Campsites near St. Ives, Cornwall

With its four blue-flag beaches and renowned art scene, St Ives is Cornwall’s flagship resort.

98% (387 reviews)
98% (387 reviews)

Popular camping styles for St. Ives

Star Hosts in St. Ives

Under £50

12 top campsites near St. Ives

100%
(2)

Cherry Masons Fruit Farm

45 units · Tents4 acres · England
A dog-friendly campsite that’s in a great spot for exploring southern Cornwall
Pets
Potable water
Campfires
Showers
Trash
from 
£14
 / night
100%
(52)

Sunny Corner Campsite

10 units · Tents10 acres · Saint Agnes, England
Back-to-basics camping with views of the sea in walking distance of St Agnes
Pets
Potable water
Campfires
Showers
Trash
from 
£30
 / night
79%
(7)

Ro Dama Community Farm

3 units · Tents9 acres · England
Rooted in the Dowr Konor watershed and overlooking St Ives’ Bay in Kernow/Cornwall, Ro Dama invites you into our space for connection, regeneration and rewilding of ourselves, our communities, our culture & heritage and our land. On site, we have a variety of pitch types, private, communal and camper van spots.
Pets
Potable water
Campfires
Showers
from 
£10
 / night
Booked 2 times

Sunset Camping

11 units · Glamping, Motorhomes, Tents2 acres · England
Peaceful Cornish Site, situated a few minutes drive from the A30 at Redruth, with far reaching countryside views. An ideal central base from which to explore Cornwall's mining heritage, beautiful coastline and quaint fishing villages. Dogs are very welcome. Feel at ease on every pitch at Sunset Camping, a quiet and very welcoming family-friendly campsite in central Cornwall. This west-facing spot is well positioned to soak up all-day sunshine and has some truly lovely views over the surrounding area. Here you can watch the sun setting over the sea, take an evening stroll along the coast at Portreath's dog-friendly beach (10 minutes' drive), or relax with your pet (if you've brought one) over an end-of-day barbecue or campfire back at base. As for your days, you won't be short of options to fill them here: this centrally located site is within an hour's drive of most of the Cornish mainland, with top highlights like the Lizard Peninsula, Falmouth, Newquay, St Ives and Padstow all easy to reach. Sunset Camping is in a particularly prime location for walkers and cyclists, close as it is to the protected coastal areas around Godrevy and St Agnes (both 10 minutes), the Coast To Coast Trail and the Great Flat Lode Trail (10 minutes), steeped in attractive country views and Cornish mining history. Redruth (five minutes) is conveniently close to hand too, with pubs, cafés, supermarkets, a cinema and a railway station where you can set off on car-free day trips. Even closer to home are a dog-friendly pub, a discount supermarket and a play park (at North Country) – all of these are within a handy 10-minute stroll. Directions - Postcode TR16 4AN What 3 words - Novels, Flame, Branching
Pets
Potable water
Campfires
Showers
Trash
from 
£12.80
 / night
Booked 5 times

The Growing Circle

2 units · Motorhomes, Tents10 acres · England
A three-pitch campsite in Cornwall between north and south coast beaches
Potable water
Campfires
Showers
Trash
from 
£26
 / night
99%
(99)

Cadgwith Wild Camping

21 units · Motorhomes, Tents7 acres · Porthleven, Cornwall, South West England
A dog-friendly campsite on a farm in Cornwall where every pitch offers a sea view
Pets
Potable water
Campfires
Showers
Trash
from 
£25
 / night
94%
(61)

Ryn Gwari Farm

15 units · Glamping, Motorhomes, Tents2 acres · Penzance, Cornwall, South West England
A family-friendly, 10-pitch campsite in Cornwall with big views, rustic facilities and a touch of magic
Pets
Potable water
Campfires
Showers
Trash
from 
£10
 / night
99%
(170)

Coverack Camping

113 units · Glamping, Motorhomes, Tents7 acres · Cornwall, South West England
Traditional family camping near Coverack, with the promise of coast, countryside and Cornish ice cream
Pets
Potable water
Campfires
Showers
Trash
from 
£12
 / night
Booked 5 times

Tregella Place Camping

40 units · Motorhomes, Tents12 acres · Cornwall, England
Tregella Place Camping offers a peaceful retreat in the quiet Cornish countryside. With lovely farmland views, this rural park provides a satisfying stay while still being close to necessary amenities. You can easily pick up fresh eggs from a nearby chicken farm, and a supermarket and a pub serving food are just a short drive away. Food enthusiasts will appreciate the gastronomic hotspot of Padstow, which is only a 10-minute drive from the park and offers a variety of highly rated restaurants, coffee shops, and bars, including those helmed by chef Rick Stein. If you enjoy walking, you can take a scenic route through the cornfields to reach Padstow. On-site, you'll find a bar housed in a converted bus, serving Cornish beers and ciders, as well as live music on weekends. During high summer, there is a pop-up street kitchen and a communal picnic area for family dining. The facilities at Tregella Place Camping are, including a shower block with family-size showers, changing areas, electric points for charging devices, hairdryers, and a washing-up area. The park also offers direct access to the South West Coast Path and is located near the Camel Trail cycle path for those who enjoy cycling adventures.
Pets
Potable water
Showers
Trash
from 
£20
 / night
100%
(3)

Higher Penderleath Resort

1 unit · Tent7 acres · St. Ives, Cornwall, South West England
Tranquil countryside escape with beautiful surroundings. St Ives is just five minutes away by car where you can enjoy a lovely selection of sandy beaches and warm seas. There are a variety of shops including the famous arts and crafts galleries and many activities, attractions and country pub and restaurants in the local area for all the family.
Pets
Potable water
Showers
Trash
from 
£25
 / night
93%
(7)

Wildflower Meadow Camping

20 units · Motorhomes, Tents3 acres · Porthleven, Cornwall, South West England
Wild camping near Kynance Cove on the Lizard Peninsula, with fresh produce delivered to your tent.
Pets
Potable water
Showers
Trash
from 
£20
 / night
93%
(164)

Mount Pleasant Eco Park

81 units · Glamping, Motorhomes, Tents42 acres · Cornwall, South West England
Eco-friendly camping with campfires, an excellent café and knock-out sea views, all within walking distance of the beach
Pets
Potable water
Campfires
Showers
Trash
from 
£28
 / night

Dog-friendly getaways

Available this weekend

Value Prop
Value Prop

Campsites near St. Ives, Cornwall guide

Overview

Both a beloved family vacation spot and Cornwall’s cultural epicentre, seaside St Ives buzzes with activity from dusk to sundown. Wake up early for a surf class, hike along the South West Coast Path, and spot seals and seabirds from The Island, then relax at one of many cafés looking out across the harbour. Once you’ve had your fill of beachy sea and sand, head into the town to stroll the cobbled lanes, browse the galleries and artisan boutiques, and admire art masterpieces in the Tate St Ives. Camping is equally varied, whether you prefer a tranquil country camping ground or a 5-star holiday park.

Top 3 Things to Do in St Ives

There's a reason St Ives has been named the British Travel Awards' Best UK Seaside Town on multiple occasions: there are few places better to get your dose of sun and sand than here.

1. Hit the beach

Spending the day at the seaside will be at the top of most people’s list when visiting St Ives. The shape of the St Ives peninsula means there’s a beach facing every direction, so whether you’re heading out to take photos at sunrise or going for a sunset paddle, you’ll see a beach that’s bathed in sunshine (assuming the sun is out, of course).

Choose Porthmeor or Porthminster blue-flag beaches for top-quality surfing and swimming, with the latter being the most popular beach in the region. Though the smallest beach in the area, the sheltered Porthgwidden proves a sun-trap throughout summer and is sought out among those looking to top up their town. At St Ives Harbour beach, you can admire the boats from your spot on the shore, while kid-friendly Carbis Bay and its tranquil waters are just a mile from town.

2. Wander the town

Visitors can walk along St Ives’ cobbled streets to the harbour and working port, where fishers go by in their boats. Shops, galleries, cafes and pubs line its street, great spots for dining out while overlooking the harbour.

Wandering the maze of independent shops and galleries in St Ives is a nice way to while away an afternoon, and a trip to Tate St Ives is a great place for rainy days. The Barbara Hepworth Museum and Sculpture Garden is another cultural hotspot, dedicated to one of the region's most influential artists. The historic St Ives Society of Artists, meanwhile, features changing exhibitions through the year.

3. Get active

If browsing art galleries isn't your cup of tea, how about something more upbeat? You can go for a run or ramble on the South West Coast Path, the UK's longest national trail at 630 miles, which can be picked up from St Ives and runs around the southwest peninsula. We wouldn't recommend the St Ives 14-mile walk in one trip, but even following a portion of the trail affords some magnificent views.

To get active in the water, a stand-up paddleboard or kayak can be hired at the beach, or you can also take a boat trip to Seal Island to see a grey Atlantic seal colony.

Where to go

Penwith Peninsula

Cornwall’s western arm is a rugged wilderness of soaring sea cliffs and windswept headlands. Hike along the coast, stopping to swim at hidden sandy beaches, discover Bronze Age ruins, and camp out at remote coastal campsites. A visit to Land’s End, the westernmost point of mainland Britain, is a rite of passage for travellers, but equally enchanting is St Michael's Mount, an island monastery marooned off the south coast.

North Coast

East of St Ives, the coastal road to Newquay winds its way past rocky coves, ocean lookouts, and pretty fishing villages. Newquay and Bude are the destinations of choice for budding surfers, but if you prefer a more relaxed beach vibe, head to Perranporth or Port Isaac. Additional highlights include the ruins of Tintagel castle and the foodie hub of Padstow, where you can tuck into everything from seafood to Cornish pasties.

Isles of Scilly

Ferries set sail from Land’s End or Penzance to the Isles of Scilly, a cluster of tiny islands off Cornwall’s western tip. Camping on the islands is a retreat from the mainland crowds, and you can pitch your tent amid verdant farmlands or right by the seafront. Simple pleasures await on the islands—lounge on white-sand beaches, hike along rugged headlands, and spot wildlife along the coast.

Family Holidays in St Ives

St Ives is an ideal destination to take your kids, as the Cornish town is a hugely popular destination for family holidays. With many of its campsites within close proximity to its top spots and gorgeous beaches, St Ives makes for a laid-back trip to take with the kids in tow.

If you're looking to start your holiday off with a bang, then you could even book a trip with the St Ives Bay Line, a train journey from St Erth to St Ives that offers an incredible view of the coast.

Once in St Ives, the kids will love the family-friendly blue-flag beach of Porthminster, which is safe for shallow swimming (dogs are only welcome in winter) and offers views of Godrevy Lighthouse in the distance. It's spacious, too, giving you and your clan plenty of room to find your spot in the sand. If you have younger kids, we'd recommend Cardis Bay, which has far less surf than its counterparts, ideal for toddlers on a supervised paddle.

For evening entertainment, Kidz R Us is an award-winning youth theatre group that hosts events throughout the year. The group works with children, teenagers, and young adults, putting out shows for everyone to enjoy, from musicals to pantomimes.

When to go

Summer vacationers descend on St Ives in July and August so expect big crowds. Advance bookings are essential at this time, for everything from campsites to restaurants. Shoulder-season campers can make the most of lower prices and fewer crowds, and it’s often still warm enough to swim—lifeguard patrols run from easter through early October at the main beaches. For the biggest waves, seasoned surfers hit the water in winter.

Know before you go

  • St Ives has a few camping and outdoors stores where you can pick up supplies for your camping trip. 
  • St Ives has public transport links to many 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.

Safety at Hipcamp

Inclusion Policy
Inclusion Policy
Inclusion Policy
Hipcamp Hand

Safety partners

Recreate Responsibly

About us

Cool Camping is now Hipcamp, your best resource for beautiful private campsites.

Discover & reserve tent camping, caravan parks, cabins, treehouses, & glamping.

Download the Hipcamp App

Hipcamp is created with ❤️ and hope for our future.