Porthcothan Clifftop Camping

View prices & book 9.5 107 reviews
Campervan on site
Sunset on site
Sea views
Grass pitches

  • 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). Sea views are visible all around the site, not to mention the gorgeous sunsets that light up the sky on regular occasions. This is a spot for those with an adventurous side – facilities include three hot showers, four composting toilets and multiple water points. 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.

Site type

Motorhome sites 3
Tent sites 38
Open now
Opens 27 June
Please note
  • Under 18s must be accompanied by their parents or legal guardians.
  • Guests are advised to bring a good quality torch with them as parts of the campground/park are unlit.

Languages spoken

English

Open from Fri, 27 Jun to

Pitch types & availability

Reviews

  • 84%
    10
  • 0%
    9
  • 11%
    8
  • 0%
    7
  • 1%
    6
  • 0%
    5
  • 0%
    4
  • 0%
    3
  • 0%
    2
  • 0%
    1
Location
10
Value for money
9
Accommodation
9
Facilities / Activities
8
Customer service
10
Child friendliness
9
Cleanliness
9
Wifi
6

94% would recommend this site to a friend

93% would stay here again

What customers say

Stunning cliff-top views, direct coastal path access. Friendly owner Jeff, clean facilities (hot showers, compost loos – basic for some). Exposed but spacious, relaxed, "wild camping" feel. Narrow lanes & occasional hot water issues noted.

Summary AI-generated from Pitchup.com customer reviews

Reviews page 1 of 11
Arrival date (latest first)

Jeff was lovely and incredibly accommodating. Although we weren’t blessed with the…

Overall

10 out of 10
Location
10
Value for money
7
Accommodation
9
Facilities / Activities
7
Customer service
10
Child friendliness
9
Cleanliness
10
Wifi
10
Will D.

Unpowered grass tent site

Liked Jeff was lovely and incredibly accommodating. Although we weren’t blessed with the weather for our one night we had a great stay nonetheless. A great spot just off the South West Coastal Path.

Recommend to friends Visit again

Wide open spaces, perfect ocean views.…

Overall

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

Unpowered grass tent site

Liked Wide open spaces, perfect ocean views.

Recommend to friends Visit again

Very friendly clean facilities

Overall

10 out of 10
Location
10
Value for money
9
Accommodation
9
Facilities / Activities
7
Customer service
10
Child friendliness
7
Cleanliness
7
Wifi
No rating
Michelle E.

Unpowered grass campervan, tent or trailer tent site

Liked Beautiful scenery, a little gem hiding away.
Ok eco toilets may not be to everyone's taste, but I have had much worse than these. They are clean and usable. Views more than make up for it.

Recommend to friends Visit again

Facilities were clean and well maintained. Super location. 👍🏻 Geoff

Overall

10 out of 10
Location
10
Value for money
10
Accommodation
10
Facilities / Activities
6
Customer service
10
Child friendliness
No rating
Cleanliness
10
Wifi
No rating
Anonymous

Unpowered grass campervan, tent or trailer tent site

Liked A very warm and friendly welcome from Geoff the farmer. Loved the location, peaceful surroundings. Views were incredible. Facilities were clean and well maintained.
A perfect weekend getaway. Thank you Geoff!

Recommend to friends Visit again

Loved our time here, will definitely be returning!

Overall

10 out of 10
Location
10
Value for money
5
Accommodation
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 best views on a campsite so far!, relaxed atmosphere, liked how we could park where we wanted, Jeff was friendly & helpful. Working showers & toilets. Overall will be returning & recommending!

Disliked N/A

Recommend to friends Visit again

Definitely one of our favourite campsites! Such amazing views. Jeff is always…

Overall

10 out of 10
Location
10
Value for money
10
Accommodation
10
Facilities / Activities
10
Customer service
10
Child friendliness
No rating
Cleanliness
10
Wifi
No rating
Holly F.

Unpowered grass campervan, tent or trailer tent site

Liked Definitely one of our favourite campsites! Such amazing views. Jeff is always very welcoming and helpful. We’ll definitely be returning again and again and again! 😊

Disliked Nothing!

Recommend to friends Visit again

Will definitely be back!

Overall

10 out of 10
Location
10
Value for money
9
Accommodation
9
Facilities / Activities
9
Customer service
10
Child friendliness
4
Cleanliness
9
Wifi
6
Anonymous

Unpowered grass campervan, tent or trailer tent site

Liked Spacious, excellent views, friendly owner, clean eco toilets, showers and washing up facilities, location and access to footpaths.

Recommend to friends Visit again

Nice views but overpriced for the amenities

Overall

5 out of 10
Location
10
Value for money
5
Accommodation
5
Facilities / Activities
4
Customer service
4
Child friendliness
4
Cleanliness
4
Wifi
4
Anonymous

Unpowered grass tent site

Liked The views are beautiful

Disliked No where to check in, only saw dust toilets & extremely basic washing facilities, no washing up space.

Recommend to friends Visit again

Friendly staff

Overall

10 out of 10
Location
10
Value for money
8
Accommodation
10
Facilities / Activities
8
Customer service
10
Child friendliness
10
Cleanliness
10
Wifi
No rating
Charlotte B.

Unpowered grass campervan, tent or trailer tent site

Liked The location is beautiful and beach is close enough for my 3 year old to walk along the coastal path and back

Recommend to friends Visit again

It was peaceful and once the weather brightened up it was just…

Overall

10 out of 10
Location
10
Value for money
10
Accommodation
10
Facilities / Activities
8
Customer service
8
Child friendliness
8
Cleanliness
10
Wifi
No rating
Natasha H.

Unpowered grass tent site

Liked It was peaceful and once the weather brightened up it was just beautiful with the sea in the distant
We will definitely be coming back. Thankyou for having us

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.

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

Local events

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

    Newquay, England 8.7 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.

Nearest sites

Unfortunately, we have no nearby bookable sites.

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:  10 a.m. –  10 p.m.
    Depart by:  11 a.m.
    Read more
  • How much does it cost to stay at Porthcothan Clifftop Camping? From $67.64 (for 1 night, 2 adults) - prices may change depending on your dates and party.