Cornwall Beach Parking Guide for Campervans
Cornwall has the best beaches in the UK. It also has the strictest parking enforcement. Here is how to park near every major Cornish beach without getting a ticket.
North Coast
- Bude: Summerleaze Beach car park (pay and display, no overnight). Crooklets Beach has a large car park. For overnight, park at the Bude Falcon Hotel car park (£8 overnight) or the Bude overflow lot near the golf course.
- Polzeath: Main car park, £8/day. No overnight. Try the layby on the B3314 towards Port Isaac — 4-5 van spots with sea views.
- Newquay: Fistral Beach car park (height barrier, 2.1m). Towan Beach — metered street parking. Overnight: use the Trenance Gardens car park (free 6pm-8am).
- Perranporth: Beach Road car park, pay until 6pm. Overnight on the B3285 near Perran Sands Holiday Park — quiet laybys.
- St Ives: Parking is a nightmare. Best option: Park at the St Ives Park & Ride (Trenwith, £6/day, height 2.4m) and walk or take the bus to the beach. Do not try to park in town with a van.
South Coast
- Polperro: Village car park, height barrier 2.0m. Park at the top of the hill on the A387 (layby) and walk down.
- Fowey: Readymoney Cove car park, £5/day. No overnight. Caffa Mill car park (2.3m height) allows overnight for £10.
- Porthpean: Near St Austell. Large car park, £4/day. Overnight tolerated outside summer season.
- Gorran Haven: Beach car park, small. Better to park in Gorran Churchtown and walk 15 minutes.
- Portscatho: Roadside parking on the Roseland Peninsula. Quiet, no restrictions.
Overnight Parking Tips
- National Trust car parks: Many allow overnight parking for members (free after 6pm, leave by 9am). Download the NT map app.
- Council car parks: Most Cornwall Council car parks are free 6pm-8am. Check signs — some have overnight bans.
- Laybys: The B3306 (St Ives to St Just) has dozens of coastal laybys. Best overnight spots in Cornwall.
- Avoid: Yellow lines (enforced 24/7 in many Cornwall towns), spaces with "no overnight camping" signs, beach car parks between May and September (enforced).
Seasonal Restrictions
Easter to October: Most beach car parks have strict no-overnight policies. Wardens patrol from 7am. November to March: much more relaxed. Many car parks are free and overnight is tolerated.
Best Free Spots
- Porthcurno: NT car park, free after 6pm. Amazing sunset views.
- Lizard Point: Large parking area. Quiet overnight.
- Godrevy: NT car park, cliffs above the beach. £4/day for non-members, free 6pm-8am.
- Gwithian: Towans car park (large, near the beach). Free in winter.
Amenities
- Fresh water: Most council car parks have taps (seasonal)
- Elsan: Newquay Treloggan Lane services (£3), St Ives Park & Ride
- Pubs with parking: The Sloop (St Ives), The Weir (Bude), The Ship (Portreath)
