Porthcothan Clifftop Camping

No availability at present on Pitchup.com 9.5 172 reviews
Campervan on site
Campervan on site
Sunset on site
Sea views
Pitched up
Sea view sunset
Grass pitches
Sunset
Well-behaved dogs welcome
1/259
Sunset on site
Sea views
Pitched up

  • Clifftop eco camping in Cornwall with stunning sea views
  • A five-minute walk from Porthcothan Bay via the South West Coast Path
  • Back to basics site on a working farm by the coast path; dogs welcome
Based on a working beef and sheep farm just off the South West Coast Path, Porthcothan Clifftop Camping likes to keep things simple. After all, why would you want to complicate life when you have a spacious grassy field, spectacular views out to sea and a top Cornwall location? This friendly and laidback pop-up site crosses the cliffs and looks out over the golden sands of Porthcothan Bay (roughly five minutes' walk away via the coast path). Sea views are visible all around the site, not to mention the gorgeous sunsets that light up the sky on regular occasions. This is a spot for those with an adventurous side – facilities include three hot showers, four composting toilets and multiple water points. You'll need to be fairly self-sufficient in bringing all your own food and equipment, but it's not far to a feed or a hot drink as there are cafés that can be reached within a mile's walk. The sizeable village of Saint Merryn (five minutes' drive) has more amenities, and the larger town of Padstow (a renowned foodie spot) is an easy 15 minute-drive down the road. Those of you who never leave your dogs behind for an adventure will also be happy to find that well-behaved dogs are also welcome at Porthcothan Clifftop Camping.

Campground type

RV sites 3
Tent sites 38
Opens
Please note
  • Under 18s must be accompanied by their parents or legal guardians.

Languages spoken

English

No availability here for your search criteria

Campsite types & availability

No availability at present on Pitchup.com

Choose your dates and we'll email when available.

See nearby bookable parks

Accommodation

Tent sitesCamper sitesRV sitesLodges, cabins, pods or hutsMobile homes for rentRent a tent
Choose your dates
2 adults
0 children

Reviews

9.5

Overall rating from 172 Pitchup.com customers

  • 78%
    10
  • 6%
    9
  • 10%
    8
  • 1%
    7
  • 1%
    6
  • 0%
    5
  • 0%
    4
  • 0%
    3
  • 0%
    2
  • 0%
    1
Location
 10
Value for money
 9
Accommodation
 9
Facilities / Activities
 8
Customer service
 10
Child friendliness
 9
Cleanliness
 9
Wifi
 5
Spectacular sceneryPeaceful

96% would recommend this campground to a friend

95% would stay here again

What customers say

This clifftop campsite offers stunning, unobstructed ocean views and direct access to the coastal trail. Visitors rave about the friendly, helpful owner, Jeff, and the clean, simple amenities, including hot showers and composting toilets. It's a serene, spacious spot with a "wild camping" vibe, perfect for dog lovers. While some noted the basic facilities and windy location, most guests are eager to come back.

Summary AI-generated from Pitchup.com customer reviews

Reviews page 1 of 17
Arrival date (latest first)

Beautiful location…

Overall

8 out of 10
Location
 9
Value for money
 5
Accommodation
 No rating
Facilities / Activities
 4
Customer service
 10
Child friendliness
 No rating
Cleanliness
 6
Wifi
 No rating
Gareth H.

Primitive grass campervan, tent or trailer tent campsite

Liked Beautiful location

Disliked More toilets would be nice and the showers were cold and too few.

Recommend to friends Visit again

Lovely campsite with an incredible view,…

Overall

10 out of 10
Location
 10
Value for money
 10
Accommodation
 No rating
Facilities / Activities
 10
Customer service
 3
Child friendliness
 No rating
Cleanliness
 10
Wifi
 1
Robert F.

Primitive grass tent campsite

Liked Lovely campsite with an incredible view, all the facilities were kept super clean even over a busy bank holiday. Jeff is lovely and is always around if there are any questions

There was no reception but it was a nice detox from the world!

Recommend to friends Visit again

Everything about the site. Excellent views,…

Overall

9 out of 10
Location
 10
Value for money
 7
Accommodation
 No rating
Facilities / Activities
 7
Customer service
 9
Child friendliness
 No rating
Cleanliness
 9
Wifi
 No rating
Neil M.

Primitive grass campervan, tent or trailer tent campsite

Liked Everything about the site. Excellent views, close to beach and clean facilities. We had the benefit of warm dry weather and light wind! Jeff was a very good site manager.

Recommend to friends Visit again

Cracking spot let down by far to campers for facilities provided

Overall

7 out of 10
Location
 10
Value for money
 6
Accommodation
 No rating
Facilities / Activities
 6
Customer service
 8
Child friendliness
 No rating
Cleanliness
 7
Wifi
 No rating
Richard K.

Primitive grass campervan, tent or trailer tent campsite

Liked Lovely location ,right on the coast path close to stunning coastline and close to beaches .

Disliked Facilities not great for the amount that's charged with freezing cold showers ,bins overflowing hand cleaner running out and compost toilets stinking with flies around. Very slow running water ,trying to fill a 20L container took nearly 5 minutes . I think there were far to many campers there for the facilities hence alot of the issues ,bit of a shame as has potential.

Recommend to friends Visit again

Amazing camping spot, simple but great facilities and lovely owner.

Overall

10 out of 10
Location
 10
Value for money
 8
Accommodation
 No rating
Facilities / Activities
 9
Customer service
 10
Child friendliness
 No rating
Cleanliness
 10
Wifi
 No rating
Lara J.

Primitive grass campervan, tent or trailer tent campsite

Liked The best camping spot EVER! Jeff was super friendly too.

Recommend to friends Visit again

Just got back from 5 fabulous…

Overall

10 out of 10
Location
 10
Value for money
 10
Accommodation
 No rating
Facilities / Activities
 10
Customer service
 10
Child friendliness
 No rating
Cleanliness
 10
Wifi
 2
Lisa B.

Primitive grass tent campsite

Liked Just got back from 5 fabulous days at this off grid campsite. Jeoff (just) was very helpful and available if needed.

Recommend to friends Visit again

Super-friendly and helpful host. Facilities basic. Views spectacular.

Overall

10 out of 10
Location
 10
Value for money
 10
Accommodation
 No rating
Facilities / Activities
 8
Customer service
 10
Child friendliness
 No rating
Cleanliness
 9
Wifi
 2
Jon H.

Primitive grass tent campsite

Liked Loved the space, the views, the friendly welcome, the atmosphere. It was super-quiet at night and the host did not allow it to become jam-packed which meant lots of space and privacy between tents. Well-behaved dogs are welcomed and have space to run. We were lucky with the weather being calm and sunny.

Disliked Could be a windy site - it wasn’t for us luckily - but it would be worth taking a sturdy tent or van. Limited opening - June - August.

Recommend to friends Visit again

Uninterrupted sea view, beautiful sunsets, friendly, attentive host.

Overall

10 out of 10
Location
 10
Value for money
 10
Accommodation
 No rating
Facilities / Activities
 9
Customer service
 10
Child friendliness
 No rating
Cleanliness
 10
Wifi
 No rating
Esther P.

Primitive grass tent campsite

Liked Spectacular views, sunset particularly special. Pitched in bottom field which was windy at times but worth it for the uninterrupted sea view.
We could just pitch up where we fancied which was great.
Short walk to Porthcothan beach and Porthcothan Bay Stores very well stocked.
Jeff attentive and kept the toilets sparkling. Very responsive via text when we were in desperate need of tent pegs!

Disliked Showers temperamental in terms of hot water. Seemed to be luck of the draw. Didn’t bother us too much though.
What would make this site absolutely perfect would be a freezer for ice packs, as when it got hotter later in the week it was hard to keep drinks etc cool. But that is really nitpicking!

Recommend to friends Visit again

Awesome spot! Very friendly welcome, stunning…

Overall

10 out of 10
Location
 10
Value for money
 10
Accommodation
 No rating
Facilities / Activities
 9
Customer service
 10
Child friendliness
 No rating
Cleanliness
 10
Wifi
 10
Anonymous

Primitive grass campervan, tent or trailer tent campsite

Liked Awesome spot! Very friendly welcome, stunning views, basic but clean toilets, hot shower. If wet or windy you are very exposed but we were lucky and had a beautiful sunset.

Recommend to friends Visit again

We had a wonderful stay at…

Overall

10 out of 10
Location
 10
Value for money
 10
Accommodation
 No rating
Facilities / Activities
 9
Customer service
 10
Child friendliness
 10
Cleanliness
 10
Wifi
 1
Andreea A.

Primitive grass tent campsite

Liked We had a wonderful stay at this campsite — the location is truly breathtaking, with stunning views over the ocean that make it a very special place to wake up in. The surroundings are peaceful and beautiful, perfect for relaxing or exploring nature. So much to see outside the campsite for those who like walks, short walk to Porthcothan Bay which was stunning.

Jeff was absolutely lovely — bubbly, welcoming and always helpful, which made the experience feel extra warm and personal.

Disliked The only small downside was the compost toilets. Although they were cleaned daily, they still weren’t the most comfortable part of the experience. That said, it’s part of the rustic charm, and the views more than made up for it.
Overall, a great spot for anyone who loves camping in nature and wants unforgettable scenery.

Recommend to friends Visit again

Features

Pop-up campground

Dogs allowed

Campfires allowed

Leisure on park

Bar or club house Beach access Cycle hire Evening entertainment Fishing Fitness centre Indoor swimming pool Kids' club On-site restaurant/cafe Outdoor swimming pool Playground Recreation room/arcade TV room Takeout Tennis Watersports Wild swimming

Amenities on park

Bath available Composting toilet Dog park Drying room Free wifi Grocery store Ice pack freezing Internet access Laundromat Parent & baby washroom Payphone Pick-up from public transport Portable toilet Pub toilets Restrooms Shower available Washing-up area Wifi

Groups welcome

Family friendly Motorcycle friendly Single-sex groups welcome Student groups welcome

Rules

Barbecue grills allowed Barbecue provided Campfires allowed Commercial vehicles allowed Dogs allowed Dogs allowed all year

Themes

Hikers’ paradise Peaceful Remote location Spectacular scenery Wild camping Wildlife haven

Utilities

Charging facilities Dump station Electric car charging point(s) Propane/gas cylinders available Recycling available Renewable energy

Nearby amenities

Bar nearby Convenience store nearby Dog walk nearby Public transportation nearby

Type

Farm Medium (26-50 sites) Pop-up campground

Nearby leisure

Cycle hire nearby Cycling nearby Fishing nearby Golf nearby Surf school nearby Watersports nearby

Location

Porthcothan Clifftop Camping

Carnevas Farm

Porthcothan Bay

Padstow

Cornwall

England

PL28 8PN

Directions

Timezone

Europe/London +0100 (GMT+01:00)

GPS

50.51236°N
5.01721°W

Route directions

Please do not follow Google Maps, as it will take you down a dead-end road. Use the following instructions (or what3words: postcard.pacifist.tortoises). The gateway for the site is 20 yards along on the left just past a grey cottage (on the right) called Carnavis Cottage. It is clearly marked with the logo and the name Porthcothan Clifftop Camping. Please do not continue up to Carnevas Holiday Park, which is a separate business.

Nearest transport

Bus
6.7 mi Shop Corner
6.7 mi Porth Four Turns
7.5 mi Bus Station
Rail
7.2 mi Newquay Rail Station
7.5 mi Quintrell Downs Rail Station
8.6 mi St Columb Road Rail Station
Ferry
4.1 mi Padstow Ferry Landing
4.6 mi Rock Padstow Ferry Landing
19.8 mi Mevagissey Ferry Landing
Airport
4.5 mi Newquay St Mawgan Airport

Please note: All distances on this page are calculated "as the crow flies" - please check actual distance depending on your mode of travel using the Get directions button above.

Local attractions

With direct access to the South West Coast Path, reaching Cornwall’s coves on foot has never been easier. Once you’ve ticked off seeing beaches like Porthcohan Bay and Treyarnon Bay a short walk along the coast, further afield are the bigger towns. Padstow (15 minutes’ drive), in particular, has lots to like: access to the Camel Trail, a busy harbour, a ferry to Rock and Prideaux Palace. To the south of Padstow is Trevibban Mill Vineyard (15 minutes) and its Cornish cider and wine tasting activities. Wadebridge (25 minutes) also has bicycle hire for the Camel Trail if you want to end your route in Padstow. Port Isaac (40 minutes), further afield, is a historic place with rows of cottages, a historic harbour and kayaking, coasteering or speed boat trips. If you’re looking for more entertainment of the active sort, Newquay Activity Centre (30 minutes) runs surf lessons, paddleboarding and other watersports. Kids are also likely to enjoy Newquay Zoo (30 minutes) and near Wadebridge, the Camel Creek Adventure Park (15 minutes), which has rides, small animals and a 5D cinema.

Water quality at nearby bathing waters

Name Distance Type 2020201920182017
Porthcothan 0.4 mi Sea N/AExcellentExcellentExcellent
Treyarnon Bay 1 mi Sea N/AExcellentExcellentExcellent
Constantine Bay 1.5 mi Sea N/AExcellentExcellentExcellent
Booby’S Bay 1.9 mi Sea N/AExcellentExcellentN/A
Harlyn Bay 2.1 mi Sea N/AExcellentExcellentExcellent

Data source: European Environment Agency

Must see

Cornwall's Crealy Great Adventure Park 4.2 mi

Rock Beach 4.7 mi

Blue Reef Aquarium 7.3 mi

Fistral Beach 7.3 mi

Newquay Zoo 7.3 mi

National Trust

Carnewas and Bedruthan Steps 2.3 mi

Trerice 8.8 mi

Tintagel Old Post Office 15.6 mi

Trelissick Garden 20.4 mi

Cornish Mines and Engines 22.5 mi

Cycle routes

Find local routes on the National Cycle Network - over 12,000 miles of cycling routes.

Other

Harlyn and Constantine Bays 2.1 mi

Bedruthen Steps and Park Head 2.2 mi

Trevone Bay - Constantine Bay - South West Coastal Path 2.9 mi

PRIDEAUX PLACE 3.9 mi

Padstow and the South-West Coast Path 3.9 mi

Please note: All distances on this page are calculated "as the crow flies" - please check actual distance depending on your mode of travel using the Get directions button above.

Want to know more about camping in Cornwall?

Frequently asked questions

  • Does Porthcothan Clifftop Camping have a swimming pool? No View all features
  • Is Porthcothan Clifftop Camping dog friendly? Yes View all features
  • What attractions are near Porthcothan Clifftop Camping? With direct access to the South West Coast Path, reaching Cornwall’s coves on foot has never been easier. Once you’ve ticked off seeing beaches like Porthcohan Bay and Treyarnon Bay a short … Read more
  • When can I check in and check out of Porthcothan Clifftop Camping?
    RV, travel trailer and tent sites
    Arrive:  10 a.m. –  10 p.m.
    Depart by:  11 a.m.
    Read more