The Best Campsites in Cornwall: 15 Top-Rated Sites

Cornwall has more campsites than almost anywhere else in Britain, and the best of them put you within a short drive, or even a short walk, of the sea. We list over 450 campsites across the county, including more than 200 that accept dogs and over 170 with glamping. These 15 are among the highest rated, sorted by the kind of trip they suit, from family parks with a pool to simple fields above a cove.

Camping in Cornwall: north coast or south?

Cornwall has two quite different coastlines. The north faces the Atlantic, with big surf beaches around Newquay, Perranporth and Bude and dramatic cliffs around Port Isaac and Boscastle. The south coast is gentler, with sheltered harbours, wooded creeks and quieter coves around Fowey, Mevagissey, Falmouth and the Lizard. Inland, Bodmin Moor offers a wilder, emptier alternative when the coast is packed. Distances are short, so wherever you pitch, both coasts are reachable in a day trip.

Best for families

Tregarton Park, near Mevagissey

Tregarton Park is rated 4.9 from over 450 Google reviews and is one of the few top-rated sites here with a swimming pool. It takes tents, caravans and motorhomes, has electric hook-ups and Wi-Fi, and welcomes dogs. Mevagissey harbour and the Lost Gardens of Heligan are close by.

Trewan Hall, near St Columb Major

Trewan Hall also has a pool, and adds campfires to the mix. It is dog-friendly with hook-ups and Wi-Fi, rated 4.9 from over 350 reviews, and sits inland from the Newquay and Padstow beaches, so it is quieter at night than the big coastal parks.

Via Ferrata Cornwall, near Longdowns

For older children and teenagers, the tent pitches at Via Ferrata Cornwall come with the climbing route the site is named after. It is rated 4.9 from over 500 reviews, is dog-friendly and allows campfires, and sits between Falmouth and Helston. See our staycations with teenagers guide for more ideas.

Coverack Camping and South Penquite Farm

Coverack Camping on the Lizard takes every type of unit, including glamping, and is dog-friendly with campfires allowed. Inland, South Penquite Farm on Bodmin Moor near Bodmin has tent pitches and glamping, campfires, its own bar and restaurant, and EV charging, and it is rated 4.9.

Best for glamping

The Beeches Glamping near Mitchell is rated 5.0 and is dog-friendly with Wi-Fi, placed centrally for both coasts. Higher Culloden Farm is another 5.0-rated site with tent pitches and glamping on a farm, with campfires allowed. On the north coast, Pencuke Farm near Crackington Haven offers dog-friendly glamping with campfires, close to some of the highest cliffs in Cornwall. In the south, Gillan Creek Retreat near Helston has tent pitches and glamping by the tidal creeks of the Helford area. If you are new to it, our guide to glamping for first-timers covers what to expect.

Best for tents near the coast

Porthilly Beach Pop-Up Camping, near Rock

Porthilly Beach Pop-Up Camping is rated 5.0 and takes tents and caravans on the Camel Estuary, across the water from Padstow. Pop-up sites like this only open for part of the year, so check before you travel.

Anchor Barrow Campsite, near Perranporth

Anchor Barrow Campsite is rated 4.9 from over 400 reviews, takes tents, caravans and motorhomes, and allows dogs and campfires. Perranporth's long sandy beach makes it a natural base for surfers; our staycations for surfers guide has more.

Cadgwith Camping and Wildly Camping

Cadgwith Camping near Lizard village is a small site for tents and motorhomes, rated 4.9, close to the fishing cove of Cadgwith. Up at the other end of the county, Wildly Camping near Bude is a dog-friendly tent and motorhome site with campfires allowed.

Best for caravans and motorhomes

Mill Meadow Certificated Site near Port Isaac is rated 5.0, with electric hook-ups, dogs welcome and campfires allowed. St Agnes Caravan Site is a members' site with hook-ups that welcomes dogs, a short drive from the old mining coast around St Agnes.

Where to base yourself

Padstow and Newquay cover the busiest stretch of the north coast. St Ives and Penzance put you in the far west, close to Land's End and St Michael's Mount. On the south coast, Falmouth and Helston suit the Lizard and the Helford, while Fowey and Looe are good for the quieter south-east. Browse every site on our Cornwall campsites page.

Practical tips for camping in Cornwall

Book early for August. Cornwall is at its busiest in the school holidays, and the top-rated sites fill fast. June and September are quieter and often just as warm.

Allow for narrow lanes. Many coastal sites are reached by single-track lanes, which can be slow with a caravan. Check the site's access directions before setting off.

Expect wind on the cliffs. Clifftop pitches are spectacular but exposed. Bring storm guys and extra pegs, or pick a sheltered inland pitch if gales are forecast.

Travelling with a dog? Our dog-friendly staycations guide has more ideas across the UK.