Camping in north(ish) Cornwall with terns

[RyanGoslingRocks]

Teens not terns!!
Hi
We are hoping to go to Cornwall for our family holiday this summer.
We’ve been before (to Mother Ivey’s in Padstow) which was brilliant (big playground and shop) but the kids were a bit younger then.
We need to be within walking distance or a short drive from a beach which offers surf lessons.
We’d all prefer a quieter site but it would be good if there were things to do nearby (games room etc) - either onsite or in town if v close.
Ages are 17 and 15.
Daughter loves pottering about in gift shops.
Dh and I have also previously been to St Ives (beautiful) but it will be so busy in the height of summer.
We’ve done Eden and Heligan to death.
Oh and we have a dog if that’s relevant.
Please let me know your suggestions, thanks 😊

Why camping? I bet there’s a few nice properties still available. Look at Port Isaac Bay Holidays. They are ultra helpful and have nice places.

I’d love to camp with terns 😁

Yes but you can negotiate for nicer places. Cornwall isn’t full. Teens might like a house with a tv! A decent bathroom or several bathrooms. Yes it will be more money but rates aren’t that outrageous now if you look.

Would you consider north Devon? If so, really like Little Meadow campsite. It’s quiet in terms of facilities but Woolacombe is about 20 minutes drive away, Ilfracome very close in one direction and Coombe Martin in the other. Boat trips run from Ilfracombe and Tintagel and Boscastle aren’t far away for days out. Watermouth Castle is fun, but probably aimed more at younger children. There’s also a wildlife park at Coombe Martin.

We used to camp here with our teens and dog. Close to Perranporth and facilities were very clean.
www.tollgatefarm.co.uk

Those of you posting to suggest getting a house over camping, have you looked at the prices of holiday homes in Cornwall recently? We have and it’s cheaper for us to drive to France and get a gite than rent somewhere even half decent in Cornwall. Not to mention avoids the hideous drive.

We camped in Mawgan Porth with tweens/slightly younger and it was great. Food vans eg pizza came to the site and it was about 15 min via footpath to the beach/cafe/pub/shop etc

but it was pre covid and I think the site has been taken over and more expensive caravans and lodges (no tents) and very critically for teens there was almost no mobile reception or WiFi at the time!! But that may well have improved!

We used to camp here with our teens and dog. Close to Perranporth and facilities were very clean.
www.tollgatefarm.co.uk
Totally agree a fab site, quiet well kept and close to walking to town, spot on

PitchUp has really good filters for finding the right kind of site for you.

And there is a MN Camping Board!

TizerorFizz - because we all love it! Kids especially.
Iheartmysmart - we’ve been there 3 times! Campsite is so lovely and it was so quiet. We did Woolacombe/Putsborough Sands and Croyde.
Cornishmaiden/Fizbossshoes/jackspratswife01- thanks, I’ll have a look!
BangersAndGnash - thanks, didn’t know that!