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Merry Meadows Farm

Saint Austell, Cornwall, England
1 acre hosted by Becky S.
Peaceful, off-grid eco-camping on a rare breed pig farm near St Austell with an onsite shop and cafe

Happiness is a key ingredient of Merry Meadows Farm, along with its delicious on-site food, with its hosts letting you laze in the grass without the hassle of having to go out and forage for a place to eat. You see, what owners Becky and Ruth understand is that if you have a great product — in this case, excellent quality bacon and sausages sold from the farm's on-site shop and cafe — you needn’t have to ship it off to unknown customers if you can open a campsite and invite them to your table instead.

Located just a few miles north of St Austell and the Carlyon Bay in Cornwall, this is a back-to-basics and off-grid affair as far as camping goes. It’s set on a quiet and secluded working farm of 32 acres that breeds rare pigs and has a field of about eight acres for the tent pitches. But it’s the philosophy and guiding principles of the place that make it so appealing. There is a focus on regeneration and conservation of the land, so biodegradable products are sold in the shop. Permaculture ideas of zero waste are being implemented, exemplified by Becky and Ruth using the compost from the toilets to help newly planted trees. Think about it; they raise the pigs, you camp and eat the produce, you use the toilet, and then new trees grow. It’s a win-win for everyone.

The onsite cafe, The Hungry Hog, serves round-the-clock snacks but specialises in full English breakfasts, tasty evening meals, and the occasional barbecue. But it’s not all about the meat; the farm’s laying hens provide eggs, salad is supplied from the garden, and vegan and vegetarian options are well covered. And even though campfires are not allowed at Merry Meadows Farm, barbecues are, so if you want to cook it yourself then you can.

Furthermore, just next to the campsite is a fishery with three large trout lakes if you’d prefer fish for dinner.You might want to take a stroll to digest all of this goodness, and it’s quite possible right from the campsite. Just turn right out of the gated entrance and you’ll find yourself on a lovely narrow country road that leads straight to a little granite pub serving ales brewed in St Austell. Or go left and find yourself joining one of the area’s Clay Trails, which will lead you straight to the Eden Project, just three and a half miles away.

Activities
Biking
Fishing
Hiking
Surfing
Natural features
Beach
Forest
Field
Farm
Not currently accepting bookings on Hipcamp
More camping spots nearby
Location
Saint Austell, 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
Hosted by Becky S.Joined in July 2021
From the host
Opening its gates for the first time in 2021, Merry Meadows Farm Campsite is the ideal spot for anyone looking for an eco friendly, peaceful campsite to connect with nature, appreciate some good food and explore the beauty of Cornwall!Surrounded by the glorious Cornish countryside between Bodmin and St Austell, Merry Meadows Farm Campsite is set on a regenerative farm a mere 15 minutes from Cornwall's breathtaking south coast. Direct access to the clay trails makes it a perfect spot for hikers and cyclists, with the Eden project and the south west coastal path both within hiking distance.  The aim of the site is to offer a simple, eco-friendly, conscious space where you can simply relax and surround yourself with nature, so there's no noisy entertainment here. In line with that, they ask that only eco-friendly products be used inside the site facilities (just visit the site shop if you need to purchase anything).
Nearby attractions
For walkers, one of the Clay Trails (Bugle to Eden Project) passes the campsite entrance. On foot, it will take the best part of an hour to get to the Eden Project (01726 811911) from Merry Meadows Farm or it’s less than a ten-minute drive. Carlyon Bay, dotted with beaches and old fishing villages, is just 5 miles south. The largest and most popular of the beaches there is Par Sands Beach, but give Porthpean Beach a try; although smaller, it's very pretty with its steep tree-topped cliffs. There are a host of visitor attractions within easy reach by car: The Lost Gardens of Heligan (01726 845100) are 30 minutes away and the 13th-century ruin of Restormel Castle (01208 872687) is reachable within 20 minutes. The harbour town of Mevagissey, characterised by its narrow streets and cosy pubs, is 25 minutes away. If it’s fishing you’re into, Innis Fly Fishery (01726 852382) is located right next to the campsite and has three large trout lakes.
Food and drink
Merry Meadows Farm rears its own Cornish Black pigs so pork and sausages are available for pre-order from the on-site shop. They have eggs from their laying hens and bags of fresh salad from their garden for sale too. The Hungry Hog Cafe, also on-site, serves round-the-clock snacks and drinks but specialises in full English breakfasts and evening meals (using the farm’s own ingredients) with a focus on ethical and sustainable ingredients; veggie and vegan options are available. For something slightly more fancy go to Charlestown 6 miles away on the coast. There is a good selection of restaurants and cafes there but Edie’s Kitchen (01726 813888) is a highly rated and affordable fine dining experience, whilst Charlie’s Coffee House (01726 67421) apparently has the best cream teas. It’s a 20-minute walk to The King’s Arms (01726 850202) from the campsite. They serve food and local real ales from St Austell Brewery Visitor Centre (01726 66022) which is a bar, restaurant, and shop and offers tours of the brewery.

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