A practical checklist for choosing the best campsite in Cornwall for your trip: area, pitch, facilities, quiet, dogs, price and booking.
There is no single best campsite in Cornwall, only the best one for your trip. A surf-mad group, a couple who want quiet evenings and a family with a toddler will each want something different. This checklist will help you narrow the choice, whichever site you pick.
1. Choose your coast first
Cornwall is long, and travel times add up on its roads. Decide which area you want to explore before you look at campsites:
- North coast (Bude to Padstow): dramatic cliffs, surf beaches, the South West Coast Path and harbour villages such as Boscastle and Port Isaac.
- South coast: gentler estuaries, sheltered coves and sailing towns.
- West Cornwall: St Ives, Land's End and the far west.
Our guide to the best areas to camp in Cornwall compares them in detail.
2. Decide what kind of site you want
Broadly, Cornish sites fall into two camps: larger holiday parks with pools, bars and entertainment, and smaller farm or independent campsites with simpler facilities and more space. Neither is better; they suit different people. We compare them in caravan parks vs farm campsites in Cornwall.
3. Check the pitch, not just the site
Ask:
- Is it a grass pitch or hardstanding, and is it level?
- Can you park beside your pitch?
- Is electric hook-up available, and what does it cost?
- How much space is there between pitches?
- Is the site exposed? On the north coast, wind matters.
4. Read the facilities list carefully
A good site lists what it actually has. Look for showers (and whether they are free), toilets, accessible toilets, washing-up facilities and waste disposal. If something matters to you and is not listed, ask before you book rather than assuming.
5. Think about noise and atmosphere
If you want quiet evenings, look for sites without bars or entertainment, and check whether there are limits on group sizes. Our quiet camping in Cornwall page explains what makes a site peaceful.
6. Check the rules for dogs and children
Dog policies vary widely: some sites limit numbers or charge per dog, and some have no dogs at all. Child pricing also varies, so check the age bands.
7. Compare the real nightly price
Some sites charge a pitch fee plus extras for each person, car, awning and shower. Others charge per person. Add everything up for your group before comparing. See our tips on camping in Cornwall on a budget.
8. Book direct where you can
Booking direct with a small campsite often means you can ask questions and get a straight answer. Our booking tips for Cornwall camping cover timing and peak dates.
How Lower Pennycrocker Farm fits
To help you compare, here is what we can confirm about our own site:
- A quiet, family-run farm campsite at St Juliot, about two miles from Boscastle.
- Tents, touring caravans, motorhomes and campervans welcome, 1 April to 31 October.
- Adults £10, children 5+ £5, electric hook-up £7, dogs £2 each (maximum two).
- Free showers, toilets, a disabled toilet and a washing-up room; parking beside your pitch.
- No shop, bar, pool, play area or evening entertainment; groups limited to 8 people.
If that sounds like your kind of place, see camping in Cornwall or facilities.
Frequently asked questions
What makes a campsite one of the best in Cornwall?
It depends on what you want. Location, the quality of the pitches, clean facilities, clear pricing and a good atmosphere matter most to most campers.
Should I pick a campsite near the beach?
Only if you will use that particular beach every day. A site a short drive inland can give you a choice of beaches; see camping near beaches in Cornwall.
How far ahead should I book?
For school summer holidays and bank holidays, book early. Outside those dates there is often more flexibility.
Stay near Boscastle
Lower Pennycrocker Farm is a quiet, family-run campsite at St Juliot, about two miles from Boscastle (PL35 0BY). We welcome tents, touring caravans, motorhomes and campervans from 1 April to 31 October. Adults are £10 a night, children aged 5 and over £5, electric hook-up £7 and dogs £2 each (maximum two). Showers are free and you park beside your pitch. Check availability and book direct, or see pitches and prices.
