Practical tips for last-minute camping in Cornwall: when short-notice pitches are easier to find, how to search, and what to pack in a hurry.
Sometimes the forecast looks good and you just want to go. Last-minute camping in Cornwall is very possible, especially outside the school holidays, but a few habits make it much easier.
When short-notice trips work best
- Midweek stays are usually easier to find than weekends.
- Spring, June and September have more availability than July and August.
- Bank holiday weekends fill early, so plan ahead for those.
Our guide to the best time to visit Cornwall explains the busy and quiet periods.
How to find a pitch fast
- Check live availability online. Many sites, including ours, show availability in a booking bar so you can see it straight away.
- Phone the site. Small campsites can often tell you more on the phone than a booking system can, such as whether a cancellation has come up.
- Be flexible on pitch type. A non-electric pitch may be free when hook-up pitches are full.
- Be flexible on area. If one area is full, look a few miles inland or along the coast.
Questions to ask before you set off
- What time is reception open, and what happens if we arrive late?
- Is there a shop on site, or should we buy food on the way?
- Is there a limit on group size or dogs?
At Lower Pennycrocker Farm, reception is open 9am–7pm, there is no shop on site and groups are limited to 8 people. If you are coming at short notice, please ring 07967 605392 before you travel.
A quick-pack checklist
When you are packing in a hurry, focus on:
- Tent, poles, pegs and a mallet (or your caravan or motorhome checks done).
- Sleeping bags, mats and pillows.
- Stove, fuel, a pan and something easy for the first meal.
- Waterproofs, warm layers and a head torch.
- Electric hook-up cable if you have booked electric.
- Dog bed, lead and food if your dog is coming.
For more detail, use our north Cornwall camping packing list or what to pack by season.
Getting here at short notice
We are about two miles from the A39. Use our postcode PL35 0BY together with What3Words happen.violinist.inserted for the gate. The lanes are narrow in places, so allow time. See getting here and driving Cornish lanes.
Last-minute trips with a tourer or motorhome
If you are bringing a touring caravan or motorhome, check the access as well as the pitch. Lanes near the coast are narrow, and arriving in the dark is harder with a long vehicle. Plan to arrive in daylight and within reception hours. Our touring caravans and motorhomes page explains what we offer, and our motorhome stopover page covers short stays off the A39.
Frequently asked questions
Can I just turn up at a campsite in Cornwall?
It is always best to check availability or phone first. In busy periods many sites are full, and arriving outside reception hours can cause problems.
Is last-minute camping cheaper?
Not usually. Most small campsites keep the same nightly price; ours is £10 per adult and £5 per child aged 5 and over.
What if the weather turns?
North Cornwall weather changes quickly. Read camping in wind and rain before a spontaneous trip.
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.
