7 great places to caravan in Cornwall

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Cornwall, at the south west tip of England, is a great county to visit! It is famed for many things, from its cream teas and Cornish pasties, to great beaches and surfing communities. Its location on the south coast means it enjoys much milder climes and more sunshine than counties further north.

Food is a big thing in Cornwall. Pasties were adopted by miners and farm workers in the 17th century as a filling and easy meal whilst on the go. The traditional filling is minced beef, potato, onion and swede and even today, visitors to the county are often keen to try one. Cream tea is another traditional Cornish treat. The Cornish way to eat a scone is to spread the jam then add a spoonful of clotted cream on top. Neighbouring Devon prefers to spread the cream and dollop the jam. Each to their own, but why not give both a try and decide for yourself?

Rick Stein established his first restaurant in Padstow in 1975 and his empire has grown enormously since then. Today, there are many fine dining options in Cornwall including Paul Ainsworth at No.6, Rojano’s and Prawn on the Lawn (all in Padstow) as well as The Dining Room in Wadebridge, The Shore Restaurant in Penzance and Couch’s Great House in Polperro.

There’s also a lot to see and do here. Lands End offers endless sea views and lovely coastal walks. Approximately 27% of Cornwall is classified as Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB); this includes Bodmin Moor as well as many coastal areas such as Rame Head, West Penwith, St Agnes, Pentire Point to Widemouth and the Camel Estuary. And let’s not forget the beaches - there are countless sandy beaches and sheltered bays to explore and while away the hours...

7 great Cornwall locations

Truro

As Cornwall’s only city, it has a lot to live up to, but rest assured it won’t disappoint! Located quite centrally within the county, it has loads to keep visitors busy. The city has an olde-worlde feel to it, with its beautiful cathedral at its core. With stained glass windows and impressive structure, it’s a great place to visit for a bit of history and even some choral music. If Cyder’s your thing, Healeys Cornish Cyder Farm is definitely worth a look. You can opt for one of the tours or experiences as well as sample the different varieties available. Other top places to visit include the Royal Cornwall Museum, Tregothnan and its famous tea gardens, St Agnes beach and Victoria Gardens.

Padstow

Padstow is located on the coast and many of the top things to do there are linked to that. The Camel Trail is an 18-mile cycle route from Padstow to Wenfordbridge, offering cyclists (it’s particularly suited to family groups) the chance to enjoy the scenic surroundings from the Camel Estuary along the River Camel. Padstow Harbour, Harlyn Bay and Constantine Bay Beach are beautiful places to visit too. If you’re after a bit of history, architecture and beautiful gardens, Prideaux Place ticks all the boxes. The same family have lived there since it was built in 1592 and once the 2022 season kicks off, the house, garden and cafe should be open to visitors once more. 

Newquay

Newquay, famed for its surfing culture, is a popular choice with tourists due to its beautiful beaches and central location on the northern coast. Book yourself in for some surfing lessons or grab a body board and have a go! There are many beautiful beaches to explore here including Fistral Beach, Porth Beach, Watergate Bay, Holywell Bay Beach and Lusty Glaze. There’s also plenty to keep the kids entertained including Lappa Valley, a steam-train attraction packed with lots of fun family activities, Newquay Zoo, home to African lions Boss, Semira and Amahle, and the Blue Reef Aquarium.

Penzance

The town, nestled on the southern coast, not far from the county’s tip, offers an exciting mix of culture and nature. The Minack Theatre was born after it’s creator Rowena Cade was inspired to transform a rocky cliff face into an open-air arena, with hundreds of live performances still taking place there every year. Tremenheere Sculpture Gardens combines large-scale sub-tropical planting with inspiring art by internationally renowned artists and is definitely worth a look. Penzance is big on gardens with Trengwainton Garden, Chygurno Garden, Tanglewood Wild Garden and Trewidden Garden all making great days out.

St Ives

This fishing town on the north coast is a popular destination due to its beautiful sandy beaches, walking opportunities and quaint cobbled streets. The Cornwall Coast Path runs from St Ives to St Just and offers keen walkers a challenging 17-mile hike. It’s both beautiful and remote, but be prepared for the many steep ascents and descents and few opportunities for refreshment. If you’re looking for something a little more manageable, the South West Coast Path Walk offers a 5-mile circular route packed with magnificent views, varied wildlife and points of historical interest. The harbour is lovely and the many beaches including Porthminster, Porthmeor, Porthgwidden, St Ives Bay and Carbis Bay are all beautiful.

Bodmin

As an inland town in a county famed for its beautiful coastline it can be overlooked, but it would definitely offer a great base to explore from, especially if history and beautiful countryside interests you. Bodmin Moor, a dedicated AONB, is stunning and remote. It’s a great place for leisurely walks or more serious hikes and it’s dotted with ancient sites and pretty villages. For a bit of history, why not tour Bodmin Jail, visit St Petroc’s Church (with the ruins of St Thomas a’Becket Chapel at the rear), explore Lanhydrock, a National Trust country house and estate, or ride the Bodmin and Wenford Steam Railway.

Falmouth

Like much of Cornwall, Falmouth is water-focussed and boasts a pretty harbour and an array of beautiful beaches. Explore Gyllyngvase, Swanpool and Durgan beaches, Pendennis Point or Falmouth Seafront Promenade to get your coastal fix. Pendennis Castle, one of Henry VIII’s finest coastal fortresses, is an English Heritage site and offers audio tours, an interactive exhibition and the chance to explore the extensive grounds. Falmouth is famed for its world-class gardens and Great Gardens, Glendurgan Garden and Queen Mary Gardens are not to be missed.

GET BUSY BOOKING!

Once you’ve decided where you’d like to stay, start Googling caravan sites in the area or use a site such as pitchup to see what’s available. Be sure to secure your pitch well in advance to avoid disappointment as 2022 is looking to be another busy one for caravan sites. Go for a site that offers the amenities you’re looking for and check for any localised COVID restrictions that may affect your stay. Confirm that the places you’re hoping to visit are open for business too as some places have extended winter closures due to COVID.

Check out our caravan and motorhome ranges online and keep in mind that we stock a range of awnings and accessories if there’s anything you need for your upcoming trip. Why not pop in and explore the new 2022 ranges and chat through your options with one of our friendly and knowledgeable sales team over a cuppa?

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