Wild Camping Cornwall
UK England South West England Cornwall Penzance
Penwith Heritage Coast, St Just, Penzance, TR19 7TS
If good things come in small packages, then it’s no wonder that truly amazing things are to be found at this teeny tiny campsite on Cornwall's Penwith Heritage Coast. Home to just two wild camping pitches, a bell tent and an enchanting gypsy caravan, this pocket-sized hideout between the moors and the beaches is one for those looking to get off-grid and back to nature; a place where campfires, coastal walks and late night stargazing are all routine.
In fact, small though the number of pitches may be, the campsite still feels positively spacious. Every pitch has its own, independent area – a whopping 50m by 50m, basically a field for each camper – while an adjacent 12-acre woodland, dimpled by small ponds, gives the place a far wider reach – you can follow trails into the trees and explore the protected wildlife habitats straight from your tent. Facilities, meanwhile, are modest and suit the campsite’s name. There are composting toilets, gas-powered showers and no electricity, though a covered dining area and simple cooking facilities are a welcome treat. Glampers, of course, also have the added luxury of proper beds and furnishings, all ready and waiting your arrival.
The size of the campsite also lends it a wonderfully personable feel. Owner Francesca greets you in the car park and provides you with a welcome pack of logs for the campfire as she shows you to your pitch. She can also help organise activities with you in advance, working with local company ‘Future Tracks’, who provide on-site courses from bushcraft and archery to art and up-cycling courses.
It’s venturing beyond the gateway that really reveals the beauty of this campsite, though. Clamber back inland and across to Watch Croft, the highest point in West Penwith, for dazzling views out to the Atlantic and the ruins of the local, clifftop mines (as seen in the BBC’s Poldark series) or walk the 20-minute valley trail down to the coast. Portheras Cove offers the nearest beach, a stretch of sand between great rocky jaws, while St Ives Bay and St Ives town itself are within easy driving distance.
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The Owner Says
Looking for a peaceful holiday experience in West Cornwall? Come and spend some time with us at Wild Camping Cornwall! We have a small exclusive site with 4 independent pitches available, all offering different camping and glamping solutions. Whether you are a single person, a couple or a family, looking for a quiet time and wanting to spend time in nature
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Add Your ReviewPeaceful and beautiful
Wild camping in our favourite part of Cornwall.
Perfect - peaceful, quiet and beautiful.
The perfect getaway to get away from it all!
Pearl - Wow!
Precious corner of the world
Fabulous!
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Pitches
2 huge tent pitches (50m by 50m), 1 bell tent (again with lots of private space) and 1 gypsy caravan.
Who's In
Glampers, tent campers, couples, families, friends – yes. Campervans, caravans, dogs, large groups – no.
Facilities
There are 3 compost toilets, 2 gas-powered showers, a covered dining area for bad weather and sinks with mains drinking water that can be also used for washing. No electricity. Each pitch, bell tent and gypsy caravan has an assigned fire pit. Bell tents feature a double bed (bedding and linen provided; extra beds can be added if needed), soft furnishings and a wood-burning stove. The gypsy caravan has a built in bed (for 2 people) and also has its own exclusive kitchen area, with all necessary equipment. Local outdoor education company Future Tracks runs weekly bushcraft and traditional archery sessions. Contact the campsite for a full list of workshops available this summer.
Nearby
The beaches are the most obvious attraction. It's a ½-mile walk to sandy Portheras Cove. As you arrive the footpath links up with the South West Coast Path and, from here, it's easy to follow the trail much further afield too. Boat Cove, a little further west, is a tucked into a tiny inlet between Pendeen Lighthouse and Portheras Cove and makes for a pleasant diversion. The stroll also offers the chance to look east up the coast towards Gurnards Head and Zennor. Elsewhere, it's a ½-hour drive to the galleries of St Ives, a ½-hour to Lands End and a ½-hour from St Michaels Mount. Directly above the campsite, meanwhile, lies the moorland where Chun Quoit, Men-An-Tol and several stone circles can be discovered. Be sure to enjoy soak in the views while you're there.
Food & Drink
Stroll the 500 metres to the café at Morvah Schoolhouse Art Gallery (01736 787808) or hop in the car to find the nearest pub. It's 3 miles to The Gurnards Head (01736 796928) in Zennor and The Tinners Arms (01736 796927) is just beyond in the same village. It's around the same distance, in the opposite direction, to St Just, which is the best places to go for groceries. There are several supermarkets and smaller shops, while Kegen Teg Café (01736 788562) makes for pleasant tea or lunch stop. There are plenty of pubs and restaurant on offer there too.
Open
Late June–early September.
The Damage
Tent pitch and up to 4 people from £38 per night. Bell tent and 2 people, or Gypsy caravan and 2 people from £56 per night. Available stays: Friday-Monday, Monday-Friday or Friday-Friday.
Getting There
Take the A30 through Penzance and turn right onto the A3071 to St Just. 1km after passing through the village of Newbridge turn right onto the B3318 to Pendeen. Follow this road all the way into Pendeen and turn right onto the B3306 signpost to St Ives. After 1km, on a sharp blind bend, take the farm track on your right through Kiegwin Farm. (Further round the same bend is the Yew Tree Gallery on your right). Follow this unmade farm track for 300m past Higher Kiegwin Farm until you see the “Wild Camping” sign directing you into the field on your left. Open the gate to the field and park just inside on the right.
Public Transport
St Ives (0845 748 4950) is the closest railway station. From there buses stop at nearby Morvah (10 minutes walk); get the the First Kernow A3 or the number 7.
Facilities
- No pets allowed
- Campfires permitted
- Good for kids
- Exclusive Hire
- Showers
- Bushcraft courses
Looking For...
- Nice Views from Site
- Short walk to beach
- Beaches nearby
- Surfing nearby
- Romantic retreat
- Fishing nearby
- Good walks nearby
- Bicycle routes nearby
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