Waterside Camping in Helford River

United Kingdom
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England
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Helford River

96% (314 reviews)

Popular camping styles for Helford River

Under £50

91%

(65)

4 top waterside campsites in Helford River

91%

(65)

Pleasant Streams Farm Camping

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

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

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.

89%

(14)

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

Elmar's Place

2 units · Tents1 acre · Bude, England

Nearly wild camping on the border of Devon and Cornwall

Waterside camping in Helford River guide

Overview

Riverside pubs, tree-lined canal ways, and secluded beaches tempt travellers to the Helford River estuary on Cornwall’s south coast. On the north shore, visit the National Trust gardens of Trebah and Glendurgan, paddle around the creeks on a kayak or boat cruise, then ride the ferry across the river from Helford Passage. Wildlife-watching is the main attraction at the estuary, and there are plenty of opportunities. Enjoy bird-watching along the beaches, spot crabs and other sea life at Nare Point or Prisk Cove, and visit the Cornish Seal Sanctuary. There’s no camping along the riverside, but country campgrounds lie just a short drive away.

When to go

Summer is the most popular time to discover the estuary, when it’s possible to swim at the beaches. However, the best wildlife-watching opportunities are in autumn and winter, when migrating birds flock to Cornwall’s south shores. Tent camping in Cornwall is best from late spring through early autumn, but year-round camping is still possible with a caravan or motorhome. Ferries run across the Helford River between April and October.

Know before you go

The Helford River lies between Falmouth Bay and the Lizard Peninsula, along the south coast of Cornwall. The north shore is about 9 miles south of Falmouth or a 30-minute drive. Passenger ferries run across the river to Helford village on the south shore.
Facilities are limited along the river, so it’s best to bring everything you need with you. There are restrooms, a café, and a general store in Helford Village, as well as a few pubs along the north shore.
Most campsites require advance booking, and many ask for the full payment in advance. Be sure to check opening dates, as many close in the winter months.