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Wild Camping Cornwall

UK England South West England Cornwall Penzance

Off-the-beaten-track camping and bell tent glamping in an ancient Cornish setting

Celtic fire festivals used to be held at Bartinney Castle, dedicated to the sun god Belenos. They seem to have worked. Cornwall’s Penwith Peninsula is one of the sunniest spots on the British Isles and today, half a mile down a footpath from the castle’s faintest of earth remains, there’s a tiny wild campsite well placed to enjoy it.

There are just a couple of pitches and a pre-erected bell tent at Wild Camping Cornwall, which opened in 2021 after moving from another temporary location nearer the coast. The new site has been planted with dozens of trees that will make for quite the hideaway in years to come. For the time being it’s best to hope Belenos keeps the wind gods at bay, since the place can feel a little exposed when it gets gusty.

Facilities consist of a composting loo, a gas-powered shower and a firepit at each pitch (a bag of logs comes with every booking), and the stars are excellent night lights. The nearest neighbours here are a nature reserve and a string of Iron Age humps and bumps of significance, cared for by English Heritage, so light pollution is non-existent.

There’s more to the location, of course, than hiking through history. There’s a beach within 10–15 minutes’ drive in almost every direction you choose. Sennen Cove (six miles) is Cornwall’s most westerly surfing hotspot and frequently tops lists of the UK’s best beaches, while lesser-known spots like Lamorna Cove, St Loy’s Cove and Penberth offer smaller nooks where you can enjoy rock pooling under jagged cliffs.

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Facilities

There are three compost toilets, two 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 and bell tent 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.

Suitable For

Glampers, tent campers, couples, families, friends – yes. Campervans, caravans, dogs, large groups – no.

Nearby

There’s a beach within 10–15 minutes’ drive in almost every direction. Sennen Cove (six miles) is Cornwall’s most westerly surfing hotspot, link up with the South West Coast Path and, from here, it's easy to follow the trail much further afield to smaller coves and nooks. Elsewhere, it's a half-hour drive to the galleries of St Ives, a quarter of an hour to Lands End and 20 minutes to St Michaels Mount. For something fittingly wild, try a foraging course with local author and guide Rachel Lambert (07903 412014), who runs bespoke courses as well as a regular calendar of events you can book on to.

Food & Drink

The nearest pubs are all in St Just, two miles away, where The Star Inn (01736 788767), The Wellington Hotel (01736 787319) and The Kings Arms (01736 788545) are all just off the main square.

Open

Late June–early September.

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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

Accommodation

Just three pitches despite plenty of space, two of them occupied by pre-pitched bell tents.

'Wild View' Grass Pitch

Grass pitch Sleeps 6

Bring your own tent and camp in the comfort of an exclusive pitch – based in the heart of beautiful West Penwith. This pitch has its own fire pit and an independent area, comprising a 8m x 10m levelled ground.

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Private Bell Tent

Bell tent Sleeps 4

Fully-furnished Bell tent to hire on the beautiful West Cornwall coast. The Bell tent has its own, independent area – a whopping 50m by 50m, basically a field for yourself – follow trails into the trees and explore protected wildlife habitats straight from your tent.

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'Surf's Up' Grass Pitch

Grass pitch Sleeps 6

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'Sunset' Grass Pitch

Grass pitch Sleeps 5

Bring your own tent and camp in the comfort of an exclusive pitch – based in the heart of beautiful West Penwith. This pitch has its own fire pit and an independent area, comprising a 12m circled levelled ground.

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Location

Contact Wild Camping Cornwall, Higher Trevarthen, Grumbla, Penzance, Cornwall TR20 8QY

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Getting There

There’s a parking area at the site entrance, then it’s a 20–100-yard walk to the pitches. The owners can help move your stuff in their truck on Mondays and Fridays.

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Reviews

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Rated ★★★★★ over 12 reviews

★★★★★

Starry nights!

We stayed with Wild Camping in Aug 2021 for about week, had an excellent time around the camp fire under the stars! It’s a slightly hidden location, with amazing views but it’s still close enough to Penzance and St Just for shops etc. The site has excellent compost loos and a super hot shower which was ideal. Would recommend and return!

Sep 29, 2021 by Dan Lewis

★★★★★

Great stay! Highly recommend

Was a really great quiet campsite. Only 2 other groups at a time and really far away from each other which is great! The views are gorgeous and at night there is minimal light pollution for star gazing. Really friendly owners who were helpful with recommendations and great shower facilities. Would definitely go back here.

Aug 31, 2021 by Kyla Fowler Verified Review

★★★★★

Amazing stay!

This is such a perfect place to camp out. Surrounded by nothing but nature. Showers are hot! (Greg has cleverly found a way) toilet is very clean, with cleaning equipment too! This was by far one of the most welcoming, beautiful and peaceful place I have visited! Pitches are spacious and also private. Absolutely loved our stay and will be returning. A big big thank you to the host for an utterly amazing stay

Jul 20, 2021 by Hannah Perks Verified Review

★★★★★

Great place to switch off

My wife and I, along with our two young children thoroughly enjoyed our stay. An excellent and very private pitch, sheltered and enclosed by trees and for the most part we were completely unaware of the presence of other campers (although they may have been aware of us!) The facilities were basic, but were clean and perfectly adequate. One of the best features was the complete lack of mobile phone signal, no phone calls or e-mails. Although you could get a signal from the parking area. The children really loved it and as a family it felt like a proper switch off and escape from the world. We were told that they will be operating from a new site for next year, with fewer pitches still, so worth booking well in advance.

Sep 1, 2019 by James Simmonds Verified Review

★★★★★

Wild but wonderful!

We thoroughly enjoyed our week at Wild Camping Cornwall. We pitched our tent on a large, private site and enjoyed the privacy it afforded, together with the simple but effective facilities offered. Showers were always hot which was a great bonus. Greg was a good host. The area is beautiful and the children loved the small beach which wasn't too far from Wild Camping.

Aug 15, 2019 by Kym Delport Verified Review

★★★★★

Peaceful and beautiful

A really lovely spot to pitch a tent with a view of the sea in the distance and the sound of birds overhead. After a warm welcome and tour from Greg we settled in easily. We had a field to ourselves with our own fire pit and warm showers and a washing up sink close at hand. It was an ideal blend of simple and convenient. The facilities are simple - this is not glamping - but we preferred them over a typical shower & toilet block. There's a compost loo in a little wooden hut with windows looking onto pretty woodland flowers. Don't be afraid - it's clean and doesn't smell! The shower cubicles are also wooden and rustic with good warm showers. Our kids enjoyed campfire cooking - mainly s'mores! - and the local beach is lovely with a stream running through a stunningly beautiful little valley down to the sea (though it is a bit of a trek to/from the car park if you have very little kids).

Aug 12, 2018 by Rebecca

★★★★★

Wild camping in our favourite part of Cornwall.

We had a lovely nights camping in July with our own tent in our own wild field, it was wonderful. We were welcomed by Grey who was knowledgeable and helpful and then left entirely to our own devices in our own private field. There are communal areas; great showers, compost toilet with a lovely view, communal fire pit, outdoor kitchen/wash area and shelter from the rain if necessary). We used our fire pit every night, cooked bass under the stars and loved every minute. The local beach at Portheras was lovely and St Just, Penzance, the Gurnards Head, Zennor and the delights of West Penwith are all on your door step. We tended to cook breakfast ourselves and buy pasties at Warrens in St Just for lunch- otherwise head to www.cookbookstjust.co.uk for a read and breakfast/brunch. A lovely stay with our own tent, couldn't have enjoyed ourselves more. We have stayed at other camp sites in the area, it is a different vibe, much queiter, closer to nature and very relaxing.

Jul 29, 2018 by Jonathan & Fabi

★★★★★

Perfect - peaceful, quiet and beautiful.

Just what we'd hoped it would be and more. Can't recommend enough. Nice mix of back to nature - no cars & compost loos (nice & clean) and creature comforts with reliably hot showers. We had a beautiful view of the sea from our pitch which was huge & level. We appreciated the thoughtful work put in to growing willow hedges which helps give shelter and privacy & the bag of logs on arrival . It's definitely the right place to go if you want peace & quiet & nature.

Aug 12, 2017 by Eleanor

★★★★★

The perfect getaway to get away from it all!

Absolutely loved this place. Privacy, tranquility and individuality in abundance. Open fire cooking, compostible loos, lovely warm showers and great washing up facilities make this a real getting back to nature experience and makes all kids realise: you don't NEED tvs! The local beach (although slightly out of walking distance for kids) is absolutely amazingly rugid and well worth the trek. The Gurnards Head is well worth the a visit for brilliant food when you need a rest from the camp fire. Would definitely come back and can't wait until the next time!

Aug 5, 2017 by Duncan

★★★★★

Pearl - Wow!

I booked this as an intro for my husband who detests camping, with all the discomfort that comes with 'roughing it'. He was totally converted thanks to 'Pearl'. She is a beauty - cosy, romantic, so comfortable, with her own kitchen and fire area (romantic evenings spent by the fire gazing at the majestic stars). Amazing location, walking distance to a quiet beach, great local pubs to stop at while exploring coastal walks and some serious wildlife. We are coming back!

Jun 23, 2017 by Rhiannon

★★★★★

Precious corner of the world

Such a magical spot, peaceful & quiet. Off the beaten track. Close to some of the most stunning beaches and coastline. This is real Cornwall. Cosy, comfortable, very romantic :) Very friendly owners - THANK YOU!! Julie

Jun 20, 2017 by Julie

★★★★★

Fabulous!

A really special site, a gem down towards the far end of Cornwall with amazing walks, a cute village a stroll away and some great prehistoric sites within easy distance. A place to recharge and relax, run by some really lovely people, and place to really feel alive. Both the tent and caravan are great spaces and you can even book to learn bushcraft and environmental art (with the chap who runs the site) if that's your thing. A place to return to again and again, glorious!

Jun 13, 2017 by Julian