Surf During Your Camping Trip In Cornwall
Azure water, miles of the golden sand — Cornwall offers some of England’s most beautiful beaches. Plus, if you’re a surfing enthusiast, or thinking of picking up surfing, these beaches are perfect as they offer great swells as well as surfing schools. If you’re tired of the traditional camping trip where you spend most of your time running around luscious plains or frolicking in lakes, try switching things up a bit by heading to the beach and catching some waves. In this article, we’ve compiled a list of the best campsites in cornwall that will make the perfect base for your next surfing holiday. Keep reading to find out more!
Sennen Cove Camping, Sennen
Located on the Atlantic Coast at Land’s End peninsula, Sennen Cove Campsite is the ideal base for your next surfing trip. The campsite has 72 pitches, where guests can choose to stay in tents or they own campervans and is also equipped with hot showering facilities. They even have a washing machine and dryer, perfect for guests who’ve spent a day frolicking in the sand and surfing in the waves.
The nearest beach, Gwynver Beach, lies a 25-minute walk away, while Sennen is another 20-minutes out. Both offer amazing swells for surfing throughout the year. To the south lies more beaches, Gwnever and Porthcurno, as well as the historic port of Penzance.
As for food, a fish and chips van visits Sennen Cove Campsite twice a week during peak season. If not, guests can head to the local butcher and throw their own barbecue party.
Lower Penderleith Farm Campsite, St Ives
Located just three miles away from popular St. Ives Beach, and five miles from Penzance, Lower Penderleith Campersite is nestled away in the tranquil countryside of Cornwall. Other beaches that are close by include Sennen, Hayle’s, and Praa Sands.
The campsite only accepts tents and small campervans so if you’re looking for a quiet and relaxing getaway, this campsite is perfect for you! What’s more, guests are expected to keep their noise down after 10 pm so you don’t have to worry about rowdy teenagers screaming or blasting their music.
Shower facilities and toilets are available onsite as well as an area for washing off wetsuits. Barbecues are also allowed and guests can even hire small fire buckets. Leisure activities that you can participate in include horse riding, fishing, golfing, and of course, surfing. For those who are nature enthusiasts, there are numerous coastal walks surrounding Lower Penderleith Farm Campsite.
Gwithian Farm Campsite, Gwithian
The long golden shores and amazing swells of Gwithian and Godrevy make them two of Cornwall’s most beloved beaches. If you’re thinking of heading to either of them, then you should definitely consider staying at Gwithian Farm Campsite that’s only a 10-minute walk away.
Campervans, tents, and caravans are all welcome at Gwithian Farm Campsite which also has onsite toilets and shower facilities. The closest eatery, the Red River Inn, is located directly across from the campsite.
Beacon Cottage Farm, St Agnes
Perched atop a cliff situated in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, Beacon Cottage Farm is both a campsite and a working farm. The campsite offers 70 individual pitches and has showering and laundry facilities.
With four beaches to choose from, you’ll be spoilt for choice at Beacon Cottage Farm. The nearest beach, Chapel Porth, is only a 10-minute walk away where you’ll be able to treat yourself to the popular ‘Hedgehog’ ice cream. Other popular surfing beaches, Trevaunance Cove and Porthtowan are located 1 mile and 2.5 miles away respectively. Both have various cafes and pubs that serve delicious meals. Lastly, Trevellas Porth is slightly smaller but is home to the Blue Hills Tin Streams.
Namparra Campsite, Helston
Don’t be turned away by this seemingly basic campsite. Spread across six acres of land and located in the beautiful Lizard Peninsula, Namparra Campsite is perfect if you’re looking for somewhere quiet and chill.
During peak season, the campsite’s onsite shop provides breakfast including sausage, eggs, and bacon. In the evening, guests can head to the Cow Shed Bar where all meals are cooked using local produce.
The nearest beach, Kennack Sands, is located 15 minutes away and is a local surfing paradise — the waves at Kennack Sands have known to grow as tall as five feet. However, apart from the awesome swell, Kennack Sands even has some shipwrecks that can be seen during low tide. The beach also has full lifeguard services through the summer months.
Atlantic Farm, Bude
For those who aren’t keen on roughing it out and sleeping in a tent, why not check out Atlantic Farm. Here, you can go glamping and stay in an eco surf pod. Each pod has underfloor heating, an individual decked area, toilet and shower facilities, as well as a gas barbecue oven. It can’t get any more luxurious than this! Of course, guests are also more than welcome to bring along their own tents.
Atlantic Farm Campsite is also surrounded by numerous beaches including Widemouth Bay, Crooklets, Sandymouth, and Summerleaze, so you’ll have so trouble finding somewhere to catch some waves.
Marazion Caravan Club Campsite, Marazion
Last but not least, we have Marazion Caravan Club Campsite. This caravan park is located near Porthleven beach and also an eight-minute drive from Penzance. Though there are no onsite toilet and showering facilities, the campsite does have an onsite-shop that sells necessities, a motorhome service, as well as a waste disposal point. Guests are also welcome to host their own barbecue parties and the use of gas and electricity are also allowed.
Marazion, Cornwall’s oldest town, is also home to the iconic St Michael’s Mount. And, with its wide array of cafes, restaurants, and pubs, you don’t have to worry about going hungry during your stay.
Can you wear rash guards in the water?
rash vest for surfing
A rash vest (rash guard, rashie or rashguard) is a close-fitting, thin shirt made of quick-drying synthetic material that blocks UV rays and is designed for use in and near water. Rash Vests are great for surfing, kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, swimming and every other watersport , Rash vest for surfing is highly recommended by experts due to the plethora of benefits it offers.
Conclusion
With all these options, what are you waiting for? Cornwall beckons. It’s time to pack your surfing gear, tents, and sleeping bags and get ready for your next surfing-slash-camping trip. Whether you choose to stay at the family-friendly Gwithian Farm Campsite or the luxurious Atlantic Farm, you’ll definitely leave with an experience you won’t forget.
