Guide to Caravan Holidays in Cornwall

Cornwall has it all: golden beaches, subtropical gardens, massive cliffs, and beautiful fishing villages. It is no wonder that it is so popular, with hundreds of camping sites and holiday parks to choose from. Therefore, spending a caravan holiday in Cornwall is a trip and a lifestyle experience that allows people to find peace of mind in natural beauty.

This guide will introduce the best caravan holidays in Cornwall and show you how to plan and enjoy a wonderful trip. Furthermore, electricity is essential in your caravan trips. You need electricity to connect with others, guide your directions, and ensure safety. So, we recommend Jackery Portable Power Station, ranging from 99Wh to 12 kWh, to charge your electronics and devices outdoors in a compact size.                                    

Overview of Caravan Holidays in Cornwall  

Cornwall is perfect for caravan parks because it has a beautiful coastline, many beaches, pretty countryside, many different landscapes, and a strong tourism industry. This makes it an excellent place to enjoy outdoor activities and access beautiful natural scenery while staying in a caravan at a holiday park. Many of these parks are near the coast, so it's easy to get to surfing, walking trails, and cute coastal villages.  

Why Is Cornwall a Perfect Place for Caravan Trips?

Cornwall has a long, varied shoreline with sandy beaches, cliffs, and hidden coves that are great for beach days, walks along the coast, and water sports.

Cornwall has a lot to offer visitors besides the coast. It has rolling hills, moorland, and cute towns.

Activities that are good for the whole family: Many caravan parks in Cornwall are close to places like the Eden Project, Newquay's surfing spots, and historical sites that are good for families with kids of all ages. The weather in Cornwall is usually warm, which makes it a nice place to go caravanning all year long.  

When Is The Best Time to Visit Cornwall?

Most people agree that September is the best time to visit Cornwall because the weather is nice, there aren't as many tourists, and the sea is still warm from the summer sun. However, the best time to visit depends on what you want to do. For example, spring is a good time to explore the countryside, while summer is better for beach activities and surfing.

Summer: June through August is the busiest season, with the best weather and most people. It's a great time to go to the beach and surf, but it's also the busiest.

Spring: From April to May, it has nice weather, flowers that are in bloom, and fewer people. It's a good time to go for walks and see the scenery.

Fall: Many people think that autumn (September-October) is the best time because the weather is nice, there aren't as many people, and the water is still warm.

Winter: From November to March, it is the least busy and cheapest season. It's great for people who want to relax, but many sites may be closed.  

How to Prepare for a Caravan Holiday in Cornwall? 

Cornwall attracts countless visitors with its magnificent coastline, charming countryside, and rich history and culture. A caravan holiday in Cornwall will be an unforgettable experience. Here is a practical guide to planning one.

Tip 1: Decide on the Time

The peak season for camping in Cornwall is usually from May to September when the weather is pleasant, and there are relatively more tourists. If you want to enjoy the tranquillity and scenery better, you can avoid the peak period. Here are some events that are unique to Cornwall in different months:

• Cornwall's annual Spring Flower Show held in Lostwithiel in March or April

• Boscastle Walking Week held in April

• Agricultural Show held at the County Showgrounds in Wadebridge in June

• Falmouth International Sea Song Festival in June

You must also plan the number of days of your caravan trip according to the length of your holiday.

Tip 2: Choose the Right Caravan

You can rent or buy a caravan depending on your needs and budget. Rental companies usually offer a variety of models and configurations, from economy to luxury.

In addition, please choose the size of the caravan according to the number of people travelling and the amount of luggage. If you travel with a family, select a larger caravan and ensure enough sleeping area and storage space.

Before renting or buying a caravan, conduct a comprehensive inspection (including the kitchen, bathroom, heating, and air conditioning system) to ensure the vehicle is in good condition.

Tip 3: Plan Your Route and Campsite

Cornwall has many scenic campsites; you can plan your route according to your interests and time. Some popular campsites include Trevella Park near Newquay and Pentewan Sands Holiday Park near St Austell.

When planning your route, be flexible and adjust your itinerary according to actual conditions. For example, you can change your route and campsite when encountering bad weather or unexpected situations. Try to choose a route suitable for caravan driving and avoid roads that are too rugged or narrow.

Tip 4: Pack Your Caravan Supplies

In addition to the caravan facilities, you must prepare some travel supplies, such as sleeping bags, cooking utensils, tableware, outdoor tables and chairs, etc. The weather in Cornwall is changeable, so it is vital to be fully prepared.

One thing is important but easy to neglect in your caravan trip—a power source. Portable power stations are great for campers and people who don't use a lot of energy. They're great for short trips, light users, or people who like having options and being flexible. They can also be used with a regular car power system as a power source or backup.

Here, we recommend Jackery Portable Power Station, which is compact, lightweight, powerful, and easy to use. It can be used in your camping tent, caravan, or outdoor spaces and has a capacity ranging from 99Wh to 12 kWh to satisfy your power needs.

You can easily plan a perfect Cornwall caravan holiday with the above steps. Of course, the above guide to Cornwall caravan holidays is for reference only. You can make some adjustments according to your needs and actual situation.

Top 5 Caravan Holidays in Cornwall

Today, there are around 50 caravan parks in Cornwall. Some are near more accessible and touristy towns like Newquay and Bude. Others are located on the more remote Cornish coastline near Land's End, Penzance and the Lizard Peninsula. Here are five popular caravan parks in Cornwall:

1. Hendra Holiday Park

Location: Lane, Newquay TR8 4NY, United Kingdom

Web: Hendra Holiday Park 

Contact: +44 1637 875778

Facilities: Bike hire, disabled facilities, café / restaurant, drinking water, games room, kids playground, wwimming pool, W.C. disposal, fires allowed, toilet, WiFi, electric hookups

Price: From £30.45

Hendra Holiday Park is located in the Cornish countryside, just five minutes from Newquay. It covers 50 acres, including 80 acres of landscaped grounds. This fun-filled park has incredible on-site facilities, including an outdoor pool, restaurants, entertainment, and a children's playground. Dogs are also welcome in certain designated areas at Hendra Holiday Park (but not certain breeds).

2. Trevella Park

Location: Crantock, Newquay TR8 5EW, United Kingdom

Web: Trevella Park 

Contact: +44 1637 808465

Facilities: Outdoor pool, adventure playground, crazy golf course, fishing lakes, launderette, mini-mart shop, nature trail, pet-friendly accommodation available, superfast internet in accommodation, electric car charging point

Price: From £17

This beautiful floral destination (Trevella Park) has welcomed people for over 50 years. Its facilities include a heated swimming pool, fishing lake, and children's play area. Two lakes offer free coarse fishing, and a beautiful nature reserve is also available to explore. In addition, Trevella Park is just a short drive from Newquay's famous beaches, making it an excellent base for surfing enthusiasts.

3. Pentewan Sands Holiday Park

Location: Pentewan Sands, Pentewan, Saint Austell PL26 6BT, United Kingdom

Web: Pentewan Sands Holiday Park 

Contact: +44 1726 843485

Facilities: Bike hire, disabled facilities, café / restaurant, drinking water, kids playground, swimming pool, W.C. disposal, fires allowed, toilet, WiFi, electric hookups

Pentewan Sands Holiday Park is a beach lover's paradise near St Austell on the south coast near St Austell on the south coast. It's a tremendous seaside camping site on half a mile of golden sand, close to the Eden Project. Children can enjoy the seaside play park and indoor swimming pool here, while adults can try Cornish water sports or relax in the park's bar or restaurant.

4. Trethem Mill Touring Park

Location: Truro TR2 5JF, United Kingdom

Web: Trethem Mill Touring Park 

Contact: +44 1872 580504

Facilities: Disabled facilities, drinking water, W.C. disposal, electric hookups, toilet, WiFi

Price: From £35

Trethem Mill Touring Park is located on the Rossland Peninsula on the south coast of Cornwall, across the bay from Falmouth. Set in a valley surrounded by farmland, it offers a peaceful countryside retreat, perfect for those who enjoy the tranquillity. Although it covers just under 12 acres (there is a separate three-acre dog run), it is suitable for caravan, motorhome, and tent camping.

5. St Ives Bay Holiday Park

Location: 73 Loggans Rd, Hayle TR27 5BH, United Kingdom

Web: St Ives Bay Holiday Park 

Contact: +44 330 053 7000

Facilities: Bar or clubhouse, games room, indoor swimming pool, on-site restaurant/cafe, play area, car parking by pitch/unit, food shop, free WiFi, launderette, shower available, washing-up area, toilet block

Price: From £26

St Ives Bay Holiday Park is one of the best-located holiday parks in Cornwall. Here, you can walk on the beach. In addition to this, you can sign up for surfing lessons at the park's surf school (if the weather is good). Alternatively, you can swim in the indoor pool, although it does not have flumes and slides. St Ives Bay Holiday Park welcomes dogs, but they are not allowed on the beach in front of the park.

The five caravan holiday parks mentioned in this section are all places to consider if you want to spend your caravan holiday in Cornwall. However, if you want more accurate and detailed information, please visit their website or contact staff for consultation.

Jackery Portable Power Stations Explained

The best thing about a portable power station over a regular generator is that it doesn't need fuel or oil to work and doesn't give off harmful fumes. This makes it perfect for adventures like wild camping, where you want clean, quiet power.

A Jackery Portable Power Station is a small, battery-powered gadget that lets you get power on the go. It has AC, DC, and USB ports to run most home and outdoor appliances and smartphones. It's quieter than gas engines, doesn't emit pollution, and can be charged by solar panels, wall outlets, or car chargers.

Jackery Explorer 1000 Plus

The Jackery Explorer 1000 Plus will take your caravan trips to a new level. Its expandable capacity from 1.26 to 5 kWh makes it a solid portable power solution that delivers outstanding performance for outdoor activities and home backup, including caravans.

The Explorer 1000 Plus has a powerful 2000W pure sine wave generator and a 1264Wh LiFePO4 battery that lasts a very long time. This means that it has enough power for almost all of your devices. Adding up to three more battery packs makes increasing its power to 5kWh possible, which is pretty cool.

The MPPT technology ensures that solar panels work 99% of the time. With 4 SolarSaga 200W solar cells, it takes 2 hours to charge from 0% to 100% of the battery when plugged into a wall. You won't have to worry about losing electricity if you have a car (supporting carport recharging).

Jackery's ChargeShield fast charge technology is the best in its field. It uses a stepped variable-speed charging method to make charging safer and extend the life of battery packs by 50%. The power station can be fully charged in about 5.5 hours, even at 45°C outside.

The following are the working hours for using Jackery Explorer 1000 Plus to power caravan appliances:

(*The working hours are only for reference; the actual working hours depend on your usage.)

Jackery Explorer 2000 Plus

Jackery Explorer 2000 Plus is more powerful and versatile than 1000 Plus. It is a solid portable power solution that delivers outstanding performance for outdoor activities and home backup, including wild camping. With its impressive capacity and powerful output, this device can support the operation of essential appliances for weeks, even certain large appliances.

The Jackery Explorer 2000 Plus enables the addition of extra battery packs, increasing the capacity from 2 kWh to an impressive 12 kWh, thereby significantly satisfying your power needs. This solar product has a remarkable output of 3000W, which is almost all essential appliances indoors or outdoors.

The Explorer 2000 Plus stands out as a groundbreaking add-on battery pack that offers the convenience of recharging through solar panels, wall outlets or carports. This feature increases versatility, boosts charging efficiency, and shortens charging time.

ChargeShield is Jackery's advanced fast charge technology, featuring 62 protective mechanisms, 12 protective algorithms, and four types of physical safety protection. This technology uses a unique stepped variable-speed charging algorithm to enhance safety and extend battery pack lifespan by 50%.

The following are the working hours for using Jackery Explorer 2000 Plus to power caravan appliances:

(*The working hours are only for reference; the actual working hours depend on your usage.)

Tips for a Perfect Cornwall Caravan Holiday Trip

Here are a few tips you need to know when spending a caravan holiday in Cornwall:

Tip 1: Know the campsite rules in advance.

First, before booking, check the reviews and recommendations of other travellers to understand the quality of facilities and services at a caravan holiday park. Second, caravan parks have different rules, such as the number of people allowed to stay and pet policies, so understand and abide by them in advance.

Tip 2: Choose your arrival time carefully.

During the peak season, road traffic to Cornwall is also hectic, especially on weekends. Try to arrive midweek. It will make it easier to find a parking space and allow you to enjoy a more peaceful camping environment.

Arriving at the campsite early morning or evening can also avoid the daytime heat while enjoying Cornwall's stunning sunrise or sunset views.

Tip 3: Protect the environment.

Cornwall's natural beauty is one of its most fantastic attractions, and respecting the environment will help maintain it. Please use designated paths, dispose of garbage responsibly, and do not damage vegetation or affect wildlife.

Tip 4: Follow social etiquette.

Avoid making loud noises in the early morning and evening that could disturb other campers. If you bring pets, ensure they are under control and do not disturb others.

Tip 5: Safety first.

If the park allows barbecues, ensure they are completely extinguished in designated areas after use. Also, learn basic first aid and know the location of the nearest emergency medical facility.

Other Fun Things to Do in Cornwall

In addition to barbecues, games, and relaxing camping with friends and family in the caravan park, Cornwall has beautiful natural landscapes and a rich history. Here are some things to do in Cornwall that are worth considering:

Beaches and Water Sports

The coastline of Cornwall is dotted with beautiful beaches, from the vast sandy beaches of Perranporth to the secluded Kynance Bay. In addition, Cornwall borders the Atlantic Ocean, which is a gathering place for waves. Therefore, water sports enthusiasts can enjoy surfing, kayaking, stand-up paddle boarding and sailing here.

Here are five famous surfing beaches in Cornwall:

• Fistral Beach

• Gwithian Beach

• Perranporth Beach

• Polzeath Beach

• Porthmeor Beach

Walks and Hiking

Why not walk along Cornwall's coastline to truly appreciate its pure beauty? Cornwall's hiking routes feature the South West Coast Path, a spectacular wave-fringed route with sections suitable for casual and serious hikers. Inland routes such as the Camel Trail offer picturesque countryside views. For a more challenging hike, take on the rugged terrain of Bodmin Moor.

Here are five of Cornwall's best walking trails:

• Gribbin Head (4-mile circular trail)

• Porthcothan to Mawgan Porth (4.5-mile one-way)

• Kynance Cove to the Lizard (4.4-mile circuit)

• Sennen Cove to Porthcurno (6.3 miles one way)

• Nare Head (5.7-mile circuit)

Visit Historic Sites

You can also explore Cornwall's many historic sites and learn about its rich history. For example, visit the legendary birthplace of King Arthur (Tintagel Castle), which sits on a cliff on the north coast. Or, visit the Lost Gardens of Heligan near Mevagissey (rediscovered in 1990).

Here are five historic sites to visit in Cornwall:

• St. Michael's Mount

• Bude Tunnel

• Lanhydrock House and Garden

• Pendennis Castle

• Bodmin Jail Attraction

Eat and Drink

Cornwall's food is worth trying, from high-quality local seafood and produce to top-notch dairy products and traditional bakery goods. To sample local produce, visit the bustling markets in Truro and Penzance.

Here are some Cornish food specialities to try:

• The Cornish pasty

• Cornish clotted cream

• Cornish Yarg

• Cornish saffron bun

• Cornish ice cream

Caravan Holidays in Cornwall FAQs

The following are the frequently asked questions about caravan holidays in Cornwall:

1. Why choose a caravan holiday in Cornwall?

First, Cornwall is famous for its magnificent coastline, charming beaches, and rich history and culture, making it an ideal place for a caravan holiday. Second, Cornwall has many well-equipped caravan sites that can meet different needs. 

Cornwall can provide many entertainment activities, including surfing, hiking, cycling, adventure, etc. Finally, Cornwall has a long history and unique culture, including ancient castles, mysterious prehistoric ruins, and characteristic fishing villages.

2. Are there pet-friendly caravan holiday parks in Cornwall?

For those who want to vacation in the southwest, many caravan parks in Cornwall are suitable for pet-friendly vacations. Here are some of the pet-friendly caravan holiday parks in Cornwall, based on Tripadvisor data:

Wheal Rodney Holiday Park

Tencreek Holiday Park

Cornish Coasts Caravan and Camping Park

Meadow Lakes Holiday Park

Honicombe Holiday Village & Leisure Centre

Widemouth Fields

Traveller's Rest Campsite & B&B

Higher Bochym Caravan & Motorhome Campsite with a CL

Roselands Caravan Park

3. Where to go with kids in Cornwall?

In Cornwall, you can take your kids to the beach to play in the sand with buckets and shovels. You can also take your kids to wildlife sanctuaries, water parks, adventure parks, etc. Here are some family-friendly attractions and activities recommended by visit Cornwall with kids:

Eden Project

Trebah Garden

National Maritime Museum Cornwall

Raze the Roof

August Rock Adventures

Via Ferrata Cornwall

Bodmin Railway

Geevor Tin Mine

Callestick Farm Ice Cream Parlour

Newquay Sea Safaris & Fishing

Cornish Seal Sanctuary

Final Thoughts

From stunning beaches to historic sites and gourmet food, your Cornwall caravan adventure will be memorable and enjoyable. Are you looking for a Cornwall holiday park close to the beach? In this comprehensive guide, we've highlighted some of the best caravan holidays in Cornwall. These parks all have something to offer, whether it's direct beach access, family-friendly facilities or peaceful surroundings.