This is a growing collection of stays in Cornwall and beyond that I’ve come across along the way. Not just somewhere to sleep for the night, but places that genuinely add something to the experience of being there.
I’m drawn to stays that feel right for their setting. Whether that’s a quiet cabin tucked away in the countryside, a simple campsite close to the coast, or somewhere that just encourages you to slow things down a bit.
These are the kinds of places where the surroundings become part of the stay. Where a morning coffee tastes better outside, and time feels like it stretches out a little more than usual.
It’s not about luxury or ticking boxes, it’s about how a place feels, and whether it’s somewhere I’d genuinely go back to.
Featured Stay
Cider Press sits right on the edge of the Luxulyan Valley, surrounded by woodland, old industrial remains and some genuinely beautiful walking country. It feels tucked away without ever feeling isolated, and within minutes of leaving the cottage you can be following the trails through one of Cornwall’s most atmospheric valleys.
The cottage itself has loads of warmth and character. There is plenty of natural light, comfortable spaces to properly switch off, a patio that quickly became the place for slow breakfasts and morning coffee, and of course the hot tub, which is very difficult to argue with after a day exploring the valley.
What stood out to me most was how naturally the stay encourages you to slow down. Mornings became unhurried, walks started almost from the doorstep, and evenings were mostly about food, reading and sitting outside while the valley quietened down around me. It is the sort of place where the stay becomes part of the story rather than simply somewhere to sleep.
If you are looking for a quiet Cornish escape with walking, woodland and a bit of genuine breathing space right outside the door, Cider Press is absolutely worth a look.
The Laos Hut – Tregardock Bay, Cornwall
Perched above the cliffs at Tregardock Bay, this is one of the most memorable places I’ve stayed. Completely tucked away in its own private paddock, it feels like you’ve got your own little corner of the Cornish coastline.
You arrive by driving through open fields before dropping into a small enclosed space that’s entirely yours. The setup is simple but full of character. A separate shower hut and camp kitchen sit just inside your paddock, both basic in the best way. Hot showers, a proper old-school stove, and everything you need without anything you don’t.
The hut itself is a single room on stilts, with a log burner inside and a fold-out bed that sets up in seconds, but this isn’t just any old fold out bed….honestly….It was the best nights sleep I’ve had in a cabin stay ever!!!! Fresh, crisp linen, a warm fire going, and nothing but the sound of the wind and the sea in the distance.
Out front, there’s a large granite fire pit with a grill over the top, perfect for slow evenings watching the sun drop directly out to sea. You’ve got sheep roaming nearby, the occasional sounds of surrounding farms, and that feeling of being properly off-grid without it ever feeling uncomfortable.
You’re only a short walk from the coast path, with access down to Tregardock Beach and one of the best waterfalls along this stretch.
Simple, remote, and a very special place.
Best for: Off-grid stays, coastal sunsets, and doing very little, very well
Dandelion Hut – Free Range Escapes, North Cornwall
This might genuinely be one of the best hut stays I’ve ever done.
Set along an old reclaimed railway line, the hut itself is something else. High ceilings, stained glass windows, and a space that feels light, calm, and properly thought through without losing that raw, outdoors feel.
Waking up here is magic. The morning light coming through the stained glass fills the space with colour, and with no curtains, you’re completely in sync with the day. Evenings are just as good. You can use the lights, but honestly, this place is best experienced by candlelight with the log burner ticking away.
Outside is where it really comes into its own. A private wood-fired hot tub tucked under a wild apple tree, and one of the best outdoor shower setups I’ve experienced. Simple wooden structure, hot water, and nothing but nature around you. It sounds basic, but it’s one of those things you don’t forget.
The wider site is just as special. You’ve got 20 acres of woodland to explore, plus a freshwater lake you can swim in, paddle out on, or just sit beside and do nothing.
Location-wise, it’s spot on. Close to Port Isaac, Polzeath, and some of the best stretches of the north Cornish coast, with places like Tintagel and Lundy Bay within easy reach. And Bluntrock Brewery just down the road if you fancy a proper pint.
Simple, atmospheric, and one of those places that just sticks with you.
Best for: Switching off, slow mornings, and proper immersive stays in nature
Eileen Hut – Duloe, Cornwall
Eileen Hut near Duloe is one of those stays that gives you a proper mix of comfort and countryside escape. The hut itself is spot on. A really comfy bed, fully equipped kitchen, and a proper shower room which makes it feel more like a small cabin than a basic hut. It’s warm, well set up, and just an easy place to settle into for a couple of nights.
What really makes this one though is the setting. It’s perched on the side of a valley, completely surrounded by fields and woodland, and the outdoor space is huge. Fully enclosed, totally private, and one of those places where you genuinely feel like you’ve got your own little corner of Cornwall to yourself.
The wood fired hot tub is a great feature and definitely adds to the experience, but it’s worth knowing it takes a serious amount of wood to get up to temperature and keep it there. When I stayed, it ended up costing quite a bit extra in logs, so if you’re planning on using it a lot, it’s something to factor in or prepare for.
It’s also well placed for exploring this part of the coast, with places like Polperro and Looe just a short drive away. Overall, a really solid countryside stay that gives you privacy, comfort, and space to properly switch off.
Best for: Couples or solo stays looking for a private countryside escape with a bit more comfort than your typical hut stay.
Cambrose Camping & Touring – Cornwall
Cambrose Camping & Touring is one of those places that feels perfectly positioned to explore this part of Cornwall. Sitting right on the Cornish Way, it’s easy to leave the car behind and head off on foot, by bike or even scooter to discover Portreath, Porthtowan, Cornwall Gold, The Track Bike Park and miles of spectacular coastline.
Back at the campsite you’ll find spacious pitches, an outdoor swimming pool, spotless facilities, site wide WiFi and some of the friendliest owners you’ll ever meet. If you’re looking for a peaceful base to explore Cornwall, this is one I’d happily recommend.
Best for:
- TentBox adventures
- Families
- Couples
- Cyclists & walkers
- Exploring Cornwall
- Relaxing countryside escapes
Visit Campsite ➡
Watch Tentbox Diaries Ep.3 ➡
Treverven Farm Camping – Cornwall
Nestled in West Cornwall, Treverven Farm Camping is one of my favourite bases for exploring the South West Coast Path and some of the county’s most spectacular beaches.
I stayed here whilst filming my SWCP series episodes in the area and found it to be the perfect place to slow down after a day on the coast. Spacious pitches, a relaxed atmosphere and easy access to Porthcurno, Pedn Vounder and the Minack Theatre make it an ideal stop for walkers, campers and TentBox adventurers alike. The staff are super friendly and helpful and the facilities are superb. They’ve also got a fantastically stocked shop if you’ve gone unprepared like I did where I was able to pick up an additional bottle of Camping Gaz and some sugar.
Best for:
- South West Coast Path walkers
- TentBox and rooftop campers
- Beach lovers
- Exploring West Cornwall
- Families and caravanning.
🎥 Featured in my South West Coast Path series.
Land’s End Camping and Glamping – Cornwall
Land’s End Camping & Glamping is one of the best bases I’ve found so far for exploring the far west of Cornwall, with places like Sennen, Porthgwarra and Nanjizal all within easy reach.
The campsite itself is brilliant for TentBox camping, with loads of electric hook up pitches, spotlessly clean facilities and genuinely dreamy showers after a long day outdoors. There’s even an outdoor shower for washing off wetsuits and sandy feet after a swim or surf.
One thing I really liked here was how relaxed and welcoming the whole site felt. The sunsets are unreal as well. Because the campsite faces directly towards Land’s End, the sun drops straight into the Atlantic on a clear evening.
They’ve also frozen their prices for the fourth year in a row, which honestly feels refreshing this close to one of Cornwall’s biggest tourist hotspots.
Best for: Exploring the far west of Cornwall, coastal walks, beach days and summer TentBox adventures.
Stoke Barton Farm and Campsite – Devon
Perched right on the North Devon coast, this is wild camping done properly. Open fields, sea air, and space to properly switch off after a long stretch on the path.
What makes this place special is having Speke’s Mill Mouth waterfall right on your doorstep, and the sunsets over Lundy are unreal.
They do offer limited electric hook up on the field, so whether you are in a tent, camper, or tentbox, you can all wake up to the same unreal view.
No over polish, no fuss. Just proper coastal camping.
Best for: A solid camping experiences with one of the best sunset spots on the the Hartland Headland.
Cloud Farm Campsite – Doone Valley, Exmoor
Cloud Farm sits deep in the Doone Valley within Exmoor National Park, and it’s one of the most visually stunning places I’ve stayed. Even in the height of summer, the campsite never felt overcrowded. It’s well set up, handles busy periods properly, and still gives you that sense of space and calm.
What makes this place though is what’s right on your doorstep. You can walk straight into the valley where you’ll find crystal clear river pools to swim in, huge meadow sections to sit and switch off, woodland trails, and open moorland all within easy reach. There’s also a National Trust tea room nearby, with Lynton and Lynmouth just a short drive away.
But the real standout here is the complete lack of phone signal. There is none. If you want to connect, you have to make a conscious decision to head to the National Trust reception for WiFi. Step away from it, and you’re back in your own world again.
No noise, no notifications, just a proper disconnect.
Best for: Switching off completely and experiencing a true digital detox in the heart of Exmoor.
St Christopher’s – Boscastle, Cornwall
Perfectly positioned in the village of Boscastle, this is one of those stays where everything is right on your doorstep. The harbour, the coast path, and everything you need within a couple of minutes, including being dangerously close to the Napoleon Inn.
The cottage itself is seriously spacious and feels properly thought through without losing any of its character. Exposed stone, loads of natural light, and a huge roll top bath that’s hard to beat after a long day out.
Upstairs there’s a massive master bedroom, along with a twin room tucked up in the attic, making it just as well suited to a family stay as it is a quieter break.
A really solid base in one of the best parts of North Cornwall, and somewhere that makes it very easy to slow things down and settle in.
Best for: Coastal walks, pub stays, and switching off properly
The Jamaica Inn – Bodmin Moor, Cornwall
Staying at The Jamaica Inn is less about the room, and more about the experience of being out on Bodmin Moor. Famous for its smuggling history and widely known as one of the most haunted inns in Cornwall, this place has a real atmosphere the moment you arrive. I stayed in the older part of the inn, the section most often linked to ghost stories. I didn’t encounter anything myself, but there’s definitely an eerie edge to the place that makes it feel completely different from a standard pub stay.
The room itself was spacious, comfortable, and more than enough for a few nights exploring the moor. And that’s exactly what this place is perfect for. You can walk straight from the door of the inn and head out onto Bodmin Moor, including routes up to Brown Willy, which offers some of the best views in Cornwall.
The pub is a huge part of the experience here. On arrival, before I’d even dropped my bag, I found myself sat at the bar with a pint and some homemade pork scratchings, which pretty much set the tone for the stay. The food is spot on. I had a full rack of ribs on the first night which were excellent, and the breakfast that came with the stay is absolutely worth it.
Inside, the decor leans into that historic, slightly spooky feel. At one point I was sat at a side bar with a mannequin behind me that genuinely felt like it was watching over my shoulder the whole time… which, given the inn’s haunted reputation, definitely adds to the experience. This isn’t a polished, modern hotel, it’s something far more memorable. A proper Cornish inn, full of history, mystery, and character, right in the middle of one of the wildest landscapes in the South West.
Best for: Haunted stays in Cornwall, moorland adventures, and a character-filled historic pub experience
This section is currently a work in progress, but it’s one I’m really excited to build out.
If you run, own, or know of a genuinely unique place to stay and think it would be a good fit for this website, I’d love to hear from you.
I’m always looking to feature stays that offer something a little different, whether that’s location, design, experience, or just somewhere that creates a real sense of escape.
If that sounds like you, feel free to get in touch via the Contact page or head over to the Work With Me section to start a conversation.