Introduction: Choosing Your Perfect Cornwall Caravan Holiday Base

Selecting the right location for your Cornwall caravan holiday sets the stage for your entire family adventure. With over 400 miles of stunning coastline, world-class attractions, and diverse landscapes, Cornwall offers incredible variety – but this can make choosing your base feel overwhelming.

This guide reveals the 7 perfect family bases for caravan holidays in Cornwall, each offering easy access to beaches, attractions, and activities within just 30 minutes. Whether your family loves surfing, history, gardens, or simply beautiful beaches, there's an ideal location waiting for you.

1. Newquay & Perranporth: Cornwall's Surf Capital

Best For: Active families, teenagers, surf enthusiasts

Why Choose This Area for Your Caravan Holiday

Newquay offers Cornwall's most comprehensive family entertainment alongside some of England's best surfing beaches. This area provides the perfect blend of adventure activities, family attractions, and reliable amenities that make caravan holidays in Cornwall effortless.

Within 30 Minutes of Your Caravan

• Beaches: Fistral Beach (surf central), Watergate Bay (family-friendly), Perran Sands (3 miles of golden sand)
• Family Attractions: Newquay Zoo, Blue Reef Aquarium, Dairy Land Farm World
• Activities: Surf schools, Adrenalin Quarry adventure park, crazy golf courses
• Rainy Day Options: Indoor adventure centers, bowling, cinema complex

Perfect 2-Day Mini-Itinerary

Day 1: Morning surf lesson at Fistral Beach, afternoon at Newquay Zoo, evening fish and chips on the harbor
Day 2: Full day at Watergate Bay (beach activities, Extreme Academy), sunset dinner with sea views

2. St Ives & Carbis Bay: Art, Culture & Turquoise Seas

Best For: Families with younger children, art lovers, beach enthusiasts

Why Choose This Area for Your Caravan Holiday

St Ives combines Cornwall's most Instagram-worthy scenery with family-friendly beaches and cultural attractions. The compact town center and multiple safe beaches make this area ideal for families wanting a classic Cornish experience.

Within 30 Minutes of Your Caravan

• Beaches: Porthmeor Beach (Blue Flag), Carbis Bay (sheltered family beach), Porthminster Beach (award-winning)
• Culture: Tate St Ives, Barbara Hepworth Museum, local artists' studios
• Activities: Boat trips to see seals, coastal path walks, art workshops for kids
• Easy Day Trips: St Michael's Mount (20 minutes), Penzance (25 minutes)

Perfect 2-Day Mini-Itinerary

Day 1: Morning at Carbis Bay beach, afternoon exploring St Ives galleries and shops, evening sunset from Porthmeor
Day 2: Boat trip for seal spotting, visit to St Michael's Mount, traditional pub dinner

3. Padstow, Rock & Wadebridge: Food, Cycling & Estuary Fun

Best For: Multi-generational families, food enthusiasts, gentle adventure seekers

Why Choose This Area for Your Caravan Holiday

The Camel Estuary area offers the perfect blend of foodie experiences, gentle outdoor activities, and beautiful beaches. This region excels at providing activities suitable for all ages, making it ideal for extended family caravan holidays in Cornwall.

Within 30 Minutes of Your Caravan

• Beaches: Daymer Bay (rock pooling paradise), Polzeath (family surfing), Constantine Bay
• Cycling: Camel Trail (flat, family-friendly, 17 miles of traffic-free cycling)
• Food Scene: Rick Stein's restaurants, local seafood, farmers markets
• Activities: Boat trips up the Camel, kayaking, estuary walks

Perfect 2-Day Mini-Itinerary

Day 1: Morning cycling on Camel Trail, afternoon at Daymer Bay beach, evening meal in Padstow
Day 2: Rock pooling and surfing lessons at Polzeath, traditional Cornish cream tea

4. St Austell Bay & Pentewan: Eden Project Central

Best For: Families visiting Eden Project, lovers of gardens and heritage

Why Choose This Area for Your Caravan Holiday

Perfectly positioned between Cornwall's north and south coasts, this area provides easy access to the world-famous Eden Project while offering quieter beaches and excellent value caravan parks.

Within 30 Minutes of Your Caravan

• Major Attractions: Eden Project (10 minutes), Lost Gardens of Heligan (15 minutes)
• Beaches: Pentewan Sands (safe family beach), Charlestown (historic port), Mevagissey harbor
• Activities: Eden Project zip wires, Heligan adventures, boat trips from Mevagissey
• Heritage: Wheal Martyn Clay Works, historic Charlestown ships

Perfect 2-Day Mini-Itinerary

Day 1: Full day exploring Eden Project biomes and adventures, evening at Pentewan beach
Day 2: Morning at Lost Gardens of Heligan, afternoon in historic Charlestown and Mevagissey

5. Looe & Polperro: Traditional Cornwall Charm

Best For: Families preferring south coast calm, traditional fishing village atmosphere

Why Choose This Area for Your Caravan Holiday

South Cornwall's gentler climate and traditional fishing ports offer a more relaxed pace perfect for families with younger children or those seeking authentic Cornish character.

Within 30 Minutes of Your Caravan

• Villages: Polperro (picture-perfect fishing village), Looe (family-friendly resort)
• Beaches: East Looe Beach (safe for children), Talland Bay (sheltered cove)
• Activities: Boat fishing trips, Monkey Sanctuary, Adrenalin Quarry
• Wildlife: Seal spotting boat trips, coastal path walks

Perfect 2-Day Mini-Itinerary

Day 1: Explore Polperro village and harbor, afternoon at Talland Bay, evening fish and chips
Day 2: Boat fishing trip from Looe, visit Monkey Sanctuary, traditional pub dinner

6. Falmouth: Maritime Heritage & Gardens

Best For: History enthusiasts, garden lovers, families wanting cultural variety

Why Choose This Area for Your Caravan Holiday

Cornwall's maritime capital offers world-class museums, stunning subtropical gardens, and excellent beaches, all within easy reach of your caravan base.

Within 30 Minutes of Your Caravan

• Attractions: National Maritime Museum Cornwall, Pendennis Castle
• Gardens: Trebah (subtropical paradise), Glendurgan (family maze)
• Beaches: Gyllyngvase Beach (Blue Flag), Maenporth Beach (sheltered)
• Activities: Boat trips on Helford River, kayaking, sailing

Perfect 2-Day Mini-Itinerary

Day 1: Maritime Museum and Pendennis Castle, afternoon at Gyllyngvase Beach
Day 2: Explore Trebah Gardens, boat trip on Helford River, waterfront dinner

7. Bude & Widemouth Bay: North Cornwall's Hidden Gem

Best For: Families wanting space, reliable surf, easier access from upcountry

Why Choose This Area for Your Caravan Holiday

Often overlooked, North Cornwall near the Devon border offers spectacular beaches, excellent value, and easier access via the A39, making it perfect for families traveling from further afield.

Within 30 Minutes of Your Caravan

• Beaches: Widemouth Bay (surfing and bodyboarding), Summerleaze Beach (tidal pool)
• Activities: Coastal path walks, golf, rock pooling
• Day Trips: Tintagel Castle (20 minutes), Clovelly in Devon (30 minutes)
• Wildlife: Atlantic Grey Seal spotting, bird watching

Perfect 2-Day Mini-Itinerary

Day 1: Surfing lessons at Widemouth Bay, explore Bude town and castle
Day 2: Day trip to legendary Tintagel Castle, coastal path adventure

Choosing Your Perfect Cornwall Caravan Holiday Base

For Families with Teenagers: Choose Newquay or Padstow

These areas offer the most activities and evening entertainment to keep older children engaged.

For Families with Young Children: Choose St Ives or Looe

Safer beaches, shorter distances, and more contained areas perfect for little ones.

For Garden and Culture Enthusiasts: Choose Falmouth or St Austell

Easy access to world-class gardens and cultural attractions.

For Budget-Conscious Families: Choose Bude or St Austell

Excellent value caravan parks with equally stunning scenery.

Final Tips for Your Cornwall Caravan Holiday

• Book Early: Popular caravan parks fill up 6-9 months ahead for peak season
• Check Park Facilities: Indoor pools are invaluable for rainy days
• Consider Park Size: Larger parks offer more amenities, smaller ones provide more peace
• Plan for Weather: Even summer can bring rain – indoor backup plans are essential

Each of these seven locations offers something special for Cornwall caravan holidays. Your perfect choice depends on your family's interests, ages, and preferences. The beauty of Cornwall is that wherever you choose as your base, you're never far from stunning coastline, fascinating attractions, and unforgettable family memories.

Ready to start planning your Cornwall caravan holiday? Follow Cornwall Caravan Holidays on Facebook for location spotlights, insider tips, and updates on our Spring 2026 launch across these beautiful areas!