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Trelispen Caravan & Camping Park

99%
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· Cornwall Pl26 6 Nr, Cornwall, England
1 acre hosted by Talwyn W.
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Laid-back, classic camping in a quiet spot, half a mile from the beaches of Cornwall’s Roseland Peninsula

No one can put their finger on exactly when the first campers pitched their tents at Trelispen but, like so many things in Cornwall, the legend has endured longer than the facts. It was sometime back in the 1960s that a couple of walkers strayed half-a-mile from the coastal path, looking for a place to pitch their tents. They stumbled upon a sheltered spot among the sheep and cow fields of Gorran, found the farmer and the rest, as they say, is history.

Walkers on the now clearly-signposted South West Coast Path still occasionally turn up at Trelispen. And, thanks to the campsite’s policy of keeping five of their 40 pitches unreserved, they will almost always find a spot. The site is now owned by Talwyn, the granddaughter of the farmer who first allowed tents, and her husband Mike and it retains its original laid-back atmosphere. Campers are trusted to be as self-sufficient as those first visitors, while Ray, the friendly kayak-hire guy from nearby Gorran Haven, pops up to take payments and check everything’s in order a couple of times a day.

This is a site that’s stayed true to its roots and not much has changed since the early days. It’s still a pitch-where-you-like kind of place – unless you’ve booked one of the 10 electric hook-ups (then you’ll find your name on a chalk board). The facilities block may have been brought right up to date but Trelispen is staunchly clubhouse-free – the closest you get to a kids’ club are a set of retro swings. And the nearest thing to an on-site shop? The young fruit trees that environmentalist Talwyn has planted to provide PYO sometime in the future. This is old-fashioned camping at it’s best; suitable for campers who don’t need anyone to hold their hand and who arrive prepared for their stay.

It’s not just the campsite that’s stayed unchanged. Trelispen is roughly halfway between inland Gorran Churchtown and coastal Gorran Haven, neither of which have a cash machine. It’s a short but hilly stroll to either village but Haven has the bigger draw with its sheltered beaches, fish and chip shop, café and, of course, Ray’s kayak hire. To the east there’s the classic Cornish fishing village of Mevagissey and to the west, stunning beaches at Vault and Hemmick where seals, shoals of mackerel and dolphins may share the water with you. The Lost Gardens of Heligan are a 10-minute drive away and a few minutes further on is comparatively bustling St Austell, with its brewery, shops and museum. It’s even got a cash machine.

Activities
Fishing
Hiking
Surfing
Natural features
Beach
Coastal
Field
Not currently accepting bookings on Hipcamp
More camping spots nearby
Campers also viewed...
99%
49 Ratings · 35 reviews
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Zoe P.recommends
September 8, 2023
1 - Grass Pitch with Electric Hookup
Lovely campsite
A lovely pitch and site with everything I wanted and needed . Donna was Very friendly and welcoming -thank you 🙏
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Karen B.recommends
August 17, 2023
1 - Grass Pitch with Electric Hookup
Lovely spot for star gazing and beautiful walks. Donna was very charming and created a lovely relaxed atmosphere. Great toilets and showers and the added bonus of a laundry! I will definitely be back
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Jan D.recommends
July 9, 2023
Standard Grass Pitch (No Electricity)
Very Happy Camper
Lovely quite campsite, although quite busy I never felt anyone was intruding on my space. Showers were hot and powerful and clean. Indoor area to wash pots and fridge available to use plus washing machines, seperate well marked rubbish area. Noisiest thing abut the weekend was the cows ;-)
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Sallie C.recommends
June 13, 2023
Grass Pitch with Electric Hookup
Basic but delightful.
Very generous sized pitch and nice and level. Basic facilities but all you need. Clean toilets and showers and fridge-freezer for those without hookup. Very quiet (we were there mid June).
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Kate G.recommends
September 2, 2022
Large Grass Pitch (No Electricity)
Family-friendly, quiet site.
This is our second year at Trelispen. We love the family friendly feel of the site and the short walk / drive down to Gorran Haven. The facilities are great and quiet evenings star-gazing after a busy day on the beach are our idea of heaven.
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Andrew G.
July 26, 2022
Large Grass Pitch (No Electricity)
Now pre-allocated picthes only
The camp site description says "This is a site that’s stayed true to its roots and not much has changed since the early days. It’s still a pitch-where-you-like kind of place – unless you’ve booked one of the 10 electric hook-ups" but we were told on the day of arrival that it is now fixed and pre-allocated pitches. Not ideal for a group where rather than together around a gazebo with our shared kit we were on a number of pitches on 3 seperate areas of the site.
Location
Cornwall Pl26 6 Nr, 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 Talwyn W.Joined in January 2019
From the host
Located on the beautiful south Cornish coast, we're a small, rural campsite with 25 flat, sheltered pitches for both camping and caravans. We're on the Roseland Peninsula in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty with plenty of stunning nearby walks and we're only half a mile from the sea if you like to swim, surf, dive or kiteboard. We have space for 10 electric hook ups, so it is always wise to book one of them if you need power. We have a basic toilet and shower block which will meet your needs but without too many frills and there are laundry facilities on site if you find you're running out of clean clothes! We've recently planted some fruits trees, and are hoping to get a good crop of fruit for our guests to pick themselves and enjoy free of charge. We love the safe beautiful beaches nearby, Vault and Hemmick are our favourites and there are regular sightings of dolphins and our friendly local seals. Enjoy stunning walks around Dodman Point and its Iron Age hill fort; the Lost Gardens of Heligan which are only 10 minutes away and getting lost in the country lanes only to stumble on a hidden Cornish fishing village where you can usually pick up a great ice cream.
Nearby attractions

The closest beaches are ½-mile away in the village of Gorran Haven. It’s a 2-minute drive or a short but hilly walk on country lanes to the village which also has a couple of shops selling buckets and spades, café and general store. The sheltered sand and shingle of Vault beach, just west of the village, is recommended by Talwyn and Mike along with sandy Hemmick beach which is a little further – but still only 2 miles away. Vault and Hemmick are separated by Dodmans Point – a headland with the remains of an Iron Age Fort and great walks. The fishing village of Mevagissey is 3 miles north-east along the coast with pubs, shops and a little museum (01726 843568). It’s 5 miles and a drive of about 10 minutes to The Lost Gardens of Heligan (01726 845100) and The Eden Project (01726 811911) can be reached in about 30 minutes by car. The market town of St Austell is 10 miles away. Here, you’ll find the St Austell Brewery Visitor Centre (01726 66022) and Wheal Martyn Clay Works Museum (01726 850362).

Food and drink

The Barley Sheaf pub (01726 843330) is ½ mile up the road in Gorran Churchtown and serves food at lunch and dinner. In the other direction down the hill in Gorran Haven, you'll find the shop-cum-café, Cakebreads Bakery (01726 842048), serving fry-ups, Cornish pasties and sandwiches. There’s also takeaway fish and chips from The Haven (01726 843555) and eat-in dining at The Llawnroc Hotel’s Gwineas Bistro and bar (01726 843461). Talwyn and Mike recommend the Cornish cream teas from Melinsey Mill Tearooms, 10 miles away in Veryan, and say it’s worth the 30-minute drive to Porthcurnick Beach to eat at The Hidden Hut. A simple café with outdoor seating only, it serves lunch and the occasional book-well-in-advance feast night and known as one of the best places to eat by the sea.

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