Pattacott Farm is a campsite with all the delicious advantages you get when pitching next to a working farm, but none of the hard work associated with it. Tucked away within sprawling acres of Launceston land, Pattacott owners Sue and Kev let campers experience all the sounds (and, occasionally, smells) you'd expect from staying in their expansive farmland. This also means that you'll get to wake up and enjoy a home-reared sausage and bacon sandwich for breakfast, lamb burgers and chops for dinner, while also experiencing a different kind of holiday than is typically associated with the sun sea and surf of the South West.
Cornwall is well-known for its caravan sites and bed 'n' breakfasts, with visitors typically descending upon the county's coast for a traditional British beach holiday. However, the third-generation Pattacott Farm provides guests with a base in Cornish countryside that offers the best of both worlds. It's a simplistic set up where campers can enjoy an impromptu picnic by the nearby river or use its handy North Cornwall location to get out and see the sights. Unusually for a stripped-back and back-to-basics site such as this, Pattacott also features moderate glamping options for those not in the business of setting up their own tent. These include furnished bell tents, with their own camping cooker and grill, along with a charming vintage caravan dubbed "Agnus" with its own amenities including a kitchenette, shower, and chemical loo.
When Sue and Kev aren't busy tending their sheep, cows and horses, they'll often do a round of the site armed with a selection of Pattacott produce and locally sourced food in tow. You can usually get your hands on fresh eggs, meat, milk, and bread, along with logs for your campfire to rustle up a meal for fellow campers. The rural location means there's no pub round the corner but if you don't fancy cooking, a 10-minute drive gets you to the closest pub and 20 minutes gets you to seaside Bude, which is worth the drive for its wide range of eateries.
While Pattacott Farm may seemingly be out in the sticks, this close proximity to Bude and the popular beaches surrounding it make it an unexpectedly advantageous spot for those looking to explore North Cornwall. Crackington Haven is the closest beach and great for rockpooling with surf-friendly Widemouth Bay, not much further. Then there's the National Trust harbour of Boscastle, a lively commercial port in the 19th century that's now a scenic dock for local fishermen and a lovely place for a Cornish cream tea.