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The Meadows

St. Austell, Cornwall, England
1 acre hosted by The C.
It's the little touches that really make your stay at The Meadows

Nestled in the heart of the Pentewan Valley, where the St Austell River yields to the boundless blue of the Atlantic, The Meadows campsite is the traditional Cornish campsite of dreams – traditional, albeit with a little touch of luxury thrown in.

With its stunning seascapes and unparalleled access to the Pentewan Trail, The Meadows' enviable location means this Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty is yours to savour. It's also just for adults (sorry kids). Friendly owners John and Lynn are the very embodiment of courtesy, welcoming tenters, glampers and caravanners with smiles and open arms.

Although just down the road from the holiday park-opolis that is Pentewan Sands, The Meadows is a million miles away in terms of atmosphere. Natural and fun are the keywords here. For the canvas contingent, John and Lynn have set aside their spacious, sheltered, sunny meadow for a few dozen lucky tents. A handful of caravanners are seen to with hook-ups, while campervans can park up right beside the stream that leads to the Little Winnick River. Fancy travelling light? Extra special secluded meadow pitches are also being cultivated for next season, so watch this space.

For those in need of a little pampering, your cordial keepers are only too happy to introduce you to Lottie and Mabel. No, they aren't the buxom wenches from the local fisherman's inn, but rather two cosy, vintage caravans – perfect for that romantic retreat. Decked out with chic interiors, bunting and ship's sail-sunscreen, these charming, fully-equipped originals bring the beach hut to you. Recline back on the stripey deck chairs as you enjoy a bit of al fresco dining courtesy of the smokey joe barbie (cleaned and prepped daily, no less) on the spacious, screened deck area (Lottie) or private garden & seating area (Mabel).

It's the little touches that really make your stay at The Meadows. The book-swap boasts walking, campervan cookbooks, and explorer maps. The small onsite shop sells home-reared eggs, Roskillys ice cream, local milk, plus seasonal treats such as wild garlic pesto (made by John). John's breakfast baguettes are the stuff of local legend while during high season, the "Blue Vintage" van visits every Thursday teatime, serving freshly made crêpes.

While John and Lynn do their utmost to ensure your stay is as fuss-free as possible, the white shoes and linen trouser brigade should probably keep moving! Joking aside, your eco-conscious hosts are eager to emphasise the wild beauty of the site. Leaving the far end of the meadow to Mother Nature, the place is positively abuzz with wildlife. The large bird-feeding station is a magnet for all manner of feathered friends, while the adjacent stream is teeming with tiny brown trout, watched over by ravenous kingfishers. As the sun descends over Mevagissey Bay, hooting owls can be heard in the surrounding trees as the resident hedgehog does the rounds at night, scavenging stale buns and anything else that takes his fancy. If you're really lucky, you may even see the odd deer at dawn.

This is also very much a dog-friendly site. There's a 'canine drinking station' for your parched pooches and some tremendous walks to be had with easy access to some great beaches – Hemmick is a particular favourite of camp dog, Harvey.

So with campers of all persuasions catered to and easy access to Cornwall's best beaches and attractions, The Meadows really is all things to all men... and women... and dogs.

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Location
St. 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 The C.Joined in August 2013
From the host
We are a smallish, quirky campsite with a top notch shower block. Best of all, we are situate in a beautiful sheltered valley setting in walking distance of the beach and gorgeous Mevagissey. Our campsite is now just for grown ups (sorry kids). For "proper campers" there are no formal pitches, and our guests can choose their spot on arrival.  We have camping spots along the stream. For those wanting a more secluded spot, or to experience "wild camping" there are some gorgeous pitches in our wild flower meadow. Naturally some guests like their creature comforts and we have 20 hook up pitches, some of those by the stream and ideal for campervans. For those out there wanting to experience camping "vintage" style you can rent one of our gorgeous caravans.  We have Lottie Caravan, being fun and vibrant, decked out beach hut style with her own deck.  Then along came "Mabel".  Mabel Caravan is more on the traditional, classy side, and with her own outside seating area and meadow view. Please see "our caravans" page www.themeadowspentewanvalley.co.uk/our-caravan for lots of information and pictures. Lottie and Mabel are ideal for a romantic and special time away.  Further quirky accommodation is planned for The Meadows, and so keep your eye on our blog. The Meadows is a fabulous campsite for those who enjoy walking and cycling as we are situate right on the Pentewan Valley CycleTrail.  This trail links up to the South West Coast Path, and is part of the coast to clay county cycle route. Our very own Camp Dog Harvey is also available to share details of good circular walks, most of which include a Dog Friendly Pub lunch! We are also a great site for garden lovers.  You can walk from The Meadows to the famous Lost Gardens of Heligan, and we are also close to the Eden Project.
Nearby attractions

The Meadows is right on the Pentewan Valley Trail – ideal for exploring by foot, or by bike with Pentewan Cycle Hire (01726 844242), who'll happily deliver and collect your bikes from the site. The Lost Gardens of Heligan (01726 845100), Pentewan Sands, and Mevagissey are all on the trail. The world-famous Eden Project (01726 811911) is around 15 minutes away by car. The Pentewan Valley trail links up to the South West Coast Path, making walking to Charlestown and Gorran Haven a nice day out. Picturesque Foweyboasts countless attractions as well as places to eat and drink. The ferry crossing from Mevagissey is a lovely way to get there. Try your hand at mackerel fishing or crabbing out of Mevagissey. There are plenty of lovely, dog-friendly beaches in the area including Par, Hemmick Beach, Gorran Haven and Caerhays. For all you amateur sommeliers, the Knightor Winery and restaurant (01726 851101), as featured in the BBC's Coast, is in nearby Trethurgy.

Food and drink

The Lobbs Farm Shop (01726 844411) at Heligan stocks a wide range of delicious local produce. Push the boat out and get one of their specialty Cornish Hampers for enjoying back at camp. Should you not catch any yourself, fresh fish can be bought right on the harbour at both Mevagissey and Fowey. Also in Fowey, Sam's on the Beach (01726 812255) serves great seafood from an old lifeboat station right on the front at Polkerris. The Polgooth Inn (01726 74089), a gentle stroll away near St Austell, is a traditional Cornish inn with a fine selection of ales and tasty pub fayre. The Ship Inn, Pentewan (01726 842855) is another great stop-off point along the trail, with mesmeric views of the Cornish Riviera. Nearby, Simply Judes Brasserie (01726 842 474) serves an eclectic mix of reasonably-priced dishes in their elegantly relaxed dining room. For something extra refined, the Kingswood Bar & Restaurant (01726 63780) blends classic favourites with an innovative twist. They also do a three-course set lunch menu for just £15.

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