Waterside camping near Fowey, Cornwall

96% (444 reviews)

Popular camping styles for Fowey

5 top waterside campsites near Fowey

Under £50

67%

(3)

Elmar's Place

2 units · Tents1 acre · Bude, England

Nearly wild camping on the border of Devon and 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.

Pleasant Streams Farm Camping

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

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

Waterside campsites near Fowey guide

Overview

With its pastel-painted houses and rows of fishing boats flanked by forested headlands, Fowey paints a pretty picture. Perched on the edge of the Fowey Estuary, this small port town makes a strategic base from which to explore and has a choice of seafront campsites. Hike along part of the South West Coast Path, take in the views from the seafront St Catherine’s Castle, or enjoy bird-watching around the estuary. Looking to get on the water? The beach at Readymoney Cove provides sheltered waters ideal for swimming, kayaking, and stand-up paddleboarding, while boat cruises set sail along the Fowey River.

Where to go

Cornish Riviera

Golden beaches and picturesque Cornish towns hug the shores of the Cornish Riviera, which stretches west of Fowey. St Austell and Falmouth are the main towns, where you can visit the Eden Project, enjoy bird-watching around the Fal Estuary, then stop at a café for a traditional Cornish cream tea. Beach lovers have endless choices—Carlyon Bay, Par Sands, and Porthpean all draw crowds in summer, while the hidden coves around Polkerris and Portloe offer a more tranquil experience.

Bodmin Moor

North of Fowey, the rocky tors and wild moorlands of Bodmin Moor provide a dramatic backdrop for hikers. Discover Bronze Age ruins, spot wild ponies grazing on the heathlands, or enjoy a picnic looking out over Golitha Falls. Camping here is all about getting back to nature, whether parking your campervan on a working farm or pitching your tent on the hills.

North Coast

If you’re looking for some of the UK’s best surf, you’ll find it along Cornwall’s windswept Atlantic coast. Newquay and Bude are the main hubs, with waves to suit both seasoned surfers and first-timers. Nearby, discover the evocative ruins of Tintagel Castle, tuck into delicious seafood in Padstow, or check into a campsite by the beach in Perranporth or Port Isaac.

When to go

Peak season in Fowey is June through September, when the waters are warm enough to swim, and the coastal breeze keeps it cool enough for hiking. This is peak season for campers, so book in advance to avoid disappointment. Winters in Cornwall can be wet and windy, so tent camping is off the menu, but off-season visitors can benefit from fewer crowds, dog-friendly beaches, and free parking at St. Catherine’s Castle.

Know before you go

Fowey has a few camping and outdoors stores where you can pick up supplies for your camping trip.
Fowey has public transport links to many of the surrounding towns, but it is handy to have your own transport, especially if staying at rural campsites.
Most campsites require advance booking, and many ask for the full payment in advance. Be sure to check opening dates, as many campsites close in the winter months.
Wild camping is illegal throughout Cornwall.