Camping in a Sunkissed Meadow in Cornwall sounds pretty appealing. And camping in this particular one certainly is if you like a relaxed site with views of rolling countryside. It’s a quiet and back-to-basics place, which will suit campers who like things on the wilder side. Though, having said that, it’s a rather sweet and sedate type of wild. Wake up early here and before you collect eggs laid by the on-site chickens, you might be lucky enough to spot bunnies nibbling in the meadow. If you’ve run out of milk for your morning cuppa, just stroll five minutes down the road to the well-stocked local shop. This campsite may be just a few miles over the border with Devon but stay here and you’ll find a real taste of life in a rural Cornish village.
Harrowbarrow is the name of the place and it’s on the edge of this Tamar Valley village that you’ll find Sunkissed Meadow. It’s hosted by Margrethe, who grows veg and keeps chickens at the bottom of this gently sloping four-acre field. The rest is yours to enjoy. There’s a communal fire pit, a mini stonehenge, and a shared kitchen that’s warmed by a log burner in case, on occasion, the meadow doesn’t live up to its sunkissed name. Three loos, one shower, and an open-air sink complete the picture. Pitches are off grid, wherever you please and you can park your car next to your tent. If you don’t fancy pitching one, there’s the option to hire a bell tent (furnished or unfurnished) or, for an even easier time, there’s a kitted-out log cabin.
The glampier options are a blessing for anyone who’s using this as a stopover on their way further south west. It’s a good location for that; just past Dartmoor and the Tamar Valley but still a couple of hours from Cornwall’s furthest reaches. But some might say there’s little need to drive so far when you can get a good taste of the county from here. Sunkissed Meadow sits at the gateway to Cornwall within reach of much of what people come here for: wild moors and sandy beaches, quiet countryside, sleepy villages, and starry night skies.
Sunkissed Meadow is in the south east of Cornwall between the village of Calstock (four miles) on the River Tamar and the town of Callington (three miles). The river and the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty it sits in provides many of the interesting places to visit in the area. There’s the National Trust’s Coethele, a Tudor house with a historic quay in a sprawling estate just three miles from site, and then there’s Kingsmill Reservoir on the Tamar Estuary, 10 miles away. For a walk, head a couple of miles up the road to Kit Hill Country Park. Scale the hill for amazing views and a well-deserved bite to eat in the Louis Tea Rooms at the top. The closest beach to the campsite is at Seaton (not to be confused with Seaton in Devon) closely followed by Looe (18 miles), about a half hour drive away on the south coast. Host Margrethe suggests heading the extra 20 minutes or so to reach Bude (32 miles) on the north coast for the wide sandy beach and surfing. Dartmoor National Park stretches away to the east and provides plenty of opportunities for walking and exploration - as does Bodmin Moor, 11 miles to the west.
There’s a small village shop and post office in Harrowbarrow, just a five-minute walk from the campsite, which sells local meat, fresh produce and lovely baked goods – as well as all the basics. The closest pub is The Carpenter’s Arms in the nearby village of Metherell, about a mile down the road, which serves food at weekends. The Rifle Volunteer in St Ann’s Chapel (two miles away) and is another recommended option for a meal out. Callington is the closest town and has a big Tescos if you want a supermarket as well as plenty of places to eat and drink. The Louis Tea Rooms at the top of Kit Hill (three miles) has lovely views and does good breakfasts and food throughout the day.
