Porthcothan Clifftop Camping

View prices & book 9.6 253 reviews
Campervan on site
Campervan on site
Sunset on site
Sea views
Pitched up
Sea view sunset
Grass pitches
Sunset
Well-behaved dogs welcome
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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

9.6

Overall rating from 253 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 scenery

99% would recommend this campground to a friend

98% would stay here again

What customers say

Spectacular clifftop views get a big tick, with the campsite's direct access to the coastal path and beaches a major plus. Owner Jeff's a legend – super friendly and helpful. Facilities are clean but basic. Peaceful and spacious, though it can be windswept and the access lane's a bit rough.

Summary AI-generated from Pitchup.com customer reviews. Last updated 11/08/2026

Filter by topic

Reviews page 1 of 26
Arrival date (latest first)

Super chilled stay, can’t wait to return!

Overall

9 out of 10
Location
 10
Value for money
 10
Facilities / Activities
 9
Customer service
 10
Child friendliness
 No rating
Cleanliness
 10
Wifi
 1
Anonymous

Unpowered grass campervan, tent or trailer tent site

Liked The views are amazing, a short walk to the beach, a well managed site and once you are packed up you can stay parked for the rest of the day while you visit the beach!

Disliked Not a lover of a compost toilet! That said, well maintained and kept clean and tidy 😊

Recommend to friends Visit again

Lovely view, easy to find, and…

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

Unpowered grass campervan, tent or trailer tent site

Liked Lovely view, easy to find, and plenty of nice walks nearby.

Recommend to friends Visit again

Lots of space for camping, lots…

Overall

8 out of 10
Location
 8
Value for money
 8
Facilities / Activities
 No rating
Customer service
 10
Child friendliness
 No rating
Cleanliness
 7
Wifi
 No rating
Helen M. 2 reviews

Unpowered grass campervan, tent or trailer tent site

Liked Lots of space for camping, lots of sky and sea for gazing!

Disliked Not disliked but the loos and wash room could really benefit from solar powered motion sensitive lighting

Recommend to friends Visit again

Friendly owner, Great facilities and really…

Overall

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

Unpowered grass campervan, tent or trailer tent site

Liked Friendly owner, Great facilities and really well kept

Recommend to friends Visit again

Beautiful camp site, right by the…

Overall

10 out of 10
Location
 10
Value for money
 10
Facilities / Activities
 7
Customer service
 10
Child friendliness
 No rating
Cleanliness
 9
Wifi
 No rating
Pierre M. 1 review

Unpowered grass campervan, tent or trailer tent site

Liked Beautiful camp site, right by the spectacular north Cornwall coast line.

Recommend to friends Visit again

The flexibility in being able to…

Overall

10 out of 10
Location
 10
Value for money
 10
Facilities / Activities
 9
Customer service
 10
Child friendliness
 No rating
Cleanliness
 10
Wifi
 No rating
Lochie B. 1 review

Unpowered grass campervan, tent or trailer tent site

Liked The flexibility in being able to choose pitch on arrival. Showers excellent. Clean toilets. Location incredible. Friendly welcome. Being able to use fire bbq.

Disliked Didn't catch a fish lol.

Recommend to friends Visit again

Very special place

Overall

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

Unpowered grass campervan, tent or trailer tent site

Liked Epic views and clean site brilliant showers 🌞

Disliked As single person with a tiny tent why do I have to pay for 2 people ??? In the good old days basic camping was per person … again single person discrimination pitch up!

Recommend to friends Visit again

Great site! Amazing views, Very clean…

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
eleanor w. 1 review

Unpowered grass campervan, tent or trailer tent site

Liked Great site! Amazing views, Very clean facilities and Geoff was really friendly and knowledgable.

Recommend to friends Visit again

Great campsite with fantastic views. Jeff…

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
Dean C. 1 review

Unpowered grass campervan, tent or trailer tent site

Liked Great campsite with fantastic views. Jeff the owner was very friendly and was able to answer all our questions.

Recommend to friends Visit again

Absolutely loved this site, the scenery…

Overall

10 out of 10
Location
 10
Value for money
 9
Facilities / Activities
 8
Customer service
 10
Child friendliness
 No rating
Cleanliness
 9
Wifi
 No rating
Nik N. 1 review

Unpowered grass campervan, tent or trailer tent site

Liked Absolutely loved this site, the scenery is breathtaking and very peaceful, no thrills is what we like .

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.

Water quality at nearby bathing waters

Name Distance Type 2020201920182017
Porthcothan 0.6 km Sea N/AExcellentExcellentExcellent
Treyarnon Bay 1.6 km Sea N/AExcellentExcellentExcellent
Constantine Bay 2.4 km Sea N/AExcellentExcellentExcellent
Booby’S Bay 3 km Sea N/AExcellentExcellentN/A
Harlyn Bay 3.4 km Sea N/AExcellentExcellentExcellent

Data source: European Environment Agency

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 $57.25 (for 1 night, 2 adults) - prices may change depending on your dates and party.