Camping in Cornwall

Cornwall is a real dream destination for keen campers and one of England's 39 historic counties. The romantic villages and picturesque gardens attract campers to the seaside. The mystical atmosphere of the legends surrounding King Arthur is still palpable and ideal for a camping holiday with children. The coastline with its cute fishing villages is also a favourite destination for campers with dogs.

Special features of camping in Cornwall

The campsites in Cornwall are mainly located on the coast and invite you to linger between the sea and the idyllic green hills. They are spread from the south-east of Cornwall near the city of Plymouth via Portscatho to the south-west of Cornwall, near the small seaside resort of Polzeath. The campsites in Cornwall offer great beaches, magnificent panoramas and a number of attractions for their guests. In addition to surfing courses, various hiking tours are also offered here. Some campsites hire out water sports equipment and have garden parks with swimming pools. There is plenty on offer in leafy Cornwall, which is rightly recognised as one of the most beautiful counties in the United Kingdom.

Campsites in Cornwall

Due to its exposed location in the kingdom, Cornwall has an exciting coastline with beautifully situated campsites. Some of them can even be listed in the Premium section. Hendra Tourist Park with 4.5 stars or Camping Carlyon Bay with 4 stars receive this rating due to their versatile facilities. Pitches usually have their own electricity connection, and supply and disposal for motorhomes is also possible without any problems.

The other campsites are hardly inferior. Guests will almost always find a suitable pitch for their tent or motorhome. The night is usually very quiet - sufficient rest is provided. As a rule, the campsites are very pet-friendly. This should please campers with dogs in particular.

Arrival

The journey by caravan or camper van is individual. One way is by ferry across the English Channel to Dover. Another option is to travel through the Eurotunnel, with up to 27 departures daily. The fast route through the Eurotunnel is well organised and offers its own shuttle service. The tunnel is open daily and one or two trains depart every hour. The ferry journey starts from France, from Calais or Dunkirk, and takes around 90 to 120 minutes. The ferry can be reached from Germany via the following routes: from the north via Antwerp, from the central region via Maastricht and from the south of Germany via Luxembourg. It is 703 kilometres from Hamburg to Calais, 896 kilometres from Berlin to Calais and around 869 kilometres from Munich.

Destinations in Cornwall

Cornwall offers a number of interesting destinations for the whole family.

Porthcurno

Not far from the small settlement of Porthcurno is the spectacular open-air theatre The Minack - an absolute highlight for every visitor to Cornwall. Musicals and operas are performed here from May to September. Another special feature of this place is the magnificent natural scenery, a breathtaking backdrop with sea views.

Bodelva

A visit to Bodelva is particularly worthwhile because of the nearby Eden Project, the largest greenhouse in the world. The garden is located in a former clay pit that was remodelled in 2000. The so-called eighth wonder of the world offers over a million plants on around 50 hectares of land. It consists of two huge domes, the so-called biomes. One houses the Mediterranean and the other the rainforest, with the largest indoor jungle in the world. The "Eden Sessions" festivals present music with internationally renowned stars.

Top 5 sights

• Picturesque fishing villages: The most famous fishing village is Mousehole, with its flower-filled lanes and romantic cottages.
• St Michael's Mount: Follow in the footsteps of legends with a worldwide reputation on the tidal island with chapel off Marazion.
• Tintagel Castle: The supposed birthplace of King Arthur was built on steep cliffs and is a popular pilgrimage destination for all fans of the Arthurian legend.
• Land's End: The most south-westerly tip of the island is a magical place in the cliff landscape, with many opportunities for hiking.
• Prehistoric stone circles: The stone circles and tombs inspire hikes through times long past. These include the Mên-an-Tol, the Hurlers Stone Circle and the Merry Maidens.

Activities and excursions

In Cornwall there are many leisure activities on the campsites and excursions for all tastes and ages. From culture to hiking and water sports to golf.

Water sports on the south coast of England

How about a spot of surfing or kitesurfing? The well-known surfing areas in Cornwall can certainly keep up with other popular destinations on the Atlantic. Courses for the individual water sports are offered here under the guidance of trained experts. From canoeing to sailing, there is a wide range of water sports holidays to suit everyone. Certified divers can discover old wrecks along the coast. This makes camping in Cornwall a real adventure holiday.

Multi-day coastal walks to The Lizard peninsula

A hike to Cornwall's southernmost point, the wildly beautiful Lizard Peninsula, is a real experience. On the way you can visit the Maritime Museum and the Lighthouse Centre. The route then continues to the island fortress of St Michael's Mount. The path continues between sandy bays and steep cliffs to Wheal Prosper Mine and the fishing village of Porthleven. The path then continues along the cliffs to Gunwalloe Chapel. The breathtaking hike ends at Lizard Point.

Events

There are many cultural and musical events in Cornwall throughout the year. The traditions of the country are showcased in the region's galleries and museums.

Mayday

• Paddy 'Obby 'Oss (Mayday): a traditional folklore parade in Padstow with colourful masked dancers
• Festival of Words and Music: a series of concerts with readings and theatre plays in the town of Fowey

June

• Royal Cornwall Show: an agricultural show with a supporting programme in the town of Wadebridge
• Maritime Festival: a colourful masked parade in Penzance with a market and lots of music

July

• Lafrowda Day: a festival in Penwith with local artists performing masks and live music
• Tunes in the Dunes: the legendary music festival in the dunes of Perranporth Beach
• Port Eliot Festival: a colourful day in Port Eliot with music, poetry and flowers

August

• Boardmasters: the legendary surfing competition at Fistral Beach and Watergate Bay near Newquay with live music from popular bands

September

• St Ives September Festival: international music festival at St Ives Guildhall
• Heritage Open Day at Cotehele: a tour of the famous estate in St Dominic

Gastronomy

The specialities of Cornwall's southern English cuisine offer campers some culinary delights during their holiday in the kingdom. You should definitely try the home-made and oven-fresh scones with clotted cream and the traditional apple crumble with custard, a kind of apple pie with vanilla cream and crumble. The savoury pasties taste great with an English beer. English cuisine in Cornwall also offers regional, organic dishes and a variety of international flavours for guests from all over the world. Most campsites also have barbecue facilities for sociable evenings. Of course, freshly caught fish for the barbecue is sold in the coastal towns or classic fish and chips are served directly on site.

Weather

Thanks to its location on the south-west coast of England and the Gulf Stream, the weather in Cornwall is usually very mild. Summers are characterised by pleasant temperatures of around 20 to 25 degrees Celsius, ideal for day trips and walks on the beach. However, it is always a good idea to bring an umbrella and rain jacket as well as sun cream and sunglasses. From the end of May, the weather in Cornwall settles down to a very pleasant level and water sports enthusiasts and campers enter the season. A holiday on the beach is ideal from July to September, with water temperatures between 13 and 15 degrees Celsius.