Woodland glamping in Watergate Bay

For those looking to escape the crowds of Newquay, the golden sands of Watergate Bay lie just to the north. Life in Watergate Bay is all about the beach. Stroll along the sea cliffs, take to the water to swim or stand-up paddleboard, or enjoy kite-surfing along the 2-mile long sands, then grab dinner at a restaurant with views of the ocean. Summertime is peak season for swimmers and campers, with lifeguard patrols from May through September, and several campsites to choose from. For surfers, the biggest swells hit the shore in winter—just don’t forget your wetsuit!

95% (119) • 91 campsites

Top-rated campgrounds near Watergate Bay

Cornish Tipi Holidays & Camping

1. Cornish Tipi Holidays & Camping

97%

(147)

168 units · Tents, Motorhomes, Glamping · 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.

Campfires

Showers

Potable water

from

£25

/ night

Hideaway Camping

2. Hideaway Camping

98%

(43)

17 units · Tents, Motorhomes, Glamping · Okehampton, England

Carefree camping and glamping in Devon with a nature-friendly setting and imaginative owners

Campfires

Showers

Potable water

from

£13

/ night

Willow Valley Holiday Park

3. Willow Valley Holiday Park

100%

(16)

31 units · Tents, Motorhomes, Glamping · Bude , England

This peaceful, sheltered site has a special character. The site is the ideal place to unwind with plenty of safe space, a meandering river and friendly atmosphere. It offers 4 acres with facilities, 7 acres of wilderness, shower block, level pitches, picturesque river, children’s playground and has been rated AA 4 star gold pennant. Becky and John both love Cornwall and fell in love with the site as soon as they saw it and it provided the perfect opportunity for a new challenge. Having only recently taken over at Willow Valley in the Summer of 2024, there are always ongoing improvements being made so make sure you keep in touch. Any returning campers will be glad to know we aren’t changing the campsite itself though. Why would we when it is already so perfect!

Pets

Electrical hookup

Campfires

from

£29

/ night

Stones and Stars Boutique Glamping

4. Stones and Stars Boutique Glamping

2 units · Glamping · England

Escape to "Stones and Stars" - a brand new boutique glamping site with 5-10 tents surrounded by nature in a peaceful quarry on the edge of two lakes. Named after the star Sirius, this 5m luxury Bell tent has comfy bedding and everything you need to reconnect with nature. Explore nearby sandy beaches, forests and the vibrant maritime city of Plymouth or the remote Dartmoor. Charming communal areas and brand new luxury showers and toilets. Nature, comfort and adventure awaits!

Showers

Campfires

Potable water

from

£120

/ night

The Enchanted Wilderness

5. The Enchanted Wilderness

93%

(43)

6 units · Tents, Motorhomes, Glamping · Yelverton, England

Simple riverside camping pitches in the Tamar Valley on the edge of Dartmoor

Pets

Campfires

Showers

from

£28

/ night

KUDHVA Architectural Hideouts

6. KUDHVA Architectural Hideouts

8 units · Glamping · Tintagel, England

Stylish off-grid boltholes surrounded by nature on the Cornish coast

Showers

Campfires

Hot Tub

from

£120

/ night

Cotna Eco Retreat

7. Cotna Eco Retreat

100%

(10)

5 units · Glamping · Cornwall, South West England

An peaceful, eco heaven near the coast, on a 10-acre organic smallholding in Cornwall with yurts, a shepherd’s hut and a strawbale barn

Showers

Campfires

Wifi

from

£72

/ night

Koa Tree Camp

8. Koa Tree Camp

100%

(12)

9 units · Glamping · Devon, South West England

Relaxed, eco-friendly glamping in geodomes and cabins among the wildflowers of the North Devon coast

Pets

Showers

Campfires

from

£130

/ night

Dartmoor Domes

9. Dartmoor Domes

100%

(34)

4 units · Glamping · Plymouth, England

Geodesic glamping domes with a ceiling that lets you stargaze and a dark-sky setting on the edge of Dartmoor

Pets

Showers

Campfires

from

£140

/ night

Roehaven Yurt

10. Roehaven Yurt

100%

(4)

1 unit · Glamping · Holsworthy, England

An unforgettable escape reconnecting with nature in Roehaven, our brand new, 18ft hand-crafted yurt built by a local Dartmoor business. A truly peaceful getaway where the only interruptions will be the sound of birdsong and the lambs in spring. Set in over 10 acres of glorious Devon countryside and just 20 minutes from the North Cornwall coast, Roehaven will provide the perfect detox from busy modern life. A cosy, off-grid hideaway complete with log burner, bathroom and kitchen area.

Pets

Showers

Potable water

from

£75

/ night

Tremeer Farm Yurts Cornwall

11. Tremeer Farm Yurts Cornwall

83%

(6)

5 units · Glamping · Polperro, Cornwall, South West England

Yurts oozing luxury, one cedar hot tub, and the entire starlit Cornish sky

Showers

Campfires

Hot Tub

from

£145

/ night

Wild Hearth Woodland Cabin

12. Wild Hearth Woodland Cabin

100%

(1)

1 unit · Glamping · Launceston, England

A secluded off-grid woodland cabin in North Cornwall

Showers

Campfires

Potable water

from

£75

/ night

Spring Fields

13. Spring Fields

100%

(1)

3 units · Glamping · Lostwithiel, England

Set on 20 acres of natural fields with panoramic views, pond, woodlands and view walks. We have a seven acre field set aside for glamping with a Safari Camp and Shepherds Hut overlooking our natural pond complete with island. Stroll 100 metres to the farm mini shop, book a breakfast, order one of our luxury picnics or book a local distillery taster tour. Friendly farm animals, quirky accommodation, sunsets and glorious views.

Pets

Showers

Campfires

from

£135

/ night

Little Menherion

14. Little Menherion

3 units · Glamping · Redruth, England

A magical log cabin in Cornwall with a wild jacuzzi, luxurious amenities, and nature galore.

Pets

Showers

Campfires

from

£134

/ night

The Look Out

15. The Look Out

1 unit · Glamping · England

Welcome to the ‘Look Out’, our beautiful handmade pod, set in 12 acres of woodland and pasture nature reserve above our offgrid eco lodge - The Sanctuary Cornwall. First things first - this is for those guests who are used to camping and all that it entails, but with the opportunity to explore an offgrid stay with quite a bit more comfort than camping normally provides! It needs to be emphasised that booking this space is really for the relatively fit and active. There is one car parking space available half way up our driveway, but after that it is not only a walk uphill to the main building, but a further steep walk uphill to the Look Out. You will need to carry everything that you need. It is definitely worth it - the views are amazing! You are away and up above, but within easy reach of the Sanctuary. There will also be some filling and emptying of water containers involved, and you may like to charge the solar battery from the panel on sunny days! So, what do we offer? A king bed. Fair trade, organic bed linen, and cotton & bamboo towels. A fold up table and two wicker chairs. Charnwood wood burning stove, with firelighters, kindling, brush and poker set. Wood, selected and dried is available free of charge for the first basket, £5 after that. A tiny kitchen pod with a single gas burner and even tinier sink with pop up tap. Underneath, there is a 10 litre water container for fresh water and another for waste. These can be filled or emptied at the Sanctuary. There is a kettle, teapot, coffee pot, enamel mugs, crockery & cutlery, knives, breadboard and washing up things. A solar battery to provide power for the tap pump along with charging facilities for charging your phone or laptop (we hope you won’t be bringing work with you!) Led battery lanterns - we ask that you do not burn candles - we have a good range of battery candles for you. There is also a separate wooden shelter kitchen, with kitchen worktop, washing up bow and two burner gas stove. It has a cool box, saucepans, crockery etc and a lidded storage box for food. There is a 10 litre water container with a tap, and bins for kitchen waste, recycling and general rubbish. This is next to the Look Out, and there is a separate charcoal fire pit and seating under the trees. We ask that you burn nothing other than the fuel you are provided with. A composting toilet in its own, handmade building next to the Crow’s Nest, with a water container and small bowl for washing hands. An exclusive use shower room is back at the Sanctuary (a short walk downhill) and there is a separate flushing toilet (not exclusive, but only used by occasional staff members) Another outdoor kitchen for all guests with a gas barbecue, and wood fired pizza oven, picnic tables and an outdoor sink. You can wash up and fill your containers there from our own filtered spring water. This is at the side of the Sanctuary building. Storage benches on the covered deck area, with outdoor cushions, and a welly rack. In good weather, a pair of hammocks under the trees to relax in! Hopefully, during the season, there will be produce available from our new vegetable garden and polytunnel - as long as the voles, rabbits, pigeons, blackbirds & deer haven’t beaten us to it! You have a parking space in the carpark for one car - this is halfway down the steep entrance track. If you are nervous of driving small lanes and steep hills, we may not be right for you. We do not accept dogs at The Lookout, as we feel it is a bit small, and we do not allow dogs on any furniture so it’s not fair to them. Also, it is a wild landscape with deer etc and so there is no secure place for them to be other than on a lead. We are also adults only, and there are quiet hours between 10pm and 9am, and we are strictly no smoking. Although you are private at The Look Out, you are also part of our Eco Lodge surroundings, and nature reserve, and we also welcome bed and breakfast guests, so there will be others around. You are also welcome to join us for breakfast at the Sanctuary building for an extra charge. We have a good village pub, 5 mins walk away, (www.fishermansarmsgolant.co.uk) and a kayak/paddleboard company in the village (www.encountercornwall.com)

Showers

Potable water

Cooking equipment

from

£100

/ night

Private woodland in a shepherds hut

16. Private woodland in a shepherds hut

100%

(1)

1 unit · Glamping · Okehampton, Devon, South West England

A shepherd’s hut with a hot tub in a private woodland in Devon

Showers

Campfires

Hot Tub

from

£143

/ night

7. Cotna Eco Retreat

100%

(10)

5 units · Glamping · Cornwall, South West England

An peaceful, eco heaven near the coast, on a 10-acre organic smallholding in Cornwall with yurts, a shepherd’s hut and a strawbale barn

Showers

Campfires

Wifi

from

£72

/ night

Koa Tree Camp

8. Koa Tree Camp

100%

(12)

9 units · Glamping · Devon, South West England

Relaxed, eco-friendly glamping in geodomes and cabins among the wildflowers of the North Devon coast

Pets

Showers

Campfires

from

£130

/ night

Dartmoor Domes

9. Dartmoor Domes

100%

(34)

4 units · Glamping · Plymouth, England

Geodesic glamping domes with a ceiling that lets you stargaze and a dark-sky setting on the edge of Dartmoor

Pets

Showers

Campfires

from

£140

/ night

Roehaven Yurt

10. Roehaven Yurt

100%

(4)

1 unit · Glamping · Holsworthy, England

An unforgettable escape reconnecting with nature in Roehaven, our brand new, 18ft hand-crafted yurt built by a local Dartmoor business. A truly peaceful getaway where the only interruptions will be the sound of birdsong and the lambs in spring. Set in over 10 acres of glorious Devon countryside and just 20 minutes from the North Cornwall coast, Roehaven will provide the perfect detox from busy modern life. A cosy, off-grid hideaway complete with log burner, bathroom and kitchen area.

Pets

Showers

Potable water

from

£75

/ night

Tremeer Farm Yurts Cornwall

11. Tremeer Farm Yurts Cornwall

83%

(6)

5 units · Glamping · Polperro, Cornwall, South West England

Yurts oozing luxury, one cedar hot tub, and the entire starlit Cornish sky

Showers

Campfires

Hot Tub

from

£145

/ night

Wild Hearth Woodland Cabin

12. Wild Hearth Woodland Cabin

100%

(1)

1 unit · Glamping · Launceston, England

A secluded off-grid woodland cabin in North Cornwall

Showers

Campfires

Potable water

from

£75

/ night

Spring Fields

13. Spring Fields

100%

(1)

3 units · Glamping · Lostwithiel, England

Set on 20 acres of natural fields with panoramic views, pond, woodlands and view walks. We have a seven acre field set aside for glamping with a Safari Camp and Shepherds Hut overlooking our natural pond complete with island. Stroll 100 metres to the farm mini shop, book a breakfast, order one of our luxury picnics or book a local distillery taster tour. Friendly farm animals, quirky accommodation, sunsets and glorious views.

Pets

Showers

Campfires

from

£135

/ night

Little Menherion

14. Little Menherion

3 units · Glamping · Redruth, England

A magical log cabin in Cornwall with a wild jacuzzi, luxurious amenities, and nature galore.

Pets

Showers

Campfires

from

£134

/ night

The Look Out

15. The Look Out

1 unit · Glamping · England

Welcome to the ‘Look Out’, our beautiful handmade pod, set in 12 acres of woodland and pasture nature reserve above our offgrid eco lodge - The Sanctuary Cornwall. First things first - this is for those guests who are used to camping and all that it entails, but with the opportunity to explore an offgrid stay with quite a bit more comfort than camping normally provides! It needs to be emphasised that booking this space is really for the relatively fit and active. There is one car parking space available half way up our driveway, but after that it is not only a walk uphill to the main building, but a further steep walk uphill to the Look Out. You will need to carry everything that you need. It is definitely worth it - the views are amazing! You are away and up above, but within easy reach of the Sanctuary. There will also be some filling and emptying of water containers involved, and you may like to charge the solar battery from the panel on sunny days! So, what do we offer? A king bed. Fair trade, organic bed linen, and cotton & bamboo towels. A fold up table and two wicker chairs. Charnwood wood burning stove, with firelighters, kindling, brush and poker set. Wood, selected and dried is available free of charge for the first basket, £5 after that. A tiny kitchen pod with a single gas burner and even tinier sink with pop up tap. Underneath, there is a 10 litre water container for fresh water and another for waste. These can be filled or emptied at the Sanctuary. There is a kettle, teapot, coffee pot, enamel mugs, crockery & cutlery, knives, breadboard and washing up things. A solar battery to provide power for the tap pump along with charging facilities for charging your phone or laptop (we hope you won’t be bringing work with you!) Led battery lanterns - we ask that you do not burn candles - we have a good range of battery candles for you. There is also a separate wooden shelter kitchen, with kitchen worktop, washing up bow and two burner gas stove. It has a cool box, saucepans, crockery etc and a lidded storage box for food. There is a 10 litre water container with a tap, and bins for kitchen waste, recycling and general rubbish. This is next to the Look Out, and there is a separate charcoal fire pit and seating under the trees. We ask that you burn nothing other than the fuel you are provided with. A composting toilet in its own, handmade building next to the Crow’s Nest, with a water container and small bowl for washing hands. An exclusive use shower room is back at the Sanctuary (a short walk downhill) and there is a separate flushing toilet (not exclusive, but only used by occasional staff members) Another outdoor kitchen for all guests with a gas barbecue, and wood fired pizza oven, picnic tables and an outdoor sink. You can wash up and fill your containers there from our own filtered spring water. This is at the side of the Sanctuary building. Storage benches on the covered deck area, with outdoor cushions, and a welly rack. In good weather, a pair of hammocks under the trees to relax in! Hopefully, during the season, there will be produce available from our new vegetable garden and polytunnel - as long as the voles, rabbits, pigeons, blackbirds & deer haven’t beaten us to it! You have a parking space in the carpark for one car - this is halfway down the steep entrance track. If you are nervous of driving small lanes and steep hills, we may not be right for you. We do not accept dogs at The Lookout, as we feel it is a bit small, and we do not allow dogs on any furniture so it’s not fair to them. Also, it is a wild landscape with deer etc and so there is no secure place for them to be other than on a lead. We are also adults only, and there are quiet hours between 10pm and 9am, and we are strictly no smoking. Although you are private at The Look Out, you are also part of our Eco Lodge surroundings, and nature reserve, and we also welcome bed and breakfast guests, so there will be others around. You are also welcome to join us for breakfast at the Sanctuary building for an extra charge. We have a good village pub, 5 mins walk away, (www.fishermansarmsgolant.co.uk) and a kayak/paddleboard company in the village (www.encountercornwall.com)

Showers

Potable water

Cooking equipment

from

£100

/ night

Private woodland in a shepherds hut

16. Private woodland in a shepherds hut

100%

(1)

1 unit · Glamping · Okehampton, Devon, South West England

A shepherd’s hut with a hot tub in a private woodland in Devon

Showers

Campfires

Hot Tub

from

£143

/ night

Recent reviews from the Hipcamp community

Each yurt has its own unique style with brass and iron beds and feather duvets and wood burning stove.

C

Caitlin

August 2025

With kids

Weekend Trip to Tremeer Farm Yurts Cornwall

An absolutely beautiful stay on Sara's farm - the kids loved feeding the animals, the yurt was great and the hot tub and sauna were the perfect treat. The farm is surrounded by beautiful beaches too, a wonderful stay.

Somehow washing up outside feeds the soul!

M

Madeleine

August 2025

With kids

Weekend Trip to Roehaven Yurt

It would be an understatement to say we absolutely loved this place. We were lucky to have sunny dry weather at the end of August, but even so, we could not have been more enchanted with the place. John and Francine are incredible hosts who have gone out of their way to make this a very special experience. We were cosy and warm from the fire, which we managed to keep going thanks to the helpful instructions book. Having the use of our own outdoor sink, flushing toilet and (excellent) shower felt very luxurious. I could go on and on about the location of the yurt, the peace, the starts, the clean and cosy decor, the kitchen shed, which has absolutely everything you could need, the ice box fridge, bbq, etc but I don’t want to spoil the surprise. Book it and see for yourselves, you will not be disappointed.

F

Felicity

July 2025

Weekend Trip to Willow Valley Holiday Park

We had a lovely stay in the school bus! It was surprisingly roomy and very well equipped. Hosts were very welcoming on arrival and always about should we have needed help during our stay. The campsite itself was lovely and quiet, the facilities very clean and well maintained and a useful little shop should you need something! Would definitely recommend this stay to others - thank you!

K

Kerry

May 2025

With kids

Weekend Trip to Willow Valley Holiday Park

It was a brilliant weekend in Bluebird - the comfy, spacious American bus. We loved every minute! The campsite is really well set up and peaceful, I'd highly recommend both the site and the bus.

I

Ian

April 2025

With pets

Weekend Trip to Willow Valley Holiday Park

Really nice break over Easter. Becky and team were welcoming and helpful. The shepherds hut was brilliant. Thank you..

S

Sam

April 2025

With pets

3 nights at Willow Valley Holiday Park

We had a great stay in the bluebird bus, our little boy especially loved it. Nice touches such as the welcome bag, biscuits, some tea and small squash. Logs and lighters for the chiminea and log burner all added to a fantastic stay. The campsite itself was really peaceful and relaxing. The toilets and showers seemed to be brand new and really clean. Great location for the beaches and walks. We will definitely be back.

Victoria

April 2025

With kids

3 nights at Willow Valley Holiday Park

Our stay in Bluebird exceeded our expectations! The bus is fantastic and an incredible first glamping experience for our 2year old & 6year old boys! The bus was clean, comfortable and unique and the outdoor space was lovely, the boys loved toasting marshmallows in the firepit. Becky and John were wonderful hosts, friendly and welcoming & it’s clear they have put a lot of love into the whole site. Highly recommend if you are looking for a quirky glamping experience with your family!

Happy farmer sitting in a truck in a grassy field

Woodland glamping in Watergate Bay guide

Where to go

Northwest Coast

West of Watergate, Cornwall’s north coast is wild and windswept. The surf Mecca of Newquay is one of the region’s busiest hubs, while further south, St Ives is surrounded by sandy beaches and seaside holiday parks. Coastal hikes don’t come more spectacular than the South West Coast Path, which runs the entire length of the Cornish coast.

Northeast Coast

Sweeping headlands and rocky coves line the coast east of Watergate Bay. Enjoy sea-cliff walks along the Trevose Head Heritage Coast, spot sea-birds swooping along the shore, or take in the views from Pentire Point. Further north, discover the legacy of King Arthur at Tintagel Castle or hike up the High Cliff, Cornwall’s highest point.

South Coast

St Austell, Falmouth, and Fowey are the headline acts of the ‘Cornish Riviera’, a 30-minute drive south of Watergate Bay. Camping options range from family-friendly holiday parks to glamping in a luxury yurt, but whichever you choose, the beach is never far away. Don’t miss a visit to the Eden Project, famed for its giant rainforest biomes.

Bodmin Moors

Misty moorlands and ancient standing stones tempt intrepid hikers away from the coast to the Bodmin Moors. Visit in the summertime to hike amid fields of purple heather, picnic by Golitha Falls, then pitch your tent at a hillside camping ground. Look out for native ponies grazing the hillsides along the way.