Author
Jack Blocker
Cornwall can feel like its own country. The county sits in the very southwest of the United Kingdom, and is characterized by rocky peninsulas and sweeping coastal landscapes. Locals are proud of their Celtic roots, as well as the mining and fishing villages that shaped the communities. This is a place with a distinct heritage—distinct enough to inspire calls for devolution from the UK. Cornwall can feel like its own country, because some people think it should be.
So what creates such regional pride? Along with its ancient history (think: Romans, battles, Penzance pirates), Cornwall boasts rolling countryside, bucolic fishing towns like Padstow and Porthleven, and cultural institutions the Eden Project and Tate St Ives. Pubs that pre-date the United States by about 400 years are common; as are pasties, the county’s signature food, along with fierce opinions about which pasties are best. The coast, pocked with coves and tall bluffs, reveals pools at low tide: some natural, some man-made. Others, like Bude Sea Pool in north Cornwall, are enormous combinations of the two. For those who don’t want to worry about rebounding waters, sandy beaches define the rest of the coastline. The surf can get really good, too—especially in the fall.
Weather-wise, west Cornwall boasts some of the highest annual average temperatures in the United Kingdom. A point of pride, perhaps, if the rest of the island wasn’t freezing and wet for most of the year. Even so, Cornish summers are often beautiful, with clear skies and waters so blue you might think you’re lounging on the Amalfi coast. The mild climes are also ideal for biking, camping, and hiking (or what the English call ‘going on a walk’). Winters are crisp and occasionally stormy, in a pleasingly dramatic, coastal way, with few tourists. Visit at this time of year and it can feel like you’ve got Cornwall to yourself.
For many British teenagers, crashing out in a cheap tent after a heavy night in Newquay is a rite of passage. However, if you want to camp in the Cornish countryside with the benefit of hot water, private bathrooms, and sturdier lodging, then glamping holidays are for you. Read on to review the best glamping sites in Cornwall.
14 Best Places for a Glamping Getaway in Cornwall
Drift Farm Triangle - Falmouth, UK
Vibe: Architectural A-Frame
For fellow A-Frame lovers, the Drift Triangle, near Falmouth, is a beautiful, micro cabin hand-built by local designer Heather Scott set on a working farm with sea views. She describes the A-Frame as a combination of “simplicity and strength,” qualities reflected in mid-century touches, clean finishes, and hardwood floors. A design marvel that takes glamping holidays to new heights.
Rate: £60/night
Trecombe Lakes Lakeside Lodge - Falmouth, UK
Vibe: Waterfront Wonder Lodge
There’s glamping, then there’s the kind that makes you want to quit your job and move there permanently. Trecombe lakeside lodge is luxury glamping that makes safari tents and tipis look like a ripped tarp. On cold days, enjoy the lodge’s underfloor heating; and when it warms up, relax by the water on the lakeside deck. There’s also a wood fired hot tub, if you aren’t feeling spoiled enough. The Eden Project, a landmark botanical garden, is nearby.
Rate: £282/night
Greenhouse Spa Retreat Pod - Pillaton, UK
Vibe: Treat Yourself
Rest and recharge in this secluded glamping pod tucked away in a garden. With access to spa amenities nearby and a barrel sauna on-site, this ain't your average camping holiday either. Besides the basic amenities, you'll have everything and more for a glam nature retreat.
Rate: £90/night
The Bird Box - Liskeard, UK
Vibe: Rustic, Wild Living
The rustic Bird Box glamping accommodation lives up to its name, as a morning chorus of songbirds will greet guests at this spot. A wood-burning stove, fire pit, hot tub, and king-size bed make for a comfortable stay. Guests can bring a dog, and enjoy walks in Bodmin Moor.
Rate: £90/night
Kudvha Cabin - Tintagel, UK
Vibe: Angular and off the Grid
The Kudvha cabins sit above the soft ground in an abandoned slate quarry near Cornwall’s north coast. This treehouse-inspired design features a double bed and fresh linen and towels. Cooking can be done over the fire pit outside, although a communal kitchen (and bathroom facilities) are located in a nearby reception area. Be sure to try the wood-fired hot-tub and swimming reservoir.
Rate: £122/night
Tiny Black Bean - Grade, UK
Vibe: Boho Cozy
Among other cozy glamping sites at Trennon Meadow Glamping, is the Tiny Black Bean, an off-grid, renovated caravan. The cozy accommodation contains a bed and kitchenette, and outside, a fire pit set-up to take in the surrounding natural-beauty.
Rate: £80/night
The Danish Cabin - Tintagel, UK
Vibe: Hygge With a Hot Tub
While the permanence of the Danish Cabin might not look ideal for convening with nature, the walls of the structure roll up, exposing guests to the woods and wild Cornish land that surrounds. This Tintagel glamping site, near Cornwall’s north coast, sleeps six, with private bathroom and kitchen facilities in the nearby reception.
Rate: £274/night
Ekopod - Launceston, UK
Vibe: Futuristic Stargazer
From the comfort of the king-size bed, watch the Cornish countryside unfurl from the windows of this geodesic dome. The glamping site, located near the Devon border, is dog-friendly and equipped with kitchen and bathroom facilities. Ekopod is perfect for a communal glamping break, as there are other domes on the grounds.
Rate: £105/night
Lydcott Glamping - Widegates, UK
Vibe: Estonian Eco Igloo
This igloo-inspired cabin, near Looe, was purpose-built in Estonia and shipped to Cornwall. The space can sleep six and comes with a kitchen and bathroom. Take in the sea views from the window, stay warm by the fire pit, or enjoy a hike along the coast path.
Rate: £190/night
The Beeches Glamping - Newquay, UK
Vibe: Glamping Micro-Resort
The Beeches Glamping pods, near Newquay on the north coast, sleep four and include ensuite shower rooms and smart TVs. But given the surrounding area, you probably won’t be trying to remember any WiFi passwords during your stay. The site acts as a small resort, with an honesty shop to stock up on essentials and a laundry room.
Rate: £135/night
Hideaway Huts - Liskeard, UK
Vibe: A Shepherd’s Solitude
Goodbye Airstream, hello shepherd’s hut. This well-appointed shepherd’s hut, north of Looe, offers expansive views of the Cornish countryside. It comes with a double bed and private bathroom, a small kitchenette, and a wood burning stove. The perfect place to escape, a hideaway with 150 acres to yourself.
Rate: £125/night
Porth Krow Cabin - Falmouth, UK
Vibe: Spectacular Harbour Views
The Porth Krow cabin is another Estonian import. The dog-friendly spot sleeps two and includes a shower room and WC. From the edge of the garden, guests can enjoy sea views and walk along the coast path to the nearby fishing village of Flushing.
Rate: £129/night
Luxury Bell Tent - St Agnes, UK
Vibe: Traditional Glamping, Location Flexible
This luxury bell tent is the perfect glamping option for flexibility, as the tent comes to you. After you’ve booked your glamping site, this service will arrive at the location—whether it’s a field in Liskeard or near the coast path in Lands End—and set everything up, and then take it down after you’ve gone.
Rate: £86/night
Luxury Dome - Mount Hawke, UK
Vibe: Summer BBQ Spot
A king-size bed, wood burner, and patio make this dome the perfect summertime stay in Cornwall. The large garden is the ideal barbecue spot, while the village of Mount Hawke is a short walk away. As an aside: if you prefer skating over surfing, Mount Hawke Skatepark, one of the UK’s largest and longest-running indoor facilities, happens to be in a field nearby.
Rate: £106/night
Published 04-12-2023
