Cornwall camping - ideas for a good site needed.

[Crunchie]

We are planning to camp this year with 2 girls aged 4 and 2. We want a good site in Cornwall, with a swimming pool if poss, but not to OTT. Basically we don't like the 'family entertainment' type things, and want places that are good for people with their own tents. Therefore no chains, I think they seem to be full of static mobiles etc

Any ideas please???

[Tom]

There's a lovely campsite on Trevose Head, right next to Mother Ivey's Bay - not sure whether they've got a swimming pool, but the beach is georgeous - I was there day before yesterday

[lilibet]

Crunchie, no help on the Cornwall question, but have just been doing a site search on Carnac where I am hopin go go late in the year and I saw tha you had been to the site. How did you get there? Which ferry crossing would you recommend?

[Crunchie]

lilibet, which site are you going to? and when?

We went to one really near the beach with Matthews holidays, we booked it last min. The site was OK, very near the beach (500m) and quiet. There are some others that look nicer sites, but they are out of the town. We were walkable to all the restaurants etc (actually we like walking and it was about 10 - 15mins).

At the moment the Hovercraft looks the cheapest (£158 return) whereas the ferries in August are about £300!!! Check out Alan Rogers who do ferries and site bookings. Also drive-alive (I think) who can do ferries and stopovers. I found it was cheaper to do ferry and 2 night accomodation that way (about £290) than ferry directly. We did Dover/Calais as for us it was nearer in the UK (about 2 hrs) and quicker crossing. The drive in France was longer, but that didn't matter much. It took about 8 hrs!

[SueW]

What about this instead?

[SueW]

Doh - forgot URL!

this

[Melly]

Hi Crunchie, not sure what part of Cornwall you want, but relatives of mine run the Carlyon Bay Camping and Caravan site. It really is lovely, it is a very family orientated site, not too over the top, no entertainment stuff really. There is a swimming pool, small area for playing pool etc, a shop selling food essentials and bits and pieces and also a take-away food bar, a small television room and a laundry room. There are three large toilet/shower blocks which are beautifully kitted out.
No idea how much they charge, think it is very reasonable.
Cannot recommend it too highly. Please feel free to email me if you would like any more details.
Sorry, in case you're not sure where Carlyon bay is, it is St. Austell area so very central for visiting most of Cornwall.

[fio2]

Tom we used to go to the Mother Iveys Bay site every year as kids, it is a lovely site but some of the people on there tend to be a bit snotty. And its only a short drive from the lovely Padstow.

[Crunchie]

Melly that sounds interesting, you understand what Imean about the 'entertainment' don't you! I'll look at it. Thanks.

Any other ideas?? Keep tehm coming

[eemie]

We can recommend River Valley holiday park at London Apprentice - there are spaces for caravans and (as far as I remember) tents too. I found it online and we got a place at v. short notice. It's quiet, family-orientated, no social club or bar so no rowdy parties. Brilliant playground, indoor swimming pool, right on a safe cycle path all the way to the beach (2 miles). Near St Austell, Mevagissey, Lost Gardens of Heligan, Eden project, but we were too busy enjoying ourselves to get to the last two.

I know there's a website but can't find url just now - try Google and let me know if you have a problem.

[Crunchie]

Melly, well I've gone with your advice and booked your cousins site in mid-sugust. It looks great, just what we want. Big enough to have a swimming pool and some entertainment for the kids, but not a butlins or a huge impersonal site. Thanks