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Wild Camping Cornwall

UK England South West England Cornwall Penzance

An off-grid, woodside retreat within walking distance of the beautiful Cornish coast, boasting exclusive glamping accommodation and spacious camping pitches

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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Details

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.

Suitable For

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

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.

Opening Times

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

2 huge tent pitches (50m by 50m), 1 bell tent (again with lots of private space) and 1 gypsy caravan.

Private Bell Tent

Bell tent Sleeps 4

Info

Pitch with Kitchen Facilities

Grass pitch Sleeps 4

Info

Exclusive Grass Pitch (50m by 50m)

Grass pitch Sleeps 6

Info

Exclusive Grass Pitch (50m by 50m)

Grass pitch Sleeps 6

Info

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Location

Contact Wild Camping Cornwall, Penwith Heritage Coast, St Just, Penzance, TR19 7TS

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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. 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.

Reviews

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Rated ★★★★★ over 9 reviews

★★★★★

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

★★★★★

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

★★★★★

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

Why book with Cool Camping?

Best Price Guarantee, with no fees
Instant booking confirmation
Trusted for over 10 years
A chance to win prizes in our regular competitions

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