Shilla Mill

View prices & book 9.8 47 reviews
View across a pitch into the site
The rumps
Two of the pitches
View of part of the stream, by pitches 7, 8 and 9

  • Quiet Polzeath campsite between the beach and golf course
  • Wadebridge 20 minutes' drive; Padstow half an hour
  • Picnic bench, barbecue and firepit provided at every pitch
If there ever was a historic setting for a holiday in Polzeath, Shilla Mill is it. Built in 1591, the historic house is widely believed to be the first property in Polzeath (which is a pretty seaside destination and a very hot surfing spot, by the way). Set at the end of a private lane surrounded by greenery, Shilla Mill's spacious camping pitches are equally as peaceful. The pitches lie between Polzeath's beach and a golf course, roughly half a mile from the centre of this smart little Cornish resort. Sir John Betjeman took inspiration for some of his poems from Shilla Mill's gardens and the surrounding area, and when you see this coastal hideaway in person it's easy to appreciate why. The grounds set aside for camping here are well-maintained, level and grassy, with a good amount of room between the pitches, each of which has a picnic bench and firepit for your alfresco evenings. The essential facilities are in place here – you'll have access to toilets, waterfall showers and a wetsuit/board wash area for your post-surf cleanups. For food and other needs, you'll want to take a 10-minute wander towards the centre of Polzeath, where there are several shops, cafés, restaurants and other amenities (including surf schools). Dogs are welcome at this friendly site (on leads, please), and there are plenty of places to take them for their walkies. For a stretch of the legs and some big gulps of fresh sea air, wander the couple of miles over to Pentire Point, a spectacular peninsula with views out over the Atlantic.

Campground type

Tent sites 10
Open now
Opens April 1

Tourist board rating

Please note
  • Under 18s must be accompanied by their parents or legal guardians.
  • Your dog must be tattooed or microchipped.
  • The park does not accept breeds/crossbreeds listed in the Breed-specific legislation (i.e. Pit Bull Terrier, Japanese Tosa, Dogo Argentino, and Fila Brasileiro).
  • Commercial vehicles (vehicles used for work-related purposes, carrying goods or fare-paying passengers) and sign-written vehicles are not permitted on site.
  • The park caters for families (immediate members) and couples only - bookings from all other forms of groups are not accepted.
  • Discount cards and gift vouchers cannot be applied to bookings made via Pitchup.com.
  • At least one of the party members must be aged 18 or over.
  • This is a quiet park: no music is allowed.
  • If making a fire, the fuel, logs and coal have to be purchased on site.
  • Guests are advised to bring a good quality flashlight with them as parts of the park are unlit.
  • Please note that the toilet/shower facilities are unisex.
  • Please note that the toilet facilities are unisex.
  • Please note that the shower facilities are unisex.
  • The charging of electric vehicles is not permitted on site.

Languages spoken

English

Open from Tue, Apr 1 to

Open from Wed, Apr 1 to

Reviews

  • 89%
    10
  • 4%
    9
  • 6%
    8
  • 0%
    7
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    6
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    5
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    1
Location
10
Value for money
9
Accommodation
10
Facilities / Activities
10
Customer service
10
Child friendliness
10
Cleanliness
10
Wifi
10

100% would recommend this campground to a friend

100% would stay here again

What customers say

Shilla Mill is a peaceful, small campground praised for its excellent, spotless facilities, especially the showers. It's a short walk to Polzeath beach. Owners are consistently called friendly and helpful. Some note the cost, tight spaces when full, limited hot water for washing dishes, and no outside BBQ fuel allowed.

Summary AI-generated from Pitchup.com customer reviews

Reviews page 1 of 5
Arrival date (latest first)

Level pitches and we appreciated having a shady spot too,thank you :)

Overall

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

Power optional grass tent campsite (XL)

Liked Lovely campsite and a really friendly couple running the site too :)

Recommend to friends Visit again

Beautiful site with excellent facilities and friendly staff

Overall

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

Power optional grass tent campsite (XL)

Liked Excellent toilet, shower and washing up facilities - really well kept and spotlessly clean. A beautiful quiet site with really attentive owners and a short walk to a great beach.

Recommend to friends Visit again

Shilla Mill was a great location. Walking distance to the beach. The…

Overall

10 out of 10
Location
10
Value for money
10
Accommodation
10
Facilities / Activities
10
Customer service
10
Child friendliness
10
Cleanliness
10
Wifi
10
Kelsey H.

Power optional grass tent campsite (XL)

Liked Shilla Mill was a great location. Walking distance to the beach. The toilets and showers were always clean. Showers were nice and warm. The owners were very nice and easy to talk to.

Recommend to friends Visit again

Amazing small site with everything you need.

Overall

10 out of 10
Location
10
Value for money
8
Accommodation
10
Facilities / Activities
10
Customer service
10
Child friendliness
10
Cleanliness
10
Wifi
10
David W.

Power optional grass tent campsite (XL)

Liked Very clean, small site with good facilities. EHU worked well. Showers and toilets were very clean and smelled great. Lovely owners who were friendly and unobtrusive but always available when needed. Great situation with an amazing golf course right next door with club house and indoor pool available to pay to use. Walking distance to the beach. Great WiFi access.

Disliked It was quite pricey but given the short notice and the bank holiday it was worth the cost.

Recommend to friends Visit again

Perfect location nestled in a peaceful spot only a few minutes walk…

Overall

10 out of 10
Location
10
Value for money
10
Accommodation
10
Facilities / Activities
10
Customer service
10
Child friendliness
10
Cleanliness
10
Wifi
10
Thom B.

Power optional grass tent campsite (XL)

Liked Perfect location nestled in a peaceful spot only a few minutes walk from Polzeath beach and shops. The facilities at the campsite were the best we've ever used.. the showers were especially good! The campsite also has the luxury of a firepit and picnic bench, and the hosts were very helpful with us from the moment we arrived. We will definitely be staying again soon!

Recommend to friends Visit again

The peaceful surroundings, small site, facilities very close by. Close proximity to…

Overall

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

Power optional grass tent campsite (XL)

Liked The peaceful surroundings, small site, facilities very close by. Close proximity to the centre of Polzeath. Owners were very welcoming and accommodating with great local knowledge.

Disliked Nothing.

Recommend to friends Visit again

Great site, amazing showers!! Short walk to beach, lovely surroundings

Overall

10 out of 10
Location
10
Value for money
8
Accommodation
10
Facilities / Activities
10
Customer service
10
Child friendliness
10
Cleanliness
10
Wifi
10
Sarah S.

Power optional grass tent campsite (XL)

Liked Amazing showers, loads of hot water! Facilities really clean. Welcoming staff with local knowledge. Short walk to the beach.

Disliked Bit cramped, a group of vans nearby.

Recommend to friends Visit again

very good location, nice campsite and great shower facilities.…

Overall

10 out of 10
Location
10
Value for money
10
Accommodation
10
Facilities / Activities
10
Customer service
10
Child friendliness
10
Cleanliness
10
Wifi
10
Oscar S.

Power optional grass tent campsite (XL)

Liked very good location, nice campsite and great shower facilities.

Recommend to friends Visit again

Excellent campsite, friendly owners

Overall

10 out of 10
Location
10
Value for money
8
Accommodation
10
Facilities / Activities
10
Customer service
10
Child friendliness
10
Cleanliness
10
Wifi
10
James L.

Power optional grass tent campsite (XL)

Liked The size and location of the campsite. The owners were very friendly and helpful.
Would happily go there again.

Recommend to friends Visit again

Facilities, friendly owners and location.…

Overall

10 out of 10
Location
10
Value for money
8
Accommodation
8
Facilities / Activities
8
Customer service
10
Child friendliness
8
Cleanliness
8
Wifi
10
Tim G.

Power optional grass tent campsite (XL)

Liked Facilities, friendly owners and location.

Recommend to friends Visit again


Features

Leisure on park

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

Amenities on park

Bath available Car parking by site/unit Composting toilet Dog park Drying room Free wifi Grocery store Ice pack freezing Internet access Laundromat Local produce Parent & baby washroom Payphone Pick-up from public transport Picnic table Portable toilet Pub toilets Restrooms Shower available Washing-up area Wifi

Groups welcome

Family friendly Motorcycle friendly Rallies welcome 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

Forest Hikers’ paradise Luxury Peaceful Remote location Spectacular scenery 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 Nearby farmers' market Public transportation nearby

Type

Tiny (1-10 sites)

Nearby leisure

Canoeing/kayaking nearby Climbing nearby Cycle hire nearby Cycling nearby Fishing nearby Golf nearby Horseback riding nearby Indoor pool nearby Leisure/theme park nearby Restaurant nearby Sailing nearby Surf school nearby Tennis nearby

Location

Shilla Mill

Polzeath

Cornwall

England

PL27 6SS

Directions

Timezone

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

GPS

50.56834°N
4.91009°W

Route directions

Keeping Vanilla (a café) on your left, turn left opposite the beach onto Shilla Mill Lane. Drive past Valley Caravan Park's reception onto the private road and continue until you reach the very end.

Nearest transport

Bus
4.7 mi Lidl Superstore
4.7 mi Lidl Superstore
10.7 mi Car Park
Rail
10.9 mi Roche Rail Station
11.8 mi St Columb Road Rail Station
12.5 mi Quintrell Downs Rail Station
Ferry
1.8 mi Rock Padstow Ferry Landing
2.1 mi Padstow Ferry Landing
19.9 mi Fowey Custom House Quay Ferry Landing
Airport
9.4 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

Surf’s up at Polzeath beach, 10 minutes' walk from the site. Catching swells is the sport of choice in Polzeath, as are walks up over the pretty Pentire Point (approximately 40 minutes' walk). Keen golfers will have distant sea views as their setting at The Point at Polzeath (10 minutes' drive) too. Those of you who are looking to potter around some other coastal spots (or go for a pint or a paddle, your choice) have plenty of options. Pretty Padstow (30 minutes), Port Isaac (20 minutes) or perhaps Tintagel (30 minutes), where there’s a grand clifftop castle with legends of Merlin and Arthur to dive into. In Wadebridge (20 minutes), cycle hire will help you get out on the Camel Trail, following where an old railway used to travel through countryside and along the estuary. If that gets you wanting a bit more history, head to Pencarrow House and Garden (25 minutes) for a Grade II-listed country house and Jamaica Inn (45 minutes), which was frequented by smugglers back in the day.

Water quality at nearby bathing waters

Name Distance Type 2020201920182017
Polzeath 0.5 mi Estuary N/AExcellentGoodExcellent
Daymer Bay 0.9 mi Estuary N/AExcellentExcellentExcellent
Trevone Bay 3.3 mi Sea N/AExcellentExcellentExcellent
Harlyn Bay 4.3 mi Sea N/AExcellentExcellentExcellent
Mother Ivey`S Bay 4.9 mi Sea N/AExcellentExcellentExcellent

Data source: European Environment Agency

Must see

Rock Beach 1.5 mi

Cornwall's Crealy Great Adventure Park 5.5 mi

Tintagel Castle 9.5 mi

Newquay Zoo 12.9 mi

Blue Reef Aquarium 13 mi

National Trust

Carnewas and Bedruthan Steps 8 mi

Tintagel Old Post Office 9.5 mi

Trerice 13.8 mi

Lawrence House 24.5 mi

Trelissick Garden 24.9 mi

Cycle routes

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

Other

Pentire Point and The Rumps 0.4 mi

PRIDEAUX PLACE 2.3 mi

Padstow and the South-West Coast Path 2.3 mi

Trevone Bay - Constantine Bay - South West Coastal Path 3.4 mi

Harlyn and Constantine Bays 4.2 mi

Local events

  • Boardmasters (Wednesday, August 6, 2025 – Wednesday, August 6, 2025)

    Newquay, England 10.8 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.

Nearest campgrounds

Unfortunately, we have no nearby bookable campgrounds.

Want to know more about camping in Cornwall?

Frequently asked questions

  • Does Shilla Mill have a swimming pool? No View all features
  • Is Shilla Mill dog friendly? Yes View all features
  • What attractions are near Shilla Mill? Surf’s up at Polzeath beach, 10 minutes' walk from the site. Catching swells is the sport of choice in Polzeath, as are walks up over the pretty Pentire Point (approximately 40 minutes' … Read more
  • When can I check in and check out of Shilla Mill?
    RV, travel trailer and tent sites
    Arrive:  3 p.m. –  9:30 p.m.
    Depart by:  11 a.m.
    On-park accommodation
    Arrive:  3 p.m. –  10:30 p.m.
    Depart by:  11 a.m.
    Read more
  • How much does it cost to stay at Shilla Mill? From $13.41 (for 1 night, 2 adults) - prices may change depending on your dates and party.