Places to stay: the best Cornish campsites

Sunny meadows, secret coves, sleepy fishing villages, pasties to stuff in your face – Cornwall was made for proper summer camping adventures, just like the ones you went on as a little’un. Pack a tent and a surfboard and spend your days exploring Kernow’s loveliest places and your nights kipping under a sky full of stars at one of these brilliant campsites.

This is a paid advertorial for campsites.co.uk

Packing for a spot of Cornish camping? Lucky you. First, get inspired with Campsites.co.uk‘s gorgeous guide to 90 of Cornwall’s highlights, chosen by locals and travel experts and matched to truly gorgeous photos of some of my favourite places to adventure in the world. Whether you plan to walk on The Lizard, swim at Tintagel or while away a rainy day in the Museum of Witchcraft, you can sleep under canvas at one of these lovely campsites, complete with rowing boats, secret coves and friendly goats.

Five of the best campsites in Cornwall

PLEASANT STREAMS, ST AUSTELL

Bring marshmallows and kindling to Pleasant Streams, where campfires and a taste of the simple life are the name of the game. If you’re in need of an escape from city life there’s nothing better than holing up here sitting by a fire, watching the stars reflected in the pretty little lake in the centre of the field, where the campsite’s resident rowing boat bobs in the water. Other storybook touches to Pleasant Streams include a summerhouse, goats, pigs and a clutch of chickens, whose eggs you can buy for breakfast. There are even four vintage caravans to hire if you fancy a spot of glamping. Bring bikes to ride on the quiet lanes or kayaks for exploring the beautiful coastline. Heaven.
Best for: Famous Five adventures, marshmallow toasting and a trip to the Lost Gardens of Heligan.

MOUSEHOLE CAMPING, PAUL

Fancy a kip on the springy soft grass of a footie pitch? The geniuses at Mousehole FC turn their football field into a campsite in the summer. Next to the adorably-named hamlet Paul and close to gorgeous Mousehole, this is where to stay if your idea of Cornwall is all stone fishing villages, boats bobbing in peaceful harbours, cream teas and a pint by the fire of the local pub. It’s also the perfect base for a quick hop over to the Isles of Scilly.
Best for: Wandering around Mousehole’s lovely harbour and stopping for the pint and a game of jenga in the Old Coastguard Hotel.

HIGHERTOWN FARM CAMPSITE, LOOEHighertown is a working farm, beautifully placed the watchful eye of a church tower bang in the middle of lush green fields and woodlands and a short walk from picture-perfect Lansallos Cove. A big meadow and a simple shower block run by the National Trust, there’s space for just 26 campers, usually in tents, mean it’s not too crowded. You’ll wake up to truly glorious views of the South East Cornwall coast and you can feel smug with a stay at Highertown, too – it’s one of Cornwall’s greenest campsites with solar water panels and composting toilets.
Best for: Hiking the stunning South West Coast Path.
LOWER PENDERLEITH FARM CAMPSITE, ST IVESA rolling field dotted with tents (no campervans here) plus a cute wooden hostel, complete with green shutters, are pretty much it at Lower Penderleith – this is simple, relaxed camping at its best. A big communal firepit is fired up in the evening for a stint of cider, singsongs and sunsets, but things are quiet after dark, making this a great site for families. Ideally placed for exploring both of Cornwall’s coasts, you can walk to pretty St Ives, stop for a pint in The Mermaid in Zennor or get up early for a dawn surf – there’s an area for washing wetsuits after a dip in the sea.
Best for: Lunching in St Ives and searching for mermaids in Zennor.
SENNEN COVE CAMPING, PENZANCE

Fancy camping at the very end of Britain? You can’t get much closer than Sennen, a few miles from blustery and wild Land’s End. This easy-going site has great facilities and is the perfect base if you’re keen to explore the tip of Cornwall. It’s perfect for water babies, too – the wide expansive beaches close to the site are perfect for mastering your pop-up or trying out stand-up paddleboarding. Stretch your legs with a walk from Land’s End to tiny Porthgwarra, an idyllic cove where some of Poldark was filmed, for tea and scones by the sea.
Best for: Improving your surfing skills at Sennen Cove.

For more fantastic campsites visit Campsites.co.uk’s Cornish favourites.