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Bush Farm Campsite

99%
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· Saltash, Cornwall, England
200 acres hosted by Scott R.
50 motorhome/tent pitches
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Family-friendly
Recent Hipcampers say this Hipcamp is great for families and kids.
Best in South West England: Finalist
Named one of the best Hipcamps to visit in 2024.
Scott is a Star Host
Star Hosts are highly rated, responsive, and committed to providing incredible experiences.
As close to wild camping as you can get on a rewilded 200-acre farm in Cornwall

Most kids have some pretty wild ideas about what they want to do when they grow up – and some of them just can’t wait. Take 12-year-old Sophie and her 13-year-old sister, Rosy, who wanted to start a campsite on the family farm. Instead of fobbing these two entrepreneurial kids off with the standard: “That’s nice dear”, their parents embraced the idea and very soon their wild idea became a sold-out-for-summer wild campsite in Cornwall.

Opened for the first time in August 2020, Bush Farm Wild Camping’s 20 pitches pretty much sold out on their first day of advertising. So high was the demand that they have decided to add more facilities and more pitches for 2021 (watch this space). But don’t worry, whether there are 20 or 40 pitches, this place will never be crowded. Campers are essentially let loose on the 200-acre farm with a map and the sensible advice to leave at least 50 yards between you and the next tent. It’s a far cry from the neat rows of pitches on some of Cornwall’s more traditional campsites and, in fact, the words “campsite” and “pitches” don’t sum up exactly what’s going on here.

So what is going on at this most unusual of farms? Formerly a cattle farm, the Renfree family decided to rewild their land at the beginning of 2020. They have planted 100 acres of wildflower meadows and 20 acres of crops which will be harvested only by the birds they attract. It’s a conservation and biodiversity project that sits well with the low key, off grid camping that’s now on offer. Facilities are simple: a couple of toilets and a couple of showers with a sink for washing up in the less-than-pretty yard area at the entrance of the campsite (don’t let that fool you on arrival). Campfires are allowed in off-ground fire pits and Sophie and Rosy will sell you some recycled wood for your fire – as long as it’s not a school day.

But the facilities are not what wows campers here; it’s perhaps more the lack of them. You can pitch up on the hill, down by the river or in amongst the trees. You could spend your whole holiday here but that would be to ignore the other thing that drove the camping bonanza of 2020; the location. Situated just over the Devon-Cornwall border, Bush Farm is about as easily reachable as Cornish campsites get. It’s less than 15 miles from Plymouth and the same distance from the lovely beach at Whitsand Bay and the harbour town of Looe. For families with kids, the Amazing Cornish Maize Maze pops up just down the road in summer season. If your kids have an ounce of the can-do attitude of the Renfree kids they’ll make short work of the maze but don’t forget there’s a wilder chance to get lost back on Bush Farm.

Woodland walks, strolls through green fields and waterside wanders by rivers and the lake are all on offer here. Our family-friendly spot is a fab site to bring the kids to, especially if they’re avid nature fans. When you roll up at our green and grassy spot, you’ll be given a map and be left to explore and settle down wherever you please. Our most popular spots come with firepits and you are also welcome to bring your own, we sell nets of recycled firewood on site so you can have that perfect camping experience roasting marshmallows as the sun goes down. Well behaved dogs are also allowed to enjoy the space we have to offer, our farm dogs love cooling off in the river after a hot day! The facilities on the main site are also available for wild campers.
Activities
Biking
Hiking
Natural features
Beach
Field
99%
91 Ratings · 72 reviews
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Gabriel A.recommends
September 11, 2024
Wild Camping Pitch
Lovely place!
We had an amazing time dipping in a fresh water stream that goes through the lands, set up camp on a separate field for privacy, plenty of space to explore, even tire swings! Recommend for friend groups and families.
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Anthony S.recommends
September 5, 2024
Wild Camping Pitch
Very beautiful area and great vibes. Had an amazing time!
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Chris R.recommends
August 15, 2024
Wild Camping Pitch
Lots of space and the freedom to choose where you want
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Wouter E.recommends
August 14, 2024
Wild Camping Pitch
Big lovely terrain
Big terrain. Lots of different spots. Grassy areas. Trees. Wild bushes. A river. You can your own spot. If you love freedom of movement it’s great.
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Charlie C.recommends
August 7, 2024
Wild Camping Pitch
Get Earthing!
The farm is huge with beautiful views. There are spots far away for even the most anti social people! I loved it by the river and so did my dog. It felt like going back to camping in the 1970s. Kids were running free and loved the stream. There was a walk to the water tap , no tarmac, no pitches. It's farm tracks and nature. The loos are clean with an extraordinary amount of back up loo roll! It is a real working farm, so there are ugly bits, plus an electricity pylon next to the toilets, but the camping fields are stunning and it's so quiet at night, I slept like a baby log!
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Stef N.recommends
August 1, 2024
Wild Camping Pitch
Perfect stay with my motorbike and hammock for a few nights, wonderful cool river to bathe in during the heat, and an abundance of fruit growing everywhere. Probably my favourite wash facilities of any campsite I've stayed at, beautiful design full of nice little touches. Mostly interacted with Ben who was thoroughly helpful and insightful, and I really enjoyed learning about the site and the land from him. I'll be back soon!
Location
Saltash, Cornwall, England, United KingdomTo respect the Host's privacy, the precise address of this land will be provided after booking
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Hosted by Scott R.

Joined in September 2020
From the host
Located near Saltash, Bush Farm is a friendly and welcoming destination with great access to Plymouth and the rest of Cornwall. We offer Wild Camping which gives you the option to pitch up anywhere on the 200 acre farm, allowing you to get maximum peace and quiet and fully immerse yourself in the camping experience! Woodland walks, strolls through green fields and waterside wanders by rivers and the lake are all on offer here. Our family-friendly spot is a fab site to bring the kids to, especially if they’re avid nature fans. When you roll up at our green and grassy spot, you’ll be given a map and be left to explore and settle down wherever you please.
Nearby attractions

You are free to explore the 200-acre family farm which includes woodland, river and lakes. Off site, the nearest attraction is the Amazing Cornish Maize Maze (01579 351833) just a mile away. For more adventurous activities, try Adrenaline Quarry (01579 308204), 20 miles from site, where there’s a water park, bungee jumping, go karting and even axe throwing. It’s about the same distance (a drive of 20 minutes) to the nearest beach, Whitsand Bay, where there are three miles of golden sands and a little further to Looe where there’s a beach and a harbour with cafes, shops and facilities. Grown ups might like the golf and spa facilities at St Mellion Estate (01579 351351), 15 miles from site, and if you haven’t been before it’s not too far (30 miles) to the inspiring Eden Project (01726 811911). Plymouth is about 12 miles from site.

Food and drink

The Weary Friar (01579 350238) is the closest pub - just a five minute drive or a one-and-a-half-mile walk along country lanes. There’s a dog-friendly pub, The Crooked Inn (01752 848177), a ten-minute drive away. For a Cornish Cream Tea or a proper English fry-up with a view head for the hills and the spectacularly located Louis Tea Rooms (01579 389223), in the Kit Hill Country Park which is eight miles away and nice for a walk. It also has a farm shop with Cornish produce for sale. The ironically-named Foreign Muck (01752 841133) is recommended and serves burgers, burritos and craft beers in Saltash High Street, five miles from site. The Route 38 American Diner (01752 851038) is about the same distance and a good place to stop en route to Whitsand Bay.

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