Cornwall | Tip Toe

Devon & Cornwall

International dialling code: +44

Driving on the left

Police, Fire, Ambulance, Mountain Rescue and Coastguard 999

European Emergency Dial: 112

Border Crossing(s)

Entry: Typically via road - A38

Additional information: No border checks.

Approximate time to clear: Normal traffic conditions

Exit: Via road A38

Additional information: Normal traffic conditions

Approximate time to clear: NA

The trip - 'Pirate Knights'

Cornwall is a real English gem and very popular in the 'travelling season'. The suggested route is a trip of about 556 miles it can be done in either direction; starting near Exeter and following the Channel coast via Lands End to Bridgwater (or vice versa). Some real gastronomic excellence can be found here including fantastic fresh seafood straight from the fishing boats. Have a go at learning to make an authentic Cornish Pastie in Cornwall and enjoy some of the best Cream Teas in Devon. Water sports including Surfing, Paddle Boarding, Kayaking and Sailing. Walking and camping on the moorlands, fantastic coastal walks and of course the home of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table and the legendary tales of smuggling and piracy.

Things to do and places to see

Some useful planning websites:

Visit Cornwall. The official tourism website for visitors to Cornwall.
Trip Advisor is a good starting point to find things to do and places to visit in the UK
Cornish Pastie Association. For those that want to make their own at home!

Torquay. Known as the English Riviera. Try a gin making experience at the Gin Nest.
Paignton. Paignton Beach. Paignton Zoo. Paignton Pier. Roundham Head, part of the South West Coast Path.
Brixham. Brixham harbour. Berry Head Nature Reserve.
Dartmouth. Ferry from Kingswear. Britannia Naval College. Dartmouth Castle.
Salcombe. The Crab Shed restaurant. Salcombe to Bolt Head walk. Coasteering. Rib rides.
Plymouth. The Hoe. The Barbican. Wembury beach. Mayflower Museum. Comedy in a Cave.
Princetown. Plume of Feathers. Walking on Dartmoor.
Fowey. River trips. St Catherine's Castle. Maritime Centre. Boddinick, Polruan and Fowey South Coast Path walk. Paddleboarding.
Falmouth. Pendennis and St Mawes Castles. Fishing trips. Diving. The Fal River.
Lizard. Lizard Point and Kynance Cove. Lighthouse and Heritage Centre.
Helston. Museum of Cornwall. RNAS Culdrose. Helston Railway. Flambards Theme Park. Cornish Seal Sanctuary. Gunwalloe Beach and Loe Pool for a picnic. Kestle Beach Art Gallery.
Penzance. Mousehole Harbour. Jubilee Pool. Penlee House Gallery. South West Coast Path Penzance to Marazion. Penzance Helicopters.
Lands End. The most south western point of the United Kingdom and the starting point for many for many adventures across mainland UK to John O' Groats in Scotland. Eden Project, Minack Theatre. St Michael's Mount.
Cape Cornwall.
St Ives. St Ives Beach. Museum. Surf School. Cornish Coastal Path. Barbara Hepworth Museum and Sculpture Garden. Carbis Bay beach.
Newquay. Zoo. Activity Centre. Water sports. Cornwall Aviation Heritage Centre. Blue Reef Aquarium. Horse riding. Diving. Cornish Hamper Store.
Padstow. The Seafood Restaurant (Rick Stein). The National Lobster Hatchery. The Pig at Harlyn Bay. Jo Downs Glass Gallery.
Port Isaac. Fishermen's Friends sea shanties on the Quay. Doc Martin was filmed here. Port Gaverne Beach and Cove. Surf schools, cliff top walks.
Tintagel. King Arthur and the Slate Coast. Tintagel Castle. St Nectans Glen. The Vale of Avalon and the Arthurian Centre.
Jamaica Inn. Bodmin Moor. Piracy and smuggling folklore.
Launceston. English Spirit Distillery. Bodmin Moor. Launceston Castle.
Bude. Surfing.
Ilfracombe.
Bridgwater.

Places to stay

Hotels and AirBnB properties are widely available around the area.

Camping Associations and Clubs

Campsites in the UK can be found on the internet as follows. Campsites including places (like hotels) that allow camping within their grounds. The average price per night for two adults in the UK is €25.33 (GBP £21.63)

The Camping and Caravanning Club. 100 club sites owned and operated by the Club. Saving up to 30% on club sites. A total of about 1300 member sites. Membership approximately GBP £42.00 per annum.
Caravan and Motorhome Club. Doesn't seem to cover Scandanavia. Annual membership £64. Saving of up to £150 per year when staying at 2700 member sites. Discounts on campsites, ferries and insurance
PitchUp. A UK based website promoting Camp sites in UK and Europe.
Camping Card International. Discounts of up to 25% in 3061 campsites in 40 countries. Must be a member of an FICC organisation or club to qualify. A plastic ID Card that can be used globally.
The CampingCard ACSI, which provides a low season touring discount across European campsites. Cost €12.95 per annum.
Campsites.co.uk. An online booking platform for campsites.

Campsites

Campsites to support the proposed route and activities below are as follows, please note there are others:

Sennan Cove Camping and Caravan Club. Situated on the Land’s End peninsula, within a few miles of both the north and south coasts of Cornwall. A couple of miles north of Sennen Cove, the campsite enjoys sea views over the cove from some pitches. From £7.35 per night.
Bristol Mendip View Camping. CCC certified CSI site. Price £20-£30 per night.
Widdicombe Farm Touring Park, Torquay. Cost £14.50 - £35.00 per night. Poppies licensed restaurant offer lovely home cooked meals and takeaways. With entertainment in Gordons Bar and a mini bus service. Relaxing peace and quiet in the park, entertainment and home cooked meals.
Dartmouth Camping and Caravan Club Site. Cost from £8.00 per night. Spacious pitches, a large camping field and a family shower room are among the facilities on offer. Local Farmers’ markets in Dartmouth on the second Saturday of the month and Kingsbridge on the first Saturday in the month.
Salcombe South Sands. A quaint bay located in Salcombe, Devon, and this is a place that has become popular amongst families and those looking for relaxation day out rather than a rowdy and overcrowded beach environment.
Pilgrims Rest. Certified Site near Wembury. Cost from £16 - £20 per night. Very basic facilities.
Tavistock Valley View Farm. A CSI. Basic but clean facilities. Cost from £14 - £16 per night.
Polruan Camping & Caravanning Site. Close to Fowey. Cost £22 - £24 per night.
Helford River Camping, Falmouth. Cost £11 - £19.
Mullion Teneriffe Farm Campsite, near Lizard. Cost £19 - £28.
Sennen Cove. Cost £7.95 per night. Plenty of places to go and things to see from this site.
Polmanter Touring Park, St Ives. £19.50 - £53 per night. Our five star facilities include modern heated showers and toilets, tennis courts, superb heated outdoor swimming pool, bar, restaurant, take-away, treatment rooms and indoor soft play area. Self catering apartments also available.
Bosoughan Farm, Newquay. Cost £12 - £18. A small site. Need to book early.
Macdonalds Farm, Padstow. Cost from £38 per night. Site has a shop, bar area and outdoor seating plus a play activity park and farm animals that the children can visit plus pony rides at selected times. Also has a laundrette and freezer area, plus washing up area and wetsuit/dog wash and food pop up evenings throughout the season. The nearest beach, Porthcothan is a delightful little bay, great for bathing and surfing. Complete with sand dunes and rock pools, all combined to make it an idyllic place for families, groups and couples. There is also a bus stop to take you either way along the coast.
Mill Meadow Campsite, Port Isaac. Cost £12 - £16. A small site. Book early.
Bude. Cost from £6.65. An area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) on the north Cornish Coast. A bit remote.
Sunnymead Farm Camping & Touring Park. Cost £18 - £36 per night.
Burton Springs, Bridgwater. £15 - £35 per night. Pub and restaurant within easy walking distance.

Wild camping
Rules on wild camping vary across the UK. Generally it is not allowed in England with the exception of:

Dartmoor
- Guidelines on wild camping on Dartmoor can be found here.
- Wild backpack camping is allowed in the Dartmoor National Park.
- Campervans and caravans should use campsites.
- Some of the roads may not be suitable for larger vehicles. Take a look at the map of Coach and Motorhome Routes for Dartmoor.

Cornwall welcomes those that plan ahead and book in advance. Cornwall has become increasingly popular and unfortunately some wild campers have left rubbish and even human excrement behind in the more popular spots. This has angered local land owners, frustrated local communities and is not conducive to tourism; it endangers human health, wildlife and the natural environment. The few have ruined it for the responsible majority and the practice of wild camping therefore in much of Cornwall is no longer tolerated. Do not expect a warm welcome in these areas and expect that byelaws will be enforced. All is not lost however; see below.

Park4Night. It is recommended that you install the App 'Park4Night' on your mobile telephones or Tablet. This App is really designed for Campervans and Motorhomes but it provides details of places that you can stay for the night if you don't want to use a mainstream campsite. Not all sites are free and many may not have facilities but most allow you to get off the beaten track a little.

Brit Stops Guide. The Brit Stops book contains details of over 1000 hosts who are all looking forward to meeting Britstoppers. The book features country pubs, farm shops, vineyards, breweries, craft / antiques centres, etc. all offering an invitation through the Brit Stops scheme to stay over for one night in your motorhome or campervan in a safe environment - free of charge! These are not camp sites, so they won't have shower blocks or overnight toilet facilities, and you can't book a pitch, but you do get a pleasant stopover somewhere off the road, and a bit different. Price £28 plus postage and packing. (Note: Brit Stops is not suitable for caravans, unconverted vans, cars or tents. Campervans and Motorhomes need to have a toilet onboard).

Any other suggestions / Information:

2. TBC