Camping in Tamar Valley

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On the Devon and Cornwall border, the Tamar Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty draws hikers and wildlife enthusiasts to its unique drowned valley landscapes. Hike steep gorges, cycle through forested valleys, or camp at peaceful country campsites. With three rivers to choose from, getting on the water is a must—set sail on a barge cruise along the Lynher River, enjoy water sports on the lakes, or fish for salmon along the Tamar River. Summer is peak season for campers, while spring and fall are the best times for bird-watching around the estuaries.

95% (1.2K) 1,077 campsites

Top-rated campgrounds near Tamar Valley

4. Fat Apples Cafe and Wild Camping

4 units · Tents · Porthallow, St Keverne, Helston, Cornwall., England
Hello and thank you for choosing Fat Apples Wild Camp Site! Less than half a mile from Porthallow beach, our small family run wild campsite has around ten pitches spread throughout an old Cornish woodland, located just behind Fat Apples Café. We are also close to the half way mark of the Southwest Coast Path! The village of St. Keverne is a five minute drive and has a Spar, baker, butcher, two pubs and a newsagents. When open, the café serves breakfast and lunches, and also has essentials for sale. Please check our café opening days as you will need to bring your own supplies if you are staying on the days we are closed! The campsite is open seven days a week from April to the end of October (weather permitting). The camp pitches are wild, and a short distance away we have a coin operated (hot) shower, WC and cold-water dishwashing sink. There is no vehicular access to the site, cars are left about 100 yards away in our yard. We have wheelbarrows to help unload kit. Throughout the year we run a variety of events, such as, music nights, courses, an ongoing bookswap and private parties. Our camp area is becoming well known for outdoor retreats and educational visits. We allow small campfires on site in fire pits or baskets. Logs and basket are £13.50. The café is open (9.30am-4.00pm). Thursday to Sunday from the 5th March 2026. Wednesday-Sunday April- End of August. Thursday-Sunday September and October. We also run BBQ evenings on a pop-up basis in the summer season. It is a good idea to book breakfast or lunch in the café as it gets very busy. The Village of Porthallow has a lovely pub on the beach called The Five Pilchards Inn. In calm weather it is great swimming, snorkelling and kayaking/boating area. We are near the Helford estuary- 3 miles Coverack Cove - 3 Miles Porthkerris Dive Centre- 1 mile
Pets
Campfires
Showers
from 
£15
 / night

6. Cornish Tipi Holidays & Camping

97%
(147)
168 units · Tents, Motorhomes, Glamping · Cornwall, South West England
Wake up to the sound of birdsong, go swimming before breakfast in the clear water of a secluded lake. Cook your bacon and eggs over an open fire while you plan your day, or just laze it away in the peace and quiet of your own personal tipi. You can always go fishing tomorrow, and walk along the cliffs the day after that… The site is a unique woodland valley folded around a clear, spring-fed lake created from the old Tregildrans Quarry. Our tipis and tent pitches are dotted about this secret 20 acres full of ferns, bluebells, oak and meadowsweet. Left in peace for many years there's been no modern chemicals or poisons on the land, meaning we've got bluebells, dormice, Red Admirals and shy woodland Jays for you to spot. It’s a place set apart from the rush and clutter of the modern holiday experience, with an atmosphere that makes you forget the world outside, and just lounge, ramble, or potter about in a boat. We're committed to giving you a genuinely individual service from first contact to your time staying with us. We established CTH in 1996. This was the first and we believe still is the best tipi holiday site in the UK. We know our area inside out and can always help with local knowledge or contacts if you need them. We want to offer our guests a sustainable holiday. A return to real camping means the lowest possible impact on the land and environment - our tipi poles don’t even break the surface of the earth. Your footprint while here could only be bettered by a survival expert. You don't have to fly! a major bonus, and we source all our wood, fish and canvas locally and work with local people wherever possible.
Campfires
Showers
Potable water
from 
£25
 / night

10. The Secret Garden

100%
(5)
3 units · Tents, Motorhomes, Glamping · Newquay, Cornwall
2 sites to stay ruby rose for chalet or jasmine pitch for van This secret garden's is surrounded by the fields and tall hedges, a magical place, it’s in a world of its own and will certainly make those memories. * Private spacious camping in a very peaceful and beautiful space just for you and your favorites ! either with chalet on its own, van, tents or both :) chalet with double bed, single bed, bathroom, shower, tv mini kitchen, plates, kettle, cutlery, pots & pans, outside washing up area Chill in your massive jacuzzi with a your favourite drink and best tunes 🎶 (add on for Jasmine) * Picnic bench, garden, hot shower, flushing toilet, firepit (add on for Jasmine) * A very special gated garden to spend time out with your favourite people. Family friendly You may spot wild pheasants, chickens, indian runner ducks, our super friendly Bengal Cats! if you like them!😻 Your own furry friends are welcome as it is a gated secure garden. Enjoy the fire pit (wood and firelighters can be brought in advance) or bring your own :) Your car/van can park right outside the gate to your secret garden. (jasmine is another pitch) Lovely walk down the bottom of our lane to river gannel, bring your own paddle boards, kayaks, yourself for a swim :) From the river gannel if you walk from your garden it will take you to crantock beach and quant village, including the 2 local pubs worth a visit if your into our local history. Trenance 15 minute walk 0r 3 minute drive (walk the country back lane here to Trenance via river gannel for a beautiful nature walk) *Horse riding along the river gannel at Trenance riding stables *Trenance Boating lake, Tea rooms, rose gardens and Boat hire *Trenance Play park for the kids 5 mins walk to esso/budgens for essentials 24 hour 5 Mins car ride to the quant Crantock Village beach, or long walk to the beach. Tearooms, the outstanding C-bay day spa for an extra special day out. 1.2 miles into town, 10 min car ride to Newquay town centre to visit our beautiful Cornish beaches, harbour (fishing trips) golf course, chip shops, deliveroo do deliver here :) Lifts i can do for £10 back from town before 12am if your stuck :) Bus direct into Newquay town Center or any other part of Cornwall 4 minute walk down the lane :)
Pets
Campfires
Showers
from 
£29
 / night

On the Devon and Cornwall border, the Tamar Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty draws hikers and wildlife enthusiasts to its unique drowned valley landscapes. Hike steep gorges, cycle through forested valleys, or camp at peaceful country campsites. With three rivers to choose from, getting on the water is a must—set sail on a barge cruise along the Lynher River, enjoy water sports on the lakes, or fish for salmon along the Tamar River. Summer is peak season for campers, while spring and fall are the best times for bird-watching around the estuaries.

95% (1.2K) 1,077 campsites

Top-rated campgrounds near Tamar Valley

4. Fat Apples Cafe and Wild Camping

4 units · Tents · Porthallow, St Keverne, Helston, Cornwall., England
Hello and thank you for choosing Fat Apples Wild Camp Site! Less than half a mile from Porthallow beach, our small family run wild campsite has around ten pitches spread throughout an old Cornish woodland, located just behind Fat Apples Café. We are also close to the half way mark of the Southwest Coast Path! The village of St. Keverne is a five minute drive and has a Spar, baker, butcher, two pubs and a newsagents. When open, the café serves breakfast and lunches, and also has essentials for sale. Please check our café opening days as you will need to bring your own supplies if you are staying on the days we are closed! The campsite is open seven days a week from April to the end of October (weather permitting). The camp pitches are wild, and a short distance away we have a coin operated (hot) shower, WC and cold-water dishwashing sink. There is no vehicular access to the site, cars are left about 100 yards away in our yard. We have wheelbarrows to help unload kit. Throughout the year we run a variety of events, such as, music nights, courses, an ongoing bookswap and private parties. Our camp area is becoming well known for outdoor retreats and educational visits. We allow small campfires on site in fire pits or baskets. Logs and basket are £13.50. The café is open (9.30am-4.00pm). Thursday to Sunday from the 5th March 2026. Wednesday-Sunday April- End of August. Thursday-Sunday September and October. We also run BBQ evenings on a pop-up basis in the summer season. It is a good idea to book breakfast or lunch in the café as it gets very busy. The Village of Porthallow has a lovely pub on the beach called The Five Pilchards Inn. In calm weather it is great swimming, snorkelling and kayaking/boating area. We are near the Helford estuary- 3 miles Coverack Cove - 3 Miles Porthkerris Dive Centre- 1 mile
Pets
Campfires
Showers
from 
£15
 / night

6. Cornish Tipi Holidays & Camping

97%
(147)
168 units · Tents, Motorhomes, Glamping · Cornwall, South West England
Wake up to the sound of birdsong, go swimming before breakfast in the clear water of a secluded lake. Cook your bacon and eggs over an open fire while you plan your day, or just laze it away in the peace and quiet of your own personal tipi. You can always go fishing tomorrow, and walk along the cliffs the day after that… The site is a unique woodland valley folded around a clear, spring-fed lake created from the old Tregildrans Quarry. Our tipis and tent pitches are dotted about this secret 20 acres full of ferns, bluebells, oak and meadowsweet. Left in peace for many years there's been no modern chemicals or poisons on the land, meaning we've got bluebells, dormice, Red Admirals and shy woodland Jays for you to spot. It’s a place set apart from the rush and clutter of the modern holiday experience, with an atmosphere that makes you forget the world outside, and just lounge, ramble, or potter about in a boat. We're committed to giving you a genuinely individual service from first contact to your time staying with us. We established CTH in 1996. This was the first and we believe still is the best tipi holiday site in the UK. We know our area inside out and can always help with local knowledge or contacts if you need them. We want to offer our guests a sustainable holiday. A return to real camping means the lowest possible impact on the land and environment - our tipi poles don’t even break the surface of the earth. Your footprint while here could only be bettered by a survival expert. You don't have to fly! a major bonus, and we source all our wood, fish and canvas locally and work with local people wherever possible.
Campfires
Showers
Potable water
from 
£25
 / night

10. The Secret Garden

100%
(5)
3 units · Tents, Motorhomes, Glamping · Newquay, Cornwall
2 sites to stay ruby rose for chalet or jasmine pitch for van This secret garden's is surrounded by the fields and tall hedges, a magical place, it’s in a world of its own and will certainly make those memories. * Private spacious camping in a very peaceful and beautiful space just for you and your favorites ! either with chalet on its own, van, tents or both :) chalet with double bed, single bed, bathroom, shower, tv mini kitchen, plates, kettle, cutlery, pots & pans, outside washing up area Chill in your massive jacuzzi with a your favourite drink and best tunes 🎶 (add on for Jasmine) * Picnic bench, garden, hot shower, flushing toilet, firepit (add on for Jasmine) * A very special gated garden to spend time out with your favourite people. Family friendly You may spot wild pheasants, chickens, indian runner ducks, our super friendly Bengal Cats! if you like them!😻 Your own furry friends are welcome as it is a gated secure garden. Enjoy the fire pit (wood and firelighters can be brought in advance) or bring your own :) Your car/van can park right outside the gate to your secret garden. (jasmine is another pitch) Lovely walk down the bottom of our lane to river gannel, bring your own paddle boards, kayaks, yourself for a swim :) From the river gannel if you walk from your garden it will take you to crantock beach and quant village, including the 2 local pubs worth a visit if your into our local history. Trenance 15 minute walk 0r 3 minute drive (walk the country back lane here to Trenance via river gannel for a beautiful nature walk) *Horse riding along the river gannel at Trenance riding stables *Trenance Boating lake, Tea rooms, rose gardens and Boat hire *Trenance Play park for the kids 5 mins walk to esso/budgens for essentials 24 hour 5 Mins car ride to the quant Crantock Village beach, or long walk to the beach. Tearooms, the outstanding C-bay day spa for an extra special day out. 1.2 miles into town, 10 min car ride to Newquay town centre to visit our beautiful Cornish beaches, harbour (fishing trips) golf course, chip shops, deliveroo do deliver here :) Lifts i can do for £10 back from town before 12am if your stuck :) Bus direct into Newquay town Center or any other part of Cornwall 4 minute walk down the lane :)
Pets
Campfires
Showers
from 
£29
 / night

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Camping in Tamar Valley guide

Where to go

Along the River Tamar

The River Tamar runs through the heart of the AONB, marking the border of Cornwall and Devon. Take a ride on the scenic Tamar Valley Line railway from Plymouth to Gunnislake, and hop off to visit Calstock village, enjoy riverside walks, or have lunch at a country pub. May through October is fishing season, and the river is known for its salmon and trout fishing.

Dartmoor

The River Tavy winds its way north through the Tamar Valley, where you can enjoy woodland walks and pitch your tent at rural camping grounds. Go kayaking or windsurfing at Lopwell Dam, visit the market town of Tavistock, and tuck into a traditional Devonshire cream tea at a local café. Beyond Tavistock, the wild moorlands of the Dartmoor National Park are a natural playground for hikers and campers.

South Devon

Coastal Plymouth lies between two AONBs, with the Tamar Valley to the north and South Devon to the east. Set sail on a boat cruise around the Plymouth Sound, then head along the South Devon coast to enjoy beachside camping and seaside hikes. The blue flag beaches at Bantham and Bigbury on Sea are favorites for summer sunseekers, or visit in winter, when migrating seabirds flock to the coast. 

Cornish coast

Saltash and Torpoint lie on the southwest borders of the Tamar Valley, where the Lynher River meets the Plymouth Sound. Dive into Cornwall’s mining heritage as you explore 18th-century mines, hike along the South West Coast Path, or try wakeboarding and windsurfing along the Hamoaze estuary. To escape the crowds, head to the Rame Peninsula, where you’ll find secluded coves, sea-cliffs walks, and ocean-view campsites. 

Top towns in and near Tamar Valley