The Best Campsites in Cornwall

From party vibes in Newquay, the surf capital of Britain, to remote breaks where the only company you may have in the water is a seal, Cornwall’s gorgeous beaches, reliable swell and beginner-friendly surf schools make it the best place in the UK for surfers of all shades: from weather-beaten pros, to complete newbies, surfer families and gangs of friends alike.

Of course, accommodation in England's westernmost county can be pricey, which is where camping comes in. Stay the night at these excellent campsites in Cornwall, and you'll not only save yourself a few shillings, you'll be as close as possible to the coast: all the better for getting up early, and catching more waves.

From campervan-friendly holiday parks, to tiny tent-only camping pitches, to award winning, high-end glamping options, these are the best campsites in Cornwall for your next surf trip to the south west.

Anchor Barrow Campsite, Perranporth

Located just outside the town of Perranporth, on the north coast of Cornwall, the Anchor Barrow campsite is a friendly, family-run affair. Tony, a local butcher, Levi, and their two kids and two dogs are your live-in hosts, offering a warm welcome to all comers and a relaxed atmosphere.

There are pitches for tents of all sizes - from four-man family beasts to two-person dome tents - as well as parking spots with electrical hookups for camper vans and caravans. Perranporth is one of the north coast's most famous and accessible surf spots, so if you're looking to get in the water, this is a great place to base yourself.

Check out the Anchor Barrow website for more info, opening dates and bookings.

Highertown Farm Campsite, Lansallos

Owned and operated by the National Trust, the campsite on Highertown Farm offers a secluded spot to pitch up far from the madding crowds of holiday makers. The site has a barn with basic toilets, showers and laundry facilities, but there's nothing massive in terms of infrastructure. It's best suited to tented camping—there are a few electric hookups, but the narrow lanes around the site mean that only small campervans and motorhomes will be able to reach it anyway.

The pretty Cornish towns of Polperro, Fowey and Looe are all within easy reach, and there are plenty of opportunities of activities—including surfing—in the surrounding area. Alternatively, if you're just after a relaxing holiday of seeking out sea views and exploring fishing villages, this is an ideal place to base yourself.

Check out the Highertown page on the National Trust website for more information.

Sennen Cove Camping, Sennen

Camp at the very end of Britain at Sennen Cove, just a few miles from Land’s End. This relaxed site ideal for surfers is within easy reach of Sennen Cove’s reliable waves, perfect for surfing (or for stand-up paddle boarding if the waves are smaller) all year round.

On a day off from surfing, hike along the South West Coast Path to Porthgwarra Cove for a cream tea and a dip off the coast. The holiday park itself has a real feeling of space, with 72 pitches for campervans and tents that are well spread out and great facilities, including hot showers for warming up in after hitting the waves.

For more info, check out the Camping and Caravanning Club's guide to Sennen Cove Campsite and Holiday Park.

Lower Penderleith Farm Campsite, St Ives

Only a handful of campervans are allowed to join traditional tent campers at this relaxed little site, giving the main camping field a relaxed, family-friendly surfer vibe. It's a peaceful holiday park, better suited to smaller groups, but Lower Penderleith is still great for getting social - there’s a big communal firepit to warm up by after a day in the sea, and fire buckets and BBQs are allowed.

Sennen, Praa Sands and Hayle’s gorgeous beaches are all close by, and there’s also a wetsuit washing area for freshening your kit up after a dip. Weather looking bad but surf looking good? There's a cosy wooden hostel which sleeps 24 here, too.

For more info, check out the St. Ives Camping & Hostel website.

Gwithian Farm Campsite, Gwithian

One of the best campsites in Cornwall for beginner surfers, Gwithian Farm is a holiday park within spitting distance of the north Cornish coast, and Gwithian and Godrevy beaches' miles of golden sands. There's more than enough room for beginners in the line-up here (as well as surf schools, swimmers, bodyboarders and stand-up paddleboarders) and the waves are frequently excellent.

Just a ten minute walk away from the sandy beaches, this lovely campsite is ideal for nipping down whenever the swell picks up. Family and dog friendly. Gwithian Farm accepts caravans, campervans and tents, with great showers and a handy campsite shop on-site and a pub across the road. Ideal for keen surfers, and a good dog-friendly option.

For more info, check out the Gwithian Farm website.

Beacon Cottage Farm, St Agnes

Wake up to views across the ocean from this clifftop campsite in Cornwall, where you can pitch your tent just a few hundred yards from the sea. The site is slap bang in the middle of the St Agnes Heritage Coast, and the South West Coast Path winds right past its grassy fields too.

A friendly holiday park where 60 pitches for tents and campervans rub shoulders, Beacon Cottage Farm has excellent facilities. You can surf at nearby Trevaunance Cove, where rental equipment and book a lesson for any level of ability. Great waves at Porthtowan and Chapel Porth are also just mile or two away from your tent – Chapel Porth is just a short walk away, ideal for a quick dash to the sea when the surf picks up. This is not just one of the best campsites in Cornwall, it's one of our favourites in the whole of the south west.

Check out the Beacon Cottage Farm website for more details.

Namparra Campsite, Helston

Cornwall’s remote and beautiful Lizard Peninsula is your oyster if you stay at this charming and old-fashioned, six-acre campsite, in the remote Cornish countryside. Facilities are basic, but the vibe is delightfully chilled out, and open fires are allowed – ideal for warming up if you’ve been in the sea.

Speaking of the sea, the beginner-friendly surf waves at local beach Kennack Sands just a 15 minute walk away. Bringing your campervan? Request one of the camping park pitches with sea views. Round off the perfect day of perfecting your pop-up with a drink at the on-site Cow Shed bar.

Check out the Namparra Campsite website for further info.

Atlantic Farm, Bude

Bude’s epic surf scene is just a 20 minute walk away from this brilliant camping and glamping site near the north coast of Cornwall. Bring a tent to stay in Atlantic Farm’s camping fields, or stay in their futuristic pod-style glamping accommodation, each with comfy double beds and their own BBQs. Alternatively, you could really push the boat out and bed down in the farm’s luxurious treehouse, which offers great views of the Cornish countryside.

Summerleaze, Crooklets, Widemouth Bay and Sandymouth are all a short drive away, so you’re bound to find somewhere to surf, or you can sign up for lessons with Outdoor Adventure, based by Widemouth Bay. The site is open all year, ideal if you’re searching for winter waves.

Check out the Atlantic Farm website for more info.

Marazion Caravan Club Campsite, Marazion

This is no-frills but friendly holiday park is close to Porthleven's pumping waves, has good facilities and loads of pitches. The location puts the "park" in "holiday park" too, thanks to its abundance of grassy fields and trees.

If you're a fair-weather camper, fear not: Marazion has some of the warmest mean temperatures in Britain, and this is an ideal spot to spend a balmy night under canvas before a day of surfing, windsurfing or sailing. Extra bonus – a fish and chip van pops by the holiday park regularly.

Check out the Caravan Club's info sheet on Marazion Campsite for more info.

Real Glamping at the Fir Hill, Newquay

Just three miles from Newquay—but a world away from the busy party scene of Britain’s surf capital—this flower-strewn campsite is dotted with nine traditional yurts, each sleeping six. If you fancy a surfing and camping holiday but the local weather looks gloomy or you don’t like the idea of roughing it, this is the perfect place to stay. The yurts are warm, weatherproof and have cosy double beds and mini kitchens.

Newquay’s sandy beaches and surf festivals are just minutes away, as is Watergate Bay. Back at Fir Hill, there’s a communal barn to hang out in, BBQs that are ideal for cooking up an evening feast, and a water tank for cleaning wetsuits. There’s even a honeymoon yurt if a seaside surfy escape is your idea of a romantic getaway.

 For more info, have a look at the website for this award winning holiday park and glamping site.

Mousehole Camping, Mousehole

Love football as much as you love surfing? Set up your tent at tiny, quirky Mousehole Camping, which is part of Mousehole AFC’s grounds and shares facilities with the club. If you’re lucky, you may catch a game going on in the field right next to you as you head back from the beach. Not something you can say about many holiday parks.

The site is only open to tents in July and August, when the football isn’t on, but campervans and caravans are always welcome year round, and there are bell tents available to rent. There's excellent surfing, and the charming town of Mousehole is a ten minute walk away. Score.

Check out HiCamping's guide to Mousehole Campsite here.