Waterside camping near St. Austell, Cornwall

96% (518 reviews)

Popular camping styles for St. Austell

Under £50

91%

(68)

5 top waterside campsites near St. Austell

97%

(133)

Cornish Tipi Holidays & Camping

127 units · Glamping, Motorhomes, Tents20 acres · 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.

Pleasant Streams Farm Camping

67 units · Glamping, Tents9 acres · St Austell, England

Lakeside camping with streams, rope swings and farmyard animals in rural Cornwall

Elmar's Place

2 units · Tents1 acre · Bude, England

Nearly wild camping on the border of Devon and Cornwall

100%

(7)

Bulstone Springs Devon Eco-Glamping

1 unit · Glamping40 acres · Devon, South West England

A unique combination of off-grid glamping and spa days in Devon

78%

(16)

Wild Swim2Sauna Safari Tipis

35 units · Glamping6 acres · Devon, South West England

Wild swimming and off-grid living in tipis and tents on the banks of Devon's River Avon

Happy farmer sitting in a truck in a grassy field

Austell.

Waterside campsites near St. Austell guide

Overview

Enjoy views over the English Channel in some of England’s warmest weather on a camping trip near St. Austell in Cornwall. Head south to Penwith Heritage Coast to visit England’s southernmost point, or explore the northwest on hikes through the windswept moors of Dartmoor National Park. England’s longest national trail, South West Coast Path, runs for 1,014 kilometres along the coasts of Cornwall and Devon. While hiking the trail, spend the night at Hartland Devon Heritage Coast for rustic backpack camping pitches immersed in nature. Campers looking for a bit more comfort near the village can also find an array of cosy tent grass pitches, caravan parks, and glamping sites.

Where to go

Penwith Heritage Coast

Hike the cliffs of Penwith Heritage Coast and admire the Celtic Sea views on trails that wander through prehistoric monuments and ancient villages. Stop by the 2,000-year-old Chysauster Ancient Village, then visit Merry Maidens Stone Circle before finishing off with a sweeping view over Land’s End. Local Cornish coast camping parks include waterfront tent pitches and caravan sites with comforts like water standpipes and electric hookups.

Dartmoor National Park

An hour’s drive northwest takes campers to Dartmoor National Park, where wide granite landscapes offer a wealth of hiking and cycling opportunities in the moors. Discover Miles Without Stiles accessible walking paths, and wander the trails to catch a glimpse of otters, bats, and dormice. Rustic backpack camping and caravanning are both popular in the park, and the Driving Guide to Dartmoor helps campervans navigate the narrow roads to find a comfortable spot.

Hartland Devon Heritage Coast

Hike the longest national trail in England with a ramble along South West Coast Path. A section runs along Hartland Devon Heritage Coast, where high Atlantic Ocean waves along the beaches make it a popular surfing destination. Speke’s Mill Mouth waterfall offers even more natural beauty to admire from the shore. Take a break from the path and linger in a rustic backpacking pitch along the trail or reserve a cosy tent pitch in nearby holiday parks with access to toilets and potable water. For a luxurious stay, try a glamping yurt with water views.

When to go

St. Austell’s proximity to the sea makes it a popular spot in summer, when beaches fill with hikers, surfers, and bathers. Book early to score waterfront spots in June and July, or try a quieter, cooler visit with a stay in fall. Some camping pitches near St. Austell remain open year-round, and glamping options like heated cabins offer a comfortable stay in cooler months. Winter temperatures average around 7°C and sea storms can sometimes close certain destinations.