Those in the know book their stay at diminutive Dennis Farm campsite in advance in order to ensure they don’t miss out. The tiny campsite occupies an isolated strip of coastal loveliness near Padstow and has just 24 grassy pitches – every one of which is a winner. The flat, well-managed space is less than an acre in size and offers unbeatable views across the Camel Estuary, where a bobbing flotsam of yachts, canoes and powerboats is only broken by the odd water skier, zipping a thin white slice through the summer scene.
The very best vantage points are at the far end of the site on a tiny plateau and are reserved for backpackers and cyclists. They arrive at the campsite in their droves too. The Camel Trail runs directly through Dennis Farm – you cross it to get to the smart loo block – and, as a result, makes it a popular stopping point. From here it’s a mere half-mile further to Padstow or, in the other direction, 10 miles to Bodmin via Wadebridge. The trail, following a disused railway line, is flat and well managed and popular with everyone from families walking to the beach, to horse-riders out on all day jaunts.
Down the slope from the tents, the campsite also boasts the ownership of much sought after boat moorings and a slipway that can handle anything from small dinghies to 14-footers. It’s not unusual to find canoes and inflatable kayaks propped along the campsite’s fence. By bike, by foot or by boat, there’ll always be something to keep you busy.
