Campieite south cornwall (carbis bay, perranporth, portreath???)

[Up2nogood]

Looking for a nice campsite in south Cornwall. I've researched places a little and carbis bay, portreath and perranporth seem nice. I favour carbis bay as I like the idea of being so handy to st Ives and the stream train which ds would love but the campsite nearest (Mount Douglas farm) might be a bit basic??? Before dc, dh and I loved to camp in a simple field but I wonder now if a site with a park/ few facilities would be better??

So my question is, does anyone have any campsite recommendations in these places or other quiet villages near (walking distance) to beaches? And do you think basic fields for camping is better for 2.5yo energetic boy and 8mo baby, in a little vw camper?

I've only been to Perranporth out of those, but it was lovely. I think a basic field can be enough for young children, if they are good at amusing themselves. My DD and DN's spent hours playing in some woods, and fields near our camper van a couple of weeks ago when we camped in Devon, although they are a bit older. At 2, I think a field would have been fine for DD. It was just nice to be able to let her go, without constantly having to stop her doing things like you normally do at home.

It helps if it is not a busy time though, as a field filled with other campers makes it difficult for them to play without potentially annoying anyone. We have camped near a play park before, the downside of that can be that you have other peoples children there until 10pm at night, shouting and screaming, which can make it tricky getting little ones to sleep at a sensible time.

Carbis Bay is lovely, and very family friendly, and would get my vote. The train from Carbis Bay to St ives is fantastic (although you will be lucky to see a steam train - maybe runs once a year, if that!).

Perranporth & Portreath are both nice, but in my opinion nowhere near as good (OK for day tripping though) . That said, if you are taking a dog then I'd suggest Perranporth as a better location.