The Little Wild Campsite
UK England South West England Cornwall Porthleven
You know you’ve got an authentic wilderness campsite when it’s not even there 90% of the year. For those who want rustic, back-to-basics camping, The Little Wild Campsite is the place to go. This charming Cornish site is pop-up and proud, a simple spot that appears in the grassy scrubland every summer, delighting any visitor who pitches up the tent and kindles the campfire.
High on Tregonning Hill campers can peer from their tent flaps and enjoy commanding views across the countryside to the Cornish coast beyond. From its prized perch on the slope, The Little Wild Campsite is the perfect base for roaming through the hills with the South West Coast Path passing a mile or so beyond the field. The beaches and coves that make Cornwall so famous are 5 minute's away in the car – a succession of wave-pounded cliffs interspersed with golden sands, the Penwith Heritage Coast to the west, and The Lizard Peninsula to the east.
While the winning location may draw you to this hill-top haven, it's the onsite atmosphere that really makes the place stand out. All pitches are in one field with a large, communal fire pit at its centre where groups can chat the night away. It’s a short wander to the sanitary facilities, a composting loo housed beneath a turf roof and a shower in its own separate shed – equally rustic but both more than adequate. When the crackle of the main fire dies away, retreat to the comfort of your pitch where you can have a smaller campfire by the tent, toasting marshmallows beneath the star-studded skies.
Once daylight returns there's the rest of the campsite to explore and activities to throw yourself into. A selection of courses include an afternoon spoon carving, gypsy basket weaving and a forest school, run by affable campsite owners Baya and James. And the sheep and pigs that nuzzle the camping field borders will captivate the children for hours.
There’s a good reason that Tregonning Hill comprises part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The views of Mounts Bay are stunning, the location is a dream and this pastoral seven-acre small holding lies in wait for the summer to appear so the pop-up paradise can re-open once again.
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Details
Facilities
The camping field has great views and plenty of wildlife, including badgers and foxes in the top field. The pitches are all in one field and there is a central fire pit for everyone to use. You may also have a small fire by your own tent and firewood is available to buy. There are a range of onsite activities available to book each week, including forest school days, basket making and spoon making workshops. There are no laundry facilities but there is a laundrette 2 miles down the road in Porthleven.Suitable For
Tents, campervans, families, groups, dogs – yes. Motorhomes and caravans – no.
Nearby
Walk from the site directly up onto Tregonning and Godolphin Hill or take the longer walk down to the beach (30mins) and to the South West Coastal Path. The north coast is a 15 min drive away where you'll find dozens of excellent beaches. The Penwith Heritage Coast and Lizard Peninsula also boast particularly spectacular cliffs and coves. The old port town of Penzance is the largest local settlement and the place to catch ferries out to The Isles of Scilly. Closer to home, Porthleven and Marazion are smaller, equally pleasant spots, the latter opposite the fairytale island of St Michael's Mount (01736 710507).Food & Drink
Lamb and pork (mainly chops and sausages) are available from the campsite's smallholding, while locally sourced organic beef and bacon can also be bought. There are several local stalls beside the road that sell vegetables and the excellent Trevelyan Farm Shop (01736 710410) is only 3 miles away. The nearest town is Porthleven (2 miles) which boasts a delicatessen, a small supermarket, pubs and restaurants, including The Ship Inn (01326 564204), The Harbour Inn (01326 573876) and The Atlantic Inn (01326 562439). Helston and Penzance are both 15 minutes drive and have a major supermarket each.Opening Times
Late July–Late August.
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The Owner Says
Accommodation
8 simple camping pitches,1 shower, 1 composting toilet, no electrical hook-ups.
Location
Contact The Little Wild Campsite, Germoe, Helston, Cornwall TR13 9TE
Getting There
Follow A30 towards Penzance and come off at the Camborne exit. Then follow the B3303 toward Helston. After 6 miles, you reach Nancegollan, then turn right towards Godolphin Cross. At Godolphin Cross, go straight over at the junction past the pub and follow the road for 1.6 miles. Campsite is on the left, just after Chycarnne Holiday cottages.
If you are coming from anywhere further south than Truro, follow the A394 towards Penzance. Turn off at Ashton, just after the Lion and Lamb Pub, signposted Balwest and Godolphin Cross. Campsite is directly opposite the Balwest sign as you enter the hamlet.
Postcode for Sat Nav is TR13 9TE. This however, takes you to the village hall, 100m up the road.
The easiest train station to go to is Penzance (08457 484950). There is then a bus from the station that brings you to the end of the campsite road. The bus is the number 2 and leaves opposite the station. Get off at the Lion and Lamb pub in Ashton.
Reviews
Add Your ReviewRated ★★★★★ over 13 reviews
Lovely view across to Praa Sands, very peaceful location, everyone was friendly.
Hidden Gem
Perfect wild camping
Yet again, a great stay, and they organised the weather ...
Proper camping!
The toilet and the views
Amazing! 3 very happy children, 2 happy parents!
Best eco campsite in an amazing location!
I stayed in a very charming Shepherd's hut. It was very last minute arrangement and luckily for me the hut became available due to cancellation. I loved every minute spent there as the campsite facilities, the owners and their lovely children, combined with gorgeous views, made this place so special. I was made feel very welcomed and comfortable. The landlady offered some great advice about the local area.
Location of the campsite is perfect for access to Praa Sands beach and lovely village of Porthleven. The walk from Rinsey to Porthleven was very beautiful and I can highly recommend it.
Visit to Mousehole village is a must and cream tea at the Rock Pool cafe will complete the perfect day out!
I would highly recommend staying at this campsite and will definitely come back to spend more magical time there.
Fantastic Campsite!
what a lovely friendly family run campsite. clean composting loos, clean shower room and lovely hot water! great courses offered by baya and james and excelent forest school days for the children too, which meant we could have a child free day, a rarety on holiday! dog friendly too. also each pitch as a fire pit which is great. wood and home reared organic meat and eggs available to buy. Fantastic all round. highly reccomended!
Awesome
This place is simply wonderful, you don't need more then a warm shower and a clean toilet. We took our 2 young children for a 5 night stay and loved it. They had a great day doing Forest school with James. The site has amazing views, the pictures don't do the place justice. The owners and the campers were really friendly and laid back and the local area has a vast amount to do, particularly if you have invested in a national trust membership. If you like it simple and honest you will like it here.
A gem of a campsite...
I stayed here with my family for 5 days in August. What a wonderful little campsite. Only 20 minutes drive from the Lizard and lots of other things to do as well.. Campsite is clean with a shower (never waited for more than a couple of minutes to use it) and the best compost loo I've ever used. There's a giant wooden cotton reel (don't know what else to call it!) for each pitch that can be used as a table which is very useful. Logs for sale that are completely dry and smoke free. You can buy delicious chops as well from James and Baya...
We arrived a bit late on the Monday and horror of horrors we had no pegs! I duly sent my husband to get some (what amatuers!) and James, noticing we weren't putting our tent up, came to see if everything was ok. He offered me tent pegs and more importantly a beer - what more could you ask from a campsite.
Five stars from me guys :)
We don't want other people to know about it
Martha
Wow! This is THE best campsite. Amazing views. Very near fabulous Praa Sands beach. Such a lovely atmosphere with the fire pit at night. Love it...
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
