Porthcothan Clifftop Camping

View prices & book 9.6 291 reviews
Campervan on site
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

  • 78%
    10
  • 11%
    9
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    8
  • 1%
    7
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    1
Location
10
Value for money
9
Accommodation
9
Facilities / Activities
9
Customer service
10
Child friendliness
9
Cleanliness
10
Wifi
5

99% would recommend this campground to a friend

98% would stay here again

What customers say

Awesome clifftop views & direct coast path access. Jeff's a legend, facilities (hot showers!) clean. Some found road rough & compost loos a bit different, but peace, space & views are top notch. Great for a chill escape.

Summary AI-generated from Pitchup.com customer reviews. Last updated 25/08/2026

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Reviews page 1 of 30
Arrival date (latest first)

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
No rating
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
No rating
Customer service
No rating
Child friendliness
No rating
Cleanliness
No rating
Wifi
No rating

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

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
No rating
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

Great view , quiet…

Overall

10 out of 10
Location
10
Value for money
8
Facilities / Activities
5
Customer service
10
Child friendliness
No rating
Cleanliness
8
Wifi
1

Unpowered grass campervan, tent or trailer tent site

Liked Great view , quiet

Disliked Nothing

Recommend to friends Visit again

We are planning to go back next summer 100%

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

Unpowered grass campervan, tent or trailer tent site

Liked Top 10 rural type camp sites we have ever stayed in our life for sure if not top 5. Absolutely stunning views. We managed even to fall asleep in our camper with opened doors looking at moon. Dead straight in front of sunset. Facilities minimalistic but enough to stay comfy. Clean toilets even on top of IBCs which was genius idea, hot water in the morning till 12 and evening till 8. Massive area so plenty of space.

Disliked Nothing to dislike

Recommend to friends Visit again

Fantastic views of the coast…

Overall

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

Unpowered grass campervan, tent or trailer tent site

Liked Fantastic views of the coast

Recommend to friends Visit again

Good place where to stay , recommending to stay a bit longer.

Overall

9 out of 10
Location
9
Value for money
10
Facilities / Activities
8
Customer service
10
Child friendliness
10
Cleanliness
10
Wifi
4
Nikolajs 1 review

Unpowered grass campervan, tent or trailer tent site

Liked It was really lovely place where to stay. Very welcomed owner. Lots a beautiful places nearby.

Disliked None

Recommend to friends Visit again

Absolutely beautiful campsite, perfect location, stunning…

Overall

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

Unpowered grass campervan, tent or trailer tent site

Liked Absolutely beautiful campsite, perfect location, stunning views ,Geoff the owner is very welcoming and friendly, will definitely be returning here, thankyou for a lovely stay 👌

Recommend to friends Visit again


Features

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 $56.66 (for 1 night, 2 adults) - prices may change depending on your dates and party.