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Wild Camping Cornwall

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· Helston, Cornwall, England

1 acre hosted by Francesca S.

2 tent pitches

Off-the-beaten-track camping and bell tent glamping in an ancient Cornish setting.

Celtic fire festivals used to be held at Bartinney Castle, dedicated to the sun god Belenos. They seem to have worked. Cornwall’s Penwith Peninsula is one of the sunniest spots on the British Isles and today, half a mile down a footpath from the castle’s faintest of earth remains, there’s a tiny wild campsite well placed to enjoy it.

There are just a couple of pitches and a pre-erected bell tent at Wild Camping Cornwall, which opened in 2021 after moving from another temporary location nearer the coast. The new site has been planted with dozens of trees that will make for quite the hideaway in years to come. For the time being it’s best to hope Belenos keeps the wind gods at bay, since the place can feel a little exposed when it gets gusty.

Facilities consist of a composting loo, a gas-powered shower and a firepit at each pitch (a bag of logs comes with every booking), and the stars are excellent night lights. The nearest neighbours here are a nature reserve and a string of Iron Age humps and bumps of significance, cared for by English Heritage, so light pollution is non-existent.

There’s more to the location, of course, than hiking through history. There’s a beach within 10–15 minutes’ drive in almost every direction you choose. Sennen Cove (six miles) is Cornwall’s most westerly surfing hotspot and frequently tops lists of the UK’s best beaches, while lesser-known spots like Lamorna Cove, St Loy’s Cove and Penberth offer smaller nooks where you can enjoy rock pooling under jagged cliffs.

Activities

Biking

Hiking

Surfing

Natural features

Beach

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4 Ratings · 12 reviews

Dan L.

September 29, 2021

We stayed with Wild Camping in Aug 2021 for about week, had an excellent time around the camp fire under the stars! It’s a slightly hidden location, with amazing views but it’s still close enough to Penzance and St Just for shops etc. The site has excellent compost loos and a super hot shower which was ideal. Would recommend and return!

Kyla F.recommends

August 31, 2021

Wild Pitch

Was a really great quiet campsite. Only 2 other groups at a time and really far away from each other which is great! The views are gorgeous and at night there is minimal light pollution for star gazing. Really friendly owners who were helpful with recommendations and great shower facilities. Would definitely go back here.

Hannah P.recommends

July 20, 2021

'Sunset' Grass Pitch

This is such a perfect place to camp out. Surrounded by nothing but nature. Showers are hot! (Greg has cleverly found a way) toilet is very clean, with cleaning equipment too! This was by far one of the most welcoming, beautiful and peaceful place I have visited! Pitches are spacious and also private. Absolutely loved our stay and will be returning. A big big thank you to the host for an utterly amazing stay

James S.recommends

September 1, 2019

Wild Field Pitch

My wife and I, along with our two young children thoroughly enjoyed our stay. An excellent and very private pitch, sheltered and enclosed by trees and for the most part we were completely unaware of the presence of other campers (although they may have been aware of us!) The facilities were basic, but were clean and perfectly adequate. One of the best features was the complete lack of mobile phone signal, no phone calls or e-mails. Although you could get a signal from the parking area. The children really loved it and as a family it felt like a proper switch off and escape from the world. We were told that they will be operating from a new site for next year, with fewer pitches still, so worth booking well in advance.

Kym D.recommends

August 15, 2019

Wild Pitch

We thoroughly enjoyed our week at Wild Camping Cornwall. We pitched our tent on a large, private site and enjoyed the privacy it afforded, together with the simple but effective facilities offered. Showers were always hot which was a great bonus. Greg was a good host. The area is beautiful and the children loved the small beach which wasn't too far from Wild Camping.

Rebecca ?.

August 12, 2018

A really lovely spot to pitch a tent with a view of the sea in the distance and the sound of birds overhead. After a warm welcome and tour from Greg we settled in easily. We had a field to ourselves with our own fire pit and warm showers and a washing up sink close at hand. It was an ideal blend of simple and convenient. The facilities are simple - this is not glamping - but we preferred them over a typical shower & toilet block. There's a compost loo in a little wooden hut with windows looking onto pretty woodland flowers. Don't be afraid - it's clean and doesn't smell! The shower cubicles are also wooden and rustic with good warm showers. Our kids enjoyed campfire cooking - mainly s'mores! - and the local beach is lovely with a stream running through a stunningly beautiful little valley down to the sea (though it is a bit of a trek to/from the car park if you have very little kids).

Location

Helston, Cornwall, England, United KingdomTo respect the Host's privacy, the precise address of this land will be provided after booking

Hosted by Francesca S.

Joined in May 2017

From the host

Looking for a peaceful holiday experience in West Cornwall? Come and spend some time with us at Wild Camping Cornwall! We have a small exclusive site with 2 independent pitches and a furnished Bell Tent available, all offering different camping and glamping solutions. Whether you are a single person, a couple or a family, looking for a quiet time and wanting to spend time in nature

Nearby attractions

There’s a beach within 10–15 minutes’ drive in almost every direction. Sennen Cove (six miles) is Cornwall’s most westerly surfing hotspot, link up with the South West Coast Path and, from here, it's easy to follow the trail much further afield to smaller coves and nooks. Elsewhere, it's a half-hour drive to the galleries of St Ives, a quarter of an hour to Lands End and 20 minutes to St Michaels Mount. For something fittingly wild, try a foraging course with local author and guide Rachel Lambert (07903 412014), who runs bespoke courses as well as a regular calendar of events you can book on to.

Food and drink

The nearest pubs are all in St Just, two miles away, where The Star Inn (01736 788767), The Wellington Hotel (01736 787319) and The Kings Arms (01736 788545) are all just off the main square.

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