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Penwarne Campsite

Mawnan Smith, Falmouth, Cornwall

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Mawnan Smith, Falmouth, Cornwall

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Ideally placed for exploring Cornwall, Penwarne Farm sits between the Helford River and Falmouth, with panoramic views across Falmouth Bay and Pendennis Castle. Choose from electric or non electric grass pitches for tents and tourers, enjoy homemade pies from the site cafe, and let little ones explore the adventure playground. With eight nearby beaches, scenic walks and top attractions, it's a great base for the whole family, including the dog!

Why choose Penwarne Campsite


Spacious electric and non electric pitches overlooking Falmouth Bay with an adventure playground

One of Cornwall's oldest campsites, welcoming campers since 1920 overlooking Falmouth Bay

Close to eight local beaches, including Meanporth Beach, a 30 minute walk away

About the site


Nestled in the heart of the Cornish countryside, with sea views across Falmouth Bay and inland towards Pendennis Castle, this is one of Cornwall's oldest campsites. The Mann family has worked on the land since 1886 and has welcomed campers since the 1920s. If you're looking for a coastal camping getaway, this working farm is ideally placed. A public footpath leads directly to Meanporth Beach, around 30 minutes away, while more than eight beautiful beaches can be reached within a ten minute drive. Whether you're planning lazy beach days, scenic coastal walks or family adventures, it's an ideal base for exploring South Cornwall. There is plenty of space for everyone, from families with children looking for room to play, to couples and groups wanting to relax and discover the coastline. During the high season, electric pitches are marked out with 16 amp hook ups, while those without electric can enjoy spacious grass pitches at the front of the field, with space for one gazebo, awning or pup tent. These are suitable for tents, roof tents, caravans and motorhomes. The farm is home to a variety of wildlife, so keep an eye out for pheasants, kestrels, buzzards and even bats during your stay. Well-behaved dogs are also welcome, provided they are kept on a lead at all times, as the site's friendly cattle may be grazing in the fields. BBQs and fire pits are allowed, provided they are raised off the ground, making it easy to enjoy relaxed alfresco dining and cosy evenings.

Penwarne Campsite is open from 01/05 to 31/10. Pitches from £20/night for 2 people.


What facilities are at Penwarne Campsite?

Accessible facilities

Allow commercial vans

Allow pets on site

Café / restaurant / takeaway

Drinking water

Family friendly

Shop

Showers

Toilets

W.C. disposal

WiFi

Electric hookups

Fires allowed

Freezer

Fridge

Kids playground

Laundry

Near beach

Near pub

Peaceful

Wash up area

Guests have access to a facilities block with separate male and female toilets, warm showers and an accessible bathroom. There is also a washing up area, laundry room and a communal fridge/freezer.

For younger guests, there is an adventure playground with slides. Please note that EV charging is not available unless prior arrangements have been made.

The Pig in the Sky is the site's welcoming cafe, open from Tuesday to Sunday from 8am to 4:30pm. It serves a delicious selection of homemade pies and cakes, hearty full English breakfasts and drinks from its licensed bar.

For everyday essentials, The Village Shop is a 20 minute walk away, while Sainsbury's can be reached in a ten minute drive in Falmouth. If you're looking to eat out, The Red Lion is a 25 minute walk, serving a range of food and drinks.



There are 80 accommodation options on-site

Bookable pitches and accommodation options

Non electric grass pitches at Penwarne Campsite
Non electric grass pitches for tents and touring at Penwarne Campsite
Non electric grass pitches with Falmouth Bay views and communal picnic benches

40 x Non Electric Grass Pitches

Max 8 people

Grass pitches without electric, suitable for tents, roof tents, campervans, caravans and motorhomes. Pets welcome. One gazebo, awning or pup tent is included.

Electric grass pitches overlooking Falmouth Bay (16 amp hook up)
Electric grass pitches near communal picnic benches
Caravans on electric grass pitches with awning and gazebo space (16 amp hook up)

40 x Electric Grass Pitches

Max 8 people

Spacious, elevated pitches located at the top of the field, with views over Falmouth Bay towards Pendennis Castle. Pitches are mostly flat, with 16 amp electric hook ups. Pets welcome. One gazebo, awning or pup tent is included.


Penwarne Campsite reviews

Thumbs up

83%

would recommend

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Showing the most recent reviews from guests

Casual grassy field with sheep and a cafe

Jennifer H

0

0

Medium Tent - Non Electric Grass PitchesJun 2026

We stayed at the campsite during the Sea Shanty festival weekend. I'd read some of the other reviews (esp on trip advisor) which were more critical of the facilities, but I found them clean, with plenty of loos and hot water in the shower. Not fancy, but perfectly adequate (though, my word, trying to keep my toddlers from escaping the shower block was a mission) I loved that it was a very relaxed site with a big green grassy field and everyone there seemed friendly. The cafe was open 8-4pm, didn't try it but looked alright. The sheep were walking round right up to the tents and that was fun, our girls loved it. Glad we didn't bring our dog or everyone would have heard her woofs. All in all, a simple, grassy field with a casual vibe, warm showers and a great view

Stunning views

Michelle N

0

0

Motorhome - Electric Grass PitchesJun 2026

Beautiful campsite. Arrived to a very warm welcome and amazing views. Pitches are fairy flat at the top of the site bit my ramps were not enough so bring some extra bits of wood if in a motorhome. Great washing facilities, showers, sinks toilets were all clean. Water lovely and warm. They have washing machines and tumble dryers. Kettles were there to use. I think there was a kind of club lounge as people were watching football a massive TV in the evenings. There is a newly opened cafe which was very well stocked and made lovely coffee. It's a 10/15 minute drive to Falmouth town. Definitely coming here again. Waking up to see sheep nibbling the grass around you in the field I was so lovely. They have a small kids play area, if I'm honest could do with a bit of TLC but we weren't there for that so it didn't bother us. Lots of rubbish bins to keep the place tidy.

Fishing trip

Chris K

0

0

Sprinter-Type Campervan - Non Electric Grass PitchesJun 2026

The grass had been cut and grass cuttings got everywhere.

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Need to know

Frequently asked questions about Penwarne Campsite

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Site rules

Check-in is available between noon and 7pm at Penwarne Campsite. Please let the site know if you are likely to be delayed. Departure is due before 11am on your last day.

Before you arrive at Penwarne Campsite, you'll receive a text message with instructions for check-in.

Yes, Penwarne Campsite is dog friendly, allowing up to three per pitch. Please keep them on a lead at all times as this is a working farm.

Yes, BBQs and campfires are permitted at Penwarne Campsite if they are raised off the ground and well-supervised.

Penwarne Campsite will always try to pitch group bookings together. For non electric pitches, that's rarely a problem. Due to the layout (see the site plan) with hook up pitches at the top of the field and the rest of the field used for non electric, where there is a mix of the two, groups will be pitched close by but not side by side.

Yes, Penwarne Campsite is family friendly. There is a playpark, including a slide, climbing frame and swings to keep the little ones entertained. The farm café sells a variety of food and drinks for the whole family to enjoy. There are eight beaches within a ten minute drive, and a footpath from the campsite takes you straight to Meanporth Beach, plus there's a variety of other family attractions nearby.

Yes, Penwarne Campsite does operate a quiet policy between 10pm and 8am.

Pitches

No, awnings are not permitted at Penwarne Campsite. Gazebos and pup tents can be brought for a small nightly charge.

The electric hook ups at Penwarne Campsite are 16 amp.

All of the electric pitches at Penwarne Campsite have your usage included in the price of your booking.

At Penwarne Campsite, it is just one tent/touring unit per pitch.

Facilities

No, there is not a shop at Penwarne Campsite. For picking up essentials, The Village Shop is a 20 minute walk away, or Sainsbury's is a ten minute drive away in Falmouth.

No, there is not a restaurant or café at Penwarne Campsite. For dining out, The Red Lion is a 25 minute walk away, serving food and drinks.

No, Penwarne Campsite does not offer EV charging unless prior arrangements have been made. The closest electric vehicle charging point is InstaVolt Charging Station, a ten minute drive away.

Most phone service providers should be able to access a phone and 4G signal at Penwarne Campsite.

Getting there

The nearest train station to Penwarne Campsite is Penryn which is a ten minute drive away. The closest bus stop is Woodcroft which is a ten minute walk away and offers regular services to Falmouth and Helston.

Local taxi companies to Penwarne Campsite include Treble One Taxis (01326 210111), Abacus and Falmouth Taxis (01326 212141) and Falmouth and Penryn Radio Taxis (01326 313131).

The nearest bus stop to Penwarne Campsite is Woodcroft which is a ten minute walk away and offers regular services to Falmouth and Helston.

What's nearby

There are several beaches close to Penwarne Campsite, with direct access to Maenporth Beach from the site via a footpath, taking 30 minutes.

The nearest pub to Penwarne Campsite is The Red Lion, a 20 minute walk away. Falmouth is 15 minutes away with plenty more options, including The Shed, Quayside Inn, and Fives Cyderhouse.

Local walking routes to Penwarne Campsite include National Trust - Glendurgan Garden and Trebah Garden, both a five minute drive away.

Penwarne Campsite has direct access to Maenporth Beach via a footpath, just 30 minutes away. The Red Lion and The Village Shop can both be reached within a 25 minute stroll, and Woodcroft bus stop is ten minutes away with services to Falmouth and Helston.

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Ask a question and a member of the team will get back to you as soon as they can


A note from the site themselves...

Penwarne Barton is a working farm where we have cows, sheep, chickens, pheasants and peafowl on the farm. You may also see our working cats, Bayley and Guinness.

Children can enjoy the adventure playground or come and visit our welcoming Pie In The Sky cafe.

We love animals, and we know that your pets need a holiday too! Cornwall is a fantastic destination if you are planning on bringing the whole family, including four-legged friends, and we look forward to welcoming you soon, Paul

Penwarne Campsite is ideal for...

Couples
Large same-sex groups
Older children (13+)
Young children

Things to do on site and in the Falmouth area

The site is close to Falmouth and the North Helford AONB. Visit Falmouth for the Maritime Museum and Pendennis Castle for history, or take a boat trip down the Fal River.

In the summer, Falmouth welcomes the Oyster Festival, the Sea Shanty Festival and the Tall Ships, all sure to keep guests entertained. Perhaps the most impressive is Falmouth Week, during August, when the Red Arrows usually visit.

You will find a selection of local boat trips and charters that can take you and the family out to see the local seals, dolphins and seabirds. Minky Whales have also been spotted off the coast of Falmouth.

The South West Coast Path is only ten minutes away, as are the gardens of Trebah and Glendurgan. Explore the local creek-side villages of Port Navas and Gweek, which is home to a seal sanctuary.

You can eat out in the numerous restaurants in Falmouth or explore the local village pubs. Grab a pasty and eat it on one of the quays while you watch a hive of water activities go on.

Cornwall is famous for its beautiful beaches for good reason. Visit Gyllyngvase and Swanpool, where paddleboards can be hired. Alternatively, if you are feeling energetic, walk to Meanporth, the closest beach to the site, and hire out a kayak to explore the clear blue Cornish waters.

Helford Passage is a must-see, so hire a boat to explore the river, go crabbing off the pontoon or take the ferry to the other side.

Other nearby attractions include:

  • Trebah Gardens (5 minutes)
  • Glendurgan Gardens (5 minutes)
  • Pendennis Castle (15 minutes)
  • National Maritime Museum (15 minutes)
  • Orca Sea Safaris (15 minutes)
  • Cornish Seal Sanctuary (20 minutes)
  • Paradise Park (40 minutes)
  • Kynance Cove (45 minutes)
  • St Michael's Mount (45 minutes)
  • The Lost Gardens of Heligan (50 minutes)
  • The Eden Project (60 minutes)
  • The Tate Gallery (60 minutes)

The listing for Penwarne Campsite was last updated on July 9th, 2026 at 10:43 AM

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