp Tredrea Inn 0.3 km
  • Tredrea Inn 0.3 km
  • Porthcothan Bay Stores 0.6 km
  • opp Porthcothan Bay Stores 0.6 km
  • Top of Porthcothan Hill 0.9 km
  • Treyarnon Turn 1.2 km
  • Old MacDonalds Farm 1.3 km
  • Sea View Road 1.5 km
  • Sea View Corner 1.5 km
  • Post Box 1.6 km

Beaches

  • Porthcothan Beach 0.8 km
  • Fox Cove 1.1 km
  • Pepper Cove 1.4 km
  • Treyarnon Beach 1.7 km
  • Constantine Bay 2.4 km
  • Booby's Bay 3 km
  • Harlyn Bay 3.5 km
  • Mother Ivy's Bay 3.6 km
  • Mackerel Cove 3.9 km
  • High Cove 4.3 km

What’s nearby

  • Trevose Golf & Country Club Golf course 2.7 km
  • The Alps Fishery Fishing 3.4 km
  • Mawgan Porth Golf Club Golf course 4.8 km
  • Pitch and Putt Golf course 5.3 km
  • St Enodoc Golf Club Golf course 8.2 km
  • Waves Cabaret Club Nightclub 9.3 km
  • Waves Cabaret Club Nightclub 9.3 km
  • hawksfield cornwall Shopping centre 9.4 km
  • Retallack Resort Pitch and Putt Golf Course 9.5 km
  • Treloy Golf Club Golf course 9.6 km

Local services

  • PoGo charge Charging Station 0.5 km
  • Tesla Destination Charger Charging station 1.9 km
  • Gulf Fuel station 2.4 km
  • PodPoint Charging Station 3.2 km
  • Pod Point Charging Station 5.2 km
  • Padstow Petrol Station Fuel station 5.3 km
  • InstaVolt Charging Station 5.3 km
  • Pod Point Charging station 5.7 km
  • Petroc Group Practice Doctors 5.9 km
  • Boots Pharmacy 6.4 km

© OpenStreetMap contributors

Must see

Cornwall's Crealy Great Adventure Park 6.7 km

Rock Beach 7.6 km

Blue Reef Aquarium 11.8 km

Fistral Beach 11.8 km

Newquay Zoo 11.8 km

National Trust

Carnewas and Bedruthan Steps 3.6 km

Trerice 14.2 km

Tintagel Old Post Office 25.1 km

Trelissick Garden 32.9 km

Cornish Mines and Engines 36.2 km

Cycle routes

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

Other

Harlyn and Constantine Bays 3.4 km

Bedruthen Steps and Park Head 3.6 km

Trevone Bay - Constantine Bay - South West Coastal Path 4.6 km

PRIDEAUX PLACE 6.3 km

Padstow and the South-West Coast Path 6.3 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.

Want to know more about camping in Cornwall?

Frequently asked questions

  • Does Porthcothan Clifftop Camping have a swimming pool? No View all features
  • Is Porthcothan Clifftop Camping dog friendly? Yes View all features
  • What attractions are near Porthcothan Clifftop Camping? With direct access to the South West Coast Path, reaching Cornwall’s coves on foot has never been easier. Once you’ve ticked off seeing beaches like Porthcohan Bay and Treyarnon Bay a short … Read more
  • When can I check in and check out of Porthcothan Clifftop Camping?
    Camping and caravan
    Arrive:  noon –  8 p.m.
    Depart by:  11 a.m.
    Read more
  • How much does it cost to stay at Porthcothan Clifftop Camping? From $56.68 (for 1 night, 2 adults) - prices may change depending on your dates and party.