Sennen Cove camping: Our top tips

What better way to soak up the British summer than a sunny coastal camping trip down to Cornwall to enjoy its family-friendly seaside charms, scenic spots and classic features. With miles of unspoilt coastline, Cornwall boasts an array of beaches, bays and coves which range from bustling tourist hubs such as Newquay to serene little gems nestled into the landscape.

Few beaches manage to pull off the best of both worlds. However, less than a mile from Lands End, Sennen Cove, is a rare mix of popularity and relaxation. Continue reading our guide as we give you a taste of what the region has to offer so that you can make the most of your camping experience here.

The Beach

As you approach from the busy A30, you will be met by Sennen Cove’s idyllic little fishing village and a 150 year old lifeboat station. There are numerous cafes, pubs, art galleries and shops along the seafront. Big rollers out at sea are turned into huge waves thanks to the beach’s mile-long crescent shape. As a result, thousands of beach bunnies come down to Sennen Cove each year with their surf boards primed and ready to go all day long with lifeguards on watch throughout the summer months.

Although the beach and the nearby Pedn-men-du promontory make this a popular place for sunbathers, climbers, walkers and water sports enthusiasts, it manages to retain a friendly and relaxed atmosphere amidst the stunning natural scenery.
After a few hours of wandering around the art galleries and shops for classic beach mementos, visitors can kick back in one of Sennen Cove’s eateries. Stop by Little Bo Cafe, the Beach Restaurant or the Old Success Inn for some heart food and warm company.

Location

Many visitors head down to Penzance where they can easily travel to Sennen Cove nine miles away. Just follow the A30 which leads you around the outskirts of Penzance and carry on the same road until you see signs for Sennen Cove and Land’s End, Britain’s most westerly point in mainland Britain. However, if you hit the sea, you have gone a bit too far!

The small sheltered bay stretches for roughly a mile around the shoreline. At low tide, the superb surfing spot of Gwynver Beach to the north east can be accessed. Land’s End can also be reached by foot via the 630 mile long South West Coast Path, one of the best coastal paths in the UK. Although these are must-do activities in the area, always keep a watchful eye on the tide to avoid getting stranded at Gwynver.

Facilities

At the end of a weary drive down the motorway, travellers will be pleased to hear that Sennen Cove has plenty of parking choices by the beach, the harbour, at nearby Gwynver Beach and up by the cliffs inland.

Dogs are banned from Sennen Cove during the peak beach season from May 1 to September 30 from 8 am to 7 pm. However, owners can easily walk their dogs up to Gwynver beach which is pooch-friendly all year round. While there are no toilet facilities at Gwynver, there is access to toilets beside the car parks at Sennen Cove.

Accomodation

Alongside some top notch surfing and sunbathing, holidaymakers can also look forward to easy access to a range of campsites over the course of their stay. Many charming farmhouse campsites and holiday parks lie just over a mile away from Sennen Cove to the south east. There are also a number of towns further afield, including St Just, Crows-an-Wra and St Buryan, which have a number of accommodation options. However, campers should stick close to the shoreline for the best sites in the region.

Nearby Attractions

If you fancy dragging yourselves away from the beach to sample more of what Cornwall has to offer, there are a variety of towns are on hand for you to explore. Discover additional seaside treats such as St Ives, which is roughly 17 miles away, Penzance and Cape Cornwall, featuring a golf and leisure centre to the north.

You do not need to go far to enjoy a sunny, relaxing break in the UK. As this guide demonstrates, when in Cornwall, a cove isn’t merely a cove. With restaurants, shops, water sports and other goodies nestled into just one quiet spot on the Cornish coast, you want to think about extending your stay to make the most of this beach-lover’s paradise.