Camping in Cornwall

Cornwall Campsites

At the southernmost toe of England, Cornwall celebrates its uniqueness. The Cornish people have their own language and rich ancient culture, and are justifiably proud of Cornwall itself, which has some of the most stunning coastline in the UK.

Whether you’re in search of romantic stretches of sand or haunting cliffs and crashing foam, the Cornish coast has atmosphere to spare. Inland, food is a huge draw, as Michelin-starred restaurants rub shoulders with country pubs to serve fresh seafood and Cornish pasties. Offshore the Isles of Scilly combine Mediterranean temperatures with quaint villages and sweeping ocean views. No wonder everybody from smugglers to artists have fallen under Cornwall’s spell for centuries.

The landscape of Cornwall boasts a climate unknown elsewhere in the UK, famous for its balmy breezes and tropical temperatures; tea fans can try Cornish Tregothnan tea, the only kind grown in Britain. Meanwhile the Lost Gardens of Heligan and the Eden Project, full of exotic plants, are worlds of botanical adventure for kids and adults, and when the weather turns cold there are countless sea vistas to watch while snuggled near a warm fire. Poldark may have brought new crowds to Cornwall, but its salt-tanged charms are ancient and ever-evolving.

Reasons to visit Cornwall

Whether food, scenery or culture is your passion, camping in Cornwall gives you the chance to immerse yourself into its relaxed way of life.

Outstanding food

From Cornish pasties — folds of pastry that contain meat and vegetables, and are so famous they have Protected Geographic Indication status in Europe — to Cornish cream teas, Cornwall has lots of tasty delights, and they can be found in unexpected places. Michelin-starred chef Nathan Outlaw has two restaurants in Port Isaac, and Rick Stein’s fish empire has been built on his Cornish eateries in Padstow and Falmouth.

If you’d like to keep things more casual, travel Cornwall in search of the best pasty; there’s stiff competition from the likes of Philps in Praze-an-Beeble, The Chough in Padstow and Pengenna Pasties in Tintagel (which also does a vegan variety). Combining food with wandering is a strong part of Cornish life; child-friendly foraging trips with local experts can help kids pick their own food and see what’s edible (and what’s very much not) along the picturesque Cornish coast.

Inspiring coastline

Cornwall is a great place for a bucket-and-spade holiday, and there’s considerable competition among the many miles of coastline for the title of ‘best beach’. Contenders include Sennen, Praa Sands and Porthmeor Beach, all with soft sand and protection from the Atlantic winds, but there are so many on offer that holidaymakers in need of some space — or with kids who love to burn off steam — will be bound to find a deserted stretch of beautiful sand and pebbles. Walkers will love Cornwall’s coast for its amazing views; Tintagel, with its 12th century ruins, is a famous viewpoint, but routes also run across St Michael’s Mount and all the way to Land’s End.

The Cornish coast is also one of the best destinations in the UK for people of all ages to learn to surf. The combination of Atlantic swell and warm temperatures means that it’s a surfing haven, and surf schools for children and adults are popular. St Ives, Bude, Whitsand Bay and Fistral Beach all have opportunities to learn how to hang ten — or fall off the board into the waves with as much dignity as possible. Surfing not your kind of seaside scene? Charter a boat and a specialist guide for some sea fishing and see whether you can catch your dinner; you’ll have particular luck along the coast of North Cornwall.

Cultural adventures

Picking up a taste of Cornish culture is easy as pie (or a pasty). The Eden Project, Trebah Garden and the Lost Gardens of Heligan are tropical havens with miles of paths, and the Eden Project offers child-friendly activities year-round, including ice-skating in winter and a spectacular zip-line experience that’s the longest in the UK.

Nature-lovers will also love the array of animal parks in Cornwall. Paradise Park in Hayle and Newquay Zoo allow visitors to get up close and personal with their creatures, including penguin-feeding and rare bird shows. Newquay also offers a Kids’ Club where children can become park ‘rangers’. The Seal Sanctuary is for more aquatic tastes, with the chance to see tiny seal pups and feed gigantic sea lions.

Why choose Experience Freedom?

Whatever your aims for a holiday, whether you’re in need of relaxation or in pursuit of adventure, Experience Freedom’s campsites in Cornwall give you access to the best of the county. Our campsites are ideally located for Cornwall’s big attractions and small, undiscovered corners. Select a region if you’re curious to see what campsites are available there, or choose the Search And Book function to see available dates for a particular site.