Our favourite day trips from Lower Pennycrocker Farm, from Tintagel and Port Isaac to Padstow, Bude and Bodmin Moor.
One of the best things about camping near Boscastle is how much of North Cornwall is within easy reach. From Lower Pennycrocker Farm you can be on a beach, in a fishing village or up on the moor in under an hour. Here is our round-up of day trips from Boscastle, with rough distances from the farm and a few local tips. Drive times vary a lot in summer, so allow extra time.
Close to home (under 20 minutes)
Boscastle
About two miles from the farm. The harbour is one of the most sheltered natural inlets on the north coast, with the National Trust visitor centre, cafés, pubs and the Museum of Witchcraft and Magic. Read our Boscastle guide.
Crackington Haven
A few miles north, this cove has sand at low tide, rock pools and dramatic cliffs. It's our nearest big beach. See Crackington Haven.
Tintagel
About seven miles south-west, Tintagel Castle is one of the most famous sites in Cornwall, tied to the legends of King Arthur. Book tickets with English Heritage in advance in busy periods. See our Tintagel guide.
Half an hour or so
Port Isaac
About 15 miles away, Port Isaac is the picture-perfect fishing village known to TV fans as "Portwenn" from Doc Martin. Park at the top of the village and walk down to the harbour, then follow the coast path to neighbouring Port Gaverne. Read our Port Isaac day trip.
Bude
About 15 miles north up the A39, Bude has big sandy beaches, the tidal sea pool on Summerleaze, the canal and the Bude Castle Heritage Centre. Widemouth Bay, just south of the town, is great for families and surfers. See our Bude day trip.
Camelford and Bodmin Moor
Inland, the open moorland of Bodmin Moor feels a world away from the coast. Rough Tor and Brown Willy, Cornwall's highest point, make good walks on a clear day. Take a map, as the moor can be confusing in mist.
Making a day of it
Padstow and the Camel Trail
Padstow is roughly 25 miles from the farm. Spend the morning around the harbour, take the foot ferry to Rock, or hire bikes for the Camel Trail, a mostly flat, traffic-free path along the estuary. Padstow is very busy in high summer, so arrive early. See Padstow day trip.
Wadebridge and Polzeath
Combine Padstow with Wadebridge, a handy market town at the other end of the Camel Trail, or the surf beach at Polzeath.
A sample week
- Day 1: settle in, stroll into Boscastle, watch the sunset from the field.
- Day 2: Crackington Haven beach and rock pools.
- Day 3: Tintagel Castle and the coast path back towards Boscastle.
- Day 4: Port Isaac and Port Gaverne.
- Day 5: Bude and Widemouth Bay.
- Day 6: Padstow and the Camel Trail.
- Day 7: a quiet day on the farm, or Bodmin Moor if the weather is clear.
Tips for day trips from the campsite
- Cornish lanes are narrow. Leave the caravan on site and use the car or the coast path.
- Parking in harbour villages fills early in July and August.
- Check tide times for beach days.
- Have a back-up plan for wet weather: see rainy-day ideas.
For reference, our 2026 prices per night are: adults £10, children aged 5 and over £5, electric hook-up £7 and dogs £2 each (maximum two). Awnings and showers are free, parking is beside your pitch and groups are limited to 8 people. We are open from 1 April to 31 October and reception is open 9am–7pm. See pitches & prices for the details.
Lower Pennycrocker Farm Camping and Caravan Site is a family-run farm campsite at St Juliot, Boscastle, Cornwall PL35 0BY. It has been in our family for more than 80 years, and Colin and Karyn look after the site and its guests. We welcome tents, touring caravans, motorhomes and campervans on open grass fields with wide views of the Cornish countryside and coast.
There's no clubhouse, pool or evening entertainment. Instead you get space, quiet, free hot showers, parking beside your pitch and easy access to some of the best scenery in Cornwall. Boscastle is about two miles away, Tintagel about seven, and the South West Coast Path about half a mile. Crackington Haven, Bude, Port Isaac and Padstow all make easy day trips.
Our guests rate us 4.9 out of 5 on Tripadvisor (64 reviews, as of October 2026), and many come back year after year. If you have questions before booking, call 07967 605392 (reception 9am–7pm) or email colin.heard@yahoo.com. For more local ideas, browse our guides hub, the Camping guides blog and our Tips.
More ideas
For a wider list organised by type of day out, see things to do in north Cornwall. If you are driving the coast road, our Atlantic Highway road trip suggests stops along the A39.
FAQs
How far is Port Isaac from Boscastle?
About 15 miles from our farm, roughly 30–40 minutes by car.
Is Padstow worth the drive?
Yes, especially outside peak weekends. Allow most of a day.
What's the nearest beach to the campsite?
Crackington Haven, a few miles north.
Find all our local guides on the guides hub.
