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Camping in Cornwall

Photo: Chensiyuan (CC BY-SA 4.0), via Wikimedia Commons

Camping in Cornwall

Camping are one of the best ways to enjoy Cornwall, and this page gathers the pick of them: compare what each offers, then book direct with the operator.

Must-have facilities
Retorrick Mill

Retorrick Mill

✓ Part farm, live music venue, wedding venue and self-catering accommodation

🏖️ 1.35 miles from Mawgan Porth (Excellent water quality)

Newquay

Check availability
Coastland

Coastland

✓ Waterside camping with private boat park on site

🏖️ 2.3 miles from Gyllyngvase (Excellent water quality)

Falmouth

Check availability
Treganhoe Farm

Treganhoe Farm

✓ Working livestock farm with sheep, pigs and goats to feed

🏖️ 2.25 miles from Wherry Town (Excellent water quality)

Penzance

Check availability
Tregarton Park

Tregarton Park

✓ Heated outdoor swimming pool for morning swims or lazy afternoons

🏖️ 1.64 miles from Porthluney (Sufficient water quality)

St Austell

Check availability

🏨 Looking for a hotel instead?

The stays above are mostly self-catering. For hotels and B&Bs in Cornwall, Agoda compare prices across booking sites.

Compare Cornwall hotels on Agoda ↗

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More around Cornwall

Itineraries

Haunted Britain

From the blog

Where the camping is

BritStays lists 220 camping stays in Cornwall, and they cluster in a handful of areas. Penzance has the most with 43, followed by Falmouth (36), Looe and Newquay (27 each), St Austell (25), Bude (22) and Padstow (11). A further 8 are listed simply under Cornwall. With that spread, you can choose a base for what you want to do nearby rather than taking whatever is left.

Matching the area to your trip

If dramatic coastline is the point of the trip, look at Penzance first. It has the biggest choice, including Trevalgan Holiday Farm and Treverven Touring Park. Landmarks at this end of the county include Land's End, St Michael's Mount and the Minack Theatre. Tate St Ives is also listed under the Penzance area, which is useful to know if the weather turns.

Falmouth is the second-busiest area. Options include Little Trethvas Holidays, Pine Trees Holiday Bungalows & Camp Site and Kynance Camping. Nearby attractions range from Kernow Adventure Park to the Predannick Anti-Aircraft Battery, so there is something for active families and history fans alike.

Around Looe, names such as Keveral Farm and Colliford Tavern Camp Site suggest a quieter, more rural feel. Check each listing for what is actually on site. Bude has Headon Farm Caravan Park and Campground Otterham. There are also smaller one-off listings, such as Porthtowan Tourist Park in Porthtowan, Presingoll Farm Caravan and Camping Site in St Agnes and Trevessa Farm Certificated Site in St Erth.

  • Families: Headon Farm Caravan Park in Bude lists a swimming pool, playground and toilets. Atlantic Reach lists a swimming pool, hot tub and gym. For days out, consider Spingfields Fun Park and Pony Centre, the Screech Owl Sanctuary or The Tamar Valley Donkey Park near Looe.
  • Couples: A farm site in the Penzance area puts you in reach of the Minack Theatre, St Michael's Mount and Tate St Ives.
  • Dog owners: 58 of the 220 stays are marked pet friendly, including Kynance Camping near Falmouth. That listing also mentions guided tours.

What the facility data tells you

The most commonly listed facilities across Cornwall's camping stays are:

  • EV charging nearby (85)
  • Toilets (78)
  • Pet friendly (58)
  • Near a bus stop (50)
  • WiFi (44)
  • Gift shop (40)
  • Parking (34)
  • Laundrette (32)

Read these numbers with care. Only 78 listings mention toilets and only 34 mention parking. That may mean some sites simply have not recorded them, but it may also mean facilities really are basic. Small farm and certificated sites in particular can be quite simple, so check the listing or ask the site directly before you go.

If you drive an electric car, Pine Trees Holiday Bungalows & Camp Site is one of 85 stays with charging nearby. Arriving without a car is also realistic. Porthtowan Tourist Park, Presingoll Farm Caravan and Camping Site and Polglaze Holiday Park are among the 50 listed as near a bus stop. A laundrette, listed at 32 stays, makes a real difference on a longer family trip.

What to do once you're there

Cornwall's heritage sites suit a day off the beach. The landmarks listed for the region include:

  • Tintagel Castle
  • St Michael's Mount
  • Trematon Castle
  • Star Castle
  • Crownhill Fort
  • Glynn House

Check how far each one is from your pitch before planning a day around it.

If you are based around St Austell, the Mevagissey Museum and the Shipwreck Treasure Museum are both listed in that area. Polglaze Holiday Park is one option there. With children, Kernow Adventure Park near Falmouth and Spingfields Fun Park and Pony Centre are worth keeping in reserve for a grey day.

When to book

The sites with the most facilities, such as pools and playgrounds, tend to go first. That is especially true in school holidays, so if you have a fixed week in mind, book as early as you can.

Pet-friendly pitches are a minority, at 58 of 220, so dog owners should not leave it late either. Penzance and Falmouth have the widest choice, which gives you more flexibility if you are booking nearer the time. Bude and Padstow have fewer listings, so options there can narrow quickly.

Before you pay, confirm the facilities that matter most to you, such as toilets, parking, WiFi or EV charging, directly with the site. Also check its policy on arrival times and dogs.

Frequently asked questions

Which area of Cornwall has the most camping stays on BritStays?

Penzance has the most, with 43 camping stays, followed by Falmouth with 36. Looe and Newquay have 27 each.

Are there dog-friendly campsites in Cornwall?

Yes. 58 of the 220 camping stays listed are marked pet friendly, including Kynance Camping near Falmouth. Always confirm the site's dog rules before booking.

Which Cornwall campsites have a swimming pool?

Among the example stays, Headon Farm Caravan Park in Bude lists a swimming pool, playground and toilets. Atlantic Reach lists a swimming pool, hot tub and gym.

Can I camp in Cornwall without a car?

50 of the camping stays are listed as near a bus stop. Examples include Porthtowan Tourist Park, Presingoll Farm Caravan and Camping Site in St Agnes and Polglaze Holiday Park in St Austell.

Is there EV charging near Cornwall campsites?

EV charging nearby is the most common listed facility, at 85 of the 220 stays. Pine Trees Holiday Bungalows & Camp Site near Falmouth is one example.

What family attractions are near Cornwall's campsites?

Options include Kernow Adventure Park near Falmouth, The Tamar Valley Donkey Park near Looe, the Screech Owl Sanctuary and Spingfields Fun Park and Pony Centre.

Cornwall on the map

— tick to show or hide, click any pin for details.

🎭 Venues with something on in Cornwall

What's on at each, with tickets and places to stay within walking distance.

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