With miles of beautiful coastline and endless sandy coves and beaches Cornwall is an ideal place to visit in a campervan.
Summer school holidays (late July and August) are extremely busy times. To stay during this period book ahead and plan your travel well to avoid delays and traffic queues.
If you can visit in quieter times such as June and early July, or September.
Get the most of of a trip to Cornwall with a guidebook. See from our recommendations below.
Campsites
Cornwall is a busy place to camp all summer long, especially during the school holidays.
Be sure to book ahead with campsites to ensure you get a place.
North Cornwall
Tintagel
A pretty town, the site of King Arthur’s castle.
Free camping in Tintagel
King Arthur’s Car Park, opposite The Old Post Office, Fore Street. Large level car park in centre of Tintagel town, easy access for large motorhomes. Reasonably secluded at far end of car park. Officially licensed for motorhomes to stay overnight. £3 for the night (4.00pm to 10.00am approx). No services. Public toilet block in the car park closes at 10pm.
Bodmin Moor
A vast area of outstanding beauty.
Free camping at Bodmin Moor
Very rural site at Rough Tor on Bodmin Moor. Just east of Camelford two roads head towards Rough Tor and Brown Willy (these are mountaintops). Narrow road and great switch back road – excellent at full speed but DO make sure road is clear. Great walks up to the Tors.
Several layby’s on the A30, but the road is busy. One layby in particular: on top of moors 1 mile north of Bodmin approx layby on left (going south) with burger van in situ, sign posted to Temple Fishery. Parking in pull-ins of road loop.
Widemouth Bay
Free camping near Widemouth Bay
A layby next to the Budemeadows campsite on the A39. The layby is used by loads of surfers, no reports of any problems.
Free camping near Launceston
Heading into the county on the A30, past Launceston, you come off the dual carriageway and, on the left-hand side, there is a small lake and fishing advertised. Pull in and turn to left but not down to the fishery. Empty moorland in front of you!
South Cornwall
Carn Brea
Just off the Penzance/St Just road near to the airport. Last hill in Cornwall – flat level site but very isolated.
Lamorna Cove
Free camping at Lamorna Cove
Spectacular parking area, but inaccessible for campers over 6 meters and overnight parking not allowed. Great position on edge of harbour wall – great views with walks on either side. Could be fantastic in a winter storm.
Marazion
Free camping at Marazion
Overnight parking is allowed at Kings Road car park. Owners of large motorhomes would be wise to check the availability of spaces before attempting to drive into the town. Price £4, no facilities.
Two layby’s, one either side of the road. Take A30 from Penzance and off on to the A394. Lay-by’s are only a short distance along. They are well back from the road and are landscaped with bays. Bins are provided for rubbish and views are great.
Penzance
Free camping in Penzance
The parking layby on the coast road to Marazion. Once the pub traffic goes it is quiet. Outstanding views to St Micheals Mount.
Hayle
Free camping in Hayle
There are three car parks, although they are sometimes patrolled by Police and overnighters sent away.:
- By the north Quay as you come into Hayle from the south. It is wide open and a little windy but only a very short walk to the shops. Park near the arches to get out of the wind.
- As you go thru town there is a very narrow road across a bridge signposted swimming pool. There’s a car park alongside with a nice view across the copper pool.
- Instead of turning to swimming pool car park go straight on. It is signed as a private road but has access to a beach car park.
Lizard
Free camping at the Lizard
The National Trust car park by the Lizard lighthouse. Toilet block open all night. Lovely spot, but be warned, the lighthouse beam flicking across the fields may look pretty but if a fog comes in at night you’ll be woken up by a loud fog horn that blasts for 5-10s every 45s or so and it is only a couple of hundred feet from the car park.
Redruth
Free camping in Redruth
Lookout for a small lorry park.
Portreath
Free camping in Portreath
A good place to wild camp is on the B 3301 coast road from Portreath to Hayle. Follow that road out of Portreath up the big hill, after about 2 miles from Portreath you will pass on the left hand side an entrance for Tehidy Country Park. Virtually opposite to the entrance there is a track leading to basset cove car park. Very good sea view.
Falmouth
An historic and pretty town set on the south coast.
Free camping in Falmouth
Long stay Lorry and coach park
Portscatho on the Roseland Peninsula
Idyllic small harbour with pubs.
Free camping in Portscatho
Come into the village off the main Tregony/St Mawes road – car park on left and short walk into town.
Eden Project
A fantastic biological attraction.
Lost Gardens of Heligan
A once lost gardens that have be restored. A great place to visit.
Free camping near the Eden Project / Heligan
Follow the A390 into St Austell from Liskeard, after large roundabout and before ASDA-supermarket, turn left towards Penrice Hospital and Porthpean. Road narrows, continue until cross road. Turn left towards Trenarren (Black Head). Great views over St Austell Bay and towards the Gribben (Fowey). Car park before houses. Take left hand lane – rather uneven but passable – until you come to large open space with level parking. Superb walks out to Black Head
Mevagissy
A beautiful and historic Cornish town. The roads are very narrow so enter the town with care.
Free camping in Mevagissy
- There is a layby between St Austell and Mevagissey, where you can park up.
- The car park in Mevagissey will allow you to overnight at a nominal charge and it is in the middle of town and handy for shops, quay, restaurants etc. Beware: Do not try to drive through Mevagissey as it is very narrow, just go straight into the huge car park on the left.
Free camping on the A39 road
After entering Cornwall over the Tamar bridge on the A390, onto dual carriageway after Trerulefoot Roundabout, up the hill past Menheniot turning, toilets and layby on the left. Alternatively, continue on for approx. 1/2 mile, turn left towards Looe and then immediately left again (Old road left abandoned).
Recommended Websites
- North Coast Log Cabins – have been making beautiful log cabins in Devon & Cornwall for years. They have an excellent reputation for quality and craftsmanship.