Finding your Feel Good isn’t hard when you’re camping in Cornwall! Road trip around England’s most westerly county and relax into a gentler pace of life with morning swims on stunning beaches, pasty-fuelled walks along the clifftops, and sunsets to fill your camera roll. There’s plenty to do if you like to keep busy – water sports galore, cycling trails, historic sites and bustling local towns – before retreating to the sanctuary of your roadsurfer campervan in idyllic campsites each night. What better way to spend a camping holiday in Cornwall? Enjoy it all with a local beer or a refreshing can of Feel Good!
Today is mostly about driving, but it’ll be worth it when you arrive! Pick up your roadsurfer from London. The drive to Boscastle takes four hours, but you’ll want to factor in extra time for stops.
What to do
Beach bum: Wash away the journey with a dip in the sea! If the tide is high, a swim in Boscastle harbour is hard to beat with its sheltered waters and towering cliffs. Crackington Haven is another great option, or at low tide, drive south and park at Lundy Bay car park and walk along the footpath to the beach of the same name.
Refuel: If you’ve arrived in time head to Boscastle Farm shop to stock up on any provisions you may have forgotten and support a local business.
Nothing beats the magic of the first full day of a road trip. Set the tone for your camping holiday in Cornwall: what’s it going to be, max relaxing or get up and go?
What to do
Beach bum: Just south of Tintagel is majestic Trebarwith Strand, at the end of a road that winds through an old fishing village. If you want to lie on the sand make sure not to come at high tide, when the beach is covered! Further south, near tonight’s campsite, the beaches around Rock are some of the area’s finest. Find a spot at Rock beach or Daymer Bay for a bbq, or go to Polzeath and jump around in the waves. You can rent body boards and surfboards here.
Happy hiker: To really stretch your legs after yesterday’s long drive, hike to the top of Brown Willy, Cornwall’s highest point, or Rough Tor (or both, since they’re close together!) where on a good day you get views all the way to the sea. The coast path north and south of Boscastle is jaw-dropping, why not head south to Ladies Window, a natural rock formation? For a gentler stroll, wander along St Nectan’s Glen to the waterfalls.
Activity lover: Legend has it that Tintagel Castle was the birthplace of King Arthur; whether or not that’s true, immerse yourself in history and explore the ruins of early medieval buildings and a 13th century castle that were built on this almost island, accessible by bridge. This part of the country is steeped in magic, and if that’s your thing it’s worth booking ahead for the Museum of Witchcraft and Magic in Boscastle.
Refuel: The Rocket Store, Boscastle, for amazing local fish and meat. If you can’t get a table there are cafes and bakeries selling pasties, sandwiches, and other classic seaside food. In the evening, get over to Bluntrock in Rock, a super-local nanobrewery where you can drink at the tap room or pick up some cans for the campsite.
Where to stay
Drive to Rock and stay at peaceful Dinham Farm camping and caravan park – if you’re there at around 4pm the owner will bring round campfire provisions on an old tractor!
Day 3 – Rock and Port Isaac
What to do
Beach bum: If you’re visiting when high tide is in the morning, you can’t beat an early dip at Daymer Bay when the sea is right up the beach. Polzeath Beach is a great spot to watch the sunset.
Activity lover: Start your day with a visit to Port Isaac where Doc Marten is filmed. There are shops to mooch around and a coastline to walk, then head back to the little harbour for fish and chips and a pint at The Mote. Once you’ve refueled, head to Rock for an afternoon of watersports. Try Camel Ski School for amazing waterskiing, wakeboarding, wakesurfing, and paddleboarding lessons suitable for all levels, or Wavehunters for sea safaris. Book ahead, especially in summer.
Refuel: In Rock, the cafe at Camel Ski has excellent coffee and cakes, and Barnecutt’s has pasties galore. The Waterfront at Polzeath has amazing beach views, beers, and a big menu, and Tubestation is renowned for its smoothies, healthy food, and cosy surf vibes.
Top Tip: Rock is usually very busy during high season so avoid a parking nightmare and use The Camel Buggy Company. Send them a text, they may be able to pick you up from Dinham, otherwise they can collect you from the quieter end of Rock and take you all around the local area.
Where to stay
Stay another night at Dinham farm for more fun in this area tomorrow.
Day 4 – Padstow to Newquay
Begin your day with a drive to Padstow. Use the park and ride in summer to skip the crowds, it’s a ten-minute walk to the harbour or catch the bus. Out of season you should be able to park in town. In the afternoon relax on the beach or head to Newquay for some surfing.
What to do
Beach bum: Cornwall’s west coast is not lacking when it comes to good beach options. Trevone and Harlyn near Padstow are quintessential English beaches to relax on. Around Newquay there’s Watergate Bay with amazing views from the cliffs and wide, flat sands below, Lusty Glaze beach for something a less wide and windswept, and Fistral beach for surfing.
Happy hiker: The walking around Trevose Head is beautiful, and while you’ll probably be doing an out-and-back route, but the views are amazing in both directions! There are plenty of beaches along the coast here to stop at for a swim.
Activity lover: Spend the morning cycling the Camel Trail – hire a bike from Padstow. Stop at the Camel Valley Vineyard before spending the afternoon on nearby beaches or surfing in Newquay.
Refuel: Padstow is full of bakeries, delis and ice cream shops – stock up for the day here! Get an evening drink at the Watering Hole in Perranporth, the UK’s only bar on a beach.
Where to stay
Coastal Valley campsite has award-winning facilities and a stream onsite, and they’re passionate about the environment. Campfires are allowed, so why not cook over one tonight?
Day 5 – Newquay to Land’s End
You could easily explore Land’s End peninsula for a whole week and not run out of things to do. Land’s End itself is crowded and a tourist trap unless you’re there in the off season, so we suggest sticking to lesser-known areas instead.
What to do
Beach bum: Sennen Beach, with its white sands and turquoise waters (if the sun is shining…) is perfect for lounging. For a little more seclusion and adventure try Nanjizal beach, south of Land’s End – it’s a remote spot with rock archways, caves, and rock pools. If you’re camping at Treen, nearby Pedn Vounder beach is not to be missed.
Happy hiker: Skip the crowds at Land’s End and go to Cape Cornwall instead, originally thought to be England’s most westerly point before Land’s End took the accolade. There are footpaths aplenty here, making it easy to create a circular walk of whatever length you fancy. This is the Cornwall of mine ruins and turquoise seas which makes it easy to spend the whole day out in the open.
Activity lover: Mining was once the bread and butter of Cornwall. If you love history, visit the mines at Botallack and the restored 1840s steam-powered Levant beam engine. Close to tonight’s campsite is the awe-inspiring Minack Theatre, an open-air amphitheatre built into the side of the cliffs. Watch a performance or just take in the views.
Refuel: St Just and Sennen Cove both have pubs and cafes to stop at. The Logan Rock Inn at Treen is a cosy traditional pub.
Where to stay
Treen Farm campsite is a ten-minute walk from two amazing beaches, and most of the pitches have a sea view. They don’t take bookings, so nearby Treverven Touring Park is another option.
Day 6 – Land’s End to Fowey
On day 6, drive from Land’s End to Fowey. Notice the strange white hills on your journey? Those are clay works, with plenty of opportunity to explore them. They’re also home to the Eden project; visit today if you want a long time to discover it, or fit in a quick trip tomorrow morning before the drive back to London.
What to do
Beach bum: Hire kayaks at Porthpean or paddleboards at Polkerris, both on your way to Fowey. In Fowey, Readymoney Cove is sheltered but can get busy in summer; try Lantic Bay for a bit more seclusion. Polperro has a natural swimming pool at low tide.
Happy hiker: Fowey ‘hall walk’ is a 4-miler with estuary views and two ferries, or set out along the coast to Gribbin Head.
Activity lover: If your attention was piqued as you passed the clay mines, explore the clay trails on foot or by bike, or visit the Wheal Martyn clay works. In St Austell, Cornwall Waverunner Safaris offer power boat tours, surf lessons, jet ski safaris and a tight rope on which to terrify yourself. If you’re here for the Eden Project, check their website for the best way to plan your visit – they recommend allowing four hours.
Refuel: If you’ve stopped at Polkerris, don’t miss Sam’s on the Beach. In Fowey all bases are covered: there’s Brown Sugar for coffee, Captain Hank’s for crab sandwiches, Pinxto for tapas if you want to celebrate on your last night, Kittows for deli goodies, and Quay bakery for bread and pasties. Hunt out Dee’s Burgers etc., a burger van using only the most local ingredients.
If the thought of driving away from Cornwall seems impossible, you’re in good company! The drive back to London will take around five hours in good traffic, so the first hours of the day are yours to soak up the Feel Good factor however you want: a slow morning on the beach, wandering along Fowey’s Fore Street to stock up on Cornish goodies to take home or one last walk along the cliffs.
If today is your day for the Eden Project, check their website for opening times. You’ll want to get there as early as possible to fit it in before driving to London.
If you’d rather get up and go before the traffic starts, consider driving across Dartmoor. You could stop at Two Bridges and walk to ancient Wistman’s Woods, or Postbridge to visit Bellever Tor and the remains of the ancient settlement there.
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