A practical comparison of tents, touring caravans and motorhomes for a camping trip to north Cornwall: costs, comfort, weather and driving the lanes.
At Lower Pennycrocker Farm we welcome tents, touring caravans, motorhomes and campervans, so we see every kind of holiday. Each has its strengths in north Cornwall, and each has its challenges on narrow lanes and windy clifftops. This guide compares the three to help you decide. If you are only choosing between a campervan and a tent, our shorter post on campervan or tent in Cornwall goes into more detail.
At a glance
| Tent | Touring caravan | Motorhome | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Upfront cost | Lowest | Medium (plus a suitable car) | Highest |
| Comfort in bad weather | Depends on the tent | Good | Good |
| Narrow lanes | Easy | Hardest | Harder for large vans |
| Days out once pitched | Easy, by car | Easy, by car | Need to pack up, or use bus or bike |
| Setting up | Longest | Medium | Quickest |
Tents
Best for: families on a budget, first-timers, short breaks and people who like being close to the outdoors.
A tent is the cheapest way in, and on a quiet farm with parking beside your pitch it is easy. You drive straight to your pitch and unload. The challenge is weather: the north coast is exposed, so a well-designed tent pitched carefully matters more than its size. See choosing a tent for Cornwall and north Cornwall weather for campers.
Pitch costs at our farm are per person: adults £10 a night and children aged 5 and over £5. Pup tents and awnings are free.
Touring caravans
Best for: longer stays, couples and families who want home comforts and a fixed base.
A caravan is warm and dry, and once it is pitched your car is free for days out. The hardest part is the journey. The final miles to most north Cornwall campsites, ours included, are on narrow lanes with passing places. Take it slowly and read driving Cornish lanes and our touring caravan tips before you set off.
If you need somewhere to keep a caravan between trips, see our caravan storage page and ask us first.
Motorhomes and campervans
Best for: touring several places, short stopovers and couples.
Motorhomes are quick to set up and comfortable in bad weather. The downside is that you need to pack up to drive anywhere, so plan days out by bus, bike or on foot, or combine them with moving on. The 95 bus serves Boscastle and Tintagel: see car-free days out from Boscastle. Large vans need care on the lanes.
For a touring route, see our north Cornwall motorhome route, and our motorhome stopover off the A39 page.
Electric hook-up
Whatever you choose, electric hook-up makes life easier for charging phones and running a small heater. It is £7 a night at Lower Pennycrocker Farm; bring your own cable. Read electric hook-up explained if you are new to it.
Our view
- New to camping? Start with a tent and a two- or three-night trip. See first-time camping in Cornwall.
- Coming for a week or more? A caravan or a sturdy family tent gives you a comfortable base.
- Touring the coast? A campervan or motorhome lets you move on easily.
Frequently asked questions
Which is cheapest for a family?
A tent, as you pay only the per-person pitch fee and any extras.
Can I bring a large motorhome to Lower Pennycrocker Farm?
We welcome motorhomes. The final lanes are narrow, so please drive slowly and use passing places.
Do you offer caravan storage?
Please see our caravan storage page and ask us first.
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.
