Twenty practical tips for your first camping trip, from kit and pitching to sleeping warm and campsite etiquette.
Your first camping trip can feel daunting, but a little preparation goes a long way. Here are 20 tips for beginners from the family at Lower Pennycrocker Farm, a quiet campsite near Boscastle that has welcomed first-time campers for decades.
Kit
- Practise pitching at home. Put the tent up in the garden or park so you know how it works.
- Buy a slightly bigger tent. A "4-person" tent is comfortable for two adults with kit.
- Invest in sleeping. A good mat matters more than the sleeping bag. The ground is cold.
- Check the sleeping bag rating. Choose one rated for nights well below summer temperatures; Cornish nights can be cool.
- Bring a head torch. Hands-free light is essential.
- Pack a mallet and spare pegs.
- Don't forget chairs. Sitting on the ground gets old quickly.
Arriving and pitching
- Arrive in daylight. Reception at Pennycrocker is open 9am–7pm.
- Pick your spot. Look for level ground, away from dips that collect water.
- Think about the wind. Put the door away from the wind. See our wind and rain tips.
- Use all the guy lines. They keep the tent stable and dry.
- Keep the car close. At our site you park beside your pitch, which makes unloading easy.
Cooking
- Keep meals simple. One-pot pasta, wraps and pre-made chilli work well. See easy camping meals.
- Never cook inside a tent. Stoves and barbecues produce carbon monoxide and can start fires.
- Use a cool box. Freeze water bottles to use as ice packs.
Comfort
- Layers, layers, layers. Warm hat and socks for bed.
- Bring earplugs and an eye mask. Summer dawns are early and birds are loud.
- Hang a lantern. It makes the tent feel homely.
Campsite etiquette
- Respect quiet hours. Keep voices and music down at night.
- Leave no trace. Take litter home or use the bins provided, and leave your pitch as you found it.
What makes a good beginner campsite?
For a first trip, choose somewhere simple and friendly with good showers, parking by your pitch and nearby places to eat in case your cooking plans fail. At Pennycrocker, showers are free, Boscastle is about two miles away and Colin and Karyn are happy to help.
Plan your days
Ease into it with short outings: a beach day at Crackington Haven, a stroll around Boscastle, or a visit to Tintagel. Read our tent camping page for more on staying here.
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.
FAQs
What's the most important bit of kit?
A good sleeping mat and warm sleeping bag.
Is Pennycrocker good for beginners?
Yes. It's simple and quiet, with free showers and parking by your pitch.
Can I cook in my tent?
No, never. Cook outside in a well-ventilated space.
