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Elm Farm Camp, Cafe & Cycle hire

98%
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· Redruth, Cornwall, England
2 acres hosted by Ali W.
25 motorhome/tent pitches
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Ali is a Star Host
Star Hosts are highly rated, responsive, and committed to providing incredible experiences.
Quiet camping meadows and a friendly café located beside some of Cornwall's most popular cycling routes

Opened in 2014, Elm Farm is far more than just a campsite. Capitalising on its prime location beside the Mineral Tramways cycle network, Elm Farm is a campsite-cum-cycle-centre with a cute little café thrown in for good measure. It’s a family-run establishment less than two miles by bike from the nearest beach – pick from Portreath and Porthtowan or explore secret swimming holes like Fisherman’s Cove – while, inland, trails weave you through the county’s 19th-century mining history, past moonscape quarries and ancient copper mines.

The site’s two camping meadows are simple, off-grid affairs and have been left purposefully alone in order to maintain their natural appeal – to people and wildlife alike. Buzzards are common, barn owls are sometimes heard in the night and stoats have even been spotted, hidden beyond the great elm trees that border the field and give the farm its name. With just 25 pitches there’s ample space for ball games, and the pair of family shower rooms and compost toilets are more than adequate, though the café has flushing loos if you prefer.

If you haven’t brought your own bikes for exploring the many routes on offer, you can hire them from the Elm Farm café and cycle shop. Campers get a discounted rate, while those who’ve booked one of the site’s two pre-pitched, furnished bell tents are given bikes for free. Even as you stride to the café, housed inside a cute, converted shed, your eyes are drawn to the landscape beyond. Laity Moor stretches out in the distance to Carn Brea hill, one of the highest points in the local area, from which you can see both the north and south Cornwall coast.

If you don’t fancy schlepping up the hill on your bike, you can stick to the easy ride down to the beach instead. Alas, you can’t cycle with a board under your arm but there’s a surf school at Porthtowan from which you can hire them if needed. So if you fancy throwing yourself into the laid back surfer vibe of the place, you’ve got no excuse.

We have 25 camping pitches for caravans, campervans and tents on our eco-site. If you want to enjoy the natural environment and peace and quiet we are proud to provide our off-grid experience. There are 4 hot showers and sinks on site, drinking water and 4 separating compost loos. We also have 2 flush loos and a chemical disposal point beside our onsite licensed cafe. There is reduced rate bike hire for all campers and we can provide a nightly campfire at a small additional charge. There is an abundance of birds and wildlife on and around Elm Farm. Buzzards are common as are barn owls. Foxes, badgers and stoats can often be observed. We are happy to advise you on the many beautiful coastal and country walks in this area. 
Activities
Biking
Fishing
Hiking
Surfing
Natural features
Beach
Farm
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98%
68 Ratings · 56 reviews
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Steve T.recommends
September 4, 2023
Camping pitch
This was a great little campsite. Very friendly staff. Site is well located to access a number of Cornish attractions and beaches if you are happy driving and or cycling. Plenty of space for family tents, vehicles and camper vans. Plenty of hot water and everything kept clean. Our first experience of compost toilets and have to say pleasantly surprised. Its definitely something more sites should look at if we are to cut our pollution into our waterways. Nice basic cafe on site for small breakfast or a late afternoon beer/cider. (Not open at night). Recommended.
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Lucy S.
August 21, 2023
Camping pitch
Lovely back to basics, bit noisy
Really lovely campsite and the location is brilliant. The facilities are very eco friendly and the showers are lovely and hot and spacious. The only thing that let it down is that it’s not attended by anyone and it was very noisy at night by loud music and people chopping wood at 11:30. (Obviously not the campsites fault, just the other visitors) no one around to enforce the rules.
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Karen D.recommends
August 14, 2023
Camping pitch
Sheltered peaceful campground. Cafe across the road is excellent - perfect cakes and coffee! Portreath Arms good food. Pasty from bakery in Portreath still fab. Would highly recommend cycling the Mining trails - a great day out (details at the bike shop next to the cafe).
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Oliver G.recommends
July 13, 2023
Camping pitch
I thoroughly enjoyed my stay at this delightful campsite, complete with fantastic facilities. One of the highlights of this place is the charming cafe, where you can indulge in a variety of culinary delights. Whether you're in the mood for a quick snack, a delightful cup of tea accompanied by scrumptious cake, or even a refreshing cold beer, the cafe has got you covered. The addition of a convenient bike hire service is a fantastic bonus, offering guests the opportunity to explore the picturesque surroundings. A heartfelt thank you goes out to Ali and Rubes for their warm hospitality throughout our stay.
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Stuart F.recommends
June 6, 2023
Camping pitch
Beautiful spot, and lovely people. All you need.
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John P M.recommends
September 1, 2022
Camping pitch
Family camping
Great stay at this site. Great location and great facilities. Loads of room, and lovely owners. So welcoming and nice. Thanks for a great stay, we’ll be back.
Location
Redruth, Cornwall, England, United KingdomTraditional, ancestral territory of various First Nations according to To respect the Host's privacy, the precise address of this land will be provided after booking
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Hosted by Ali W.Joined in February 2017
From the host
Elm Farm Camping has provided an authentic slice of rural Cornish life for hundreds of guests over the years. If you’re trying to get away from it all, one afternoon watching someone trying to herd stubborn farm animals might persuade you that the stresses of the city aren’t really quite so bad after all. Our lovely camping pitches are positioned around the perimeter of two spacious fields which leaves plenty of space in the middle for the kids to play. We also have a cafe and cycle hire on site. Many cyclists doing the Lands End to John o’ Groats trip use us as their first or last stopping point, but you normally have to get up pretty early to see them! The camping fields are supplied with clean drinking water and solar lights around the facilities. There are four composting toilets, four family size washroom cubicles with hot showers and sinks and two dish/laundry washing sinks all with hot water. There is also a flushing toilet and chemical disposal point for guests beside the cafe a short skip up the hill. Elm Farm boasts an abundance of birds and wildlife: buzzards are common as are barn owls, whilst foxes, badgers and stoats can often be observed. We are happy to advise you on the many beautiful coastal and country walks in this area.
Nearby attractions

If you venture over the hill that shelters Elm Farm from the sea winds you'll find the rugged North Cornwall coastline waiting. It takes about 30 minutes to walk to the cliffs. The campsite is just inland from 2 sandy north coast coves – Portreath and Porthtowan – that are great for surfing and family days out. The latter has a certified blue flag beach. Slap bang on the coast to coast cycle trail  the site is ideal for cycling, so grab your bikes (or hire from the site) and head to Portreath on 2 wheels (you can detour off to Porthtowan too). Boards can be hired from the villages if you want to hit the waves. If you follow the cycle trail to the south coast it takes you to Devoran, while there are also various other local loops taking in the area's 17th, 18th and 19th-century mines – The Mineral Tramways network. There is also a north coast footpath. St Ives, St Michaels' Mount (01736 710507) and The Eden Project (01726 811911) are all within easy driving distance.

Food and drink

The Elm Farm Café & Bar is excellent. It offers a wide variety of refreshments including Lavazza coffee, specialist teas, freshly made cakes, light lunches and locally made ice-cream. and clotted cream teas. The bar is licensed, too, so expect Cornish real ale from Skinners Brewery and a glass of wine for your evening by the campfire. At times there may also be a cocktail of the day waiting for you in a jug in the fridge! For anything else, there are pubs and restaurants in Portreath and Porthtowan, so pedal downtown and take your pick.

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