Introduction
Cornwall is the crown jewel of UK van life. With 300+ miles of coastline, the famous Land's End, stunning sandy beaches, picture-perfect villages, and a climate that's arguably the mildest in the UK, Cornwall draws van lifers from across the country every single year. The county's compact size means you can go from the rugged north coast to the golden sands of the south in under an hour, and the labyrinth of single-track roads between them reveal secrets that most tourists never find.
But Cornwall is more than just St Ives and Padstow. Beyond the tourist corridors lie ancient tin mines, world-class surf breaks, hidden coves with no road access, and a van life community that's been building for decades. This guide covers everything you need to know about living the van life dream in Cornwall.
- Wild camping — Best spots north and south of the river Tamar
- Campsites — From basic field sites to full-service parks
- Beaches — Beyond St Ives and Penzance
- Food & supplies — Where to shop, eat, and find fuel
- Budget tips — Avoiding the Cornwall price premium
- Scenic routes — The A30, B3278, and forgotten lanes
- Weather & seasons — When to go and what to expect
“Cornwall isn't a destination you visit — it's a place that stays with you. The light here, the coastline, the people — it all gets under your skin. This is the closest thing the UK has to paradise.
Table of Contents
- Wild Camping in Cornwall
- Best Campsites in Cornwall
- Hidden Beaches
- Beyond St Ives & Penzance
- Scenic Driving Routes
- Budget Tips
- Food, Fuel & Supplies
- Weather & Seasons
- Practical Tips
- FAQ
1. Wild Camping in Cornwall
Unlike Scotland, Cornwall's wild camping is permission-based rather than a legal right. You need the landowner's consent, but in practice, most farmers and landowners don't mind if you're discreet.
1.1 The Roseland Peninsula & Carne
The Roseland Peninsula is one of Cornwall's best-kept secrets. Long sandy beaches, gentle single-track roads, and plenty of hedgerow parking. Pick any lane that leads away from the villages and you'll find your spot.
Carne Point at the tip of the peninsula is wild, sandy, and heavily frequented by van lifers in summer. Park early in good weather.
1.2 The Lizard Peninsula
Head south to Lizard Point, then explore the headlands. Watch for sheep and cows. Parking on cliff tops is common, and the views are dramatic. The Lizard has some of the best wild camping potential in Cornwall.
1.3 North Cornwall — Beyond St Ives
- Porthlea Bay — Hidden behind dunes, only visible at low tide. Excellent wild camping behind the beach.
- Carbis Bay — Less crowded than St Ives, beautiful sandy beach, plenty of parking.
- Porthgresson — Tiny village, great for wild camping. The roads lead to dramatic cliffs.
1.4 East Cornwall — Bodmin & Bodmin Moor
- Bodmin Moor — Cornwall's equivalent of Dartmoor. Ancient granite, wide-open landscapes, and plenty of wild spots.
- St Austell Bay — Less touristy than the west, beautiful sandy beaches, and fishing villages.
- Fowey to Polkerris — A string of small beaches and coves. Any disused quarry or lay-by works.
“⚠️ Rule of thumb: If you can park without blocking a gate or farm entrance, and you move on after 2-3 nights, nobody minds.
2. Best Campsites in Cornwall
2.1 Premium Parks
1. Perranporth Caravan & Camping Park
- Facilities: Electric hook-up, showers, WiFi, playground
- Price: £18-28/night
- Why: 5-minute walk to the beach, big sites, family-friendly
2. Camelford Campsite
- Facilities: Electric, hot showers, washing-up, shop
- Price: £16-24/night
- Why: Central location, open year-round, large van pitches
3. Newquawto Caravan Park
- Facilities: Electric, WiFi, kettle station, dog-friendly
- Price: £20-30/night
- Why: Near Fistral Beach, surf spot, close to Newquay
2.2 Budget-Friendly
4. St Agnes Moor Camping
- Facilities: Basic (shed, toilet)
- Price: £10-15/night
- Why: Overnight stop for Land's End day trips, huge fields
5. Lostwithiel Commons Campsite
- Facilities: Toilet, water tap, basic parking
- Price: £8-12/night
- Why: Affordable, near the river, quiet
6. Padstow Riverside Camping
- Facilities: Showers, toilet, washing-up
- Price: £14-20/night
- Why: Close to the Estuary, great food scene
2.3 Wild-Free (Informal)
Many Cornwall campers skip campsites entirely. Popular informal spots include:
- Quarry car parks in North Cornwall (Lanhydrock, Bodmin)
- Disused service stations along the A30
- Farm track entrances — just ask the farmer
3. Hidden Beaches
3.1 The Big Three (Tourist Spots)
- St Ives — Porthminster Beach: Beautiful but crowded. Go before 9am or after 5pm.
- Porthmeor Beach: Stunning but get there early. Small car park fills by 8am in summer.
- Constantine Bay: Wide sandy beach, surf school, free parking (paid in summer).
3.2 Hidden Gems
| Beach | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Porthmin Beach | Near Land's End | Hidden behind dunes, only visible at low tide |
| Chyppor Haven | Near Mousehole | Tiny cove, great for swimming |
| Porthtowan | Near Porthleven | Wild, rocky, no facilities — pure Cornish |
| Trebarwith Strand | Near Tintagel | Accessible by path or ferry, stunning |
| Widemouth Bay | Near Bude | Long sandy beach, surf-friendly, free parking |
| Polkerris Cove | Near Looe | Protected, calm water, great for families |
| Lantic Bay | Near Port Isaac | Literary connection (Daphne du Maurier), stunning |
3.3 Surf Breaks
- Fistral Beach (Newquay) — World-famous, £8-12 surf hire
- Cults (Newquay) — Right-hand point break
- Porthtowan — Consistent, for intermediate surfers
- Summerleaze (Bude) — Long sandy beach, surf school
4. Beyond St Ives & Penzance
4.1 The North Coast
Padstow — Steve Cambden's playground, but worth it for the food. The estuary, the tidal beach at Rock, and the Camel Trail are all worth the drive.
Bude — Cornwall's surf capital with sandy beaches, a castle, and the Sebree Valley walks. Less touristy than Newquay.
Tintagel — Famous for the Merlin connection, but the wild Atlantic waves crashing against the cliffs are the real attraction.
Port Isaac — Doc Martin filming location, narrow lanes, but the harbour and coastal walks are genuine highlights.
4.2 The South Coast
Fowey — Beautiful harbour, sandy beaches, great restaurants. Can be expensive but worth it.
Looe — Two towns split by the river, fishing boats, the old lifeboat station, and the Looe Valley Trail for cycling.
Polperro — Cornwall's most picture-perfect fishing village. Tiny lanes, great fish and chips, coastal walks.
Kingsand & Cawsand — Across from Pembroke, the Kirkham Museum, and the Sandbelly Tavern. Authentic Cornish.
4.3 The Roseland
The Roseland Peninsula is Cornwall's best-kept secret. It's an hour from Land's End, half as crowded, and the beaches are almost postcard-perfect. Falmouth is the main hub, but the tiny villages of Mullion, Portloe, and Flushing are where the magic happens.
5. Scenic Driving Routes
5.1 The A30 — The Main Artery
The A30 is the longest single-number road in England. For van lifers, it's both a lifeline and a scenic drive. Key sections:
- Liskeard to Truro — Rolling countryside, past Bodmin Moor
- Truro to Penzance — The road climbs and drops through Cornwall's heart, passing St Austell, Lostwithiel, and Fowey
- Penzance to Land's End — The final push through St Ives Bay
5.2 The B3278 — St Ives Bay
From St Ives, the B3278 loops back through Carbis Bay, Porthgresson, and back. It's a single-lane road with constant ocean views.
5.3 The A39 Coastal Run
Newquay → Port Isaac → Padstow → Wadebridge → Launceston. This runs parallel to the A30 for the most part but hugs the coast longer.
5.4 The Forgotten Lanes
- From Camborne to Hayle — The B3278 cuts through moorland with stunning views
- From Helston to Penzance — The B3308 follows the coast through fishing villages
- From Looe to Polperro — The B3313 snakes between cliffs and estuaries
6. Budget Tips
Cornwall is expensive. Here's how to avoid the price trap:
- Shop at Lidl or Aldi — Tesco and Sainsbury's in Cornwall charge 10-20% more than mainland prices
- Fuel on the A30 near Bodmin — Often cheaper than the coastal towns
- Eat in Padstow, not St Ives — A meal in St Ives costs £5-10 more than the same meal elsewhere
- Wild camp off-season — April-October is peak; November-March is quiet and cheap
- Free washing up — At most sites, or use the leisure centres (Perranporth, Newquay)
- Fish and chips everywhere — It's cheap, filling, and genuinely excellent in Cornwall
- Use campervan service points — Many have free water taps and waste disposal
“Pro tip: The A38 east of Truro has significantly cheaper fuel and food than the coastal roads. Plan your big shop there.
7. Food, Fuel & Supplies
7.1 Best Supermarkets
| Store | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Tesco Extra | Truro | Biggest, best selection |
| Sainsbury's | Camborne | Large, cheaper than coastal |
| Lidl | Penzance, Falmouth, Newquay | Budget option, limited range |
| Aldi | Truro, Saltash | Good for basics |
| Farmers markets | St Ives (Sat), Padstow (Sun) | Fresh local produce |
7.2 Fuel Stations
- Nisa Local — Everywhere, but expensive
- Texaco/Motorway service stations — A30 has a handful
- Costco (near Truro) — Cheapest if you have a card
- Farm shops — Often have their own pumps
7.3 Van Life Supplies
- Truro — The hub. Halfords, B&M, Homebase, all chain stores
- Newquay — Good for outdoor gear and surf equipment
- Bodmin — Have a Peakmarket and B&Q
8. Weather & Seasons
| Season | Temp | Rain | Wind | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (Mar-May) | 8-14°C | Moderate | Moderate | Wildflowers, fewer crowds |
| Summer (Jun-Aug) | 15-22°C | Low | Light | Peak season, book campsites early |
| Autumn (Sep-Nov) | 10-16°C | High | Moderate | Storm season but fewer tourists |
| Winter (Dec-Feb) | 5-10°C | High | Strong | Quiet, dramatic, some closures |
Rain or not, Cornwall gets more sunshine hours than anywhere else in the UK. The maritime climate means frequent passing showers rather than all-day rain.
9. Practical Tips
9.1 Road Tips
- Single-track roads — Everywhere. Pull in at passing places, give way to uphill traffic
- Narrow lanes — Cornish lanes are narrow. Mirror checks, slow speeds
- Parking — In villages, park in bays. Don't block driveways or farm entrances
9.2 Mobile Coverage
- EE — Best overall coverage
- Vodafone — Good on the coast
- O2 — Fair in towns, poor in rural
- Three — Hit or miss
9.3 Waste & Grey Water
- Campsites — Most have waste disposal points
- Service points — Padstow, Perranporth, St Ives have service points
- Wild camping — Carry everything out. Don't dump in streams
FAQ
Q: Is wild camping legal in Cornwall? A: Technically no — it's permission-based, not a legal right. But in practice, landowners are lenient if you're discreet and move on.
Q: What's the best time to visit Cornwall by van? A: May to September for weather, but March-April and September-October for fewer crowds.
Q: Where can I find cheap fuel in Cornwall? A: The A30 near Bodmin or Truro. Coastal towns are expensive.
Q: Is Cornwall safe for solo van lifers? A: Very safe. Petty theft is rare. The main concern is finding good parking spots.
Q: Can I surf everywhere in Cornwall? A: Yes. Cornwall has 60+ surf beaches from Newquay to Land's End. Equipment hire costs £8-15/day.
